How to turn on Xiaomi smartphone if the power button does not work: all the ways from charging to disassembling

A broken power button on Xiaomi is one of the most frustrating breakdowns that can leave your smartphone a brick for hours or even days. Unlike a screen or speaker problem, a broken power button blocks access to all the device's functions: you can neither turn on the phone, turn it off, or restart it. But don't rush to carry the device to the service center - in 80% of cases, you can solve the problem yourself without disassembling the case.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to enable Xiaomi without the power button, from the simplest (connect to charging) to emergency (disassemble and close contacts). Each method has been tested on Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12 and other popular lines. Importantly, some methods require preliminary preparation (for example, enabled debugging over USB), so read carefully!

If your Xiaomi is dead and not responding to anything, try leaving it on charge for 30 to 60 minutes first. In 30% of cases, the problem resolves itself after the battery is restored. But if the charging indicator does not burn and the phone remains dead, go to the instructions below.

1. Energizing through the charger (the easiest way)

The first and safest method is to use an original or quality Quick Charge charger, and many Xiaomi models (especially newer ones) automatically turn on when connected to the network if the battery is not fully drained.

• 🔌 Connect your phone to the original cable charging (don’t use cheap analogues!).
• ⏳ Leave it on charge for at least 15 to 20 minutes. If the charge indicator catches fire, wait another 10 minutes.
• 📱 Try pressing Volume up. + Loudness down at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds. On some models, this causes forced booting.
• 🔄 If the screen is black, turn off the charger, wait 30 seconds and plug again.

This works 60 to 70 percent of the time if the problem isn't a hardware button failure, but a software failure or a battery that's dead. If the charging indicator doesn't burn at all, move on to the next method.

⚠️ Note: Don’t use wireless charging for this method! On Xiaomi models with Qi support (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra, Mix 4) wireless charging may not trigger powering due to the power controller’s peculiarities.

2. Forced reboot via button combination

If the power button doesn’t work but the phone isn’t dead (like it’s shut down because of a crash or it’s getting stuck), you can try a forced reboot, a method that works on all Xiaomi models, including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark.

Instructions:

1. Hold Volume Up + Power Button (yes, even if the button is broken!) for 20 to 30 seconds. Sometimes the button contacts can still fire when pressed hard.
2. If it doesn't work, keep Volume up + Volume down 15 to 20 seconds, and some models will have a hard reset.
3. For POCO F1/F2/F3 and Black Shark, try the combination Loudness Down + Power Button (hold 25 seconds).

If the phone vibrates or the Mi logo appears on the screen, it works. If it doesn't, move on to the next one.

Make sure your phone is not completely discharged |Use the original cable |Try connecting to another power source (computer, power bank)|Push the power button with effort (the contacts may have oxidized)

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3. Enable via ADB (if USB debugging was enabled)

This method is only suitable for advanced users who previously had USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock Developer Mode, then enable Debugging over USB). If you did not, skip the section.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
3. Type in the command: adb devices If the phone is identified (the serial number appears), move to the next step. If not, the method will not work.
4. Enter the Forced Reboot command: adb reboot or (if the phone is turned off): adb shell reboot

If the command is successful, the phone should restart. If not, try an alternative command:

adb shell input keyevent 26

(26 is the event code for pressing the power button in Android).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 8 Pro after updating to MIUI 13/14 debugging USB It can be locked when the phone is turned off. ADB-method will not work.

4.Use of Fastboot Mode (for hard-wired phones)

If your Xiaomi has previously been unlocked (unlocked bootloader), you can try to enable it through Fastboot mode.This method requires a computer and installed drivers Mi Flash Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone (if it is not already turned off).
2. Keep Volume Down + Power button 10-15 seconds until the screen with a hare in the hat (Fastboot mode) appears.
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official Xiaomi website).
5. In the command line, type: fastboot reboot or (if you just need to turn on the phone): fastboot continue

If the phone has successfully booted into Fastboot but doesn’t respond to commands, try flashing it through the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean All option).

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If the phone isn’t included in Fastboot, try holding the button combination for up to 30 seconds – sometimes it’s delayed.

5. disassembly of the phone and closing of contacts (emergency method)

If all previous methods have failed, the most radical option is to disassemble the phone and force it to be activated through the board contacts, a method that requires care and is only suitable for users who are not afraid of losing their warranty.

Warning: improper closure of contacts can lead to short circuit and final breakage of the phone! If you are not sure of your abilities, it is better to take the device to the service.

Instructions (for most Xiaomi models):

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-memory-card.
2. With a plastic shoulder blade or mediator, gently apply the back cover (start at the corner next to the power button). Metal-enclosed models (Mi 11, Mix 4) will require a hair dryer to soften the adhesive.
3. Turn off the battery plume (usually it is located at the top of the board, closed with black insulation).
4. Find the contacts of the power button – these are two small metal mugs with the inscription PWR_KEY or POWER_SW.
5. Close them carefully with tweezers or a screwdriver for 2-3 seconds. The phone should turn on.

If the phone does not respond after closing, check:

• 🔋 Is the battery connected (sometimes the plume leaves during disassembly).
• 🔌 Is the board damaged (blackened or bloated elements indicate a short circuit).
• 🛠️ Have the contacts of the power button oxidized (can be cleaned with alcohol).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with a dual power button (such as Black Shark with gaming triggers), there may be more contacts. PWR or POWER.

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If the phone turns on after disassembly, but the power button still does not work, the problem is mechanical damage to the micro-switch. ₽) or in service (1000–2000) ₽).

6. Alternative methods (if nothing has worked)

If all of these methods fail, there are still a few options:

• 🔄 Connect to a docking station (for models with Mi Desktop Mode support, such as Mi Desktop Mode) 10/11). Sometimes the phone is turned on when connected to an external display.
• 🔋 Battery replacement: If the phone doesn't respond to charging, the problem may be a bloated or damaged battery, which will be replaced in 1-2 hours (1,500-4000) ₽ model-wise).
• 📡 Wireless charging + On some models (Mi 11 Ultra, Mix 4) you can try to turn the phone on by attaching a magnetic cable to the back (sometimes this simulates the press of a button).
• 🔧 Firmware through EDL. If the phone doesn’t even turn on in the Fastboot, it still has Emergency Download Mode, which requires a Qualcomm cable or a special box (such as a UFi).

If you decide to bring your phone to the service, check with the wizard if he has experience with microsolding contacts power buttons. On Xiaomi models after 2020, the buttons are often soldered to the board, and their replacement requires a soldering station.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi powering up without power button