Xiaomi 5G Not Working on eir Ireland

Xiaomi 5G Not Working on eir Ireland – Fix

If your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device cannot connect to 5G on eir's network in Ireland—or keeps falling back to 4G—this guide explains why and how to fix it.

Quick Answer:
5G issues on eir with Xiaomi devices are most commonly caused by weak 5G coverage, 5G not being enabled in network preferences, SIM compatibility, or device band support. Start by checking 5G coverage in your area, then verify 5G is enabled in Settings. If the issue persists, test your SIM in another 5G device or check your plan includes 5G access.

Why This Happens

Several factors can prevent 5G from working on eir with Xiaomi devices:

  • Weak 5G coverage – eir states that its 5G network covers most of Ireland's population, but actual availability depends on your location, nearby cell sites, indoor coverage, and network conditions. Coverage claims refer to population coverage rather than geographic coverage.
  • 5G not enabled – The "Enable 5G" switch may be turned off in settings.
  • SIM card compatibility – Older SIM cards may not support 5G services.
  • Plan eligibility – Not all eir plans include 5G access. Some older plans may need to be upgraded.
  • Device compatibility – Some imported Xiaomi devices may not support eir's 5G bands (N3 at 1800MHz and N78 at 3500MHz).
  • Software issues – HyperOS updates can sometimes affect 5G functionality. If 5G stopped working immediately after installing a HyperOS update, check for a newer system update, as Xiaomi occasionally releases fixes for network-related issues.

Check eir 5G Coverage

Before troubleshooting your phone, check if 5G is available in your location:

  • Visit eir's coverage map at eir.ie/coverage.
  • eir's 5G network operates on N3 (1800MHz) and N78 (3500MHz) bands.
  • If another eir 5G device nearby has no 5G signal, the issue is likely network-related.

Check Your SIM Card

Not all SIM cards support 5G:

  • If your SIM is several years old (especially from the 3G era), it may not support 5G.
  • Contact eir to check if your SIM is 5G-compatible.
  • If you have a 5G-capable Xiaomi, eir recommends a newer 5G SIM for optimal performance.

Check Your Plan Includes 5G

Not all eir plans include 5G access. If you're on an older plan, you may need to upgrade or add 5G as a feature:

  • Check your eir plan details in the eir app or online.
  • If 5G isn't included, contact eir to upgrade your plan.
  • Some prepaid plans may also have 5G restrictions.

Quick Fixes to Test First

Try these quick actions in order. Check if 5G connects after each step.

1. Check 5G is Enabled

Ensure 5G is turned on in your phone settings:

  1. Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → [eir] SIM.
  2. Look for Preferred network type or Enable 5G.
  3. Set it to 5G/4G/3G/2G auto or ensure Enable 5G is toggled ON.

2. Toggle Airplane Mode

Switching Airplane mode on and off forces your phone to disconnect and reconnect to nearby towers.

  1. Swipe down to open Quick Settings.
  2. Enable Airplane mode.
  3. Wait 30 seconds.
  4. Disable Airplane mode.
  5. Wait up to 2 minutes for 5G connection.

3. Restart Your Xiaomi

Restarting clears temporary software glitches and refreshes network connections.

  1. Hold the Power button.
  2. Select Restart.
  3. Wait for the phone to fully boot.
  4. Check if 5G connects.

4. Test Your SIM in Another 5G Phone

This quick test helps determine whether the issue is with your Xiaomi or your eir SIM:

  • Insert your eir SIM into another 5G-capable phone.
  • If 5G works on the other phone, the issue is likely with your Xiaomi.
  • If 5G also fails on the other phone, the issue is likely with your eir SIM, account, or coverage.

APN Configuration Check

Incorrect APN settings usually affect mobile data connectivity rather than 5G itself, but verifying them is still a useful step. If your phone shows 5G but data doesn't work, check your APN is set correctly.

Check Preferred Network Type

If 5G is available but not connecting, try switching to 4G only, then back to 5G auto:

  1. Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → [eir] SIM.
  2. Tap Preferred network type.
  3. Select 4G (LTE) only.
  4. Wait 30 seconds.
  5. Switch back to 5G/4G/3G/2G auto.
  6. Wait up to 2 minutes for 5G connection.

Check Device Compatibility – eir 5G Bands

eir's 5G network operates on two main frequency bands:

  • N3 (1800MHz)
  • N78 (3500MHz) – primary 5G band

Most Xiaomi 5G devices officially sold for the European market support both bands. However, some imported devices may not support N78, which is essential for eir's 5G coverage.

To check your device's band compatibility:

You can usually find supported 5G bands on Xiaomi's official specifications page or GSMArena. Search for your specific Xiaomi model to confirm.

If your device doesn't support the 5G bands used by eir in your area, it may not connect to 5G or may have limited 5G coverage.

Using an Imported Xiaomi?

Some imported Xiaomi devices, particularly those running China ROMs, may not include the same carrier configuration files found in Global or EEA firmware.

What to check:

  • Xiaomi devices running China or India ROMs may lack carrier configuration for Irish networks.
  • European ROMs (Global/EEA) typically include settings for Irish carriers.
  • If you've tried all the steps above and your imported Xiaomi still doesn't connect to 5G, device compatibility may be the underlying issue.

If the Problem Started After a HyperOS Update

If 5G stopped working immediately after installing a HyperOS update, check for a newer system update, as Xiaomi occasionally releases fixes for network-related issues. Restart your phone after installing the update. If the problem started immediately after an update, waiting for the next patch may be preferable to flashing different firmware.

Why Does My Xiaomi Connect to 4G+ Instead of 5G?

4G+ (Carrier Aggregation) can sometimes provide better performance than 5G in areas with limited 5G coverage. If your phone prefers 4G+ over 5G, it may indicate that 5G signal is weak or the network is managing traffic. Moving to an area with stronger 5G coverage or switching back to 5G/4G/3G/2G Auto may help.

Why Does My Xiaomi Show 5G but the Internet Is Slow?

Seeing the 5G icon doesn't always mean you're connected to a high-capacity 5G cell. Network congestion, signal quality, and backhaul limitations can all reduce speeds even when 5G is active. Running a speed test in another location can help determine whether the issue is network congestion or local signal quality.

Reset Network Settings (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, reset network settings. This removes saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings, and resets all mobile network settings.

  1. Settings → Additional settings → Backup & reset → Reset phone → Reset network settings.
  2. Confirm the reset.
  3. Restart your phone.
  4. Re-enter your eir APN settings if required.
  5. Note: You'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks afterwards.

Contact eir

Contact eir if:

  • 5G connectivity issues persist after completing all steps above.
  • Your SIM works fine on 5G in another phone but not in your Xiaomi.
  • You suspect a network provisioning issue with your account.
  • Your SIM may not be 5G-compatible.
  • You've confirmed 5G coverage is available.
  • You're unsure whether your plan includes 5G.

What to ask eir: Ask eir to verify that your SIM is correctly provisioned for 5G services, confirm your plan includes 5G access, and check whether there are any local network issues in your area.

How to contact eir:

  • Call eir customer service
  • Visit an eir store
  • Use the eir app

Final Verdict

In most cases, 5G issues on eir with Xiaomi devices are caused by weak coverage, 5G not being enabled, SIM compatibility, plan eligibility, or device compatibility. Start by checking coverage in your area, then verify 5G is enabled in Settings. Test your SIM in another 5G device, check your plan includes 5G, and confirm your device supports eir's 5G bands (N3 and N78). If all else fails, contact eir to verify your account provisioning.


Frequently Asked Questions

Which 5G bands does eir use in Ireland?
eir uses N3 (1800MHz) and N78 (3500MHz) for 5G. Most Xiaomi 5G devices officially sold for the European market support both bands.

Does eir support 5G on Xiaomi devices?
Yes. eir sells Xiaomi 5G devices directly and supports 5G on compatible Xiaomi models.

Why does my Xiaomi show 4G instead of 5G?
This usually means 5G is not available in your current location, 5G is not enabled in settings, or your device doesn't support eir's 5G bands.

Does eir require a new SIM for 5G?
eir requires a 5G-compatible SIM to access 5G services. If your SIM was issued before 5G rollout, you may need a replacement.

Does my eir plan include 5G?
Not all plans include 5G. Check your plan details in the eir app or contact eir to confirm.

Can an imported Xiaomi connect to 5G on eir?
Some imported Xiaomi devices may not support eir's 5G bands (N3 and N78). Check your device specifications for supported bands.

Why does my Xiaomi connect to 4G+ instead of 5G?
4G+ (Carrier Aggregation) can sometimes provide better performance than 5G in areas with limited 5G coverage. If your phone prefers 4G+ over 5G, it may indicate that 5G signal is weak or the network is managing traffic.

Why does my Xiaomi show 5G but the internet is slow?
Seeing the 5G icon doesn't always mean you're connected to a high-capacity 5G cell. Network congestion, signal quality, and backhaul limitations can all reduce speeds even when 5G is active. Running a speed test in another location can help determine whether the issue is network congestion or local signal quality.

Comments

Popular Guides at UK Xiaomi

Xiaomi WiFi Calling Stops Working After HyperOS Update

6 Years Updates! These Xiaomi Phones Will Last Until 2032 (UK)

Xiaomi Calls Going Straight to Voicemail on O2

Xiaomi Sound Quality Worse After Update

Xiaomi Keeps Disconnecting from Mobile Network

Xiaomi Internet Stops Working After Midnight

Xiaomi Stuck on Emergency Calls Only in the UK

Xiaomi Bluetooth Volume Too Low in Car Fix

Xiaomi Speaker Volume Suddenly Low Issue Fix

Xiaomi Bluetooth Connected But No Sound Issue Fix