Your Xiaomi smartphone is stuck in an endless cycle of reboots, preventing it from even getting into the system? This is one of the most unpleasant problems faced by owners of devices based on MIUI. The reasons can be hidden in software failures (damaged firmware, conflict updates) and hardware malfunctions (worn battery, damaged memory).
It's important to understand that if the reboot cycle started after a MIUI update, a phone drop, or a charger connection, the algorithm will be different. We structured the solutions by complexity so you can start with the safest methods. Some operations (like unlocking the bootloader) will require a computer and special tools, but most problems are solved without them.
Before you start, answer the key question: do you see the Xiaomi logo or Mi logo when you reboot, or does the screen stay black? This will help narrow down the possible causes. Also check if the phone is responding to charging (if the indicator is on) – this will eliminate battery problems.
1. Forced reset: the first step
If Xiaomi's phone is stuck in a loop but it's responsive to buttons, try a hard reset, which works on 70 percent of devices with software failures and doesn't require a computer.
For most models (Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12), the combination is as follows: Hold the power button + increase volume for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out. Then let go and wait for normal loading. On some devices (for example, Redmi 9A) you may need to pinch power + decrease volume.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone goes back into the loop after a hard reset, but now shows the Fastboot menu, it's a signal that the boot partition has been damaged.
- 🔄 Repeat the procedure 2-3 times – sometimes the failures are temporary.
- 🔋 Connect charging before the reset if the battery is discharged below 10%.
- ⏱️ Hold the buttons for 15 seconds – many people let go too early.
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If after a forced reboot the phone turned on, but after 1-2 minutes again went into the cycle - the problem is most likely in the background processes of MIUI. Try to immediately go to Safe Mode (see section 3).
Checking the battery and charging
Endless reboots are often caused by a faulty battery or power supply. If the phone starts to cycle when connected to charging, it is almost a hundred percent sign of a power problem.
Diagnose: 1. Connect another charger (preferably original from Xiaomi with Quick Charge support). 2. Check the cable - try charging another phone with the same cable. 3. Check the USB-C connector on the phone: whether there is debris inside, bent contacts or traces of oxidation. 4. If possible, connect the phone to a power bank or other power source.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Reboots on charging only | Faulty power supply or cable | Replace the CU/Cable, check the connector |
| The cycle begins at 20–30% charge. | Battery wear (swelling, loss of capacity) | Replacement of the battery in the service |
| The phone is warming and turning off | Short circuit in the battery | Shut off the power immediately! |
| The swelling is in progress (it stops and goes) | Poor contact in the connector or power controller | Cleaning the connector, replacing the controller |
⚠️ Warning: If the battery is swelling (as seen from a raised screen or body warp), do not try to turn on the phone. This is dangerous: risk of fire or explosion.
3. Log in Recovery Mode and reset settings
If a hard reboot doesn't work, the next step is to restore through Recovery, which allows you to reset to factory settings or manually install the update.
To get into Recovery: 1. Turn off the phone (if it is in a loop - wait for a full shutdown after 3-4 reboots). 2. Press Power + Volume Up and hold until the Mi. 3 logo appears. Release the buttons when you see a menu with English/Chinese text and a robot.
In the Recovery menu, volume buttons (up/down for navigation, power for selection) are used.
- Reboot is a normal reboot.
Wipe Data – Complete reset (deletes all data!)
Connect with MiAssistant – Connect to a PC for firmware.
Apply update from ADB – install the update via the computer.
Turn off signature verification (if there is a Disable Signature Verification option)
Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (full reset)
Confirm action (Yes)
Reboot the phone (Reboot)-->
⚠️ Note: Wipe All Data deletes all user data, including photos, contacts and apps. If you have Mi Cloud enabled, some of the data can be restored after you sign in. If not, use this method only as a last resort.
4. Safe Mode: Diagnostics of Applications
If the phone has ever been able to boot properly, but then it went back into the loop, it's a third-party application or system process, in which case Safe Mode, where only standard MIUI services work, will help.
How to enter Safe Mode: 1. When the Xiaomi logo appears during boot, press and hold the volume button. 2. Do not let go until the phone is fully loaded (the bottom left corner will say Safe mode). 3. If the cycle has stopped, a problem in one of the installed applications.
In safe mode:
Remove newly installed programs (especially those that requested Administrator or Accessibility rights).
- Check the list of applications in Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Pay attention to system updates (sometimes the beta version of MIUI causes a failure).
- 📱 Remove the app cache through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
- 🔄 Remove updates for suspicious programs (button "⋮" → Cancel updates).
- 🛡️ Check with antivirus (such as Malwarebytes or built-in Mi Security).
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If the reboots have stopped in safe mode, the problem is with third-party software. Uninstall all applications installed in the last 3 days and roll back system updates.
5. Flashing through Fastboot (for advanced)
If none of the previous methods worked, it is completely reflashed through Fastboot mode, which requires a computer, a USB cable and special tools (Mi Flash Tool), but is guaranteed to restore performance in case of software failures.
⚠️ Warning: Fastboot flashing erases all data on the phone, including internal memory, and unlocks the bootloader, which resets the phone to factory settings and removes the binding to the Mi Account.
Step-by-step: 1. Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery version). 2. Install Mi Unlock Tool and unlock the bootloader (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-14 days for new devices). 3. Connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume Down). 4. Launch Flash Mi Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
fastboot oem unlock
fastboot flash all [name firmware].tgz
fastboot rebootThe process will take 5-10 minutes. After flashing the phone will turn on as new, with a standard MIUI. If the reboot cycle continues, the problem is hardware (see section 7).
What to do if the Mi Flash Tool is in error?
6. Checking of hardware faults
If all software methods are exhausted, but Xiaomi is still cyclically rebooting, the problem lies in the hardware.
- 🔋 Faulty battery – wear, bloating or short circuit.
- 🧠 Damaged motherboard - burnt capacitors, dump of memory chips.
- 💾 Faulty flash memory (eMMC/UFS) — Failed sectors, controller errors.
- 🔌 Problems with the power controller - unstable voltage on components.
It is difficult to diagnose hardware malfunctions on your own, but you can check several points:
Heat: If the phone is getting too hot (especially in the CPU area) it is a sign of a short circuit or chip malfunction.
- Sounds: Extraneous noises (creaming, squeaking) when rebooted may indicate power problems.
Charging response: If the cycle starts only when connected to the network, the charging controller is to blame.
⚠️ Warning: If you suspect a hardware malfunction, do not try to disassemble the phone yourself (risk damaging plumes or exacerbating the problem). The cost of diagnosis usually does not exceed 500-1000 rubles, and repair (for example, replacing the battery) will cost 1500-3000 rubles.
7. Alternative methods (if nothing has worked)
In rare cases, standard solutions fail, and here are some non-obvious ways that can help:
- ❄️ Freeze your phone: Put the device in a bag and put it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes (sometimes helps with overheating of the chips!
- 🔨 Flip-through EDL: Emergency Download Mode allows you to flash your phone even with a damaged bootloader, but requires an authorized Xiaomi account and special equipment.
- 🔄 Reverse to the old version MIUI: If the cycle started after the update, try flashing the previous stable firmware version.
- 📡 Mi Cloud Reset: Some models can run a remote reset via the Mi Cloud web interface (requires a linked account).
If you get to this section, it’s probably a serious problem. Before experimenting with EDL or disassembling your phone, see if the game is worth the candle: sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a new Xiaomi (for example, Redmi Note 12 costs from 15,000 rubles) than to repair the old one.