NOT in the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi: decoding the error and 5 ways to fix it

You turned on your Xiaomi Redmi smartphone and instead of the usual logo, you saw a mysterious NOT on the black screen? This bug scares many users, especially if the phone stopped loading. In fact, NOT is not a verdict on the device, but a signal about a problem with the firmware or hardware. In 90% of cases, you can fix the situation yourself without resorting to a service center.

In this article, we will go into detail: Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi 9A or POCO X3 Pro — it doesn’t matter, the principles of the solution are the same for all models on the platform Qualcomm and Mediatek. You will learn why there is a NOT error, how to distinguish a software failure from a hardware defect, and what steps to take to bring the phone back to life, and we will uncover the myths about “bricks” and explain when it is really worth using the service.

What does NOT mean in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones?

The NOT (sometimes NOT ALLOWED or NOT AUTHORIZED) sign appears on the screen when you try to boot the system, and it's the EDL (Emergency Download Mode) error code, which signals a critical firmware failure, translated into simple language, the phone "does not see" the correct operating system to run.

Here’s what happens at the technical level:

• 🔹 Bootloader is damaged – the phone cannot initialize the process of Android startup.
• 🔹 No critical firmware partitions (e.g. system, vendor, or boot).
• 🔹 Incompatibility of firmware versions - for example, after a bad downgrade (downgrading the version) MIUI).
• 🔹 Hardware failure (less often) – problems with flash memory (eMMC/UFS) power-controller.

It's important to understand: NOT ≠ "Brick is a condition where the phone doesn't respond to the buttons and charging. NOT At the very least, the device turns on and shows the message, which means that the chances of recovery are high. EDL (activated NOT) The phone is available for firmware through special utilities like MiFlash or QFil.

Causes of NOT error: from firmware to hardware

A NOT error is never a simple occurrence, always preceded by one of the following (or a combination of these):

The most common reason is an interrupted update, for example, a user has started installing a new update. OTA-The update, but the phone was dead or forced to shut down, and the firmware files were not fully written, and the system could not read them, and another typical situation is trying to flash Redmi through the Fastboot without unlocking the bootloader. In this case, the phone blocks the launch of uncertified software and gives NOT.

Less commonly, hardware wear is at fault. Cheap Xiaomi models (like the Redmi 9C or Redmi A1) use low-cost eMMC flash memory, which degrades over time. If the phone often overheats or runs at battery power, the memory chips can start to crumble, leading to firmware reading errors.

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If the NOT error occurred after a phone drop or moisture hit, DO NOT try to sew it yourself! first check the integrity of the board in the service - firmware can aggravate the problem.

How to exit NOT mode: step-by-step instructions

If your Xiaomi Redmi shows NOT, follow this algorithm.

1. Hard reboot. Press the power button for 20 to 30 seconds. Sometimes the error is due to a temporary failure, and the phone "suspends" after a forced reboot.
2. Download to Fastboot. Press Volume Down + Power for 10 seconds. If the phone goes into Fastboot mode, then the bootloader is alive, you can stitch the phone through MiFlash.
3. Firmware through EDL. If the phone does not respond to buttons, but is defined by the computer as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, use MiFlash or QFil to restore your firmware.
4. Hardware check. If firmware doesn't work, test the flash memory and power controller (disassembly required).

To run through EDL, you will need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11 (MacOS utilities may not work).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original, without damage).
• 📁 Firmware for your model (download only from official sources: en.miui.com).
• 🛠️ MiFlash (for Qualcomm) or SP Flash Tool (for Mediatek).

Download the firmware for your model|Install the drivers Qualcomm/Mediatek|Disable the antivirus (it can block the utilities)|Charge your phone at least to 30%|Prepare a paper clip for translation into EDL (If the buttons are not working)-->

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL If you didn't have a backup, you can't recover photos, contacts or messages, and you may need to re-link your Mi Account after you've done it.

Firmware through MiFlash: a detailed guide

If your Redmi is equipped with a Qualcomm processor (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G with Snapdragon 695), use MiFlash to restore.

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website. Look for files with the extension.tgz or.zip (for example, tucana_global_images_V13.0.4.0.SKFMIXM_20221010.0000.00_12.0_global_100d4a300d.tgz).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi_Flash\).
3. Install the drivers: 🔧 For Qualcomm: Download QDLoader HS-USB Driver. 🔧 For Mediatek: Use it MTK Driver Auto Installer.
4. Put the phone in mode. EDL: 🔌 Connect the phone to the PC. 🔧 Close the test points on the board (if the buttons don't work) or use the command: adb reboot edl

Put your phone on.

• 🖥️ Launch MiFlash, select a folder with firmware.
• 🔄 Press Refresh – your Redmi should appear in the list of devices.
• 📥 Click Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If MiFlash gives an error Critical Partition Flashing Is Not Allowed, you have the bootloader blocked, in which case you need official unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (Mi Account binding is mandatory!).

Features of recovery for Mediatek processors

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones on the Mediatek platform (for example, Redmi 10A with Helio G25 or Redmi Note 10 with Helio G88) are threaded through the SP Flash Tool.

• 🔹 Drivers: Install MTK VCOM Drivers and disable signature verification in Windows.
• 🔹 Firmware file: Must contain scatter.txt (memory markup description).
• 🔹 Download mode: Used for Mediatek BROM Mode (analogue) EDL). To enter it, it is enough to connect the phone turned off to the PC with the button “Loudness up” or “Loudness down” pressed.
• 🔹 Mistakes: If SP Flash Tool is out there. SLA Auth Error requires an authorized Mi Account or a special account DA-file (for new models).

It is critical for Mediatek to use the correct firmware version. For example, if you are flashing Redmi 9T (Helio G85) firmware from Redmi Note 9T (Helio G88), the phone will turn into a "brick." Always check the code name of the model (for example, juice for Redmi 9T) with the firmware.

✅ How to find out the code name of your model:

1. Look at the sticker under the battery (if the phone is collapsible).
2. Or type in the command Fastboot: fastboot getvar product

What to do if the firmware does not help?

If after all the manipulations, the phone still shows NOT, the problem may be hardware.

• 🔋 The phone does not charge (even when connected to charging the indicator does not burn).
• 🔥 Overheating the case in the processor or memory area.
• 🔊 When connected to a PC, it emits a characteristic “connect-off” sound (a signal about an unstable connection).
• 📱 The screen flashes or shows artifacts (strips, broken pixels).

In such cases, a diagnosis is required at a service center, the most common hardware causes are:

• 💾 Degradation of flash memory (eMMC/UFS). Replacement of the chip (cost: 3–8 thousand rubles).
• 🔌 Power controller malfunction.Symptoms: phone not turning on, but vibrating when charging.
• 🔌 Damage. USB-It can block access to the port. EDL.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has been bootloader unlocked and stopped turning on after the firmware has been installed, don’t try to flash it again! This can lead to a hard brick.

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If your phone doesn't respond to firmware and isn't detected by your computer, don't waste time on software methods -- go to the service. Further attempts may make the problem worse.

Prevention of NOT error: how to avoid problems in the future

To avoid encountering NOT on Xiaomi Redmi, follow these rules:

• 🔄 Update only through official channels. Use Settings → System Update or Mi PC Avoid "custom" firmware from unknown sources.
• 🔋 Don't interrupt the updates. Make sure the battery is charged. >50% before installation OTA.
• 🔓 Do not unblock the bootloader unnecessarily.This deprives you of warranty and increases the risk of "bricking".
• 📱 Avoid physical damage. Falls, moisture and overheating reduce the life of flash memory.
• 🛡️ Install antivirus. Some viruses can damage Android system files.

If you still want to experiment with firmware: Always do the backup of the persist partition (responsible for the maintenance of the firmware). IMEI And the serial numbers before you run through Fastboot, and losing it can make the phone unusable even after you've recovered.

For backup, use the command:

fastboot flash persist persist.img


fastboot reboot

It's also helpful to keep the original firmware of your model, download it from the official website and store it on your PC, which will save you time if you have to restore the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the error NOT Xiaomi Redmi