When a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone stops responding to the power button, it can take anyone by surprise. The device can be completely functional, but without the ability to activate the screen or start the system, it turns into a useless piece of plastic and glass. Most often the problem lies in mechanical wear of the plume or moisture, but there are software methods to bypass this malfunction.
In this article, we will discuss how to turn on an Android smartphone without using a physical key, as well as temporary solutions for navigating the menu, you will learn how to perform a forced reboot and what MIUI settings will help extend the life of the device before visiting the service center.
Ignoring the problem can lead to a complete discharge of the battery, after which it will become almost impossible to turn the gadget on by standard methods, so it is important to quickly apply one of the following algorithms of actions to preserve data and continuity of use of the device.
Emergency activation via key combinations
The first and often the most effective method is to use hardware volume buttons. On many Xiaomi and Poco models, pressing the volume or decrease key when connecting the charger can initiate system boot, a method that works at the Bootloader or Recovery level, bypassing the standard power button check algorithm.
To implement this method, you need to completely discharge the phone before turning off or force the screen to extinguish if possible. Then, holding the volume button (most often "Loudness minus"), connect the charging cable to the smartphone. If the screen catches fire and the recovery menu appears, select Reboot or Reboot to System.
⚠️ Warning: Do not hold the buttons too long unnecessarily, as this can put the device into Fastboot mode, exiting which on some models also requires a serviceable power button.
If the first option didn't work, try combining both volume buttons simultaneously when you connect to the network. On some global firmware versions, this action emulates a short click on the power button. The success of the method depends on the Android version and the processor model.
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Try to connect the cable not to the computer, but to a powerful power supply (from 2A), as a sharp jump in current sometimes helps to "wake up" the power controller.
Using the Recovery Menu to Reboot
If the phone is on but the screen is out and the button is not responding, you can try to call the Recovery menu. Entering this mode on Xiaomi devices is usually by pressing the volume button "Plus" when connecting to charging. Once in the menu, the navigation is carried out by volume buttons, and the choice is by short pressing the same button (on some models) or simply waiting.
Inside the Recovery menu, a reboot option is often available, which can work where the software interface is not responding, but be careful: an accidental Wipe Data reset in this menu will remove all information from the phone without the possibility of recovery.
☑️ Action in Recovery
Note that on newer versions of MIUI, Recovery entry sometimes requires confirmation by pressing the power button, making this method useless if it breaks, leaving you to rely on screen timeouts or third-party apps if they were installed in advance.
Setting up the turn on schedule and alarm
One of the most useful features in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the ability to automatically turn on the device. If your phone is completely off, but the battery is not empty, you can schedule its start.
Find the Settings → Battery → Scheduled turn on and off. Set the time, for example, 5 minutes ahead. The smartphone will start on its own at a given time, even if the physical Power button is faulty. This is a critical life hack for those waiting for a call or message.
| Function | Where to find out. | Conditions of work |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled inclusion | Settings → Battery | Presence of an ABC charge |
| Alarm clock | Annex Clock | The phone should be on. |
| Auto-start after charging | Depends on the model. | Network connection |
Some Redmi and Poco models can also turn on automatically when the charger is connected if they are switched off correctly, so check if this option is available in the engineering menu or special battery settings, although this is rare in stock MIUI.
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Automatically turn on on on a schedule is the only guaranteed way to start a completely switched-off phone without a physical button.
Software methods of screen control
When the device is on but the screen is gone, the main problem is activating it. Standard Android and the MIUI shell offer a "Double Touch to Turn on" feature. Make sure it is activated in Settings → Lock screen. This will wake the phone up by tapping on the display.
If the touchscreen is also intermittent or the double tap is not configured, you can use third-party utilities. Apps like Volume Power allow you to reassign the functions of the volume buttons. For example, long-term pressing of the volume button will emulate clicking on the power button.
- 📱 Volume Power – a classic solution for reassigning volume buttons to turn on the screen.
- 🔋 Gravity Screen – includes a display when removing the phone from your pocket or from a horizontal surface.
- 🔌 Charge Alarm – can wake the screen when charging, which is useful with a dead battery.
Installing such apps requires prior access to the Google Play store or GetApps. If the phone is already turned off and it can not be turned on, this method, alas, will not help, but will be an excellent preventive measure for the future.
Forced reset and freeze reset
In situations where the Android system is frozen and the power button is not working, a hard reset method is required. On most Xiaomi smartphones, this is achieved by holding the volume button "Plus" or a combination of volume buttons for a long time (10-15 seconds).
Sometimes blind reboots can help: press the volume button and connect the phone to the computer. If the device vibrates or lights up the notification indicator, try quickly pressing the combination to log in to Fastboot, and from there select a reboot. However, this method requires high reaction speed and luck.
⚠️ Warning: Hard reboots can cause unsaved data to be lost in open applications. Use this method only as a last resort.
If the phone is responding to vibration or sound, but the screen is black, maybe the problem is not the button, but the display. Try calling the device from another phone. If the beep is coming, but there is no screen, urgently carry the gadget for repair before the battery is zero.
Setting the tap on the back panel (Back Tap)
Modern versions of MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS have a handy "Touch the Back" feature that allows you to assign actions to knock on the phone body, which can be an ideal replacement for the lock button.
To activate the function, go to Settings → Additional Features → Touching the Back. Select Double Touch or Triple Touch and assign it to Lock or Turn off the Screen. Now a light knock on the Xiaomi logo from the back will extinguish the screen.
Why isn't the back panel touching working?
Unfortunately, this function only works on the on-on device to lock the screen, not to turn it on from the off state, but it makes life much easier when a physical key breaks.
When repair and replacement of the plume is necessary
All software methods are temporary crutches. If Xiaomi's power button stops working, 90% of the time it takes a plume or micro-switch to change, and if you use a phone with a faulty button for a long time, you won't be able to turn it off or restart it if you freeze critically.
The cost of replacing the plume on Redmi Note or Poco models is usually small and takes about 20-30 minutes from the wizard. In some cases, if the button is integrated into the board (which is rare for the budget segment, but happens in flagships), it may be necessary to solder or replace the charging connector if the button is placed on its plume.
- 🔧 Mechanical wear is the most common cause, the contact group just wears off.
- 💧 Oxidation – ingress of moisture causes corrosion of contacts inside the button.
- 📉 Shift of the plume - after falling, the connector could move away from the motherboard.
Don't try to disassemble your phone yourself if you don't have the experience and tools. In today's Xiaomi, it's extremely easy to damage the display plume or break the rear window when you do a sloppy opening. You'd better trust the professionals.
⚠️ Warning: If your phone is warranty-free, self-opening or attempting to "fix" the tape button will permanently deprive you of the right to free repairs.