The Xiaomi Mi5, released in 2016, is still a popular smartphone due to its balanced performance and affordable price. However, as many owners age, the device stops charging, slowly gains interest or does not respond at all to the connection of the cable. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes from the trivial (damaged cable) to the serious (power controller failure), and give step-by-step instructions for diagnosing and troubleshooting.
It is important to understand that the problem can be in hardware (battery, connector, board) and software failures (firmware, drivers). We will not limit ourselves to standard tips like “try another cable” – even consider rare cases, for example, when the smartphone charges only when the plug is turned off or at a certain position. If after reading the article the problem remains, at least you will know exactly which component needs repair or replacement, and you can save on diagnostics at the service center.
1. Checking the charger and cable: where to start the diagnosis
The first thing you need to do is eliminate external factors, and statistics show that 40 percent of the time, the problem is not with the smartphone itself, but with the accessories.
- 🔌 Connect. Mi5 Another charger (preferably original from Xiaomi or with Quick Charge 3.0 support) if charging started - the problem is the power supply.
- 🔄 Try another cable (better with labeling) USB Type-C and support for fast charging. Cheap cables often have damaged veins, resulting in intermittent charging.
- 💻 Connect your smartphone to a computer or power bank, and if it's charging from one source, but not another, it's the power supply or the power outlet that's at fault.
- 🔍 Check the Type-C connector on your smartphone, whether there is debris, dust or mechanical damage inside, and if you connect the cable, it should come in tightly, without backlash.
Please note the charging indication:
If the cable connects the screen with a lightning icon, but the percentages do not increase - the problem may be in the power controller or battery.
If there is no reaction at all (even when holding the power button) - perhaps the smartphone is completely discharged and requires a "lighting" from the donor.
⚠️ Note: Never use Xiaomi to charge Mi5 power supply units with higher output voltage 9V/2A (This could cause the power controller on the motherboard to fail.
2. Battery: wear, bloating and how to check its condition
Xiaomi Mi5 is equipped with a non-removable battery capacity of 3000 mAh. Its average life is 2-3 years (or ~500 full charge cycles). If the smartphone has been in use longer, the probability of battery failure is closer to 80%.
- 🔋 The phone charges only up to 80-90% and immediately disconnects from the network.
- 📉 Battery percentages jump (for example, from 50% immediately drops to 15 percent%).
- 🔥 The body in the battery area swelled or became hot when charging.
- ⚡ The smartphone is turned on only when the cable is connected, but turns off immediately after disconnection.
To accurately diagnose the battery condition, follow the following steps:
- Install the AccuBattery app (available on Google Play) and it will show the actual battery capacity and wear and tear.
- Check the battery temperature in the settings: go to Settings → Battery → Battery Status. Normal charging temperature is 30-40 °C. If higher, the battery has degraded.
- Visually inspect the battery (if you have experience disassembling) The bloated battery requires immediate replacement - it can damage the screen or motherboard.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Charging is only possible when the phone is turned off. | Severe battery wear or controller failure | Battery replacement or firmware |
| Charge percentages "jump" | Battery sensor or contacts damaged | Calibration or battery replacement |
| The phone is warming and discharged quickly | Battery bloating or background processes | Diagnostics in the service |
| It does not charge from the original RAM, but it is charged from the PC. | Failed power controller or power supply | Multimeter check or replacement of the RMS |
How to check the battery without disassembling?
Type-C connector: cleaning, repair and diagnostics
The USB Type-C connector in the Xiaomi Mi5 is one of the most vulnerable places, because of frequent connection / disconnection of the cable, contacts wear out, oxidize or become contaminated.
- 🔌 Charging is only at a certain position of the cable (you need to “hold” the plug).
- 📱 The smartphone does not recognize the connection to the PC, but charges.
- ⚡ Charging is interrupted at the slightest movement of the cable.
To clean the connector yourself:
Carefully remove the rubbish with a toothpick or plastic card |Blow the connector with compressed air (can)|Brush the contacts with alcohol (at least 70%)|Check if there are any bent contacts-->
If the cleaning didn't work, maybe the connector is mechanically damaged.
- The soldering of the connector is a temporary solution if the contacts are soldered off. It requires experience with a soldering iron.
- Replacing the connector is a more reliable option: the cost of the spare part is ~300-500 rubles, work in the service is ~ 1000-1500 rubles.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal objects (needles, paper clips) to clean the connector — they can close the contacts and disable the power controller. Also avoid liquids based on acetone — they corrode plastic.
4. Power Controller: How to Diagnose and What to Do
A power controller (or PMIC) is a chip on the motherboard that regulates charging and power distribution. If it fails, the Mi5 can:
- 🔌 No charge at all (even with a proper battery and connector).
- ⚡ Charge extremely slowly (1% per hour).
- 🔥 Overheat and disconnect when connected to the network.
- 📵 Start only from charging, but do not work on the battery.
Diagnosing a controller malfunction at home is difficult, but you can try the following methods:
- Multimeter check: Measure voltage at battery contacts (should be) 3.7–4.2V). Check the voltage at the output of the controller (points) VCC_MAIN and GND board-board).
Test with donor battery:
Visual examination:
Qualcomm PMI8994
If the controller is actually burned, there are two ways:
- 🔧 Flashing (sometimes helps with controller software failures).
- 🛠️ Replacing a chip is a complex procedure that requires equipment for BGA-The cost of repairs is from 2000 rubles.
💡
If the Xiaomi Mi5 is not charging and is very warm (even without a network connection), this is almost guaranteed to indicate a malfunction of the power controller.
5. Software failures: firmware, drivers and resetting settings
Sometimes the problem with charging is caused by software errors, not hardware.
- 📱 Updates MIUI (Especially if the slug is “raw»).
- 🔄 Installations of custom recaveri or root rights.
- 🛠️ Wrong rollback to the old version of firmware.
To avoid software failure, follow the following steps:
- Reset to factory settings: Go to Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset → Reset. Choose to Erase all data and confirm.
⚠️ Note: Before reset, back up your data via Settings → The phone. → Backup: Once reset, all files, contacts and applications will be deleted.
Fastboot flashing:
fastboot flash all [name firmware].zip
fastboot rebootDownload the official firmware for Mi5 from Xiaomi’s website and follow the instructions.
Checking drivers (for PC):
Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008
Device Manager
If the problem disappeared after resetting or flashing, the firmware was to blame. Otherwise, look for the cause in the hardware.
💡
If the Xiaomi Mi5 only charges when it’s off but doesn’t turn on, try going to Fastboot mode (hold Volume Down + Power) and plugging in charging. If interest rates start to rise, the problem is with the charging drivers in the main system.
Mechanical damage: falls, water and corrosion
Xiaomi Mi5 There is no official protection from water (IP-certificates, so even a small ingress of moisture can cause corrosion of contacts»:
- 💧 Divorces or artifacts appear on the screen.
- 🔌 Type-C connector is coated with white or green coating (oxidation).
- 📵 The phone does not turn on, but vibrates when charging.
If your smartphone falls or comes into contact with water, follow the following algorithm:
- Turn off the device immediately and remove it. SIM-map (if possible).
- Dry your smartphone for 24 to 48 hours in a dry place (don’t use a hair dryer or microwave!).
- Clean the contacts with alcohol (96%) or special liquid WD-40 Contact Cleaner.
- Check the moisture indicator (usually located under the battery or in the tray) SIM-If it's red, the warranty is cancelled.
If after drying the smartphone does not charge, most likely there was a corrosion of the tracks on the board, in this case, only professional cleaning with ultrasound (cost - from 1500 rubles) or replacing damaged elements will help.
7. Alternative charging methods if nothing helps
If the standard methods do not work, you can try non-standard solutions:
- 🔋 Charging from another device: Connect Mi5 to another smartphone through OTG-cable (if Reverse Charging is supported).
- 🔌 Using wireless charging: Xiaomi Mi5 It does not support Qi out of the box, but you can buy a special adapter sticker (for example, Nillkin Magic Tag).
- 🔧 Direct battery connection: If the Type-C connector is completely out of order, you can solder the wires directly to the battery contacts (+ Dangerous! Only for experienced users.
It’s also worth trying to charge your smartphone in a disassembled form (without the back cover), which sometimes helps if the problem is poor battery-to-board contact.