How to turn on Wi-Fi on Xiaomi phone: 5 ways + error solving

Wireless Wi-Fi has become an integral part of everyday smartphone use, but even owners of popular Xiaomi devices sometimes have difficulty activating it. You can turn on Wi-Fi on Xiaomi in several ways - through the Quick Settings Panel, the Parameters menu, or even a voice assistant. However, in practice, users face situations when the connection button is inactive, the network is not detected or the connection is permanently broken.

In this article, we will not only discuss basic methods of turning on WLAN (as Wi-Fi is also called in the technical documentation), but also consider common errors associated with MIUI firmware, hardware limitations or router settings. Special attention will be paid to models with dual Wi-Fi (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), which require additional configuration for maximum speed. If your smartphone does not connect to the network despite all attempts, at the end of the article you will find a checklist to diagnose the problem.

1. Basic method: Enable Wi-Fi through the notification panel

The fastest method of activating a wireless network is using the Quick Settings Panel. It works on all Xiaomi models, from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Mi 14, regardless of the MIUI version (12 to 15).

1. Unlock the phone screen (if it is locked).
2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
3. If the panel is displayed in a shortened form (with 4-6 icons), make another swipe down for full disclosure.
4. Find a Wi-Fi icon (stylized as a dot in the middle) and tap it, and the icon will light up in blue or green, which means the module is on.

If the icon does not change color after clicking or a Wi-Fi Error notification appears, move to the next section - the problem may lie in the system settings or hardware failure.

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On some models (such as POCO F5), you can configure the Quick Settings Panel: press the Wi-Fi icon and drag it to the top for priority display.

2. Enable Wi-Fi through the Settings menu

When the notification bar is not available (for example, due to a MIUI failure or work profile limitations), you can turn on Wi-Fi through the main settings menu.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Go to the Wi-Fi section (older versions of MIUI may call it Connections → Wi-Fi).
3. Activate the switch at the top of the screen (Wi-Fi or Wireless).
4. Wait for the phone to find the available networks. Tap your network name, enter your password (if required), and click Connect.

On devices with MIUI 14+, the smart connectivity feature is available on this menu: the smartphone automatically switches between stored networks depending on the signal strength. To turn it off, go to Additional Settings → Autoconnect and deactivate the option.

3. Voice control: Enabling Wi-Fi through Google Assistant

Modern Xiaomi smartphones support voice control through Google Assistant or Xiao AI, a method that is convenient if you have busy hands or the screen is locked.

1. Activate Voice Assistant: For Google Assistant: Say OK, Google or press the Home button (on older models). For Xiao AI: Say Little Curious AI (on Chinese firmware) or click the microphone icon in the search bar.
2. Tell the command: Turn on Wi-Fi Connect to the network [network name] Find available Wi-Fi networks

If the assistant answers that he can not execute the command, check:

• 🔊 Microphone permissions for the assistant application in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🌐 Recognition language – in the settings of the assistant must be selected Russian (or English).
• 📶 Internet connection – voice commands require a mobile network or previously stored Wi-Fi connection.

4. Problem Solving: Wi-Fi is not turned on or permanently shut down

If after all the manipulations, Wi-Fi still doesn't work, the cause may lie in software or hardware malfunctions.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M5) You may have problems with 5GHz Wi-Fi because of drivers. Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

5. Additional Wi-Fi Features on Xiaomi: What You Can Configure

In addition to basic connectivity, MIUI also has several useful features to optimize wireless network performance, which can improve speed, stability and security:

• 🔄 Automatic switching between networks: Enables in Wi-Fi settings → Additionally. → Autoconnection: Useful if you have multiple access points (e.g., at home and at neighbors).
• 🛡️ Protection against fake networks: Avoid fake networks in additional settings blocks connection to fraudulent access points (for example, the option to avoid fake networks, Free_WiFi_Starbucks).
• 📶 Priority of Wi-Fi over Mobile Network: C Settings SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data transfer can be prevented from automatically switching to mobile Internet with weak Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 Wi-Fi Scanner: Security app (from Xiaomi) contains a tool to analyze nearby networks, their channels and signal level.

On devices with MIUI 13+, Wi-Fi 6 Enhance is available (for models with support for 802.11ax, such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi K50) and optimizes work on busy networks (for example, in airports or shopping centers). To activate it, go to Wi-Fi Settings → Additional → Wi-Fi 6 mode.

🔹 Reboot your phone and router

🔹 Update the firmware MIUI last-minute

🔹 Check Wi-Fi on another device (laptop, tablet)

🔹 Reset network settings in Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings

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6. Network settings reset: a last resort

If none of these things worked, and Wi-Fi still doesn't work, the last step before you go to the service center is to reset your network settings, which will delete all the stored networks, passwords, and reset your mobile Internet and Bluetooth settings.

1. Open Settings → System → Reset.
2. Select Reset Network Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code.
4. After restarting your phone, try turning on Wi-Fi again.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 11) after reset, the Wi-Fi Calling option may disappear. To return it, go to Settings SIM-map → [yours SIM] → Wi-Fi calls and activate the function manually.

On devices with an unlocked bootloader, resetting your network settings can cause you to lose your IMEI. Check it with *#06# before you do the procedure and save it somewhere.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Wi-Fi on Xiaomi

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If after all the manipulations Wi-Fi on Xiaomi did not work, the problem may be hardware (damaged module or antenna).In this case, contact the service center - self-repair without experience is fraught with loss of warranty.