The situation where Xiaomi smartphone suddenly starts to behave unpredictably, making the owner nervous is quite common: the screen goes out, the MI or Redmi logo appears, the device freezes for a couple of seconds and the process begins anew. This endless cycle, known as bootloop, can be taken by surprise at any moment, during an important call, a game or just in standby mode.
The reasons for this behavior can be found in software failures of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, as well as in hardware problems. Often the culprit is overheating of the processor, damage to system files after a failed update, or critical wear of the battery. Understanding the nature of the malfunction is the first step to successfully restore the health of the gadget without going to the service center.
In this article, we will go into all possible scenarios, from simple software errors to complex cases that require flashing. You don't need to be an expert in mobile electronics to perform most of the proposed actions, the main thing is to act consistently and carefully monitor the reaction of the device to each of your actions.
Software conflicts and incorrect application operation
Most often, an endless reboot is caused by a conflict of recently installed applications or a buildup of system debris.The Android operating system that underlies the MIUI shell may not be able to handle errors in the code of third-party programs, especially for applications that require deep integration into the system, such as launchers, antiviruses or programs to clean up memory.
If the phone has time to turn on (shortly) and show the desktop, try to remember what actions you took before the problem appeared. Deleting suspicious software often solves the problem. However, if the device does not even allow you to unlock the screen, you will have to act through Safe Mode or the Recovery menu.
- 📱 Try to boot into Safe Mode: press the off button, and when the off icon appears on the screen, click on it and hold until the suggestion to go to Safe Mode.
- 🗑️ Remove newly installed apps, especially those that are not downloaded from the official Google Play store or GetApps.
- 🧹 Clear the problem app cache through the program management menu if you have access to settings.
It is important to note that some system services can cause a cyclical reboot after a firmware update.This is due to the incompatibility of old user data with the new firmware version. In such cases, cleaning the Dalvik / ART Cache partition cache through the recoveries often helps, but we will talk about this in the next sections.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone restarts immediately after connecting to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet, it may be a problem to sync your account or automatically update a "heavy" application.
Problems with the battery and charger
The hardware of the smartphone is also subject to wear and tear, and the battery is the first most likely to fail. When a lithium-ion battery loses its capacity or internal resistance increases, it cannot produce the necessary current under load. When the processor needs more power (for example, when starting the system), the voltage drops below a critical level, and the protection kicks in, causing a reboot.
In addition, the fault may lie in the charger or cable itself. Unstable voltage at the input of the power controller causes chaotic behavior of the charge controller, which is perceived by the system as a critical error. Using cheap analogues of Quick Charge or Power Delivery charges without proper protection often leads to such symptoms.
You can use built-in diagnostics or third-party utilities to diagnose the battery condition if the phone turns on. Pay attention to the discharge rate and heating of the case at the bottom of the device, where the battery is usually located.
☑️ Diagnostics of nutrition
If your smartphone is more than that. 3-4 In the years since, the probability of degradation of the chemical composition of the battery tends to 90%. In this case, the software methods are powerless, and a physical replacement of the battery is required. It is also worth checking the charging connector: a shaky port can cause short-term breaks in contact, perceived by the system as battery extraction.
⚠️ Attention: A bloated battery is a direct safety threat.If the back cover has moved or the screen is arched, immediately stop using the device and do not connect it to charging.
Internal memory overflow and system errors
One of the most insidious causes of a cyclical reboot is a critical overflow of internal storage. When free space on the /data system partition runs out completely, the Android operating system cannot create the temporary files needed to run processes.
In such situations, the phone can turn on, show the desktop for a split second and go out again. The user simply does not have time to delete anything. This is where Recovery Mode comes to the rescue, which allows you to manage files regardless of the main OS. However, if you did not back up, data can be lost when reset.
System errors can occur after a failed update over the air" (OTA). If electricity is lost during download or installation of the package or the Internet connection is interrupted, the firmware files may be damaged. boot.img This is the most common reason for not being able to load beyond the logo.
To avoid future memory problems, keep an eye on the storage. 10-15% free space for the correct functioning of virtual memory and caching mechanisms.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| Reboot on the menu | Memory overload | Wipe Data / Factory Reset |
| Hanging on the logo | Damage to boot.img | Fastboot flashing through Fastboot |
| Restart on camera | Lack of RAM/Memory | Cleaning up the app cache |
| Cycle after update | Conflict of versions | Retraction of version or clean installation |
Using Recovery Mode and Resetting Settings
If a software failure does not allow you to boot in normal mode, the only way out is to use the Recovery menu. This is a special diagnostic mode built into the device memory. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is logged in by a combination of keys when the phone is turned off: usually a pressed Volume Up button and a Power button.
Once the Mi logo appears, the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume until a menu with several items appears in English or Chinese. Navigation is done with volume buttons, and selection is with a power button. In some models with a touch screen, control can be (touch-based).
The first thing to try is to clear the cache: Choose Wipe Data, then Wipe Cache (if available separately) or Wipe All Data. Be careful: Full reset will delete all your photos, contacts and apps.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Once the reset is done, the device needs to restart. It can take up to 10 minutes to start up in the first place, because the system recreates the file structure, and if the problem persists after the reset, then it's not the user data, but the firmware or hardware itself.
System Recovery via Fastboot and PC
When the soft methods are exhausted, heavy artillery comes into play, the Fastboot mode, a low-level debugging protocol that allows you to interact with memory partitions directly from your computer. You'll need a PC with Xiaomi USB Driver installed and a Mi Flash Tool or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools utility to work.
To enter Fastboot mode on Xiaomi, turn off your phone and press the Volume Down button along with the power button. The screen should show a bunny in an orange cap repairing an android, or the words FASTBOOT. Connect the device to your computer with a quality cable.
With the official Mi Flash Tool, you can download the full firmware (.tgz format) and restore the phone to factory status. It is important to choose the correct firmware mode: Clean All (full cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (clean and lock the bootloader), the latter option is recommended only for original firmware, so as not to get a brick.
The firmware process takes 200 to 600 seconds, and interruption is strongly discouraged, but Xiaomi's current power controllers are protected. If the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically reboot to the system.
Hardware malfunctions: when you need a service
Remember that a smartphone is a complex electronic device that is subject to physical impact. Falls, moisture or just prolonged overheating can lead to the collapse of the contacts of the processor or memory (especially important for models with Snapdragon 888 and 8 Gen 1, which are prone to overheating).
If the phone only reboots at a certain position in space or when tapping, it is likely that the plume contact is broken or there is a microcrack on the board. Also a common cause is the failure of the power controller, which can not stabilize the voltage for the processor.
- 🔥 Overheating: Check if the camera area is warming.CPU dump is treated only by rebolling (warming up) in the service.
- 💧 Moisture: Even if the phone fell into the water a month ago, the corrosion of the contacts could have started recently, causing a short circuit.
- 🔌 Footage: The outgoing power button plume can close contacts, simulating a constant press on the reset button.
In hardware cases, software is powerless, trying to heat a phone in the oven or freezing it in the fridge is a myth and can finally kill the device, and the only sure way is to diagnose it with a skilled technician using a microscope and a thermal camera.
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If factory reset and flashing didn’t help, the 99% probability problem lies in the hardware: battery, plume or motherboard.