How to strengthen the network signal on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face situations where the signal indicator shows only one or two sticks and the Internet is unstable, especially in areas with uncertain reception or in rooms with thick walls. MIUI and HyperOS software algorithms sometimes aggressively save energy, which can lead to premature shutdown of the communication module.

But it's too early to panic, because in most cases, the problem is incorrect network priority settings or software failure, not a physical antenna failure. Proper settings allow you to significantly improve communication quality without using external amplifiers. Let's look at proven methods that will help you restore a stable signal.

Before we get to the complex manipulations, we should eliminate the banal factors that affect the operation of the radio module, often just restarting services or changing the mode of operation is enough to make the situation radically change for the better.

Diagnosis and primary settings

The first step should always be to diagnose the current state of the network, and many users ignore the basic settings by relying on the system's automation, but manual control is the best thing to do, and check if Flight mode is on and off again, which force you to restart your cell phone tower search.

If you look at a SIM card that's been in use for more than 3-4 years, it could have oxidized and thinned its conductive layer, which has a direct impact on signal strength, insert the SIM card into another phone for testing, or contact the salon to replace it with a new one that supports modern standards.

⚠️ Warning: Before removing the SIM card tray, make sure the device is turned off or supports hot replacement to avoid damage to contacts or software failure of the file system.

Also worth checking is whether the smartphone has a case with metal inserts or magnetic elements. Metal shields antennas, which in modern Xiaomi models are often embedded in the frame of the case. Remove the case and assess the changes in signal level.

It is also important to check the settings of the access point. → SIM-maps and mobile networks make sure that the right type of network is chosen for your SIM card.

Shifting Network Modes and Priorities

The most effective way to get your phone to cling to the network is by manually controlling communication standards. Current 4G and 5G networks provide high speeds but have a smaller coverage radius than 3G and 2G. If you're far from the tower, the phone will constantly try to find fast internet, losing the stability of voice communication.

Try to temporarily switch the network mode to only 3G or 2G. This may seem like a step backwards, but for voice calls in remote areas, it's often the only solution. 4G.

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At night, when the load on the network is minimal, the 3G speed can be quite sufficient for messengers, and the battery charge in this mode is spent more economically.

To access the extended network selection menu, you can use engineering code. Dial ##4636##. From the menu that opens, select Phone Information and find “Configure preferred network type.”

You can choose specific combinations here, such as LTE only (4G only), if you are sure of coverage, or GSM only for extreme battery saving and cellar signal capture. Be careful: when choosing LTE Only mode, incoming calls may not pass if the operator does not support VoLTE technology.

Remember to return settings to automatic mode after leaving the bad reception zone, otherwise you may be left without the Internet where it should be.

Resetting APN access point settings

Often the problem is not the signal level, but the carrier's incorrect Internet connection settings. APN access points can get lost after a firmware update or manual changes, resetting them returns factory settings optimized for your region.

Go to the Settings menu → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Select a SIM card. → Access points (APN). In the lower corner of the screen, click Reset or Restore by Default. After that, be sure to restart the device.

If automatic reset didn't work, you can create a new access point manually by taking the current data on your operator's official website, and errors in even one character in the APN or Password field can block data transmission.

In some cases, it helps to turn on and off the “Always Active Mobile Internet” mode in the “Developers” section, although this affects the speed of switching between Wi-Fi and the mobile network rather than the signal strength.

Use of engineering menus and codes

The Engineering Menu is a powerful tool for advanced users to access hidden modem functions. On Xiaomi smartphones, you log in via a standard number dialer. Code ##4636## opens a test menu where you can see the real signal power in dBm.

The power of the signal is represented by negative numbers. The closer the number to zero, the better the signal. For example, -80 dBm is a great signal, and -110 dBm is already a zone of insecure reception, monitoring this indicator will help you find a place in the apartment with better coverage.

⚠️ Warning: Changing unknown parameters in the engineering menu may result in a complete loss of communication.

Another useful code is ##6484##, which runs CIT-Menu (Equipment Check) You can run a test here «SIM» Or radio to see if the phone sees the SIM card and antennas at all, which eliminates hardware bugs.

Using the #726### code allows you to check the QCQM version (Qualcomm), which is useful in diagnosing modem problems, but the 4636 menu is enough for normal signal amplification.

Impact of updates and resetting settings

MIUI and HyperOS firmware are regularly updated, and sometimes new versions contain errors in the modem drivers. If the signal problems started immediately after the update, consider rolling back or waiting for a patch. However, a simple network reset often helps.

In the Settings menu → Connection & Sharing → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth can clear all network settings.This will remove stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairs, but often solves problems with sticking the communication module.

If that doesn't work, the radical method is a complete factory reset, and a full reset removes all data from your phone, so be sure to back up important files to the cloud or computer before you start the procedure.

After resetting, the phone returns to the “out of the box” state, eliminating the impact of third-party applications and system file conflicts. If the signal remains weak after a clean reset without installing applications, the probability of hardware failure increases to 90%.

Hardware causes and external factors

You can't discount the physical damage, because a smartphone crash could have caused the antenna plume to detach or damaged the module itself, and in such cases, the software methods are powerless, and a visit to the service center is required.

Also worth considering is the material of the walls and the construction of the building: concrete with reinforcement, tinted glass with metallized spraying and energy-saving window coverings can shield the signal almost completely, in such cases only moving closer to the window or using Wi-Fi Calling helps.

Wi-Fi Calling allows you to make calls over the Internet channel, bypassing the cellular network, a feature supported by most modern operators and Xiaomi smartphones, and can be activated in the SIM card menu or through the operator's application.

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If neither software method helped, and in another phone with the same SIM card signal is excellent – the problem is in the antenna module of your Xiaomi.

In rare cases, it helps to carefully extract the SIM card and wipe the contacts with a rod or alcohol, but this should be done extremely carefully so as not to damage the chip.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)