Xiaomi phone does not catch the network: what to do if the mobile signal is missing

The lack of a mobile network on a Xiaomi smartphone is a problem that can be taken by surprise at the most inopportune moment: you tap on the screen trying to make a call, and instead of the usual "sticks" of the signal you see a frightening cross or the words "No network." Or worse, the phone shows that the network is, but calls do not pass, and the Internet works at the speed of a dia-up of the 90s.

The reasons for this behavior may lie as in software failures (for example, after an update). MIUI), and in the case of a damaged slot, for SIM-In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios, from basic checks (which are often ignored) to deep diagnostics. Particular attention will be paid to the unique “chips” Xiaomi, which will not be found on other brands – for example, hidden settings of modems or features of working with two different brands. SIM-map.

Note: Instructions are suitable for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (including Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13T, POCO F5, etc.) If your model is older than 2018, some menu items may differ - see the FAQ section.

Basic Diagnostics: What to Check First

Before digging deep into your settings or bringing your phone to the service, follow 5 simple steps. 60 percent of the time, the problem is solved at this point — users simply miss the obvious.

• 📶 Restart your phone. It's trivial, but it works: a communication module freezes is a common cause of network loss. Press the power button and select "Reset." If the phone doesn't respond, hold the 10-15 second button for a forced reboot.
• 🔄 Check the In-Air mode. Sometimes it activates accidentally (e.g., through the Quick Settings panel) Swipe down from the top of the screen and make sure the airplane icon isn't highlighted.
• 📱 Remove and re-insert. SIM-Contacts may have oxidized or shifted. Use a paper clip to extract the tray, wipe the map with a dry cloth (not alcohol!). SIM-Check each card individually.
• 🏠 Make sure the problem isn't on the operator's side. SIM to another phone or check the network status on the operator’s website (for example, Beeline, MTS).
• 🔋 Battery charging.At a charge level below 5%, some Xiaomi models turn off the communication module to save power.Put charging on and wait 10 minutes.

If after this manipulation, the network did not appear, move to the next section. SIM-Map: in 2023, Xiaomi released an update for the Redmi Note 11 and Mi 11, after which some users faced the problem of recognizing nano-SIM from older operators (for example, Tele2 of the sample 2015-2018.).

2 Network settings: Hidden MIUI settings

MIUI hides some of the settings on the mobile network behind the scenes, but you can activate them through an engineering menu or special combinations. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Manual network selection

Sometimes the phone sticks on a non-existent or weak cell to force it to connect to another cell.

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [choose SIM] → Choice of network.
2. Turn off Automatic Choice and wait for the phone to find the available networks.
3. Select your carrier’s network manually (e.g., “MTS-RU” instead of “MTS”).
4. Save and restart the phone.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced)

If manual selection didn't help, try resetting the modem settings through the engineering menu.

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On the menu that opens:

1. Select “Phone Information” (or “Phone Information”).
2. Scroll down to the "Set preferred network type" block.
3. Select “LTE/3G/2G (auto)” or “4G only” (if your carrier supports VoLTE).
4. Press “Turn off radio”, wait 30 seconds and turn it back on (“Turn on radio”).

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If after changing the network type (for example, from 4G to 3G), the signal appeared, but the Internet speed fell, the problem may be in the incorrect modem firmware. Update the software through Settings → About the phone → System Update.

3. firmware problems: reset and update

Mobile network failures often occur after a MIUI update or a custom firmware installation fails. If the problem occurs after an update, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reverse update. In Settings → The phone. → Update system click on three dots in the upper right corner and select "Delete downloaded updates." Then try installing the previous version MIUI via official website.
• ⚙️ Reset network settings. Go to Settings → Memory. → Resetting settings → Reset mobile network settings. This will delete the stored Wi-Fi networks and passwords to them, but return the factory modem settings.
• 📱 Hard Reset: Last resort: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Delete all data. Attention: pre-reverse through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

If the phone doesn’t respond to the sensor or doesn’t turn on after a reset, use Fastboot mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use the Mi Flash Tool to flash it.

4. Hardware malfunctions: when without service can not do

If the software methods didn’t work, the problem could be hardware, and here are the typical hardware reasons for losing Xiaomi’s network:

How do you check the antenna yourself? Turn on the network diagnostic mode on your phone:

#4636## → Phone information → Signal statistics

If the signal strength values are constantly jumping between -110 dBm and -50 dBm (or show "null"), this is a sign of a malfunction of the antenna or communication module.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has fallen into water or been exposed to moisture, do not try to dry it with a hair dryer or rice! Contact corrosion may worsen. Immediately take the device to a professional cleaning service.

5. Features of the two SIM-maps: conflicts and priorities

Many Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or Xiaomi 12) support two models. SIM-It's a problem, but it's often a problem:

• 📞 Conflict of priorities. SIM The phone is used for calls and the other for the Internet, and the phone can forget to connect to the voice network. → SIM-map → Priority SIM For calls, select the main card.
• 🌐 Lack of support for VoLTE on the second SIM. Some operators (e.g., Iota) do not support voice calls through the Internet. 4G on additional maps. Check the settings in Settings → Mobile network → Enable VoLTE.
• 🔄 Automatic switching. In settings. MIUI There's a "Switch Data When Bad Signal" option that can break the connection. Turn it off in Settings. → SIM-map → Data switching.

If you use SIM+microSD in one slot (as in the POCO X3), make sure the memory card doesn't interfere with SIM contacts.

6.IMEI problems: why the phone doesn't "see" the network

IMEI — Your phone’s unique identifier, which carriers use to log in to the network, if it has worn off or damaged (for example, after a failed firmware), the phone will stop catching the network even if it is not connected to the network. SIM-card.

How do I check for IMEI?

Type on the keyboard:

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If you see “Null”, “Unknown” or repeating numbers (e.g. 000000000000000000) instead of a 15-digit number, the IMEI is corrupted.

How to restore IMEI on Xiaomi?

1. Download the archive with the original IMEI for your model (see the 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu forums).
2. Install the IMEI Changer app (root rights required!).
3. Enter the original IMEI (indicated on the box or under the battery) and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Change IMEI without root rights or through unverified applications can lead to complete loss of communication or locking of the phone by the operator.

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IMEI recovery is a last resort, and before you do that, try reflashing your phone with the official MIUI version through the Mi Flash Tool, which often resolves the problem without manual intervention.

7. Alternative solutions: what to do if nothing has worked

If all of the above methods fail, try these non-obvious methods:

• 🔌 Replacement SIM-Older cards (especially Mini-SIM) may not work properly with modern Xiaomi models.
• 📡 Use an external antenna for supported models OTG (For example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro, you can connect an external antenna via an adapter, and this is true for areas with very weak signal.
• 🔄 Operator change: Some operators (such as virtual operators like Tinkoff Mobile) use partner networks that may conflict with Xiaomi's settings. SIM from another operator.
• 🛠️ If you use an informal firmware (like LineageOS), try going back to stock. MIUI. Instructions are available on Xiaomi.eu.

If the phone is warranty, do not disassemble it yourself - this will void warranty obligations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about network issues on Xiaomi