Xiaomi is not catching the network: a complete guide to fixing the problem

Your Xiaomi suddenly stopped catching the network, and in the status bar flaunts a frightening “No service” icon or a cross on the signal indicator? This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones of the brand – from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and POCO. The reasons can lie in both banal settings and hardware malfunctions. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios why Xiaomi does not see the network, and give step-by-step instructions for their elimination – from basic checks to deep diagnostics.

It's important to understand that the lack of a signal is not always connected to a phone breakdown. 60 percent of the time, it's because of the operator's incorrect settings, the outdated software or the provider's side. But how do you tell a software failure from a hardware defect? We'll teach you to diagnose a problem in 5 minutes and choose the right solution. And if you've been asked to "swipe your phone" or "change your antenna," don't rush to agree: 80 percent of the time, simpler methods help.

Basic checks: what to do first

Before you dig deep, rule out the obvious reasons. Start with these steps -- they take less than a minute, but often solve the problem:

• 📶 Restart your smartphone. It's trivial, but it works: temporary modem failures are fixed by restarting the system. Press the power button and select "Reboot».
• 🔄 Turn on/off In-Air mode. This resets all network connections. Swipe down the notification panel and tap the airplane icon, wait 10 seconds, then turn off.
• 📱 Check it out. SIM-Remove the tray, examine the map for damage (scratches, chips on the chip), wipe the contacts with a dry wipe and insert back in.
• 🏢 Check the status of the network operator. Perhaps technical work is underway. Call from another phone to the hotline of your provider (for example, for MTS: *111#, Beeline: *102#).

If after this manipulation, the network does not appear, move to the next section. SIM-map: 25% of the time, the problem is in microcracks on the chip that are not visible to the naked eye but that disrupt contact.

2 Network settings: fixing software failures

Incorrect network settings are a common cause of signal failure, and even if you didn't change anything, the failure could have occurred after a software update or a change of operator.

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Tap the network type and set the most accessible (e.g. 4G (preferably)).If 4G doesn't catch, try 3G or 2G.
4. Go back and select Network Operators → Network Search. Wait for the scan to be completed and select your operator manually.
5. Go to Access Points (APN), click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset to default values.

After resetting the APN, the phone should automatically download the correct settings. If this does not happen, enter the settings manually (you can find them on your carrier's website under "Internet Settings"). For example, for MTS:

If you don't have a network after manually entering the APN, check if the settings are saved. Sometimes Xiaomi resets them after a reboot, which is a sign of a firmware failure.

The right type of network (4G/3G/2G)

Operator selected manually

APN reset to factory settings

APN settings are entered correctly (if required)

Phone reboots after changes-->

3. Network reset: a radical solution

If the basic methods didn't work, it's time to completely reset the network settings, which will delete all the stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and mobile Internet settings, but often solves the signal problem.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code.
4. After the reboot, reset the network connection (as in the previous section).

This method is effective if the problem occurred after updating the firmware or installing custom software.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) resetting network settings may result in loss IMEI. Before the procedure, make sure to write down your own IMEI (dial *#06# in the dialer and make sure it is saved in the NVRAM.

If the network has not been reset, and IMEI smacked (shows) Null/Null), You will need to restore it - read about it in the section about the firmware.

4. Problems with firmware and modem

Outdated or corrupted software is one of the main reasons for the lack of signal, especially for smartphones that have not been updated in a long time or have been stitched with custom firmware.

• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version. Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and check for updates.
• 📥 Install the firmware manually if OTA-Update doesn't help. Download the official ROM For your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website and scroll through Recovery or Fastboot.
• 🛠️ You can go through the modem. Sometimes it helps to have a separate firmware. modem.bin Nvram (you can find them on forums like this one) 4PDA).

For manual firmware via Fastboot, use the command:

fastboot flash modem modem.bin


fastboot flash nvram nvram.bin




fastboot reboot

If after the firmware IMEI Restore it with the help of the engineering menu (code #4636##) or the Maui utility. META For MediaTek chips, use Qualcomm. QCN-Recovery.

5. Hardware malfunctions: when without service can not do

If the software methods didn't work, it's probably hardware, and here are the typical malfunctions and their signs:

Self-repair of hardware malfunctions is possible only if you have experience with soldering equipment and a multimeter, for example, to check the antenna on Xiaomi will require:

1. Remove the back cover (heating it with a hair dryer or using a suction cup).
2. Disconnect the battery and find antenna connectors (usually signed ANT1, ANT2).
3. Call the chain with a multimeter on a cliff or short circuit.
4. If damage is detected, restore the tracks or replace the antenna.

⚠️ Note: On models with a metal body (for example, Mi 11 or Redmi). K40) The antennas are integrated into the middle frame, and they require a complete disassembly of the phone and can cost up to 50% of the price of the device.

If you are not sure of your abilities, contact the service center. The average cost of diagnosis is 500-1000 rubles, repair of the antenna - from 1500 rubles.

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Before visiting the service, back up your data via Mi Cloud or your computer. After repair, you may need to reset your phone to factory settings.

6.Problems with specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have "innate" network problems, and here are the most common cases:

• 📱 Redmi Note 8/8 Pro: Frequent network losses due to defective antenna switch.Solution - replacing the Skyworks module SKY77353.
• 📱 POCO X3 NFC: Problems with 4G It helps to pull back on some firmware. MIUI 12.0.8 or manual modem firmware.
• 📱 Mi 9T/Redmi K20: Failure IMEI after the update. QCN ore-menu.
• 📱 Redmi 9/9A/9C: Bad signal reception in a metal case, the solution is sticking current conducting tape onto antenna lines.

For the Redmi Note 9 Pro (model joyeuse), there is a special patch from the 4PDA community that fixes problems with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G modem.

If your model is not listed, check the reviews on the forums. Often users find unique solutions for specific devices.

7. Alternative means of communication

While you are looking for a solution, alternative communication methods can be used temporarily:

• 📶 If your operator supports this function (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon), turn it on Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Additionally. → Wi-Fi Calling.
• 📞 Calls via instant messengers. WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber allow you to call over Wi-Fi even without SIM-map.
• 🔗 Modem mode. Connect the phone to the computer by USB and distribute the Internet through Settings → Modem mode.
• 📡 External antenna. For models with an antenna connector (a rarity in the new Xiaomi), you can use a signal amplifier.

Wi-Fi Calling is the most reliable temporary solution, but keep in mind:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially custom) Wi-Fi Calling is unstable and may break the connection.

FAQ: Frequent questions about network issues on Xiaomi

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In 90% of cases, the problem with the network on Xiaomi is solved software: resetting settings, updating the firmware or replacing APN. Hardware malfunctions are less common and usually associated with physical damage (falls, moisture).