Xiaomi does not turn on: how to force the restart of the smartphone (including “bricks”)

Why Xiaomi’s smartphone might not be on?

You pressed the power button, but the Xiaomi screen is still black? Or the device is getting stuck on the MIUI logo and does not respond to touch? The reasons for this behavior can be both software and hardware.

A dead battery — even if you just put your phone on charge, the power controller might not work because of a deep discharge. System freezes — firmware bugs or conflicting applications sometimes block boot. Damaged firmware — a failed update or a failure when reflashing turns your smartphone into a brick. Less often, the problem lies in physical malfunctions: broken plumes, flooding, damage to the motherboard.

In this article, we will look at all possible ways to reboot, from the simplest (forced reboot) to radical (firmware via Fastboot). Importantly, if the phone does not show any signs of life (does not vibrate, does not warm, does not burn the charging indicator) – most likely, the problem is hardware, and without a service center can not do.

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Method 1: Forced Reset (Hard Reset)

This is the first method worth trying if Xiaomi doesn’t respond to the power button: Forced reboot simulates battery extraction (which is not present in modern smartphones) and resets temporary OS errors.

The instructions are universal for all models of Redmi, POCO, Mi (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13):

🔄 Press the power button and the volume button at the same time.
🕒 Hold them for 10-15 seconds (sometimes up to 20 seconds).
⚡ When the screen goes out (or the Xiaomi logo appears), release the buttons.

If the smartphone vibrates or the screen catches fire, the reboot is successful. If there is no reaction, repeat the procedure by holding the buttons for up to 30 seconds. Some models (such as the POCO F3/F4) may need to clamping the power + volume reduction.

Try another button combination (power + volume down)

Connect the charge for 30 minutes, then reboot

Check the cable and power supply (use the original)

Refrigerate your phone if it overheats-->

⚠️ Warning: If the phone turns on after a forced reboot but immediately shuts down or reboots cyclically, this is a sign of a damaged firmware or a faulty battery, in which case you will need firmware via Fastboot or a battery replacement.

Method 2: Charging in forced mode

If Xiaomi doesn’t turn on and respond to the buttons, it’s possible that the battery is discharged to a level where the power controller blocks charging, in which case forced charging will help:

Connect your phone to the original charger (or Quick Charge).
Leave it on charge for at least 30 to 60 minutes (even if the indicator is not on).
Try to turn on your smartphone by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.

If the charging indicator flashes red or does not burn at all, try:

🔌 Use a different cable and power supply (preferably from Xiaomi).
🔋 Connect the phone to the computer through USB — Sometimes it's the "wake-up" of the controller.
🧊 If your phone overheats, let it cool for 15-20 minutes before charging.

Symptoms.	Possible cause	Decision
The indicator is not on, the phone is cold.	Deep battery discharge	Charge 1-2 hours, then Hard Reset
The indicator flashes red.	Critical charge level or battery failure	30+ minutes charge, if it doesn’t help – battery replacement
Phone warms up when charging	Failure of the power controller or battery	Stop charging, contact the service
Charging is underway, but the phone is not turning on.	Firmware failure or hardware malfunction	Firmware via Fastboot or diagnostics in the service

💡

If the phone is not charging from the outlet, try connecting it to another device via OTG-cable (e.g. power bank) sometimes helps wake up the power controller.

Method 3: Enter Recovery Mode and Reset Settings

If Xiaomi is turned on but hovers on the logo or cyclically reboots, a reset via Recovery mode will help.This method deletes user data, but often saves from "soft bricks."

To enter Recovery:

Turn off your phone (if it freezes, do Hard Reset).
Press the power button and the volume button.
When the Mi logo appears, release the power button, but keep the volume up until you see the Recovery menu.

From the Recovery menu (English or Chinese) select:

🔄 Reboot → Reboot to System (if the phone is getting stuck, but the system is intact).
🧹 Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (full reset, deletes everything, including accounts).
📱 Connect with MiAssistant (if you need to reflash through PC).

After resetting, the phone will restart and should turn on in a "clean" state. If the Recovery menu does not open or the reset does not help, go to the firmware via Fastboot.

What happens if Recovery does not open?

If the phone vibrates after holding the buttons, but the screen remains black, this is a sign of a damaged bootloader or display. In this case: 1. Connect the phone to the PC and check if it is detected in Device Manager (Qualcomm should appear). HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or the like. 2 If the PC sees the device, you can flash it through the Mi Flash Tool in mode. EDL. 3. If the PC does not see the phone, the hardware problem (damaged) USB-portage).

Method 4: Fastboot firmware (for “bricks”)

If Xiaomi doesn't turn on even after a reset, it's still firmware on Fastboot, which is suitable for phones that:

📵 Not at all (black screen).
🔄 Hang on the Mi logo or bootloop (cyclical reboot).
🚫 Not responding to reset via Recovery.

You'll need firmware.

💻 Windows computer (Linux/macOS Mi Flash Tool is not supported).
🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set).
📁 Firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
🛠 Tools: Mi Flash Tool, Qualcomm Drivers or MediaTek.

Step-by-step:

Turn off your phone (if you are stuck).
Press the power button + volume reduction before the hare appears in the hat-eared (Fastboot mode).
Connect the phone to the PC.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware (file with the extension.tgz).
Press Refresh – the device must be determined.
Select firmware mode: Clean All - complete cleaning (recommended when crashes); Clean All and Lock - cleaning + lock the bootloader (only if the phone has been unlocked).

Flash

⚠️ Note: Fastboot removes all data (photos, contacts, messages) If the phone was enabled Mi Account, after firmware may need to enter a login / password to unlock (protection) FRP).

1. Have Qualcomm/MediaTek drivers been installed?

2. whether the original cable is used.

3. whether the debugging mode is enabled via USB (if the phone reacts at least somehow).

If the error persists, try to flash in mode EDL (You need an authorized Xiaomi account).-->

Method 5: Firmware in EDL mode (for severe failures)

If Xiaomi is not enabled and defined in Fastboot, then EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is used to recover phones with a damaged bootloader or dead devices.

For firmware in EDL you will need:

🔧 Authorized Xiaomi account (to unlock the bootloader).
💾 Firmware in.tgz format for your model.
🖥 Mi Flash Tool (version not lower than 2020.3.14).
🔌 Cable USB Type-C – Type-C (for a reliable connection).

Instructions:

Turn off the phone (forced).
Press the power button + both volume buttons for 10-15 seconds.
Connect the phone to a PC – it should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
In the Mi Flash Tool, select firmware and Clean All mode.
Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process can take up to 15 minutes).

If the PC does not see the device in the EDL:

🔌 Try another one. USB-port USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
🔄 Reinstall Qualcomm drivers manually through Device Manager.
📵 Check if it's burned. USB-port on your phone (plug in charge – if charging is not going, the port is faulty).

1. Use a different firmware version (e.g., an older one).

2. disable the antivirus (it can block drivers).

3. Switch on another PC (sometimes it helps to change Windows 10 to Windows 11 or vice versa).-->

When do I contact the service center?

If none of these methods worked, the problem is probably hardware.

🔋 The phone does not charge (even after replacing the cable and power supply).
💧 There was a swelling of water (even if everything was dry on the outside).
🔥 The phone overheats or smells like a burn.
📱 The screen is broken or doesn't show the image (but the phone vibrates/sounds are there).
🔌 USB-Port is not working (not determined when connecting to a PC).

The average cost of repairs in Xiaomi service centers:

Problem.	Cost (₽)	Duration of repairs
Battery replacement	1 500–3 000	1-2 hours
Repairs USB-port	2 000–4 500	1-3 days
Recovery from flooding	3 000–10 000	3-7 days
Replacement of display	4 000–12 000	2-5 days
Diagnosis of the motherboard	1,000–2,500 (free for repair)	1-2 days

Before the service visit:

📋 Write it down. IMEI phone (on the box or under the battery if the back cover is removed).
🔐 Make sure you have access to your Mi Account (if the phone has been tied).
💰 Check if the warranty is valid (if the phone was purchased less than a year ago).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reboot

❓ The phone vibrates when you press the power button, but the screen is black?

This is a sign that the phone is turning on but not displaying the image. Possible reasons: Display or plume is damaged (replacement of the screen is needed); graphics driver failure (fastboot will help); Display is disabled in settings (rarely, but it happens after updates); Try connecting the phone to an external monitor via USB-C → HDMI (if the model supports DisplayPort Alt Mode); If there is an image, there is a problem in the screen.

❓ After firmware, the phone requires a password from Mi Account?

It's protection. FRP (Factory Reset Protection To unlock: Enter the username and password from the Mi Account that was linked to the phone. If you don't remember the data, restore access via account.xiaomi.com. If the phone is bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie the account - contact him or the service (unblock). FRP paid, ~1 500–3 000 ₽). ⚠️ Attention: Bypass FRP Through third-party programs, it can lead to blocking IMEI!

❓ Can I recover data after resetting through Recovery?

Unfortunately, no. Reset via Recovery or firmware through Fastboot/EDL They completely erase user data (photos, videos, messages, contacts). If the phone was turned on at all before the reset, you can try: Make a backup through the phone. ADB (if debugging is on USB). Remove the microSD card (if the data was stored on it), contact the service to retrieve data from damaged memory (expensive, ~5 000–15 000 ₽).

❓ The phone turns on, but it turns off?

It's a typical symptom: 🔋 Discharged or faulty battery (replacement required). 🔌 Damaged. USB-port (the phone cannot charge properly). 🔥 Processor overheating (for example, after falling or getting moisture). 📱 Firmware failure (fastboot flashing will help). Try: Connect the phone to charge and hold for 1-2 hours, then turn it on. Swipe the phone through Fastboot (if the problem is software) Check the battery with a multimeter (voltage should be available). ~3.7–4.2V).

❓ How to avoid the “brick” when updating Xiaomi?

Not to run into a bootloop or a dead phone: 🔄 Update the firmware only through official channels (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system). 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50% before upgrading. 📶 Use a stable Wi-Fi connection (not mobile internet). 🚫 Don’t interrupt the update process (even if it takes too long). 🔧 If you install custom firmware, unlock the bootloader in advance and backup. If the update is “hang” during the installation phase (the progress bar does not move more than 30 minutes), perform Hard Reset and repeat the update.