How to turn on Xiaomi Mi Band 3: 5 working ways (if the bracelet does not respond)

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet remains a popular gadget even years after its release, its reliability and functionality have been appreciated by millions of users. However, many face the problem: the bracelet does not turn on after purchase, long-term storage or discharge. In this article, we will analyze all possible reasons and 5 proven ways to turn on the Mi Band 3, including forced reset and fault diagnosis.

It's important to understand that "not turning on" can mean things from no charging response to a flashing screen without further activation. We'll look at each case separately, and we'll give you recommendations for extending battery life and operating the bracelet properly. If you just bought the device or pulled it out after a long break, this guide will help bring the gadget back to life.

Preparation for activation: checking charging and contacts

Before you try to turn on the Mi Band 3, make sure that the problem is not in the trivial things. 90% of cases of "dead" bracelets are associated with a discharged battery or poor contact of the charger.

• 🔋 Use the original cable. Chargers from other models (e.g. Mi Band) 4/5) may not be suitable for the voltage or form of contacts.
• 🔍 Clean the contacts. Over time, sweat, dust, or oxidation accumulate on the metal areas of the bracelet and charging.
• ⚡ Check the power source. Connect the charger to USB-port of the computer or adapter with output 5V/1A (Do not use fast charging!).
• ⏳ If the bracelet is completely discharged, the charge indicator may not appear until 10-15 minutes.

If after 30 minutes of charging on the screen and did not appear any icons (lightning) ⚡ Mi Band 3 feature: at critical discharge (below 3%), the bracelet may not show an indication of charging in the first 5-7 minutes - this is normal if a reaction appears later.

2. Standard on: button and sensor

If the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 bracelet is charged but doesn’t turn on when you press a button, try the following steps: The device has one physical button (below the screen) and a touchscreen display that can also be used to activate.

Method 1: Prolonged pressing of the button

1. Press and hold the physical button under the screen for 5-7 seconds.
2. If the bracelet is in good working order, the Mi logo will appear and download will begin.
3. After downloading, swipe your finger up the screen to unlock.

Method 2: Touching the screen

Sometimes the sensor will respond to touch even when the button is not working.

• Touch the screen and swipe your finger up or down.
• If the screen blinks, repeat the touch several times in a row.
• If activated successfully, the main menu will appear.

If both methods do not work, and the bracelet is precisely charged (the indicator burns). ⚡ when connected to USB), The problem might be that the firmware is getting stuck, and in that case, the forced reboot will help, and that's what we'll talk about in the next section.

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If the bracelet does not respond to touch, try moistening your finger with water – sometimes dry skin does not conduct the signal well for the sensor.

3. Forced reset (Hard Reset)

When the Mi Band 3 is stuck on the logo, doesn't respond to a button, or the screen blinks and goes out, the hardware reset helps. This procedure doesn't delete the data (steps, pulse), but reboots the system. Here's how to do it:

Unplug the bracelet from charging|Press and hold the button for 15-20 seconds.|Wait for the vibration and appearance of the Mi logo|Release the button after restarting-->

If after reset the bracelet turned on, but it works unstable (it turns off independently, does not synchronize), you will need to update the firmware through the Mi Fit application.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse forced reboot with full reset (more on it below). Hard Reset doesn’t delete the linked account and stored data, whereas factory reset erases all information.

4. Complete reset to factory settings

If the bracelet is turned on but malfunctions (not synced with the phone, shows the wrong time, does not count steps), a complete reset will help. This procedure removes all data from the device, including the binding to the Xiaomi account. Use it only as a last resort!

How to reset:

1. Go to the bracelet menu by swiping your finger up the screen.
2. Find the Settings item → Additionally. → Reset (or Reset).
3. Confirm the action by clicking on the tick ✔.
4. After rebooting, the bracelet will return to factory settings.

After reset, you will need to re-assign the bracelet to your account through the Mi Fit application. If you forget the data from your Xiaomi account, restore them in advance - otherwise the bracelet will become a "brick" without the possibility of synchronization.

5. Diagnosis of malfunctions: when the bracelet does not turn on at all

If none of these things worked, it may be a hardware malfunction, and here are the most common Mi Band 3 breakdowns and their signs:

• 🔋 Bloated battery: bracelet not charging, body swelled or smelled of burning.Solution: battery replacement in the service.
• 💧 Moisture: After contact with water, the bracelet stopped responding. Solution: Dry 24 hours in rice or silica gel, then try charging.
• 🔌 Train break: the screen flashes partially or does not burn at all Solution: repairs at the service center.
• 📱 Firmware problems: the bracelet turns on but is constantly rebooted.Solution: reflash through Mi Fit or Notify & Fitness.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet fell from a height or was subjected to heavy mechanical stress, do not try to disassemble it yourself - this can lead to final failure. Mi Band 3 uses glue for sealing, and if you open it neatly, it is easy to damage the plumes.

6. Update firmware through Mi Fit

If the bracelet is turned on but is not working correctly (for example, it does not sync data or discharges quickly), the problem may be in outdated firmware, which can be updated through the official Mi Fit app:

1. Make sure that the latest version of Mi Fit is installed on the phone (download it to Google Play or App Store).
2. Connect the bracelet to your phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open Mi Fit, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Firmware Update.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

⚠️ Warning: Don't disconnect the bracelet from your phone or interrupt the upgrade process! This can cause the device to blink (total inoperability). If the firmware is 0% frozen, try it:

• Reboot the phone and bracelet.
• Turn off/on Bluetooth.
• Repeat the update in 10 minutes.

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The firmware update solves 80% of Mi Band 3 software failures, including synchronization, sensors and autonomy issues.

7. Alternative ways of inclusion (if nothing helps)

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these non-obvious techniques:

• 🔄 «Power up the battery: plug the bracelet into charging for 1 minute, then turn it off and press the button immediately. Repeat 3-4 times.
• ❄️ Refrigeration/heating: Put the bracelet in the fridge for 10 minutes (not in the freezer!), then try charging.
• 📡 Connect to another phone: install Mi Fit on the second smartphone and try to tie the bracelet back.
• 🔧 Using third-party apps: Programs like Notify & Fitness for Mi Band are sometimes better at resuscitating the bracelet.

If these methods didn’t work, it’s probably a hardware problem, in which case, contact Xiaomi’s service center or consider buying a new bracelet – repairing the Mi Band 3 often costs more than the cost of a new Mi Band 6 or 7.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 3 inclusion