A situation when your favorite smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO Suddenly losing track of a wireless network or refusing to connect is a familiar problem for many users. The screen may endlessly display "Obtaining IP Address," return an "Unable to Connect" error, or simply ignore available access points. This isn't just an inconvenience; it's a loss of connection to the outside world, as many apps stop working without internet access.
Most often, the problem lies not in a hardware failure of the module, but in a software conflict between the router settings and the operating system. Android with shell MIUI or HyperOSGoogle's security system or specific power-saving algorithms may block the connection, deeming it unsafe or excessively power-consuming. Before taking your device to a service center, it's worth running a comprehensive diagnostic of its software settings.
In this guide, we'll cover all possible causes, from a simple router glitch to complex DNS server conflicts. You'll learn how to properly reset your network settings, why disabling MAC address randomization helps, and when manually assigning a static IP address is necessary. Follow the instructions step by step to restore a stable connection.
Initial diagnosis and quick solutions
The first step is to rule out simple glitches that are often ignored by users. Sometimes the phone's Wi-Fi module freezes after a long period of use or a system update. The easiest way to restore the module is to perform a so-called "soft reset" of the connection. Turn airplane mode on and off (Airplane mode) for 10-15 seconds. This action forces a reboot of all radio modules of the device, including GSM, LTE, and Wi-Fi.
If rebooting the modules doesn't help, check the router itself. Even if other devices are working fine, the router may have exhausted its IP address limit or "remembered" an erroneous connection with your phone. Rebooting the router — a mandatory step. Unplug the router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot up (usually 2-3 minutes).
⚠️ Attention: If you have a complex network with a mesh system or multiple access points, make sure your phone is trying to connect to the correct node. Sometimes the device locks onto a distant point with a weak signal without switching to a nearby one.
It's also worth checking whether the "Data Saver" or "Power Saving Mode" features are enabled in the system. These features can limit background network activity to extend battery life. Open the notification shade and ensure both Wi-Fi toggles are enabled, and Power Saving Mode is disabled to run diagnostics.
Forget the network and reconnect
One of the most effective methods for troubleshooting authorization errors is to completely delete the network profile from the phone's memory. Over time, the saved network configuration file can accumulate errors, invalid encryption parameters, or outdated security keys. The phone then attempts to use old data, resulting in a cyclical access denial.
To perform this procedure, go to the menu Settings → Wi-FiFind your home network in the list (usually marked with a house or lock icon). Click on the network name or the arrow to the right of it to expand additional options. In the menu that opens, select "Delete network" or Forget the Network.
Once deleted, the network will disappear from the list of saved networks. Now click on it again and re-enter the password. Be careful when entering: check your keyboard layout and capitalization. If the password is saved to the clipboard, it's best to enter it manually to avoid hidden characters or spaces.
☑️ Reconnection checklist
It's important to note that after this operation, the phone will treat the access point as a new one. This means that your smart home settings may be lost if they were linked to a specific SSID, or you may need to re-authorize in the captive portal (the login page for public networks).
IP and DNS Setup: Static vs. DHCP
A common cause of a connection getting stuck at the "Obtaining IP Address" stage is a dynamic address assignment (DHCP) conflict within the router. The router may "lose" the phone's request or assign an address that is already taken by another device on the network. In such cases, manually configuring the network settings can help.
In the menu of your Wi-Fi network (the same place where you deleted the network), find the section IP settingsBy default, the value is DHCP. Change it to "Static" (Static). Fields for manual data entry will open. You'll need to fill them in with the correct values for your local network.
| Parameter | Example of meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.1.125 | Unique phone address on the network (last digit from 2 to 254) |
| Gateway | 192.168.1.1 | Your router's address (usually 1.1 or 0.1) |
| Network prefix length | 24 | Standard value for home networks |
| DNS 1 | 8.8.8.8 | Google's main server (faster and more stable) |
Using public DNS servers such as Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), often solves the problem when Wi-Fi is connected but pages don't load. ISPs sometimes provide their own DNS, which can be unstable or block certain requests.
Where can I get the gateway address?
The gateway (router) address can be found on the sticker on the bottom of the device or in the settings of another working phone. The "Gateway" or "Router" field will list an IP address, for example, 192.168.0.1. The first three digits (192.168.0) should match the IP address you assigned to the phone, and the last digit should be unique, for example, 55.
Problems with the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency ranges
Modern routers often operate in two ranges: 2.4 GHz And 5 GHzThe 5 GHz band offers high speeds, but has a shorter range and is less effective at penetrating walls. If your phone Xiaomi If the router is an older model or a budget model, it may not physically support 5 GHz, which causes connection errors if the router broadcasts the network only in this mode or combines them under one name.
It is recommended to separate networks in the router settings by giving them different names, for example, Home_WiFi_2.4 And Home_WiFi_5GTry connecting your phone to a 2.4 GHz network. It has a longer range and is compatible with all devices. If the problem resolves, the phone's 5 GHz module is unstable or is too far from the router.
Also in the Wi-Fi settings on your phone (Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Assistant) The "Switch to mobile data" feature may be active if the signal is weak. Try disabling this option to prevent your phone from automatically disconnecting from Wi-Fi at the slightest drop in signal strength.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI and HyperOS interfaces may differ. The path to frequency settings is sometimes hidden in the "Advanced" menu within a specific network's properties. If you don't see a frequency option, your router is likely merging bands (Smart Connect), and this needs to be adjusted in the router's settings.
Security Conflicts: MAC Address and Encryption
Starting with Android 10, the system has implemented MAC address randomization to enhance privacy. The phone uses a temporary, random address instead of the actual physical address of the network card. However, older routers or parental control systems may block connections from unknown devices if their MAC address isn't whitelisted.
To eliminate this factor, go to the settings of a specific Wi-Fi network on your phone. Find the item Privacy or MAC Address TypeChange the value from "Random MAC Address" to "Device MAC address"After this, you will need to forget the network and reconnect.
Another consideration is the encryption type. If the router is configured to use an outdated security protocol (such as WEP or TKIP) or, conversely, the newest WPA3, which the phone doesn't yet understand, the connection will fail. Mixed mode is the optimal option. WPA2/WPA3 Personal with encryption AES.
Resetting network settings and extreme measures
If none of the above methods help, the system may have accumulated deep network interface configuration errors. In this case, a full network reset will help. Please note: this action will not delete your photos, contacts, or apps, but it will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and mobile network settings.
To perform a reset, follow this path: Settings → Connection and sharing (or "Advanced Settings") → Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Networks, and Bluetooth. Click the button Reset settings and confirm the action. The phone may restart.
After rebooting, try connecting to Wi-Fi as before. If this doesn't help, and other devices are working fine, but your Xiaomi phone doesn't detect any networks (or detects them but can't connect to any), there's a high probability of a hardware fault in the antenna module or its cable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does my phone say "Saved" but the internet doesn't work?
This means that authentication (password verification) was successful, but the phone can't access the global network. Most often, the problem lies with the provider's DNS servers or router settings (MAC address filtering, exhausted IP address pool). Try setting the static DNS to 8.8.8.8.
My Xiaomi phone can't detect 5 GHz Wi-Fi, even though the router is dual-band. What's wrong?
Your budget smartphone may not support the 802.11ac standard (5 GHz). Also, channels above 52 in the 5 GHz band may be unavailable in some regions due to regulatory restrictions. Try changing the channel in your router settings to 36, 40, 44, or 48.
Will flashing my phone help if Wi-Fi isn't working?
If the problem is software-related (driver or system error), then a firmware update or a hard reset will help. However, if the Wi-Fi module is physically damaged or the cable connection is loose after a fall, software solutions are ineffective—repair will be required.
Why does Wi-Fi turn off by itself after a while?
MIUI's power saving feature is often responsible for this. Go to Settings → Battery And check if there's a hard limit on system processes. Also, disable "Wi-Fi Assistant," which can disable Wi-Fi when the signal is weak.