How to reboot Xiaomi phone if power button doesn’t work: a step-by-step guide

A broken power button on a Xiaomi smartphone is a bad situation, but it's not a bad one. Even if the power key is no longer responsive to presses, you still have at least 5 alternative ways to reboot the device. It's important to understand that the methods differ depending on the condition of the phone: whether it's on or completely off, discharged or charged, whether it's responding to touches.

In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios, from software solutions for a running screen to hardware manipulation of the battery, and we will focus on the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and other popular models where the power button problem is most common, and you will learn how to avoid complete data loss when forced to restart through recovery, and what to do if the phone does not respond even to a charging connection.

1.Reboot via menu (if screen is running)

If your Xiaomi is on and responsive to touch, but the Power button doesn’t work, use the built-in features that are suitable for all models on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, including Redmi 10, POCO F4 and Mi 11 Lite.

The easiest way is:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → About the phone (or Settings) → Additionally. → Reboot on some firmware).
• 🔄 Find the option “Reboot” or “Switch off” and confirm the action.
• ⚡ If there is no item, use the Quick Settings widget: swipe down from the top edge of the screen and find the Reboot icon (may be hidden under Edit").

On some models (e.g. POCO X3 Pro) the path may be different:

Settings → System → Advanced settings → Reboot

⚠️ Warning: If after clicking "Reset" the phone hangs on the logo MI longer than 5 minutes is a sign of a firmware failure, which would require a hard reset (described in section 4).

2. Forced reboot via button combination

When the screen is not responding, but the phone is not completely discharged, try a hardware reset, which works even when the system is getting stuck or black screen, the main condition is that the battery must have at least 5-10% charge.

Instructions for most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 11, Mi 10T, POCO F3):

1. Press the power button + increase the volume for 10-15 seconds.
2. Release the keys when the MI logo or vibration appears.
3. If there is no reaction, repeat by holding power + volume reduction.

For older models (e.g. Redmi 4X or Mi A1), the power + both volume buttons may work. If the phone vibrates but doesn't turn on, it's a sign of a dead battery (see section 5).

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If the phone vibrates but doesn’t turn on after a forced reboot, plug it into charging for 10-15 minutes, then try again.

3.Reboot via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If standard methods fail and the screen remains black, you will have to use Recovery Mode, which is suitable for Xiaomi with damaged firmware or deep freeze. Importantly, if you do not act carefully in recovery, you can erase all data!

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (if it is on) with Power retention + Vol↑ vibrate.
2. Hold the Power. + Vol↑ and hold until the Mi Recovery logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
3. In the recovery menu, select "Reboot" (or "Reboot") using volume buttons and confirm with the Power button.

If the menu is in Chinese:

• 🔍 The first point is reset.
• 🗑️ Second item – reset settings – DO NOT choose it without needing!
• 📥 The third item is the update through ADB or Fastboot.

⚠️ Note: In some cases (especially in the POCO custom-made ROM) To enter the recovery, you must first clamp Vol.↑, then plug in USB-cable to PC. Without cable, the menu may not open!

4.Use of ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If you have access to a computer and debugging is enabled USB (USB Debugging, you can restart Xiaomi via ADB. This method works even when the screen is not working, but requires pre-configuration.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).
2. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command: adb devices If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), execute: adb reboot

If adb devices returns an empty list:

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (Try another port on the PC).
• 🔄 Reinstall Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).
• 📱 On your phone, turn on Settings. → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB (if the screen is working).

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ADB-Teams only work if they are debugged USB If you didn't activate it before the button broke, this method won't help.

For forced reboot in fastboot (if the phone does not respond to adb reboot):

adb reboot bootloader

You can then exit the fastboot command:

fastboot reboot

5. disassembling the phone and disconnecting the battery (last resort)

If all software is exhausted and the phone doesn't even respond to charging, it leaves the battery physically shut down, which is a method that requires care and is only suitable for users with experience in disassembling equipment. For models with a fixed battery (most modern Xiaomi) you will need a plastic blade or a mediator.

The following is the example of Redmi Note 10 Pro:

1. Turn off the phone (if possible) and remove it. SIM-map.
2. Heat the back cover with a hairdryer (temperature not higher than 60 ° C) around the perimeter for 1-2 minutes - this will soften the glue.
3. Carefully tuck the lid with a plastic spatula, starting at the lower corner (where the charging connector is).
4. Unscrew the screws (usually T3 or T4) and disconnect the battery plume.
5. Wait 30 seconds, then plug the battery back in and collect the phone.

For models with removable battery (for example, Redmi 3S or Mi Max):

• 🔋 Remove the back cover (pop with a nail or spatula from the side).
• 🔌 Disconnect the battery connector or remove the battery completely.
• ⏱️ Wait 1-2 minutes, then insert the battery back in.

⚠️ Warning: If the battery is swelled or deformed, do not try to remove it yourself. Contact the service center: the risk of fire if lithium-ion batteries are damaged is extremely high!

6. Alternative methods and prevention of breakdowns

If you managed to restart your phone but the Power button still doesn’t work, consider temporary solutions:

• 🔌 Use wireless charging (if supported) to turn your phone on – sometimes a charging connection automatically triggers the device.
• 📱 Set up gestures or voice control (for example, through Settings) → Special facilities → Gesture management).
• 🔄 Enable automatic reboot on schedule in the developer settings.

To avoid repeated problems:

• 🛡️ Install a cover with button protection (especially for POCO Redmi, where the keys are often stuck with dust).
• 🧹 Regularly clean the connector of the power button with compressed air or a soft brush.
• 🔋 Avoid full battery discharge – this can cause failures when turned on.

If the button is broken physically (for example, after a fall), you can temporarily use it. USB OTG-Adapter with external keyboard. Connect the keyboard to your phone and use the Power key on it to turn on/off.

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On some models (e.g. Black Shark), the power button can be emulated via the Button Mapper app (root rights required).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reboot without power button