Owning a modern smartphone like the Xiaomi Redmi 8 requires periodic updates to the device’s software status. Even the most optimized Android operating system with a MIUI shell can accumulate temporary files and errors in RAM during long work, which is why knowing how to properly restart the phone is a basic skill for any user.
There are several scenarios that require interference with the gadget, from a scheduled system update to emergency situations when the screen stops responding to touch. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of rebooting, including hidden functions and working with the system menu, so you can return the device stability.
Before you start taking drastic measures, you should make sure that the problem is really solved by restarting the system. Often, a particular application does not require a complete shutdown of the device, but if the interface is blocked, then rebooting becomes the only sure solution for restoring normal operation.
Standard software reboot of the device
The most common and safe way to restart Redmi 8 is to use the operating system’s regular tools, which ensures that all active processes are completed correctly and that the data in the storage is not corrupted, and you first need to unlock the screen and find the side control button.
Press and hold the power button on the right side of the body for 1-2 seconds, and the menu with the big icons will appear on the display, and here the user will see two main options: turn off and reboot. We need the second option.
- 🔄 Click on the Reboot icon (circular arrow) for standard start-up.
- ❌ Select “Switch off” if you plan to give the device complete rest before turning on.
- ✂️ Use the “Cut Screenshot” button if you need to save the image from the screen urgently.
- 🔒 The “Block” option will instantly turn off the screen and turn on password protection.
Once confirmed, the screen will go out, and in a few seconds the Mi logo will appear. This process takes 30 to 60 seconds depending on the number of applications installed and the speed of internal memory, and the system usually restores normal operation immediately after the desktop appears.
⚠️ Note: If the option "Ambulance mode" appears in the action selection menu or the phone offers to enter PIN-unlock code instead of the reboot menu, which means you have held the button for too long or triggered protection against accidental pressing in your pocket.
Forced reset when getting stuck
Situations where the touch screen stops responding to commands and the program menu is not called happen to every Redmi 8 owner. In such cases, standard methods are powerless, and a hardware reset known as "Hard Reset" buttons is required, but without data loss, a critical feature for regaining control.
And this is a method that requires you to physically press the power button, and you press the power button, and you don't let it go, and you're going to have to hold it for much longer than you normally would -- about a few minutes. 10-15 The screen at this point may flash or just remain black.
☑️ Actions when getting stuck
When the device vibrates and the manufacturer's logo appears on the screen, the button can be released, and this method initiates a hardware reset of the power controller, which forcibly cuts the power supply to the processor and starts it again, similar to removing the battery in old phones.
Sometimes a key combination is required to amplify the effect. If a single hold of the power button does not help, try to press the power button and the volume button at the same time ("Loudness -"). Hold this bundle for about 15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
⚠️ Warning: Don't be alarmed if the phone will be loading longer than usual after a forced reboot.The system may check the file system for errors after an incorrect shutdown.
Reboot through the menu recovery
In the arsenal of advanced users and service center engineers, you have access to a hidden recovery menu, or Recovery Mode. Once there, you can not only reboot the phone, but also reset to factory settings or clear the cache. For Redmi 8, this menu is logged in by a keyboard combination when the state is off.
Turn off your smartphone completely first. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up button ("Loud +") and the Power button. Hold both buttons until the Mi logo appears, then the power can be released, and the Volume button can continue to hold until the black screen with the menu in English or Chinese appears.
Main Menu
- Reboot
- Reboot to Bootloader
- Run Graphics Test
- Run Audio Test
- Power Off
- Connect with MIAssistantNavigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up and down), and the choice of item is confirmed by a short press of the power button. To simply restart the device, select Reboot, then Reboot to System. This action is safe and does not delete your personal data.
What to do if the menu is in Chinese?
Automatic reboot on schedule
The MIUI shell on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a useful function of automating maintenance processes. You can set the phone up so that it reboots itself at a given time, such as at night when you sleep, which helps maintain optimal performance without your involvement.
To set up this feature, go to the main settings menu of the device. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but most often it is in the additional settings section. Find the item responsible for the on and off schedule.
| Parameter | Description of action | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat. | Days of the week to be completed | Every day. |
| Time off | Time of commencement of the procedure | 03:00 |
| Time of inclusion | Time of completion of the reset | 03:05 |
| Alarm clock | Priority of alarm clock over switching off | Included. |
Set the shutdown time to, say, 3 a.m. and the turn-on time to 3 a.m.05. The phone will turn off on its own, clear the RAM and start again, which is especially useful for users who rarely turn off their gadgets manually.
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Make sure that the phone is not in charge mode from the computer at the time of automatic reboot unless you want it to start syncing files immediately, which can slow down the startup process.
Reboot to Fastboot Mode
Fastboot mode is a diagnostic protocol used to firmware a device or unlock a bootloader, which the average user may need if the phone has accidentally left this mode and needs to be removed from there, that is, rebooted to normal mode.
You can get into this mode on Redmi 8 by turning off your phone and holding down the power and volume buttons at the same time ("Loudness -"). The screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android and the inscription Fastboot. If you happen to be here by accident, just press the power button for 10-15 seconds until the phone vibrates and reboots.
Sometimes users confuse this mode with freezing. If a hare is on the screen and the phone does not respond to touch, it is not a breakdown, but a special low-level mode. Forced retention of the power button is the only regular way to exit it without connecting to a PC.
- 🐰 Mode indicator - image of a hare with headphones or tool.
- 🔌 PC Connection Changes Fastboot Label Color to Orange.
- ⏱ The output is carried out by a long (15 seconds) press of the power button.
Typical problems and their solution
Even after a proper reboot, Xiaomi users may face a number of specific problems, such as a phone that can reboot in an infinite loop or freeze on a logo, often due to overcrowded memory or a conflict of a newly installed app.
If the phone freezes again after a minute of operation after rebooting, try running it in Safe Mode. To do this, when you turn on when the Mi or Android logo appears, press the volume button. In the lower left corner of the screen, the message "Safe Mode" will appear.
⚠️ Warning: Only system applications are running in Safe Mode, and if the phone is stable in this mode, it means that the problem is caused by third-party software that needs to be removed.
Also worth checking is the status of the power button. On Redmi 8, the button may be triggered due to contamination or wear of the mechanism, which causes chaotic reboots. Easy tapping on the edge or cleaning the body joint can temporarily solve the problem, but it is better to contact the service.
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An endless reboot is most often caused by software update failure or mechanically sticking the power button, rather than a motherboard failure.