Resetting Xiaomi fitness bracelet is standard procedure when selling, fixing bugs or preparing for a new firmware. But what if after a hard reset the device refuses to turn on? The screen remains black, there is no vibration, and connection to the phone is impossible. The reasons can be due to the wrong sequence of actions, and hardware problems, from a discharged battery to a damaged plume.
In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to activate the Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8, Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro and other models after reset. We will describe step-by-step instructions for different scenarios: when the bracelet does not respond to charging, but is determined by a computer, when the screen flashes the Mi logo and goes out, or when the Zepp Life application (formerly Mi Fit) does not see the device. Also, we will reveal hidden nuances that are not written in the official guides β for example, why the bracelet can βhoverβ during the pairing stage and how to fix it without contacting the service.
Why Xiaomi bracelet does not turn on after resetting settings
Before trying to resuscitate the device, it is important to understand the root of the problem: resetting on Xiaomi fitness bracelets is of two types:
- π Soft reset (via the bracelet menu) - deletes user data, but saves the firmware. Usually, after it, the device turns on automatically.
- β‘ Hard reset (hardware, pressed button) - returns the bracelet to factory status, including firmware. Often requires re-activation through the application.
If the bracelet does not show signs of life after reset, the reasons may be as follows:
| Reason. | Signs. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Battery discharged | Black screen, no vibration, no PC detection | Charge 30+ minutes with original cable |
| Wrong discharge | The bracelet vibrates, but does not turn on | Repeat the discharge procedure according to the instructions |
| Damaged firmware. | Mi logo flashes and fades, cyclical reboot | Check out MiBandTools or Service Center |
| Problems with charging contacts | The bracelet is not charged, but is switched on from the PC | Clean the contacts with alcohol, check the cable |
Especially often problems arise with models Mi Band 3 and Mi Band 4 - their firmware is sensitive to interruption of the reset process. If you interrupt the procedure (for example, disconnect the bracelet from charging prematurely), there is a risk of "bricking", in such cases, you may need to force firmware through the PC.
β οΈ Note: If the Xiaomi bracelet emits a double vibration after reset and goes out, this is a sign of a hardware failure of the power controller. Self-repair is impossible here: you need to change the board in the service center.
Preparation for Including: What to Do Before Activation
Before you try to turn on the bracelet, follow the mandatory preparatory steps:
- Charge the device. Even if the indicator is not on, plug the bracelet into charging for at least 30 minutes. Use the original cable, because cheap analogues may not provide the right current.
- Install/update the app. From 2023, Mi Fit has officially been replaced by Zepp Life (available on Google Play and the App Store).
- Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation. On Android, also activate Precise Location Resolution for the Zepp Life app.
- Check compatibility. Mi Band 5 and later require Android 6.0+ or iOS 12+.
If the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro or Mi Band 8 bracelet is not determined by the app, try rebooting your smartphone - sometimes Bluetooth conflicts are solved so easily. Also make sure that the phone does not have active VPNs or firewalls blocking the connection.
Method 1: Standard Enabling through a Button
If the Xiaomi bracelet doesnβt turn on after the reset, the first thing you should do is try a forced launch through the hardware button.The instructions are suitable for all models except the Mi Band 1/2 (they donβt have a physical button).
Step-by-step procedure:
βοΈ How to turn on Xiaomi bracelet after resetting
On the Mi Band 5/6/7/8 and Smart Band 7 Pro, the touch button is used to hold it on the screen (in the area under the logo) until the vibration appears. If the screen does not respond, try:
- π Connect the bracelet to charging at the same time as the button is pressed.
- π± Open the Zepp Life app and start searching for the device β sometimes it βwakes upβ the bracelet.
- π Repeat the procedure 3-5 times at intervals of 1 minute (sometimes helps with the βstickβ of the controller).
If the bracelet vibrates once after holding the button and goes out, it's a sign of insufficient charge. Connect it to charging for another 1-2 hours, then try again.
β οΈ Warning: On the Mi Band 4 and older, when holding the button for more than 30 seconds, the hardware reset, not the on. If the bracelet vibrates three times in a row, you start the reset again, not the on. Wait 5 minutes and repeat the procedure shorter (10-15 seconds).
Method 2: Activate via Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit)
If the Xiaomi bracelet is turned on (vibrates, shows the logo) but does not connect to the phone, use forced synchronization via Zepp Life. This method works even if the device does not appear in the list of available ones.
Instructions:
- Open Zepp Life and click Profile β Add Device.
- Choose your bracelet model (e.g. Mi Smart Band 7).
- At the stage of searching for the device, bring the phone as close as possible to the bracelet (at a distance of 5-10 cm).
- If the search is delayed, click Do you see your device? and select Mi Band manually.
- Follow the instructions on the screen. When you request confirmation on the bracelet, tap the screen (even if it's black).
If the application fails to connect, try:
- π± Reboot your smartphone and try again.
- π Remove the bracelet from the list of Bluetooth devices in your phone settings (on Android: Settings) β Connected devices β Xiaomi Mi Band).
- π οΈ Reset network settings on your phone (on Android: Settings) β System system β Reset β Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).
The Mi Band 8 and Smart Band 7 Pro models may require an app firmware update. If the Zepp Life version is older than 6.10.0, some pairing features will not work.
π‘
If the Xiaomi bracelet is defined by the phone as LE-MIBAND in the Bluetooth list but does not connect, remove it from the list, turn off/on Bluetooth and repeat the search in Zepp Life.
Method 3: Recovery via PC (if the bracelet does not respond)
If the Xiaomi bracelet after reset is not turned on, charged and not determined by the phone, but the computer βseesβ it as an unknown device β you can try forced firmware through MiBandTools or nRF Connect utilities.
What you need:
- π₯οΈ Windows computer 10/11 macOS.
- π The original cable for charging the bracelet (or USB-low-current).
- π₯ Utility. MiBand4Tools (Working with Mi Band 3/4/5) NRF Connect (for new models).
Step-by-step:
- Connect the bracelet to your PC via a charging cable, and if the device is identified as Unknown Device, the driver is installed correctly.
- Start nRF Connect, select the COM port and press Connect.
- In the DFU (Device Firmware Update) section, download the official firmware for your model (you can download it on mi-band.ru).
- Start the firmware process. If the bracelet is bricked, the utility may give out errors, in which case try again with another version of the software.
For the Mi Band 6/7/8 and Smart Band 7 Pro, the process is more complicated β you need to unlock the bootloader through service commands. If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the Xiaomi service center.
β οΈ Note: The firmware on the PC resets all data (including steps, sleep history, and settings) and risks completely disabling the bracelet if you interrupt the process or use the wrong version of the software!
What if the PC doesnβt see the bracelet?
Method 4: Alternative Incorporation Methods (for Power Users)
If the standard methods did not work, you can try non-obvious techniques that sometimes help to βresuscitateβ the bracelet:
- π Β«Cold start" battery. disconnect the bracelet from charging, wait 10 minutes, then connect to a power source with a current of 0.5A (for example, to the power supply of the battery. USB-Sometimes it resets the power controller.
- π‘οΈ Heat/cooling: Put the bracelet in a warm place (for example, on the battery) for 5-10 minutes, this can wake up the battery that is discharged!
- πΆ Reset via the engineering menu. Some models (Mi Band 5) can log into the service menu by holding the 10 second button when charging. TEST MODE, choose RESET.
There is another trick for the Smart Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 models: if the bracelet vibrates but doesnβt turn on, try holding it to the front of the bracelet. NFC-tag (e.g., a credit card) sometimes triggers activation through Mi Pay.
If nothing helps, and the bracelet responds to charging (hot, vibrating), but does not turn on, the problem may be a damaged screen or plume, in which case only repair will help.
π‘
Before using alternative methods, make sure the bracelet is charged at least 20%.A discharged battery can cause a re-failure during the procedure.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users make common mistakes that make it difficult to recover from a reset, and here are the most common:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Reset via the application during firmware update | The bracelet is βbrickedβ (not turned on, not charged) | Swipe through the PC utility nRF Connect |
| Using a non-original charging cable | The bracelet is not charging or charging too slowly | Use only the original cable or certified analogue |
| Interrupting the resetting process (disconnecting from charging) | Firmware damage, cyclical reboot | Repeat reset with full battery charge |
| Trying to connect the bracelet to another Xiaomi account without decoupling | Error Device Linked to Another Account | Untie the bracelet through Zepp Life β Profile β My devices |
Another common problem is conflict with other Bluetooth devices: If you have headphones, smartwatches or other appliances connected, turn them off before pairing the bracelet. On Android, it is also recommended to turn off the Quick Connection feature in Bluetooth settings.
If you bought a Xiaomi bracelet from hand, make sure it is not tied to other people's accounts.
- Ask the seller to untie the device via Zepp Life.
- If this is not possible, do a full reset (see method 1) and link to your account.