Why Xiaomi is losing its network: a full analysis of the causes and solutions

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or flagship Xiaomi 14) periodically loses the mobile network? the antenna symbol appears and disappears, calls do not reach, and mobile Internet is intermittent? This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones brand — and it is not always associated with the operator. 80% of cases to blame for phone settings, firmware errors or hardware problems that can be fixed on their own.

In this article, we will discuss all possible causes - from banal (incorrectly inserted) SIM-map to complex (damage to the communication module) You will learn how to diagnose the problem, which parameters to check first, and what to do if the network disappears after the update. MIUI. For owners of older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1) We will give some recommendations - they often have outdated firmware to blame.

Importantly, if the network is only lost in certain places (such as at home or work), the problem is likely external, a weak signal from the operator or interference.

1.Problems with SIM-map: from contacts to form factor

Let's start with the simplest — SIM-Even if it worked for years, contacts could oxidize and the card itself could deform, especially for owners of Xiaomi with hybrid slots (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro), where the card is not a good idea. SIM And microSDs share a single nest.

How to check:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: get out SIM-If you have a dark coating, you can check the contacts for scratches, oxidation, or contamination.
• 📏 Proper installation: insert the card into the slot before clicking. on models with a retractable tray (Xiaomi) 13T) Make sure the tray is inserted to the point - otherwise the contacts will not fit tightly.
• 🔄 Testing on another phone: If the network is stable on another device, the problem is not SIM-map.

⚠️ Note: If you are using eSIM (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Lite), check if your profile settings have reset. MIUI eSIM “flys” and requires re-activation through the operator’s application.

2. Network settings: what could have gone wrong in MIUI

MIUI is known for its abundance of hidden settings, and sometimes they get lost after updates or resets. The first thing to check is network mode. The default smartphone should be 4G (LTE) mode, but sometimes it switches to 3G or 2G, which leads to communication breakdowns.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Go to Network Type and install 4G (preferably) or LTE/3G/2G (auto).
4. Activate the Volte option (VoLTE) – it improves the quality of calls over 4G.

Another common problem is automatic network selection, and sometimes Xiaomi forgets the operator and can't connect.

• 📡 In the same menu, click Network Operators → Networking.
• 🔄 Wait for the search to be completed and select your operator manually.
• 🔒 Turn off the automatic option (if any).

⚠️ Attention: on some models (POCO F3, Redmi K40) After resetting to factory settings, access points disappear APN. They need to be configured manually – the parameters can be requested from the operator or found on its website.

3. Software failures: from cache to firmware

If the network goes missing after a MIUI update or application installation, the software is to blame, most often cleaning the cache of the communication module:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. Find phone services (or Com.android.phone).
4. Clear Cash and Data, then restart the phone.

If that didn't work, the problem could be the firmware, especially for Xiaomi owners on MIUI Global Stable, where they sometimes roll out raw updates.

• 🔄 Update rollback: If the network is missing after the update, try rolling back to the previous version via Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI (Click on the icon with three dots).
• 📥 Manual firmware: download the full firmware package for your model from the official Xiaomi website and install via Recovery.
• 🧹 Resetting: the last option is reset to factory settings (don’t forget to make a backup!).

Critical information: On models with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi Note 11, POCO M4 Pro) after a failed update, the IMEI may fly. In this case, you will need to restore through the engineering menu (#4636##) or the service center.

Hardware malfunctions: from antenna to motherboard

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the hardware, and most often, the problem is:

• 📶 Antenna module: physical damage after falling or getting moisture, symptoms - the network disappears when the phone is tilted or in certain positions.
• 🔌 Slot SIM-cards: contact oxidation or mechanical damage (for example, after careless cleaning).
• 📱 Motherboard: radio chip dump or damage to the power chains of the communication module (relevant after repair or overheating).

How to diagnose:

1. Check if there were any physical damage (impacts, falls, contact with water).
2. Light a flashlight into the slot SIM-maps - whether there are foreign objects or corrosion.
3. Try inserting. SIM-Map to another phone – if it works there, the problem is your Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: if your Xiaomi has been in water (even briefly), do not try to dry it with a hairdryer or rice. Contact oxidation occurs within 24-48 hours - the sooner you bring it to the service, the better the chances of saving the communication module.

5. Application conflicts and energy saving

Sometimes the network is lost due to third-party applications, especially those that work with mobile data or VPN, for example, messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp in the background can block the connection.

• 🔒 VPN-Clients (e.g. NordVPN, ProtonVPN): they redirect traffic, which may conflict with operator settings.
• 🛡️ Antiviruses (e.g. Avast, Kaspersky): some block "suspicious" connections, including system-based ones.
• 📱 Optimizers (e.g., optimizers, DU Speed Booster: aggressively closing background processes, including those related to the network.

How to check:

1. Launch your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → Safe Mode) If the network is stable, one of the installed applications is to blame.
2. Remove suspicious programs, starting with VPNs and antiviruses.
3. Check the permissions of applications in Settings → Applications → Permissions.

Another common reason is the power saving mode, and MIUI has a feature called "Ultra-Economic Mode," which shuts down the mobile network to save power.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Power Saving Modes.
3. Turn off Ultraeconomic mode and Background Limitation.

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If the network is lost when the battery is low, check the Adaptive Battery settings in Settings → Battery → Battery settings. Sometimes the system forcibly shuts down the communication module at 10-15% charge.

6. Problems with firmware and modem (for advanced)

If you like firmware experiments (Custom ROM, TWRP, Root), the problem may be incompatibility of modems, for example, after installing LineageOS or Pixel Experience on Xiaomi, network settings often fly over.

What to do:

• 🔧 Check modem version: type in dial ##4636##, go to Phone Information and compare the modem version with the original firmware.
• 📲 Original modem firmware: download the stock firmware for your model and flash only the modem section through Fastboot:

fastboot flash modem modem.img


fastboot reboot

For Xiaomi owners with Qualcomm Snapdragon (e.g. POCO F4, Xiaomi 12T) a modem reset can help:

adb shell


su




echo "AT+CFUN=1,1" > /dev/pts/2

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect modem firmware can lead to total loss of network! If you are not sure about your actions, contact the service.

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On models with MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 12) after firmware custom recavator sometimes flies IMEI. It can be restored only through the engineering menu or service center.

7. Features of specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi models have unique network problems, and here are the most common:

For owners of Xiaomi with dual SIM-cards (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) The problem of network conflict is that one SIM work 4G, And the second one is in 2G, There may be instability:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. For each SIM, select 4G only (if the carrier supports it).
3. Turn off the automatic switching option (if any).

8.When to contact the service center

If you’ve tried all the methods, but the network on Xiaomi is still missing, it’s time to contact the experts.

• 🔌 The phone doesn't see any of them. SIM-map (even the known working card).
• 📶 The network symbol appears only in a certain position of the phone (for example, if you tilt it at an angle).
• 🔥 The phone overheats in the antenna area (top of the back cover).
• 💧 There were contact with water or moisture (even if everything is dry on the outside).

The cost of repair in official Xiaomi services:

• Replacement of antenna cable: ~1 500–3 000 ₽.
• Slot repair/replacement SIM-map: ~2 000–4 000 ₽.
• Recovery IMEI orb: ~3 500–6 000 ₽.

⚠️ Note: if your Xiaomi is warranty-free, don’t open it yourself! any interference (e.g., cleaning contacts) may deprive you of warranty service.

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Before visiting the service, back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup. After repair, you may need to reset your settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the missing network on Xiaomi