How to turn on Xiaomi Mi Band 4 watch: 3 working methods + error solving

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular activity tracking gadgets, despite the release of new models, its main advantages are simplicity, reliability and affordable price. However, even with such a device, there are sometimes problems: the bracelet does not turn on after discharging, freezes on the logo or does not respond to presses. If your Mi Band 4 has stopped showing signs of life, do not rush to carry it to the service, in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved yourself.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can turn on the bracelet, from standard procedure to forced reboot, and learn what to do if the Mi Band 4 doesn’t respond to charging, how to reset to factory settings, and why the device can die for no apparent reason, and the instructions are suitable for all firmware versions, including the latest updates from 2026.

1. Standard inclusion of Mi Band 4: step-by-step instructions

If the bracelet is discharged or has been manually turned off, it takes no more than 10 seconds to turn it on.

1. Connect charging. Use the original Mi Band 4 cable (with magnetic contacts). Make sure the contacts on the bracelet and charger are clean - contamination can block the current supply.
2. Wait for the indicator to appear. 5-15 seconds after you connect to the charge, the battery icon should appear on the screen. If the indicator is not on, check the cable or power supply.
3. Press the touch button. When the charger comes up, briefly tap the touch area below the screen, and the bracelet should turn on and show the main menu.

If the screen remains black, try holding your finger on the touch button for 3-5 seconds, which can force the device to start, and check if the locking of the screen has worked (double tap will unlock the bracelet).

Is the cable connected to the power source (USB 5V/1A)|

Clean contacts on bracelet and charging |

Is the cable damaged (furnished wires, chipped wires)|

Have you tried another power supply (e.g. from a smartphone)|

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The Mi Band 4 has overheating protection, so if the bracelet has been lying in the sun for a long time or near a heat source, it may not turn on until cooling down, in which case leave it in the shade for 10-15 minutes and try again.

2. Forced reset: if the bracelet is getting stuck

Sometimes the Mi Band 4 will hang on the Mi logo or stop responding to touch, which can happen after a failed firmware update, a malfunction in sync with a smartphone or mechanical impact, in which case hard reset helps.

Warning: The procedure will reset all bracelet settings, including the binding to the Mi Account, and the steps and pulse data stored only on the device will be lost.

⚠️ Warning: Do not perform a hard reset if the bracelet is less than 20% discharged, which can cause firmware damage and complete loss of performance.

Instructions for forced reset:

1. Disconnect the bracelet from charging (if it was connected).
2. Find the reset button on the back of the case – this is a small hole next to the charging contacts.
3. Take a paperclip or toothpick and press the reset button for 10-15 seconds until you feel a slight click.
4. Let go of the button. The bracelet should vibrate and show the Mi logo.
5. Wait 1-2 minutes – the device will reboot and offer to link it to the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app.

Once reset, the bracelet will be like a new one, you will need to reconfigure the time, notifications and other settings through the mobile app. If the Mi Band 4 does not turn on again after rebooting, the problem may lie in a damaged firmware or a faulty battery.

3. Charging problems: why the bracelet doesn't turn on

One of the most common causes of death for the Mi Band 4 is charging problems, and even if you plug in a cable, the bracelet may not be showing signs of life.

If the bracelet is zero, the standard charge may fail due to the controller's protection.

1. Connect the Mi Band 4 to charge and leave for 1-2 hours without trying to turn on.
2. Use a charger with a current of at least 1A (a power supply from a smartphone is suitable).
3. Try to wake up the bracelet by briefly pressing the touch button every 10 minutes.

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If the original cable is lost, you can use the charging from the Mi Band 3 or Mi Band 5 — they are compatible with contacts. However, avoid cheap Chinese counterparts: they often have unstable voltage, which can cause the bracelet to fail.

If after all the manipulations the bracelet has not turned on, the cause may be a bloated battery (as seen by the deformation of the case) or damaged board. In this case, self-repair is not recommended - it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center.

Once in 3-5 days |

Once a week |

Less than once every 10 days |

Only when it's completely discharged |

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4. Adjusting the time after activation

Once turned on or reset, the Mi Band 4 may show the wrong time, because the bracelet syncs the clock to the smartphone tied, and if the sync fails (for example, due to lack of communication with the smartphone), time is lost.

To set the clock correctly:

1. Make sure that your smartphone has Bluetooth and geolocation enabled (required for the exact time).
2. Open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app and wait for the bracelet to sync.
3. Go to the bracelet menu: swipe up the screen and select Settings → Time.
4. If the time is not updated automatically, click Sync in the app.

If the bracelet shows the time a few minutes late, check the time zone settings on your smartphone.The Mi Band 4 doesn't have its own GPS module, so it relies entirely on the phone's data.

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The bracelet only updates the time when you connect to your smartphone. If you have switched off Bluetooth for a long time, the clock can lag behind by a few seconds a day.

Also make sure that the bracelet settings have the correct time format (12/24 hours) for this:

1. In the Mi Fit app, go to Profile → Mi Band 4 → Screen settings.
2. Select the time format and set the desired option.

5. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users experience the same problems when turning on the Mi Band 4, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 Use of unoriginal cables. Cheap charging can cause unstable voltages, causing a power controller to malfunction. Always use the original cable or certified analogues.
• 📱 Bluetooth shutdown on your smartphone. Without communication with your phone, the bracelet cannot synchronize time, notifications and activity data. Turn on Bluetooth autoconnect in your phone settings.
• 💦 Moisture in contact despite water protection 5 ATM, salt water or steam can oxidize the charging contacts. After bathing, wash the bracelet with fresh water and dry it.
• 🔄 Interrupting firmware updates. If you unplug the bracelet from your phone or take it out of charge during the upgrade, the firmware may become corrupted.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet stopped turning on after the firmware update, don't try to reset it through a button - this can aggravate the problem. Connect the Mi Band 4 to charging and leave it for 1-2 hours. In most cases, the device will recover on its own.

Another common problem is that the bracelet turns on, but it turns off immediately.

• Discharged battery (plug to charge for 30+ minutes).
• System freezes (perform a hard reset).
• Damage to the screen plume (requires repair).

6. Alternative methods of activating the bracelet

If standard methods don't work, you can try less obvious solutions, and these are good for advanced users, because they require additional manipulation.

Method 1: Connecting to another smartphone

Sometimes the bracelet is not turned on due to a conflict with the user profile in the Mi Fit app.

1. Install Mi Fit on another smartphone (Android/iOS).
2. Register a new account or sign in to an existing one.
3. Connect the Mi Band 4 to your new phone via Bluetooth.
4. If the bracelet is turned on, the problem is with the settings of the old smartphone (possibly Conflict with the app cache).

Method 2: Manual firmware update

If the bracelet is switched on but is unstable (it turns off itself, it doesn't sync), the reason may be an outdated firmware.

1. Download the latest firmware version for Mi Band 4 from the official Xiaomi website (support section).
2. Connect the bracelet to charging and make sure the charge level is not below 50%.
3. In the Mi Fit app, go to Profile → Mi Band 4 → Firmware Update.
4. Click Update Checker and follow the instructions on the screen.

Method 3: Checking through a computer

If the bracelet does not respond to charging or reset, you can try connecting it to your PC via a special adapter (for example, a USB-UART), which will help diagnose hardware problems, but requires technical skills. For most users, this method is not suitable - it is better to contact the service.

7.When to contact the service: signs of serious breakdowns

Not all Mi Band 4 problems can be solved by yourself, and if the bracelet fails to turn on or is not working properly after all the manipulations, note the following signs of serious breakdowns:

• 🔥 The bracelet warms up without charging, which may indicate a short circuit in the battery or board!
• 💥 The screen flashes or shows artifacts, probably damaged by a plume or a matrix, repairs are possible, but often not cost effective.
• 🔋 The battery runs out in a few hours. If the bracelet holds a charge for less than a day, the battery is worn out and requires replacement.
• 📵 The bracelet is not defined by the smartphone. It could be a problem with the Bluetooth module or antenna.

The cost of repairing the Mi Band 4 in Xiaomi service centers varies from 800 to 2000 rubles depending on the breakdown. In most cases, it is cheaper to buy a new bracelet (the price for a used model starts from 1500 rubles).

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the bracelet yourself - the body of the Mi Band 4 is sealed, and when you open it, you risk damaging the board or display.

If you are buying a new bracelet, pay attention to the Mi Band models. 5/6/7 — They are compatible with the same applications (Mi). Fit/Zepp Life) and have improved functions (SpO₂, More training regimes, bright screen).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions