How to log into the BIOS on Xiaomi Mi laptop: the complete guide

Owners of modern hardware often face the need to change the priority of boot or check system parameters, and the question of how to log into the BIOS on the Xiaomi Mi laptop becomes a priority for them. Unlike classic desktop PCs, portable devices of the Chinese brand have their own characteristics of access to low-level settings. Standard methods may not work due to fast Windows boot or specific controller settings.

Modern. UEFI-Interfaces that replaced the outdated BIOS, They load in seconds, which requires high response and precision from the user. If you don't have time to press the right key combination in the first moments after you turn on, the system will start the operating system, ignoring your attempts to get into the settings menu. This is especially true for models with NVMe solid state drives.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can access the Xiaomi Mi Notebook system settings, including standard hotkeys, command line use, and special recovery modes, learn what to do if the keyboard does not respond, and how to bypass the Fast Boot lock, which often interferes with the necessary actions.

Standard key combinations for entering settings

The most common and quick way to get into the hardware configuration menu is to use the keyboard function keys. For the vast majority of Xiaomi and RedmiBook laptops, the primary key is F2. It must be pressed intermittently, but often, immediately after releasing the power button, before the Mi logo appears on the screen.

If the goal is to select a boot device, such as a flash drive with an installation file, the F12 key is used.This menu is called Boot Menu and allows you to change the boot order one-time without changing the BIOS constant settings. On some gaming models of the Gaming Laptop series, combinations can be duplicated or have additional functions associated with performance profiles.

It's important to consider the state of the keyboard and the speed of the user's response. If you press too late, the boot process will already move to the next step. In some cases, holding the F2 key before turning on the laptop helps, rather than intermittent pressing, although this method does not work on all motherboard revisions.

• 🔹 Press. F2 Repeatedly after activation to log in to Setup Utility.
• 🔹 Use it. F12 To call the boot disk selection menu (Boot Menu).
• 🔹 On Fn-locked keyboards, you may need to clamp the Fn combination. + F2.
• 🔹 Make sure your laptop is connected to the network to avoid being disconnected during settings.

⚠️ Note: On some models with Windows preinstalled 10/11 Fast Boot can be activated by default, so the key window simply doesn't appear, in which case standard methods may not work and you will need to log in through the OS.

A common mistake users make is to ignore the status of the indicators. If the laptop is in hibernation or deep sleep, simply opening the lid will not start the POST process, and pressing the keys will be useless.

Entry through Windows Restore Settings

When hardware methods are powerless due to high boot speeds, the operating system's software interface comes to the rescue. Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in UEFI Firmware Settings transition mechanism that is guaranteed to open the BIOS the next time you reboot, a method that is most reliable for beginners.

To start, you need to open the system settings. Press the Win + I key combination or find "Settings" in the Start menu. Then the path may vary slightly depending on the OS version, but the logic remains the same: go to the Update and Security section and then to the Recovery subsection.

In the "Special Boot Options" block, you need to click the "Reboot Now" button, and the system will go to the blue screen of the action menu, where you will need to select consistently the items: "Find and troubleshoot", "Additional options", "UEFI embedded software options", after confirmation, the system will restart itself and open the desired interface.

This eliminates human error and keystroke timing problems, and it's especially useful if the laptop keyboard is malfunctioning or the drivers are not working properly, and once you log in to the BIOS, you can change any settings you need, just like you would with a standard login.

Using the command line to access

For advanced users who prefer to minimize clicks with the mouse, there is a quick way to call the recovery menu via the command line, which requires accuracy in typing commands, but saves time navigating the Windows settings menu.

You have to run the command line with administrator permissions, and you can do this by finding the cmd application in the search, right-clicking and selecting the appropriate option, and without administrator permission, the command will not be executed, and the system will give an access error.

shutdown /r /o /f /t 00

The command you enter initiates a reboot (/r) with a switch to the optional menu (/o), forced application closure (/f) and zero latency (/t 00). Once the laptop restarts, you will be taken to the blue menu, where you should select "Find and troubleshoot", then "Additional options" and "UEFI embedded software settings".

⚠️ Warning: The team performs an immediate reboot. Save all open documents and close running programs before entering the command to avoid losing unsaved data.

The alternative option through PowerShell involves using cmdlet Restart-Computer, but the shutdown method is universal and works on all versions of Windows, starting with Vista.

Mi Assistant Mode and Special Features

Xiaomi laptops have a unique feature, the Mi Assistant mode, which is often confused with the BIOS, but which is used for system recovery and firmware. It is logged in by a combination of Fn + Esc keys when turned on. Although it is not a BIOS, this mode can be useful when booting crashes.

In some rare cases, especially on early Mi Notebook Air models, settings can be blocked at the firmware level for the average user. However, if your goal is to reinstall the system, you don't necessarily need the BIOS itself, just Boot Menu called by the F12 key.

If a laptop is equipped with a fingerprint scanner combined with a power button, the process of turning on may be different. In such devices, the power button may require a longer or short press to activate. POST-process that affects the timing of the input key BIOS.

• 🔸 Combination Fn + Esc launches Mi Assistant Recovery Mode.
• 🔸 For resetting. BIOS a discharge hole at the bottom of the shell (if provided).
• 🔸 In Mi Assistant mode, the option of connecting to Mi is available PC Suite for flashing.
• 🔸 Do not interrupt the recovery process to avoid damaging the boot sector.

Users often look for a way to disable Secure Boot through this interface, but in Xiaomi laptops, this is usually done in the classic. BIOS through F2. Assistant mode is more used to resuscitate “bricks” or reset account passwords if they are not protected. TPM-module.

Solving problems with access to BIOS

A situation where a laptop ignores keystrokes can be caused not only by the Fast Boot, but often the connected periphery is the cause. USB-Hubs, external hard drives, or even some wireless mouse models may conflict with keyboard surveys at boot time.

Try turning off all external devices, leaving only the charger. If that doesn't work, check the power settings. On Windows, under Power" → "The power buttons, if you tick the box on "Enable Quick Start," will force the laptop to complete the full boot procedure every time you turn on, giving you more time to react.

External USB-The keyboard can be a lifeline if the built-in keyboard doesn't have time to initialize. Connect it before you turn on your laptop. Unlike a touchpad or an embedded keyboard, the external keyboard is the keyboard. HID-The devices are often interviewed by the controller first.

It's also worth checking if the tablet mode or other specific settings are on if you have a hybrid device. In rare cases, the static electricity discharge helps: turn off the laptop, turn off the charger, press the power button for 20 seconds, then turn on and try to log in to the BIOS.

⚠️ Note: If the laptop is under warranty, do not try to open the case to turn off the battery CMOS, as this will lead to loss of warranty obligations and the appearance of opening marks on seals.

Sometimes the problem lies in the software itself: Updating the chipset and BIOS drivers to the latest version from Xiaomi’s official support site can fix bugs that prevent you from entering the settings correctly. Older versions of firmware may have bugs that block access to UEFI.

Set up the parameters after the entry

Once inside the interface, you'll see a screen with multiple tabs, and the basic information about the processor, memory, and version of the BIOS is in the Main or Information tab, and you can check if the laptop sees installed RAM modules and hard drives, which is useful in diagnosing malfunctions.

To install the operating system, go to the Boot tab, which is the Boot Priority Order, using the keys listed in the prompt at the bottom of the screen (usually F5/F6 or +/-), lift up yours USB-flash-drive DVD-First place drive. Don't forget to save the changes before you leave.

The Security tab allows you to set a password to log in to the BIOS or boot the system. Be careful: losing the BIOS administrator password on modern Xiaomi laptops often means replacing the motherboard or difficult flashing the memory chip in the service.

The Exit tab contains commands to exit.Select Exit Saving Changes to save settings and reboot, or Exit Discarding Changes to exit without saving.The F10 key is also often reserved for quick save and exit.

• 🔹 Main tab: information about system and time.
• 🔹 Boot tab: setting up the order of loading devices.
• 🔹 Security tab: password installation and Secure Boot management.
• 🔹 Exit tab: saving settings and rebooting.

Special attention should be paid to the CSM Support (Compatibility Support Module) option. If you install an old OS (for example, Windows 7), it should be enabled. For Windows 10/11 in UEFI mode, this option should be turned off (Disable), and Secure Boot should be turned on.

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Before changing any settings in the BIOS, take a picture of the screen on your phone, which will allow you to easily return the original values if the system stops booting correctly.

Frequently asked questions

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The most reliable way to get into the BIOS on Xiaomi is to use the Windows Restore Menu, as it eliminates the issues with key timing and fast loading.