How to Reboot Xiaomi if the Screen Is Not Working: The Complete Guide

When a beloved Xiaomi or Redmi stops responding to touch, it can be taken by surprise at the most inopportune moment.A black screen or a suspended interface often requires an urgent system reboot to make the device work again. Fortunately, engineers have devised several hardware and software methods to address this problem without having to go to the service.

In this article, we will explore all the possible ways to resuscitate a smartphone, even if the display is completely gone or no longer accepting commands. You will learn how to use physical buttons, external accessories and hidden Android features to regain control of the device.

Many users mistakenly believe that if the touchscreen fails, the device is doomed to flashing or difficult repairs. However, in most cases, it is enough to perform a forced restart for the system to reset the error and start functioning again. Below are proven algorithms for actions for different crash scenarios.

Using hardware buttons for forced restart

The most obvious and often effective method is to use physical control buttons. If MIUI or HyperOS is stuck, a standard press may not work, so a combination is required: Press the Power button and hold it for 10-15 seconds. Some models, especially older ones, may require simultaneous pressing of the volume button up.

If the screen is completely black and does not respond to prolonged retention, try the Power + Volume Up scheme. Hold both keys for about 20 seconds until you feel a slight vibration or see the MI logo. This method emulates battery extraction, allowing you to reset static electricity and software glitches.

⚠️ Attention: If after 20-30 The phone vibrates, but the screen remains black, perhaps the problem lies in the physical damage to the matrix or plume, and not in the software failure.

Note that different versions of firmware may have different button behaviors, and newer models with Android 11 and above may have a long default power button press that causes the voice assistant to go off, rather than the shutdown menu, so that the volume button combination becomes the only hardware solution.

The success of the method depends on whether there is any system response to interruptions. If the processor is "deadly" locked, this method may not work the first time, and you need to repeat the procedure 2-3 times at small intervals.

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Long-term retention of the power button (15+ seconds) is the safest way to reboot, without requiring additional tools and without the risk of data loss.

Reboots via Recovery Mode Menu

If standard methods don't work, you can try to get into Recovery mode. It's a low-level system that boots regardless of the main Android interface. To enter this mode on a switched off (or got stuck) phone, press the Power button and Volume up simultaneously.

Hold the buttons until the Redmi or MI logo appears, and then release only the power button, continuing to keep the volume.You should see a menu with several items in English or Chinese. Navigation is done with volume buttons, and selection is done with a short press of the power button.

In the Recovery menu, select Reboot and then Reboot to System. This action initiates a regular reboot of the operating system. Even if the touchscreen does not work, the physical button interface in this mode usually functions properly, as the drivers load at a deeper level.

Recovery is especially important when the system is cyclically restarted or hanging on the logo, in which case entering the recovery mode allows you to interrupt the cycle and start the smartphone again.

Use of the USB-mouse and adapter OTG

One of the most ingenious ways to control a smartphone with a broken touchscreen is to connect a normal computer mouse via a USB-OTG adapter. If the screen shows at least a partial image but does not respond to touch, an external mouse will allow you to fully control the interface. The cursor will appear on the screen, and you can click on the reboot button.

To implement this method, you will need:

• 🖱️ Normal wired USB-Mouse (wireless also often work, but require power).
• 🔌 adapter USB OTG (Micro-USB or Type-C, depending on your Xiaomi connector).
• 📱 Charged smartphone battery.

Connect the adapter to your smartphone, then insert a mouse into it. Android automatically recognizes the input device. If the screen is on, you'll see the cursor. Point it at the off button or in the settings menu to perform Shutdown or Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Make sure your adapter is OTG Cheap Chinese adapters often don't transmit data, but only charge the device, so the cursor may not appear.

This method is ideal for cases where only the bottom of the screen is broken (where the Home button or navigation bar is usually located), and the top of the display is intact, you can safely save important data or call the power management menu.

Management through ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone previously enabled the function of debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can control your device from your computer. It's a powerful tool for developers that lets you send system commands directly. You'll need to install Xiaomi drivers and the platform. ADB PC-only.

Connect your phone to your computer through USB-Open the command line on the PC in the folder with ADB and enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If a device with device status appears on the list, the connection is established. To perform a reboot, type the following command:

adb reboot

The smartphone will immediately go into reboot. This method works even when the screen is not fully responsive, but the phone itself is on. However, if debugging over USB was not activated in advance in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version (7 clicks by build number), this method will not work.

For those who often face these problems, it is useful to have a pre-configured ADB on your computer, which allows you not only to restart the device, but also to make full backups of data, install applications and remove system debris without a working touchscreen.

Comparison of reset methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have organized the information in the table. Each method has its advantages and limitations depending on the type of breakdown your Xiaomi.

As you can see from the table, the most versatile method is to use a combination of buttons to log in to Recovery or a forced restart. The mouse method is good because it allows you not only to reboot, but also to fully use the phone before repair.

If none of the software methods worked, and the phone continues to hang on the logo or go out, there's likely a more serious hardware problem, and in such cases, a software reboot may be pointless.

What to do if nothing helps

There are situations where the smartphone does not respond to any combination of buttons, the screen remains black and the charging indicator does not burn. In this case, discharge the battery to zero. Leave the phone alone for 1-2 days (or connect to a powerful power source if it is quickly discharged in the cycle) until it completely turns off.

After you're completely discharged, put your phone on charge for 30-40 minutes without trying to turn it on. Then try the standard on-on procedure. Sometimes a deep discharge resets the power controller, allowing the device to start.

If that doesn’t work, the problem is probably:

• 🔋 Deep discharge of the battery (requires “swinging” current in the service).
• 💥 Display plume departure from motherboard (often after falls).
• 🔥 Failure of the power controller or the motherboard itself.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to disassemble the phone yourself if you do not have experience. You can damage the plumes or break the tightness of the case, which will deprive you of warranty.

In case of hardware malfunction, the only correct solution is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center, specialists will conduct diagnostics and tell you exactly whether you need to replace the display module or repair the board.

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If the phone falls into water, no reboot methods can be used! Turn the device off immediately (if possible), wipe dry and carry it to the service. Turning on the wet phone is guaranteed to short circuit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)