The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 smartwatch has become one of the most popular fitness trackers thanks to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, like any electronics, it sometimes fails: it stops syncing with a smartphone, freezes on the logo or does not respond to touch. In 90% of cases, a simple reboot solves these problems - but not all users know how to do it correctly.
Unlike smartphones, where the power button is always on hand, the Mi Band 5 doesn't have a physical power key, which causes confusion: some try to "remove the battery" (which is impossible without disassembling), others hold their finger on the screen in the hope of a reaction. In fact, the reboot is done through a combination of touches or connection to charging, and in critical cases, a complete reset is required.
In this article, we will break down all the working ways to reboot the Xiaomi Mi Band 5, including hidden features for power users. You will learn how to distinguish a regular glitch from a serious breakdown, what to do if the watch does not respond to charging, and how to restore it without losing data. All instructions are relevant for firmware 2026 and tested on the latest versions of the Mi Fitness app.
1. Soft reboot: the safest way
If the Mi Band 5 watch is slowing down, not syncing with your phone, or is showing an incorrect time, the first thing you should do is try a soft reboot.This method does not delete user data (steps, pulse, alarm settings), but resets temporary system errors.
To implement:
- π Connect the watch to the charger (even if the battery is not discharged).
- π± Open the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone and wait for sync.
- π In the menu of the clock, find the Reboot item (on some firmwares - Restart) and confirm the action.
If the screen does not respond to touch, use an alternative method:
- Remove the strap and gently wipe the charging contacts with an alcohol napkin.
- Connect the watch to charging and hold your finger on the screen for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- After restarting, check the sensorβs performance β if the problem persists, move on to the next method.
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If the clock doesnβt sync after a soft reboot, try reinstalling the Mi Fitness app on your phone and re-tethering the device.
Hard Reset: When a soft reset doesnβt help
Hard reset returns the Mi Band 5 to factory settings, removing all user data: steps, sleep history, alarm settings and tied accounts.
- π« Watch got stuck on Mi logo and does not respond to charging.
- π The soft reset did not produce results.
- π΅ The device is not defined in the Mi Fitness app.
Resetting instructions:
- Completely drain the battery of the watch (wait for automatic shutdown).
- Connect them to the charger and immediately start touching the screen intensively (about 20-30 taps in a row).
- After 5-10 seconds, the reset screen should appear - confirm the action by touching the tick.
If the watch does not respond to touch, try an alternative method through the app:
- In Mi Fitness, go to Profile β Mi Band 5 β Untie the device.
- Confirm the junction and add the watch as a new device again.
Take screenshots of important data (steps, sleep) in the application | Make sure the battery is at least 50% charged | Untie the watch from the Mi Account in the settings | Prepare the charger for a quick connection
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What if the clock does not turn on after resetting?
3.Reboot via the Mi Fitness app (official method)
The most reliable way to reboot the Mi Band 5 without the risk of data loss is to use the official app, which works even if the watch is partially locked or does not respond to some touches.
Step-by-step:
- Open Mi Fitness and wait for the clock to sync.
- Go to Profile β Mi Band 5 β Additional settings.
- Find the Reboot Device (on some versions β Restart) and confirm the action.
If the item is missing, update the app to the latest version or use an alternative path:
- π² In the main menu of the application, tap on the icon of the clock.
- π§ Select Settings β About the device β Reboot.
The advantage of this method is to save all data and settings, but if the clock is completely suspended and does not sync, you will have to use a physical reboot (see section 1 or 2).
Once a week | Only when it crashes | Never rebooted |I don't know how to do it
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4. Solving typical problems after a reboot
Even after a successful reboot of the Mi Band 5, there may be problems, and letβs look at the most common ones and how to fix them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Data is not synchronized | Bluetooth connection failure | Reboot your smartphone and watch, then re-attach the device to Mi Fitness |
| The touch screen is not working. | Moisture ingestion or contamination of contacts | Wipe the screen and contacts of charging with alcohol, let dry for 10-15 minutes |
| Battery discharges fast | Background processes after update | Reset your statistics to Settings β Battery and calibrate the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100%) |
| No notifications coming. | Failure in the application settings | In Mi Fitness, go to Notifications β Allow notifications and turn on all switches |
If the clock started to reboot on its own after the reboot, this may indicate:
- π Failure of the battery (blown, loss of capacity).
- π» Firmware damage (requires flashing through PC).
- π‘οΈ Overheating of internal components (often after falling or getting moisture).
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If the watch is rebooted cyclically (hangs on the logo and turns on again), do not try to solve the problem software - this is a sign of a hardware malfunction.
5. Hidden reboot features for power users
For those willing to go beyond standard methods, there are several advanced ways to reboot the Mi Band 5. They require precision, but can save the device in desperate situations.
Method 1: Reboot through the Engineering Menu
This method works on firmware up to version 1.0.9.54:
- In the main menu of the clock, find Settings β About the device.
- Slip 5 times in a row on the firmware version until the engineering menu appears.
- Select Reboot System and confirm the action.
Method 2: Forced reboot via charging and button
This method should only be used if the watch is not fully responsive to touch and is not turned on.
- Connect the watch to charge.
- With a thin object (such as a paper clip), gently press the touch button below the screen (it is located to the right of the charging connector).
- Hold the button for 10-15 seconds until you feel the vibration.
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The touch button on the Mi Band 5 often sticks to sweat or dirt, and after forced reboot, wipe it with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
Method 3: Flashing through a PC (extreme case)
If the watch doesn't turn on even after a hard reset, you just have to flash it over the computer.
- π» Mi Fit Tool or Gadgetbridge.
- π The cable for the firmware (can be made by yourself from the USB-extensioner).
- π Firmware file for Mi Band 5 (download from the official forum Xiaomi).
Firmware process:
- Connect the watch to the PC via cable (contacts should fit tightly).
- Run the firmware program and select a file with the.fw extension.
- Start the process and wait until the clock is completed (donβt turn off the clock!).
β οΈ Warning: Incorrect firmware can permanently damage the watch. Use only official firmware files and make sure versions are compatible.
6.How to avoid frequent reboots: preventing failures
Regular failures of the Mi Band 5 are a sign of malfunction or outdated firmware, and by following these tips, you minimize the risk of hanging out:
- π² Update your firmware with Mi Fitness when notifications appear. New versions fix bugs and optimize your work.
- πΏ Avoid getting soap or shampoo on your watch β they clog the microphone and sensors, causing glitches.
- π Do not allow the battery to completely discharge β this shortens the battery life and can lead to failures.
- π΅ Periodically (once every 1-2 months) perform a soft reboot to clean the cache.
- π‘οΈ Do not leave your watch in direct sunlight or near heat sources (e.g. on a car torpedo).
If you actively use notifications and payments via NFC, the clock may slow down due to background overload.
- Turn off unnecessary notifications in Mi Fitness β Notifications.
- Limit the number of synchronized applications.
- Reset statistics to Settings β Additional β Data reset.
The average lifetime of the Mi Band 5 without major failures is 2-3 years, and if the watch starts to glittle more than once a month, it may indicate battery wear or board damage, in which case you should consider replacing the device.