When your smartphone suddenly starts behaving unpredictably, it always takes you by surprise, the screen goes out, the Mi or Redmi logo appears, the device vibrates and goes back into the black screen. This endless cycle, known as bootloop, or just periodic interface freezes, can turn a modern gadget into a useless piece of plastic and glass. Users often panic, fearing a complete motherboard breakdown or irreversible data loss.
But before you take the device to the service center, it's worth analyzing the situation in cold blood, and most of the time, the problem is not physical damage to the components, but software conflicts, memory overflows, or Android system failures. Understanding the nature of the malfunction is half the success of fixing it, and we'll look at all the possible scenarios, from simple reboots to complex hardware problems.
This article is structured to move from simple solutions to more complex ones. Don't rush to reset completely until you try more gentle options. Sometimes the reason is trivial: a stuck power button or a faulty accessory. Follow the instructions carefully, and you can get your gadget back to life without unnecessary costs.
Diagnostics: software failure or hardware breakdown
The first thing you need to do is to determine the nature of the problem, and if the device only shuts down when you run heavy apps or games, it's probably because the processor is overheated or there's a lack of RAM, and if the reboots are chaotic, even when the phone is on the table in standby mode, the list of suspects expands, and the screen behavior is important, whether artifacts, stripes, or color distortions appear before the switch is turned off.
Hardware problems often involve heating the body in the camera or processor area, and you should also pay attention to the power button. Mechanical wear or moisture under the key can cause a "stick" effect, where the system reads a continuous press and goes into reboot. Try to gently press the button several times to exclude mechanical contact.
⚠️ Warning: If after a fall or water hit, the phone starts to reboot cyclically, do not try to charge it or connect it to the computer. moisture inside the case can cause a short circuit when the voltage is applied, which will permanently disable the motherboard.
For a deeper diagnosis, you can use the engineering menu if the system is at least partially responsive to commands. Type ##6484## in the Phone app, which will allow you to run tests on the main components. If the phone freezes immediately when you try to log into the test menu, the problem is probably the system files or the power controller.
Basic methods: rebooting and cleaning memory
The simplest and most often ignored method is the correct forced reboot. A normal switch-off may not work if the system process is stuck at the kernel level. Forced restart requires pressing the power button and holding it for 10-15 seconds. Some Xiaomi models require simultaneous pressing of the power button and the volume-down key.
If the system does boot, the first thing to do is to free up space. A crowded drive is one of the main reasons for the instability. Android requires free space to create temporary files and swaps. If the free memory is less than 10% of the total, the performance drops, and crashes begin. Delete unnecessary videos, messenger cache and old downloads.
☑️ Express cleaning system
It’s also worth checking if a newly installed application is causing conflict. If problems start after downloading a program from an unreliable source, delete it immediately. Malware or poorly optimized software can put a strain on the processor, causing the system to crash. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications and sort the list by installation date.
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Use the built-in Security app for deep cleaning, and it can find hidden junk files that are not visible through the standard file manager.
Problems with updating and firmware MIUI
A common cause of instability is errors when updating the operating system. If you upgraded MIUI or HyperOS and the phone started to glittle, it may be that the firmware file was corrupted during booting or the installation process was interrupted. In such cases, the system may try to restore files, going into a reboot cycle. Check the relevance of the version of the software in the Settings menu → About the phone → MIUI version.
Sometimes the problem lies in the transition between major versions of Android (for example, from Android 12 to 13). Old data and settings can conflict with the new file system. In this case, cleaning the cache partition or a full reset helps, but before you try to reinstall the current version of the firmware through Recovery mode, selecting “Wipe Data” (only if the data is saved).
| Type of problem | Symptoms | Probability of solution | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTA error | Cycle after air upgrade | Tall. | Reset via Recovery |
| Damaged section | Hanging on the logo | Medium | Fastboot flashing through Fastboot |
| Nuclear conflict | The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) | Low. | Replacement of fees |
| Lack of space | Brakes and shutdowns | Tall. | Cleaning up memory |
If the automatic update failed, you can try downloading the full firmware package (about 4-5 GB) from the official site and install it manually through the update menu, selecting three dots in the corner of the screen and selecting "Select a firmware file." This often helps to "patch" holes in the system files without losing personal data.
Entering Recovery Mode and Safe Mode
When the system doesn't boot properly, Recovery mode comes to the rescue. It's the diagnostic environment built into the phone. To get there, turn off the device (if it turns on) and press the power button and the volume button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release power, but keep the volume on. The menu is navigated by volume buttons, and the power button selects.
From the Recovery menu, select a language (usually only English and Chinese) and go to Wipe Data. There are two options: Wipe All Data (full reset) and Reset Password (password reset). If you choose a full reset, all data will be deleted. This is the last resort, but often the only one that allows you to get out of the reboot cycle caused by a software glitch.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Safe Mode is a diagnostic option available when you boot your system. When the Mi logo appears on the screen, press the volume button. The phone will boot with the "Safe Mode" tag in the corner. This mode only runs system applications. If the phone is stable in Safe Mode, it means that third-party software is causing the problem. You will have to delete the apps one by one to find the culprit.
Hardware causes: battery, plumes and power button
Don't discount the hardware. An old battery might not be able to deliver the current it needs under load, causing a sharp drop in voltage and a phone shutdown. This often happens when the charge drops below 30-40%. If the phone is 3-4 years old, replacing the battery can completely solve the problem of spontaneous reboots. A ballooning battery is also dangerous and requires immediate disposal.
Another hidden enemy is the plume of the display or charging module. When hit or vibrated, contact can be broken. If the phone starts to "glut" after shaking or tapping, it is likely due to poor contact of the internal plumes. In models with a modular design (for example, the Redmi Note series), the bottom circuit board plume often departs, where the charging connector and the microphone are located.
⚠️ Warning: Self-opening your phone will void the warranty. If the device is warranty serviced, don't try to disassemble it or change the plumes yourself - contact an authorized center.
The power button is a classic problem in many smartphones. The button wears out and it stops clicking when it's pressed. The system perceives this as a reboot command. Try tapping your finger gently on the button area or pressing it slightly at different points. If you feel that the button is moving differently from normal (too soft or too tight), you'll probably need to change the button module.
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If the phone only reboots when connected to a charger or computer, the problem is almost certainly with the charging connector or power controller, not the software.
Difficult cases: Bootloop and flashing through Fastboot
If simple methods don't work and the phone is stuck on the logo (Bootloop), you'll need more serious intervention. Fastboot mode allows you to interact with the phone at a low level. To enter it, press the power button and reduce the volume when the device is turned off. The screen will show an image of a hare repairing an android, or the inscription "FASTBOOT".
To work in this mode, you will need a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot You will need to download the official firmware for your specific model (it is important not to confuse the region: Global, China, EEA). The flashing process completely erases data, but restores the factory state of all memory partitions, eliminating software errors.
There is a risk of "bricking" the device if you do not flash it correctly (for example, if you choose firmware from another model or interrupt the process). So use this method only if you are confident in your actions and the firmware source is reliable. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the "Clean all" mode to ensure a clean installation without old errors.
fastboot devices
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot rebootThese commands are an example of basic interaction through a console. The fastboot device team checks the connection to the phone. If the computer can't see the device in Fastboot mode, maybe the problem is that it's not a problem. USB--Cable, port or driver. Try another cable (preferably original) and port USB 2.0 on the back of the computer.
When is the time to take to the service center
There are situations where software methods are powerless: If the phone is warming in the processor area even when it's off when it's connected to charging, or if the power supply current jumps from 0 to 2 Amps without booting the system, these are signs of a short circuit on the board, most often a power controller or one of the memory chips fails.
Also, the reason for contacting specialists are physical damage: cracks on the motherboard (visible when opening), traces of oxidation after contact with water, the CPU dump (often after severe blows). In the case of Xiaomi and Poco, a modem dump is sometimes found, which leads to constant reboots when trying to register with the network.
⚠️ Warning: If your phone falls into salt water, don't turn it on or charge it. Salt causes instant corrosion of contacts. The only way out is by professional ultrasonic cleaning in the service in the first hours after moisture is injected.
Maternity board repairs (rebolling or replacing chips) require special equipment and expertise, and the cost of such repairs can be comparable to the price of a new mid-range device, and it is often more rational to consider buying a new smartphone, especially if the current one is several years old.