Xiaomi Redmi 6 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2018, but even it is not immune to problems with powering. If your device stopped responding to the power button, stuck on the logo or does not show signs of life at all, do not rush to carry it to the service center. In 80% of cases, the problem can be solved by following proven instructions.
In this article, we will look at all possible causes, from simple battery discharge to serious hardware malfunctions, you will learn how to distinguish a software failure from a hardware failure, which manipulations are safe for beginners, and when it is better to consult specialists. We will pay special attention to data loss-free recovery methods and the nuances of working with Redmi 6 (including Redmi versions). 6A Redmi 6 Pro).
Before you start repairing, answer two key questions: 1. Is there a charging response (indicator, vibration, heating)? 2. Was the problem preceded by a fall, moisture or firmware attempt?
It depends on which section of the article to start with.
1. Diagnostics of the problem: why Redmi 6 is not included
The first step is to determine exactly what went down.Redmi 6 may not turn on for two main reasons:
- 🔋 Hardware malfunctions: battery damage, motherboard damage, power button or charger connector, often accompanied by physical signs (battery bloating, burning smell, oxidation traces).
- 📱 Software failures: firmware errors, application conflict, system file corruption, usually manifested after updates, rooting or abrupt power outage.
Do a quick check:
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No reaction to the power button, the indicator does not burn | Battery discharged or board damaged | Charging 30+ minutes with original RAM, checking the cable |
| Vibrates, but the screen is black. | Failure of the display plume or graphics chip | Connecting to a PC for Display Checking (ADB) |
| Hangs on the Mi logo or bootloop | Firmware damage or module conflict | Resetting via Recovery or Firmware |
| Reboots cyclically | Core error or hardware overheating | Temperature check, firmware rollback |
A critical nuance for Redmi 6: if the smartphone does not turn on after upgrading to MIUI 12+ via OTA, the problem may be incompatibility of the custom recavator (for example, TWRP) with the new firmware version.
⚠️ Note: If you rotated the device before breaking or installed informal firmware, do not use standard reset methods through Recovery - this can lead to a brick (complete inoperability).
2. Basic actions: charging and forced reset
Start with the simplest steps – often they solve the problem without further manipulation.
Charging verification
- 🔌 Connect the original cable and power supply (5V/2A) plug-in.
- ⏳ Leave to charge for at least 30 to 40 minutes - even if the indicator is not on.The battery could discharge to a level at which the power controller blocks the switch on.
- 🔍 Check the cable for damage (bending, bare wires) and try another Quick Charge cable.
- 📱 If you have a vibration after charging or a red light comes on, it's a deep discharge problem. Try to turn on the power button with a long press (10-15 seconds).
2.2 Forced reset (Hard Reset)
If the smartphone hangs on the logo or does not respond to buttons, perform a forced reboot:
- Press the Power + Volume button for 15-20 seconds.
- Release the buttons when the device vibrates or the screen goes out.
- Wait 1-2 minutes and try to turn it on normally.
On Redmi 6, this combination works even when the battery is completely discharged (if the residual charge is enough to trigger the controller).
I tried another cable and charger.
Charging at least 30 minutes.
Completed a forced reset
Checked the power button for mechanical damage.
Connected to a PC to check the reaction-->
3. Log in Recovery Mode and reset settings
If the smartphone is turned on but not loaded beyond the logo, or rebooted cyclically, a Recovery reset will help, which will delete all the data, but return the device to a working state.
3.1 How to log in to Recovery on Redmi 6
- Turn off the phone (if it is in bootloop – wait for the shutdown after discharge).
- Press Power + Volume Up until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the power button, but keep holding Volume+ until the Recovery menu appears.
In the menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
Discharge options
- 🔄 Wipe Data (Hard Reset): Complete factory reset.Choose if the phone is loading but not running smoothly.
- 📁 Wipe Cache Partition: Cleans the cache of the system, helps with hanging after updates, does not delete personal data.
- 🔧 Reboot to Bootloader: Going to Fastboot for firmware (if reset didn’t help).
⚠️ Note: On Redmi 6 with an unlocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery can result in a device being locked if custom firmware has been installed before.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
4.Fastboot firmware: When resetting doesn't help
If the smartphone does not boot even after reset, or you see an error "This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device", you will need firmware via Fastboot.
- 📲 Devices with damaged firmware (bootloop, black screen after update).
- 🔓 Devices with a blocked loader after a failed reset.
- 🛠 Smartphones that don’t respond to other recovery methods.
Preparation for firmware
You'll need:
- Windows 7/10/11 computer (for Mi Flash Tool)
- Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set).
- Firmware for Redmi 6 (the version must match the code name of the device: cereus for Redmi 6, cactus for Redmi 6A).
- The Mi Flash Tool.
Download the firmware from Xiaomi's official website (choose Fastboot instead of Recovery) Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., Fastboot, C:\MIUI\cereus_global_images_...).
Step-by-step instructions
- Turn off the phone. Press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (there will be a picture of a hare in a hat-husband).
- Connect your smartphone to your PC. Install drivers (if Windows doesn't find them, download Mi USB Driver).
- Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
- At the bottom, select firmware mode: Clean All – complete clean (deletes all data, including internal memory); Clean All and Lock – same + lock the bootloader (if it was unlocked); Save User Data – save user data (does not always work stably).
Flash
Important: If the firmware is interrupted with an error "anti_rollback", So you're trying to install an older version. MIUI, In this case, you need to download a newer firmware or reset the anti-rollback through the device. EDL (Requires an authorized Xiaomi account).
1. Reinstall the driver manually through Device Manager (select "ADB Interface").
2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
3. disable the antivirus - it can block access to the firmware.-->
5. Hardware malfunctions: when you need the help of a specialist
If none of the software methods worked, the problem is probably hardware, and here are the most common hardware breakdowns of Redmi 6 and their signs:
| Malfunction | Symptoms | Possible solution |
|---|---|---|
| Battery swelling/wear | The phone turns off at 20-30% charge, the body is deformed | Battery replacement (cost) ~1500–2500 ₽) |
| Damage to the charging connector | Charging is only in a certain position of the cable, sparks when connected | Cleaning/sweating the connector or replacing the socket (~2000–3500 ₽) |
| Power button malfunction | The button fails, there is no click, the phone turns on spontaneously | Replacement of the button (~1500–2500 ₽) plume (~3000 ₽) |
| Problems with the motherboard | Phone warms, does not turn on even after firmware, the smell of burning | Diagnostics in the service (repair from 4000) ₽, dependant) |
Redmi 6 hardware repairs can only be done by having experience with soldering equipment and a multimeter, for example, battery replacements can be done at home if you buy the original battery (the BM47 article for Redmi 6) and follow the YouTube guides, but you should contact the service to repair the board or replace the chips.
⚠️ Attention: If the Redmi 6 doesn't turn on after moisture hits, don't try to charge it - it can cause a short circuit. Take the device apart (or take it to the service) and dry the board in rice or silica gel for at least 48 hours. Using a hairdryer or microwave will speed up corrosion!
6.Recovery of data from a broken Redmi 6
If the phone doesn’t turn on but you need to save photos, contacts, or messages, there are a few ways to do this:
6.1 Connecting to PC in Fastboot mode
Even if the smartphone doesn’t boot, it’s sometimes possible to access memory via ADB:
- Install Platform Tools on your PC.
- Enter the Fastboot (Food + Volume -).
- Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: fastboot devices If the device is determined, try running ADB: adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Redmi6_Backup\ (This will copy all files from internal memory to disk C).
It is especially important for Redmi 6 to keep an eye on MIUI updates. Since 2023, Xiaomi has stopped official support for the device, so new firmware may contain bugs.
- Check out reviews on forums (like 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu).
- Make a backup through Settings → System → Backup.
- Make sure the battery is over 50%.