The use of wireless Internet has become an integral part of the daily life of smartphone owners Xiaomi i Redmi. Connecting to a Wi-Fi access point allows you to save mobile traffic, provides higher data transfer speeds and connection stability compared to cellular networks. However, the setup process may seem complicated for beginners, especially if the device menu differs from standard Android or if there are problems with authentication.
In this guide, we will analyze in detail all the steps of setting up a wireless connection on devices with the MIUI and HyperOS shell. You will learn how to quickly find the desired network in the list of available ones, what security settings should be taken into account, and what to do if your phone sees the router but cannot establish a connection. Understanding the principles of operation of the module Wi-Fi will help you avoid common mistakes and ensure stable access to the global network.
Searching and selecting available wireless networks
The primary setup step is to activate the signal receiver and scan the surrounding area for available access points. On Redmi smartphones, this is done through the quick settings panel or through the main system settings menu. After turning on the module, the device automatically begins searching for signals in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz range.
The list displays all detected routers that are within range of your phone's antenna. Each device is identified by a unique network name, which often corresponds to the router model or is set by the user during the initial setup of the provider's equipment. A lock icon is usually displayed next to the name, indicating that the network is password protected and requires authorization.
To connect, you need to tap on the name of the desired access point. The system will ask you to enter your security key. If you are in a public place, for example, in a cafe or shopping center, make sure that you choose the official network of the establishment, and not suspicious points with similar names created by attackers to intercept data. The security of your connection directly depends on what infrastructure you are connecting to.
Pay attention to the signal level displayed as a scale next to the network name. A weak signal can cause slow Internet speeds or constant connection dropouts, even if the password is entered correctly. In such cases, it makes sense to move closer to the signal source or use a repeater to strengthen the coverage area.
The process of entering a password and authentication
The most crucial moment is entering the access key. An error in just one character will result in the phone not being able to connect to the router. The MIUI interface by default hides entered characters with dots to ensure confidentiality, which increases the risk of typing errors.
To avoid errors, it is recommended to use the password display feature. There is usually an eye icon next to the input field. Clicking on it makes the entered characters visible, allowing you to visually compare them with the data indicated on the router sticker or saved in the password manager. This is especially true when entering complex combinations with capital letters and special characters.
After entering the correct key, click the “Connect” button. The device will begin a handshake with the router, during which cryptographic keys are exchanged and an IP address is obtained. This process usually takes a few seconds. If authentication is successful, the status “Connected” will appear under the network name, and a Wi-Fi icon will appear in the status bar.
⚠️ Attention: Never save passwords from public networks in cloud storage without encryption. Attackers could gain access to your credentials if the device is compromised.
In some cases, the system may offer to save the network for automatic connection in the future. This feature is convenient for home and work networks where you are located regularly. However, for guest networks in hotels or airports, it is better to disable auto-connection so that the phone does not try to connect to them every time Wi-Fi is turned on, wasting battery power on useless authorization attempts.
☑️ Check before entering the password
Configuring advanced connection settings
Standard settings suitable for most users, but in specific situations manual configuration of network parameters is required. This may be necessary when connecting to corporate networks with a hidden SSID, when using static IP addresses, or to configure a proxy server.
To get to the advanced menu, you need to click on the gear or arrow next to the name of an already saved network in the list of available connections. Here you can see detailed information about the current connection, including the device's MAC address, link speed and channel frequency. To change settings, you often need to uncheck the “IP Auto Configuration” box.
Manually setting an IP address allows you to assign a permanent address on the local network to your phone. This is useful for organizing file sharing between devices or for setting up remote access to CCTV cameras. You will need to enter the IP address, subnet mask, gateway and DNS servers manually.
| Parameter | Description | Example value |
|---|---|---|
| IP address | Unique address of the device on the network | 192.168.1.55 |
| Gateway | Address of the router (router) | 192.168.1.1 |
| Network prefix length | Determines the size of the subnet | 24 |
| DNS 1 | Primary domain name server | 8.8.8.8 |
Changing the security type is also available in this menu, although modern routers usually choose the optimal encryption protocol themselves, such as WPA2/WPA3. Forcibly changing these settings unnecessarily may result in the inability to connect, since the protocols on the phone and the router must match.
Why change the MAC address?
Some providers or network administrators restrict access based on the device's MAC address. The randomization or MAC change function allows you to bypass such restrictions or increase privacy by hiding the real identifier of your equipment.
Diagnostics and elimination of connection errors
Even if you enter the password correctly, situations may arise when the phone endlessly tries to obtain an IP address or displays an authentication error. One of the common reasons is a conflict of IP addresses on the local network or a failure in the network stack of the Android operating system.
The first step in solving the problem should always be to reboot the network equipment. Turn Wi-Fi off and on again on your phone. If this does not help, reboot the router itself by disconnecting it from the power supply for 10-15 seconds. This will clear the connection cache and force the device to issue a new IP address to your smartphone.
If the problem persists, try removing the network from the list of saved ones and connecting again. To do this, go to Wi-Fi settings, select the problematic network and click “Delete” or “Forget this network.” After that, search and enter the password again. This resets all accumulated configuration errors for that particular access point.
In rare cases, the cause may be incompatible encryption standards. If your router is very old and uses the outdated WEP protocol, but your phone is modern, difficulties may arise. Conversely, new routers with WPA3 protection may not be supported by older smartphone models. In such situations, you need to configure compatibility on the router side.
If the phone says “Obtaining an IP address...” for too long, try setting the “IP Settings” to “Static” mode in the Wi-Fi settings and manually entering an address different from those already occupied on the network.
Features of working in the 5 GHz and 2.4 range GHz
Modern dual-band routers broadcast two networks: one at 2.4 GHz, the other at 5 GHz. Understanding the difference between the two is critical to getting maximum speed and stability. Redmi phones tend to automatically select the best option, but manual switching can solve a number of problems.
The 2.4 GHz band has better penetration. A signal of this frequency passes better through walls and ceilings, providing coverage over long distances. However, this band is heavily loaded with microwaves, Bluetooth devices and neighbor's routers operating here, which creates interference and reduces the actual speed of the Internet.
The 5 GHz band offers significantly higher data transfer speeds and is virtually free of interference. It's an ideal choice for watching 4K videos, playing games online, and downloading large files. The downside is the shorter range and poor passability through obstacles: the signal may disappear in the next room.
If your phone sees only one of the networks, check your router settings. Sometimes manufacturers combine both frequencies under one name (Smart Connect function), and the device itself decides where to connect. If the automation does not work correctly, it makes sense to separate the networks in the router settings, giving them different names, for example Home_WiFi_2.4 and Home_WiFi_5G.
⚠️ Attention: Internet speed depends not only on the Wi-Fi frequency, but also on the tariff of your provider. Connecting to 5 GHz will not increase the speed if your tariff plan limits the channel to 50 Mbps.
Resetting network settings and returning to factory settings
When none of the above methods help, and the phone flatly refuses to connect to any access point, you may need to completely reset the network settings. This operation will return all Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile network settings to the “out of the box” state, deleting all saved passwords and configurations.
To perform a reset on Redmi, you need to go to the menu Settings, then select the section Connection and sharing or Advanced settings. At the bottom of the list, find the item Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. The system will ask you to confirm the action and possibly enter the screen unlock password.
After resetting the phone will reboot. You will have to re-enter passwords for all your home and work networks. This is inconvenient, but is often the only way to fix deep software errors in the network module that cannot be cured by a regular reboot.
It is important to understand that resetting network settings does not delete your personal files, photos or applications. It only affects connection configuration. If the problem persists even after this procedure, there is a high probability of a hardware malfunction of the Wi-Fi module, which will require contacting a service center.
A complete reset of network settings is a radical, but often effective measure that eliminates software conflicts that have accumulated over a long time of using the device.
Why does the phone see the network, but does not connect?
Most often this is due to an incorrect password, even if you are sure it is correct. The reason may also be a limitation in the number of connected devices on the router or a conflict of IP addresses. Try rebooting the router.
What to do if Wi-Fi keeps turning off?
Check the energy saving settings. In Energy Saver mode, the system can turn off Wi-Fi in sleep mode. Also make sure that you are not on the edge of the signal coverage area.
How to connect to a hidden network on Redmi?
Go to Wi-Fi settings, select “Add network”. Enter the exact network name (SSID), select a security type, and enter a password. The network will appear in the list of saved ones.
Does the case affect the quality of signal reception?
Yes, metal cases or cases with magnetic mounts can shield the antenna and significantly degrade the quality of Wi-Fi and cellular signal reception.