The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been an integral part of the daily lives of millions of users. However, even such simple devices sometimes throw surprises: the screen does not respond to touch, the bracelet does not turn on after discharge or updating the firmware. If your Mi Band suddenly stops showing signs of life, do not panic. 90% of the time the problem is solved in 2-3 minutes without contacting the service center.
In this article, we will explore all possible ways to turn on the Mi Band 4, Mi Band 5, Mi Band 6, Mi Band 7 and Mi Band 8 bracelets, including forced reboot, factory reset and hardware malfunction diagnostics, pay special attention to typical user errors that cause the device to freeze, and give a checklist for check before calling for support.
Warning: if the bracelet does not respond to charging for more than 24 hours and does not heat up when connected to USB, the problem may lie in damage to the battery or power controller.
1. Standard Incorporation: How It Works
In most cases, the Mi Band turns on automatically when connected to the charger, but if the bracelet is "zero" or has been lying for a long time without use, you may need to manually turn on.
The Mi Band 4-8 model is the same as the following:
- Connect the bracelet to the charging cable (use the original adapter or USB-port).
- Wait for the charging indicator to appear (red light bulb or battery icon on the screen).
- If the screen is not activated after 10-15 minutes, press and hold the touch button (below the screen) for 10-15 seconds.
- If successfully enabled, the Mi logo or download animation will appear.
Important: on the Mi Band 8, the touch button is replaced by a swipe gesture up the screen. If the bracelet does not respond to touch, try holding your finger on the screen for 10-12 seconds - this will cause a forced reboot.
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If the bracelet doesn't turn on the first time, disconnect it from charging for 30 seconds, then try again. Sometimes the power controller "whilts" and needs to be reset.
2. Forced reboot (forced reboot)
If standard on-boarding fails, the next step is forced reboot, which helps in cases where the bracelet has got stuck after a firmware update or conflict with the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app.
Instructions for all models except Mi Band 8:
- Disconnect the bracelet from the charger.
- Find a physical button on the case (on the Mi Band 4/5 it is located under the removable module).
- Insert a paperclip or toothpick into the hole next to the button and press it once.
- Connect the bracelet to charging - the Mi logo should appear.
For Mi Band 6/7/8 (without a physical button):
- Connect the bracelet to the charger.
- Press the screen with your finger and hold it for 20 to 25 seconds until you feel the vibration.
- After vibration, release the screen and the bracelet will reboot.
What to do if the button is not pressed?
3. Reset to factory settings
If the forced reset doesn't work, the next step is hard reset, which erases all the data from the bracelet (steps, pulse, settings), but returns it to working condition. Importantly, after the reset, you will need to re-synchronize with the application.
Resetting methods for different models:
| Model bracelet | Resetting method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 4 | 5-time pressing the touch button in the Settings menu → Reset | If the screen is not responsive, use a physical button (see Section 2). |
| Mi Band 5 | Go to Settings → About the device → Reset and confirm the choice | Requires connection to the application to restore functions |
| Mi Band 6/7 | Swipe down the screen → Settings → Reset → Hold the screen for 10 seconds | After resetting the bracelet will automatically reset. |
| Mi Band 8 | Swipe Up → Settings → System → Reset → Swipe Confirmation | On this model, the reset takes up to 30 seconds. |
If the bracelet does not respond to touch and does not allow you to enter the menu, use an alternative method:
- Connect the bracelet to the charger.
- Hold the touch button (or screen on the Mi Band 6-8) for 30 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- After the reboot, swipe up immediately and select Reset in the menu.
4. Checking the charger and cable
About 40% of Xiaomi support requests for a non-starting bracelet involve a faulty charger, and here’s how to diagnose the problem:
- 🔌 Check the cable: check the contacts for oxidation or contamination.
- 💻 Try another one. USB-Port: Connect the bracelet to a computer or other power supply (5V/1A).
- 🔋 Use original charging: cheap analogues may not provide the desired voltage.
- 🌡️ Check the heating: if the bracelet heats up when connected but doesn't turn on - the problem is in the power controller.
On the Mi Band 6-8, pay special attention to the magnetic connector. If the contacts do not fit tightly, charging will not begin. Try to gently press the bracelet against the charger and hold for 1-2 minutes.
Check the integrity of the cable.|Clean the bracelet contacts and charging|Try another one. USB-port (2.0 or 3.0)|Wait 30 minutes – sometimes the charging indicator lights up with a delay|Check the bracelet for heating (should be slightly warm)
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5. Update the firmware through the application
If the bracelet is turned on but is not stable (self-turned off, not synchronized), the problem may be in outdated firmware.
Instructions for Mi Fitness/Zepp Life:
- Open the app and go to the bracelet profile.
- Select Firmware Update (on Mi Band 8 path: Profile → Mi Band 8 → Update).
- Confirm the boot and wait until the end (the bracelet will reboot automatically).
- Do not disconnect the bracelet from your phone during the process.
Important: Before updating, make sure that:
- 📱 Bracelet charge level > 50%
- 📶 The phone is connected to stable Wi-Fi
- 🔋 The phone's battery is charged > 30%
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Updating the firmware through the application is the only official way to fix software errors. "Manual" firmware through ADB or third-party utilities deprives of warranty and can lead to "bricking" of the bracelet.
6. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions
If none of the above methods worked, the bracelet may have a hardware breakdown, and here are some signs that indicate a need for repair:
- 🔥 The bracelet is heated when connected to a charge (over 40).°C).
- 💧 On the screen or under the case, traces of corrosion are visible (infection of moisture).
- ⚡ Charging contacts blackened or deformed.
- 🔊 When shaking, a noise element is heard inside (the battery has detached).
The most common hardware problems:
- Bloated battery: bracelet not switched on, case deformed Solution: battery replacement (cost) ~1500–2000 ₽).
- Contact oxidation: after moisture is injected, solution: cleaning with alcohol or replacing the board.
- Screen damage: cracks, broken pixels Solution: Display replacement (from 2,500) ₽).
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the Mi Band yourself - the body is sealed and the board is sensitive to static electricity. Improper repairs can lead to complete loss of service.
7. Alternative ways of inclusion (for experienced users)
If standard methods don't work, you can try informal solutions, which require technical skills and are used at your own risk.
Method 1: ADB firmware (Mi Band 4/5 only)
- Install Mi Band Tools (Android app).
- Connect the bracelet to your phone via Bluetooth.
- Select Firmware Update → Install from file.
- Download the official firmware from the Xiaomi website (for example, mili_hrm4.fw for the Mi Band 4).
- Download the file and wait until it is completed (the bracelet will reboot 2-3 times).
Method 2: Battery defrosting (for bracelets after long storage)
- Connect the bracelet to charging for 1 hour.
- Turn it off and place it in a warm place (such as near the battery) for 10-15 minutes.
- Reconnect to charging – sometimes this helps to wake up the power controller.
⚠️ Warning: Firmware through third-party utilities may result in loss of warranty.If the bracelet is warranty, contact Xiaomi Service Center.