Why the Wi-Fi hotspot on Xiaomi phone doesn’t work: A complete guide to diagnosing and troubleshooting

You try to distribute the Internet from a Xiaomi smartphone, but the Wi-Fi hotspot stubbornly refuses to work? Connected devices do not see the network, the connection is constantly broken or there is an error “failed to turn on the hotspot”? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, Poco and Mi – and it can have a dozen reasons, from trivial settings to hardware malfunctions of the Wi-Fi module.

In this article, we will systematically analyze all the possible reasons why the access point on Xiaomi does not work, from software failures of MIUI to carrier limitations, you will get step-by-step diagnostic instructions, checklists and a table of compatibility of models with different Wi-Fi standards.

Important: the solutions in the article are relevant for all modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 12/13 series, Poco F5/X5, Mi 11/12/13 and older models on MIUI 12-14. If your Released phone is before 2018, check the section on outdated firmware.

1. Check the basic settings of the access point

Start with the obvious: the problem may be that the hotspot itself is not configured correctly. On Xiaomi, it is hidden deeper than on Android stock, and often gets knocked down after MIUI updates.

Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Access Point and Modem → Mobile Access Point. Check here:

• 🔄 Switch status: if it is gray and inactive, the problem may be in the SIM-card or tariff (see section 3).
• 📛 Name of the network (SSID): This is the default phone model (for example, Redmi_Note_12_5G). If the name contains Cyrillic or special characters - change to Latin.
• 🔒 Type of safety: must stand WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK. If you select Open Network, some devices (laptops, tablets) may block the connection.
• 📶 Frequency Range: Xiaomi uses 2.4GHz by default, but if your phone supports 5GHz, try switching (see compatibility table below).

If the access point is not working after the changes, restart the phone. On Xiaomi with MIUI 13+, sometimes a forced stop of the service com.android.tethering helps (instruction in section 5).

Conflicts with SIM-map-and-operator

More than 30% of Xiaomi hotspot issues are related to mobile operator restrictions or malfunction SIM-Operators often block the distribution of the Internet at tariffs with unlimited traffic or require the connection of an additional option.

How to check:

• 📱 Call the operator (or check your account) and check if you allow Internet distribution on your tariff. For example, Tele2 blocks the access point at My Online rates, and MTS requires a Modem option for 50-100 ₽/month.
• 🔄 Change the slot. SIM-If you have a Xiaomi with two slots, try moving the card to another. Sometimes the problem lies in the damaged contact of the first slot.
• 🆔 Check it out. IMEI: If the phone was bought from hand, it may be in the blacklist of the operator (you can find out by command *#06#).

⚠️ Note: If after replacement SIM-The access point has been activated, a problem in the old card, and often the fault is the wear of the chip (especially on cards older than 5 years) or damage to contacts after frequent retrieval.

If the operator confirmed that the distribution is allowed, but the access point still does not work, go to the next section.

3.Firmware failures MIUI: How to Reset Network Settings

MIUI firmware is known for its surprises, especially after upgrades, and if the access point stopped working after the system update, it may be:

• 🐛 Bug in the Tethering module (responsible for distributing the Internet).
• 📱 Conflict with user settings (e.g., modified by ADB Or Engineer Mode).
• 🔄 Resetting network settings after an update (frequent problem on the network) MIUI 14).

The first thing to do is to reset your network settings:

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settings.
2. Confirm the reset (you will need to enter a pattern lock or PIN).
3. Restart your phone and try to turn on the access point again.

If that doesn’t help, try clearing the cache and data of the Settings app:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Settings app (cog icon).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.

⚠️ Attention: After cleaning the application data, Settings will reset all user settings (brightness, sound, gestures, etc.). Take screenshots of important settings in advance.

4. Hardware problems: how to check the Wi-Fi module

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

• 📡 Module Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (especially after falling or getting moisture).
• 🔌 Antenna contacts (oxidation or break after disassembly of the phone).
• 🔋 Power controller (if the access point is turned off when the battery is low).

How to diagnose a hardware malfunction:

1. Check Wi-Fi as normal: If the phone doesn’t see other networks or connects only next to the router, the module is a problem.
2. Run the hardware test: ##4636### In the phone information menu, scroll down to the Wi-Fi block. If the Wi-Fi disabled or Error status is defective, the module is defective.
3. Check the heating: If the back of the phone is warmed strongly in the upper left corner (where the Wi-Fi module is located) - this is a sign of a short circuit.

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, don’t try to disassemble the phone yourself. On Xiaomi, the Wi-Fi module is often soldered to the motherboard, and its replacement requires soldering equipment.

5. Hidden MIUI settings: how to enable debugging of the access point

MIUI has hidden settings that can block the access point, such as some firmware that has a default device limit (maximum 1-2 gadgets), and the problem may be in the power saving mode, which disables the access point when the screen is locked.

How to access hidden settings:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer and find: Access Point Limit – Set No Limits; USB Debugging (Safe Mode) – Disable if enabled; MIUI Optimization – Disable (can block background processes).

Restart the phone and check the access point.

If the problem persists, try to force the Internet distribution service to restart via ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging via USB.
2. Enter in the command line: adb shell am force-stop com.android.tethering adb shell pm clear com.android.tethering
3. Reboot the phone.

💡

If the hotspot is up after resetting, but it stops working again after a while, check the apps in autoboot. Some "optimizers" (such as Security or Clean Master) can block the service com.android.tethering.

6. compatibility problems with connected devices

Sometimes the problem isn't with the phone, it's with the device you're trying to connect, and this is especially true for:

• 💻 Older laptops (with Wi-Fi adapters that don’t support them) WPA3).
• 🎮 Game consoles (PS4/PS5, Nintendo Switch – often conflict with Xiaomi due to non-standard settings DHCP).
• 📺 Smart TVs (especially smart TVs) LG and Samsung with firmware 2018-2020.).

How to check compatibility:

If the connected device still does not work, try temporarily disabling the firewall on it or using an alternative method of distribution (USB-modem).

7. Alternative ways to distribute the Internet on Xiaomi

If the Wi-Fi hotspot is not working hard, but there is Internet on the phone - try alternative methods of distribution:

• 🔌 USB-Modem: Connect your phone to your PC via cable and turn on USB-The modem is in the access point settings. This method is more stable than Wi-Fi and does not depend on the status of the module.
• 🔵 Bluetooth modem: suitable for connecting to a laptop or tablet. minus - low speed (up to 3 Mbit / s).
• 🌐 Reverse Tethering: If you have root access, you can distribute the Internet from PC to phone via the Internet USB or ADB.

For USB-Windows modem may require drivers to be installed. Download them from the official Xiaomi website (Support section) → Drivers) or use the universal Mi package PC Suite.

If none of these methods work, the problem is likely to be SIM-the operator's card or settings (see section 2).

💡

USB-Modem is the most reliable way to distribute Internet with Xiaomi if the Wi-Fi module is faulty, and the speed is limited only by the capabilities of your tariff, not by the Wi-Fi protocol.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the access point on Xiaomi