A broken power button on Xiaomi is not a sentence for your smartphone. Many users face a mechanical key that can be stopped from responding to presses due to moisture, wear and tear, or factory defects. But even without physical access to the power button, you can reboot the device using software techniques or hidden Android features.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways that work on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, from the budget Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Importantly, some methods require pre-tuning, so if your phone is still turned on, prepare alternative management options in advance. Additional features are available for owners of devices with an unlocked bootloader - we will also discuss this below.
If the phone screen is completely black and does not respond to charging, first check if the battery is not drained. Connect the device to the network for 15-20 minutes - sometimes a deep discharge blocks any attempts to turn on. If the charging indicator does not light up, the problem may be in the cable, the power supply or the USB-C port itself.
Method 1: Reboot via the settings menu (if the screen is running)
The easiest method is to use software reboot via MIUI, which is suitable if the phone screen responds to touch, but the power button doesn't work.
For this:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to About Phone (in some versions of MIUI โ About Device).
- Slip on the item Reboot or Shut down (depending on the firmware version).
- Confirm the action by selecting Reboot.
On some models (POCO F5, Redmi K50) the path may be different: Settings โ System โ Advanced settings โ Reboot.
โ๏ธ What to Check Before Rebooting
โ ๏ธ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after rebooting, the safety mechanism may have gone off due to the critically low charge.Plug the charger and wait 5-7 minutes before trying again.
Method 2: Use Recovery Mode (for power users)
If the screen is unresponsive, but the phone is making sounds or vibrating when charging, try to enter Recovery Mode, which works even when the screen is locked, but requires precise steps to be taken.
Instructions for Xiaomi:
- Connect the phone to the charger.
- Press and hold the Volume Up button + Volume Down button at the same time.
- After 5-10 seconds (some models have up to 20 seconds), release the buttons. The Mi logo and the Recovery menu should appear.
- Use volume buttons to navigate and select Reboot (or Restart).
- Confirm the choice with the Power button (if it works partially) or a short press on Volume Up.
On devices with the bootloader unlocked (for example, after firmware through Fastboot), the Recovery menu can be replaced with a new one. TWRP. In this case, the path will be: Reboot โ System.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
| Xiaomi model | Combination for Recovery | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 8/9/10 | Volume Up + Volume Down | Hold 10-15 seconds |
| POCO X3/X4 | Volume Up + Power (if the button is partially working) | Nana POCO F3 It may take 3-4 attempts. |
| Xiaomi 11/12/13 | Volume Up + Volume Down + PC Connection | It only works with the original cable. |
| Redmi K40/K50 | Volume Down + Power | Can Fastboot work instead of Recovery? |
Method 3: Reboot via ADB (PC required)
If the phone has previously been enabled debugging mode USB (USB Debugging, you can use the command ADB This method is suitable for devices that are recognized by the computer but do not respond to the power button.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Platform Tools (the official tool from Google).
- Connect your phone to your PC via a USB-C cable (preferably original).
- Open the command line (cmd) in the adb folder.
- If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, check the drivers or cable.
- Reboot the command: adb reboot
The critical thing is, if you didn't set the debugging mode on in advance, it won't work, so move on to the following methods.
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If the adb device command returns the "unauthorized" error, a permission window should appear on the phone's screen.
Method 4: Gestures and special features
MIUI has hidden features that allow you to turn off or restart your phone without a power button, and one of them is a shutdown gesture that you can turn on in advance.
How to set up (if the phone is still on):
- Go to Settings โ Special Options โ Physical buttons.
- Activate the option to turn off with a gesture.
- Choose a combination, such as triple tapping the screen or holding two fingers.
If the function has already been activated, perform the specified gesture - a menu will appear with the options to Turn off, Reboot or Emergency mode.
On some models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11) works alternative way:
- Hold the Volume Up button for 10 seconds.
- If the screen is active, a power menu will appear.
Method 5: Hardware reset (extreme case)
If the phone doesn't respond to any commands and the screen stays black, you'll only be able to reset the hardware through battery extraction, which is only suitable for models with removable batteries (e.g. Redmi 4A, Redmi 5A) or if you're ready to disassemble the device.
Warning: Xiaomi's self-disassembly will void warranty and may damage plumes or contacts.If you're unsure of your skills, contact the service center.
Instructions for removable batteries:
- Turn off your phone (if it is still responding to charging).
- Remove the back cover with a plastic shoulder blade or mediator.
- Gently disconnect the battery plume (if any) or remove the battery for 30 seconds.
- Install the battery back and connect the charger.
For non-removable batteries (e.g. Xiaomi 11T, POCO X5):
- ๐ง Unscrew two screws at the connector USB-C (need a screwdriver T3 or T4).
- ๐ Carefully tuck the back cover, starting at the bottom edge (use a suction cup or plastic card).
- โก Unplug the battery plume for 15-20 seconds, then plug back in.
- ๐ Connect the charger โ the phone should automatically turn on.
โ ๏ธ Note: On models with amoled screens (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F4 GT) When disassembling, it's easy to damage the display module. If the screen doesn't work after assembly, check the connection of the display plume.
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If the phone is warranty-free, it is better to use the official Xiaomi service, as autopsy marks can cause a refusal to repair.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If none of these things worked, the problem could go deeper than just a faulty power button.
- ๐ Full battery discharge: Connect your phone to the original charger for 30 to 60 minutes.If the indicator doesn't light up, try another cable or power supply.
- ๐ป Firmware failure: If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo, flashing through Fastboot or EDL-mode (requires PC and cable) USB-C).
- ๐ ๏ธ Hardware malfunction: If the screen remains black even after recharging, there may be a problem with the motherboard or display, in which case only diagnostics at the service center will help.
- ๐ก๏ธ Overheating or moisture: If the phone overheats or comes into contact with liquid, let it cool/dry for 24 hours before retrying to turn on.
For devices with an unlocked bootloader, there is another way to do this: run through Fastboot and force reboot, but it takes experience and can lead to data loss, and if you're not sure, you should consult a specialist.
If the phone is still turned on, but the power button still does not work, temporarily use:
- ๐ฑ Software shutdown via menus or gestures.
- ๐ Automatic turn on when charging (on some Xiaomi models, this feature is activated in the developer settings).
- ๐ Reboot on schedule (in Settings) โ Advanced settings โ Time-reset).