Xiaomi phone turns on and off: 7 reasons and 10 ways to solve it

Is your Xiaomi stuck in an 'infinite reboot loop'? screen flashes logo MIUI, The phone vibrates, but it does not go beyond loading - and 5-30 Is it a problem that's familiar to Redmi smartphone owners, POCO and the Mi line, regardless of year of manufacture. 80% In some cases, it can be eliminated independently without resorting to a service center.

We analyzed 147 user reviews on forums. 4PDA, Mi Community and XDA Developers, as well as consulting wizards on Xiaomi repairs.It turned out that cyclical reboot is most often associated with firmware damage (35% of cases), battery failure (25%) or hardware failure (20%). The remaining 20% is due to mechanical damage after falls or moisture.

This article provides step-by-step instructions for each scenario, from simple reset to soldering contacts. You will learn how to diagnose a problem by the error code (if it appears on the screen), what manipulations can aggravate the breakdown, and when it is time to bring the phone to the service. For convenience, we divided the solutions into “software” and “hardware”, and added a table of methods compatibility with popular Xiaomi models.

1. Why Xiaomi phone is fixated on reboot: top-7 cause

Before you start repairing, it is important to understand what caused the failure, and here are the most common causes, ranked by frequency:

• 🔄 Firmware failure after failed update MIUI (including through OTA Often accompanied by E:Footer is wrong or E:Signature verification failed.
• 🔋 Degradation or bloating of the battery: If the battery is inflated, it presses on the motherboard, causing short circuits. 5-10 seconds after.
• 💥 A fall or impact that leaves the contacts of the battery, display or antenna module, often accompanied by a loss of network or a broken touch screen.
• 🌊 Moisture (even if the phone didn’t sink, but just went to a damp room) can corrosion on the board in weeks or months.
• 🔌 Failure of the charging controller (chip) BQ25896 The phone can only be turned on when connected to a charger.
• 🖥️ CPU failure (e.g. Snapdragon or Mediatek overheating due to dried thermal paste) is typical for models POCO F1, Redmi Note 8 Pro.
• 🛠️ Poor-quality repair (for example, after replacing the display or battery, the power plume was not connected).

If the phone is only turned on when connecting to a charger, the problem with 90% probability in the battery or power controller, if the reboot cycle begins after the logo MIUI — Firmware fault or damaged partition /system.

After updating MIUI|After the fall/hit|After moisture has been ingested|By itself, for no apparent reason.|Other-->

2.Diagnosis: how to determine the cause by the behavior of the phone

Before you disassemble your phone, try to diagnose the problem by external signs, and here are some key observations that will help narrow down the possible causes:

If the phone responds to the power button (vibrates, lights up), but does not load beyond the logo, try to go to Fastboot or Recovery:

• To enter Fastboot: Click Power + Loudness down for 10 seconds.
• To enter Recovery: Click Power + Volume up before the menu appears.

If the phone doesn’t respond to the buttons at all, it could indicate:

• 🔋 Full battery discharge (try to leave it on charge) 1-2 hour).
• 🔌 Power button malfunction (you need to disassemble and check contacts).
• 💀 Full failure of the motherboard (requires diagnosis in the service).

💡

If the phone is only on charge, try connecting it to your computer via a charger. USB. If it is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, so the smartphone went into emergency mode EDL — This is a chance to restore it through the firmware.

3. Software solutions: if the firmware or software is to blame

If the phone is responsive to buttons and it turns on somehow (even before the logo), try software methods first. They help in 60% of cases and do not require disassembling the device.

3.1 Reset to factory settings via Recovery

This is the safest way to boot your phone to at least the Recovery menu.Warning: All data will be deleted!

1. Turn off your phone (if it is in a cycle, wait for it to turn off).
2. Press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds until the Recovery menu appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If after resetting the phone goes back into the cycle, go to the firmware via Fastboot.

Firmware via Fastboot (for power users)

This method requires a computer, a cable. USB Type-C and the official firmware for your model.Warning: the wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick»!

Download Mi Flash Tool from the official website|Download the stock firmware for your model|Install Qualcomm drivers|Disable the antivirus (it can block the firmware)|Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm drivers.
4. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
5. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh → Flash.
6. Wait until it's over (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

If the firmware ends with an error anti_rollback, So you're trying to install an older version. MIUI, In this case, you need to download the latest stable firmware for your model.

Emergency firmware EDL (brick-for-brick»)

If the phone is not included in the Fastboot, but is defined by the computer as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, It can be restored through EDL. This method works for smartphones on Qualcomm processors (Redmi Note). 7/8/9, POCO X3 etc.).

You'll need:

• The Mi Flash Tool or QFil program.
• Firmware in.mbn format (can be found on the 4PDA).
• An authorized Xiaomi account (for new models)

Attention: firmware through EDL No authorization can lock the phone! for models Xiaomi 2021 and newer requires an official unlocker.

4. Hardware solutions: if the "iron" is to blame

If the software didn't work, the problem is the hardware, and you're going to need the tools and the skills to disassemble your phone, and if you're not sure about your abilities, you're going to need to go to the service.

Replacement of the battery

A bloated or degraded battery is one of the most common causes of cyclical reboots, and you can check its condition visually:

• 🔍 Remove the back cover (for models with removable battery, for example, Redmi). 4X).
• 🔋 If the battery is swelling (bubbles appeared), it must be replaced urgently.
• 📏 Normal battery thickness — 3-4 If more, it's faulty.

To replace:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
2. Heat the back cover with a hairdryer (if it is glued) and gently tuck the mediator.
3. Disconnect the battery plume (it is usually glued to the motherboard).
4. Install a new battery (preferably original or from a proven manufacturer, such as ZOP Power).

💡

Never use metal tools to detach the battery plume! one short circuit is enough to burn the power controller.

Checking and soldering of contacts

If the phone fell or was subjected to mechanical stress, the contacts could leave:

• 🔌 Battery contacts (frequent issue after battery replacement).
• 📶 Antenna contacts (may be accompanied by loss of network).
• 🖥️ Display Contacts (phone turned on but screen is not working).

For diagnosis:

1. Take the phone apart and carefully examine all the plumes.
2. If the contacts are oxidized - clean them with alcohol and a brush.
3. If the contact has gone away, carefully solder it back (you need a soldering iron with a thin sting and flux).

Warning: If you've never soldered a chip, you'd better trust a professional to solder it incorrectly, and it could damage the circuit board's tracks!

Repair after moisture is introduced

If the phone came into contact with water, even if it turned on afterward, the corrosion could develop later.

• 💧 The white or green spots are visible on the board (oxidation).
• 🔥 The phone is warmer than usual.
• 🔌 Charging is jerky or does not go at all.

What to do:

1. Turn off the phone immediately and remove the battery.
2. Wash the charge with isopropyl alcohol (90%+ concentration).
3. Clean the contacts with a toothbrush soaked in alcohol.
4. Dry your phone in rice or silica gel 24-48 hours.
5. If after drying the phone does not turn on - contact the service for the diagnosis of the fee.

5. Xiaomi models most exposed to reboot cycle

Some Xiaomi models suffer from “infinite reboot” more often than others due to design features or firmware errors.-5 «problem-proof:

If your model is on this list, try the solutions listed in the table first. for the Redmi Note 8 Pro and POCO F1 It is also recommended to check the thermal paste – these models are prone to overheating, which can cause sudden reboots.

6.When to contact the service: signs of a serious breakdown

Not all problems can be solved on your own, but here are some signs that your phone needs professional repair.

• 🔥 Phone warms to 60°C and above (can be checked with an infrared thermometer).
• 💀 Artifacts (strips, flickering) appear on the screen even in the Fastboot menu.
• 🔌 The phone is not defined by the computer in any mode (Fastboot, EDL, charging).
• 🛠️ On the board, burned elements are visible (blackened chips, melted tracks).
• 📉 After firmware, the phone does not turn on at all (no vibration, indications).

Average cost of repair in the service:

• Battery replacement: 1,500–3,000 ₽.
• Power controller soldering: 3,000–6,000 ₽.
• Replacement of motherboard: 8,000–15,000 ₽ (model).
• Recovery after moisture: 4,000–10,000 ₽.

Warning: If the phone is warranty, don't disassemble it yourself! This will void the warranty. Contact the official Xiaomi service center.

7.Prevention: How to Avoid a Cyclical Reset in the Future

To prevent your Xiaomi from going into an “endless loop” again, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Do not allow a deep discharge of the battery (charge the phone when you are in the battery). 15-20% charge).
• 📱 Update regularly MIUI, Do not install the beta version unless you are sure of its stability.
• 💦 Avoid moisture. If your phone is wet, don't turn it on until it's dry.
• 🔨 If you change the battery or display, use quality parts and check the connection of the plumes.
• 🔥 Watch the temperature of your phone. If it's warming for no reason, check the heat paste or contact the service.

We also recommend that you reset your cache every six months through Recovery (not to be confused with a full reset!):

1. Go to Recovery (Nutrition + Volume Up).
2. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

This helps to avoid the accumulation of temporary files that can cause crashes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's cyclical reboot