Xiaomi phone does not connect to Wi-Fi: all the reasons and ways to fix

Your Xiaomi smartphone (whether it’s Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or the flagship Mi 13 Ultra) stubbornly refuses to connect to Wi-Fi? Networks are not displayed on the list, password is not accepted, and the connection indicator rotates endlessly? This problem is familiar to millions of users, and its causes can be hidden in the settings of the phone, router or even provider. 80% of the fault is fixed on its own — without contacting the service center.

We have analyzed hundreds of reviews from 4PDA, Mi Community and service centers to provide a comprehensive guide to diagnostics and repairs.

• 🔍 Checklist of 5 steps for quick check of obvious reasons (disabled Wi-Fi, plane mode, etc.).
• ⚙️ Hidden settings MIUI, which block the connection (for example, Frequency Sharing or Intelligent Switching).
• 📡 Router options that make Xiaomi unable to see the network (channel, encryption, MAC-filtering).
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunctions: how to check the Wi-Fi antenna and what to do if the module burned.

Special attention was paid to the unique problem of Xiaomi smartphones on Qualcomm processors (Snapdragon). 4/6/7/8 series - conflict with routers on frequency 5 GHz due to drivers QCA6174/QCA6390. This is relevant for models. 2020–2026 years, including the Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F4 Xiaomi 12T.

Basic checks: what to do first

Before you dig deep into the settings, make sure that the problem isn't the trivial stuff, and according to service centers, 30 percent of Wi-Fi calls are solved at this point.

• 📶 Is Wi-Fi on your phone? Check the top notification curtain or go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Sometimes the module is turned off after the update. MIUI.
• ✈️ Plane Mode: Even if it’s off, try turning it on and off again – it resets network settings.
• 🔋 Battery charge: below 5%, Xiaomi automatically turns off Wi-Fi to save energy.
• 🔄 Reboot: Turn off the phone for 30 seconds, then turn it on. This clears the cache of network services.

If the network still doesn't appear, check if other devices (laptop, tablet) see it. If it doesn't, the problem is in the router or the ISP. If so, move to the next section.

Wi-Fi settings in MIUI: hidden settings

Xiaomi hides some of the network settings under the "extended" options, and their incorrect values often block the connection.

1. Frequency division: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → ⚙️ Additionally. → Frequency division. If it's on, turn it off, it can cause conflicts with dual-band routers.
2. Smart Switch: In the same menu, turn off the option Auto Switch to Mobile Data. It sometimes resets the connection.
3. MAC-Address: In Settings → The phone. → General information find MAC-Wi-Fi address. If it starts at 02:00:00, it's a virtual address - reset it (more on that below).

Important! On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 11), the path to settings is different. If you don't find a point, use the settings search (the magnifier in the upper right corner).

3.Router problems: channels, encryption, MAC-filtering

The router is not the phone, but the router is the 40 percent of the time, especially if other devices are struggling, and check these parameters in the router's admin panel (usually accessed on 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1):

If you are using a dual-band router (2.4+5GHz), try:

1. Turn off 5GHz and leave only 2.4GHz (or vice versa).
2. Set different names (SSID) for each range (e.g, MyWiFi_2G and MyWiFi_5G).
3. Manually choose a channel instead of Auto – this eliminates interference from neighboring networks.

💡

If after changing the settings of the router Wi-Fi disappeared on all devices, reset the router button Reset (hold 10 seconds).

4. Resetting network settings and MAC-address

If the previous steps didn't work, reset the phone's network settings, which will delete all the stored networks and return the settings to factory settings.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Additional → Resetting.
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Data and Bluetooth settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

If the problem is MAC-address (for example, after updating it reset to default), follow:

Settings → About Phone → All settings → MAC- Wi-Fi → Reset

⚠️ Attention, some models (POCO F3, Xiaomi 11T) discharge MAC-If the Wi-Fi doesn't work after that, check if the router has a binding on it. MAC (Turn it off in the admin panel).

5. Conflicts with the firmware and Android kernel

MIUI updates sometimes break Wi-Fi due to errors in network chip drivers, especially for Qualcomm Snapdragon devices (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro with QCA6174 or POCO X3 Pro with QCA6390).

Signs of software failure:

• 🔄 Wi-Fi is turned on, but after 5-10 seconds it is turned off.
• 📵 5GHz networks are not displayed, and 2.4GHz are working.
• ⚡ Wi-Fi icon is grey, although the network is connected.

Decisions:

1. Reverse Update: If the issue appears after the update, go back to the previous version of MIUI via Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Select the Service Pack.
2. Install Custom Core: For advanced users, the kernel firmware with corrected drivers (e.g., FrancoKernel for Snapdragon 865/870).
3. Reset to factory: Extreme measure – complete reset via Settings → System → Reset settings (don’t forget to make a backup!).

Hardware malfunctions: antenna, module, soldered contacts

If the software methods didn't work, it could be the hardware.

• 📡 Wi-Fi antenna: Breaks after falls or moisture. Sign - a weak signal even near the router.
• 🔌 Antenna connector: Moves away from the board (especially after repairs).
• 🛠️ Module Wi-Fi/Bluetooth: Burns up when voltage surges or after a failed firmware.

How to diagnose:

1. Check the signal: if there is only 1-2 divisions next to the router, the problem is in the antenna.
2. Turn on modem modem (Settings → Access Point). If other devices don't connect to your Xiaomi, the transmitting module is to blame.
3. Put a flashlight on the back cover at the antenna (top left corner) and if you see any traces of oxidation, you get moisture.

Cost of repair:

• Replacement of antenna: 800-1 500 ₽.
• Interpling of the connector: 1000-2 500 ₽.
• Wi-Fi module replacement: 2,000–4,000 ₽ (model-wise).

⚠️ If the phone falls or gets wet, don't dry it with a hair dryer or rice, it will aggravate the corrosion of the contacts.

7. Alternative ways of connecting to the Internet

While you are looking for a solution, you can temporarily use other methods of accessing the network:

• 📶 Mobile Internet: Activate data transfer in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• 🔗 USB-Tetering: Connect your phone to your PC via USB and turn on the settings. → Access point → USB-modem.
• 📡 External Wi-Fi adapter: Xiaomi with support OTG I'll use a chip adapter. RTL8153 (worth ~500 ₽).

If you urgently need Wi-Fi for work, try reconfiguring your router to a 6 (2.4GHz) channel – it is least prone to interference and usually works even with “broken” modules.

💡

Before visiting the service center, be sure to check the phone on another router (such as a cafe or friends) to help eliminate the problem with your home network.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Wi-Fi on Xiaomi