How to turn on Xiaomi smartphone if the power and volume buttons do not work

The situation when Xiaomi smartphone refuses to turn on because of faulty power and volume buttons is familiar to many users, most often after a device falls, moisture hits or mechanical contacts wear out. But even if the physical buttons fail, there are several ways to force the phone to start, from simple manipulation of charging to the use of specialized equipment.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods for enabling Xiaomi without buttons, including hidden firmware functions, ADB connection, activation through testpoints and even hardware solutions for complex cases. It is important to understand that the effectiveness of each method depends on the device model, MIUI version and the cause of the failure. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with an unlocked bootloader, fastboot can be used, and for the POCO X3 NFC, the charging method will suit.

Before you start, check the obvious things: whether the battery is discharged (plug it in for 30+ minutes), whether there is any visible damage to the board or battery, if the phone has been repaired before, the cause may be an improperly connected loop of buttons.

Initiation via charger (forced loading method)

The easiest way that works on most Xiaomi models (including Redmi 9A, POCO M3, Mi 11 Lite) is to use an original or quality charger with Quick Charge function.

1. Connect your smartphone to charging with QC 3.0/4.0 support (it is better to use the original Xiaomi adapter).
2. Leave the device on charge for at least 20-30 minutes – even if the indicator is not on.
3. After 30 minutes, turn off and reconnect the charger, and in some cases, this triggers the on-on process.
4. If the screen remains black, try holding the power and volume button at the same time (even if they don’t work physically – sometimes the contacts are triggered by a strong press).

This works if the problem is a software failure, not a physical button damage, such as a failed MIUI update or a reset, and if the buttons are completely dropped or oxidized, then you can go to the following.

⚠️ Note: Do not use uncertified chargers with voltages higher 5V/2A — This can damage the power controller on the board, especially for models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi). 10C).

2.Activation via ADB (for unlocked bootloader)

If your Xiaomi has previously enabled USB debugging and unlocked the bootloader, you can try turning the device on via your computer using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that is suitable for models with Qualcomm Snapdragon (e.g. POCO F3, Mi 10T).

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Smartphone that previously connected to this PC in debugging mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the switched off smartphone to the computer.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the command: adb devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), move to the next step. If not, try reconnecting the cable or using another port.
4. Execute the forced activation command: adb shell input keyevent 26 (where 26 is the activation event code).
5. If it doesn’t work, try an alternative command: adb shell reboot.

If ADB can’t see the device but you’re sure that debugging has been enabled, try reinstalling the drivers or using another cable.Some models (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro) may require an additional command to unlock the bootloader:

fastboot oem unlock

3. Use of Testpoints (for experienced users)

If the software methods didn’t work, you can try hardware reset via testpoints, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models on Qualcomm processors and some MediaTek. Testpoints are special contacts on the motherboard, the closure of which puts the device in EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, allowing you to flash the phone without buttons.

How to find test points:

• 🔍 Each model is uniquely positioned, for example, on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, the test points are next to the battery connector, and on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, the battery connector is located next to the battery. POCO X3 NFC — under a metal screen near the processor.
• 📌 These are usually two small contacts signed as TP, EDL or TEST.
• 🛠️ You will need to disassemble the phone (remove the back cover and disconnect the battery).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the battery for 10-15 seconds, then plug it back in.
2. Connect. USB-cable to the computer (but not to the phone!).
3. Close the testpoints with tweezers or a screwdriver for 5-10 seconds.
4. Without letting go of the circuit, connect the cable to the phone.
5. If done correctly, the computer will detect the device in Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 mode.
6. You can also use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly closing test points can damage the board. If you're not sure about your skills, you'd better go to the service center. On models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi). 9C) Testpoints may not be available – instead, a combination of BROM Mode.

4. connection of service cable (Deep Flash Cable)

For Xiaomi models, Qualcomm processors have a special Deep Flash Cable service cable that forcibly puts the device into EDL mode without having to close the test points.

• 🔧 The phone does not turn on or respond to charging.
• 🔄 Refuse the device after a failed update.
• 🛠️ Power and volume buttons physically damaged.

How to use Deep Flash Cable:

1. Purchase a cable (cost) ~500–1500 ₽ Make sure it is compatible with your model (e.g. Snapdragon 865 and Snapdragon). 732G Different versions are needed).
2. Connect the cable to USB-port.
3. Connect the other end to the phone switched off (the battery must be connected!).
4. On your computer, open Device Manager and check if the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 device has appeared.
5. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware for your model and start the firmware process.

The advantage of this method is that it does not require disassembling the phone and is suitable even for completely dead devices, but after firmware, you may need to re-activate your Mi Account if you previously had it tied.

5. Enable via wireless charging (for supported models)

If your Xiaomi supports wireless charging (e.g. Mi 11, Mi 12 Pro, Mi Mix 4), you can try to enable it using Qi charging.

• 🔋 The battery is not completely discharged.
• 📶 The food is good.
• 🔄 The phone was turned on without any problems.

Instructions:

1. Place your smartphone on a wireless charging station (preferably original from Xiaomi with 20W+ power).
2. Leave on charging for 1-2 hours – sometimes this is enough to start the process of turning on.
3. If the screen is black, try to move the phone slightly on the set (sometimes changing the position of the coil helps).
4. If you have a vibration or charge indicator but the screen is not turning on, connect your phone to your PC and try the ADB method.

This is unlikely for older models (like the Mi 9), but it could work on new flagships. If wireless charging doesn't start the device, the problem is most likely a power controller or firmware.

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If wireless charging doesn't work, try holding your phone at the station for 10 to 15 minutes, then sharply remove it and put it back down again, sometimes mimicking a hot connection and triggering a boot.

6. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps

If all of the above methods did not give a result, most likely, the problem lies in the hardware malfunction:

• 🔌 Damaged button plume (frequent problem after falls).
• 🔋 Failed power controller or battery.
• 🖥️ The chip burned. PMIC (For example, on the Redmi Note 8 after a voltage surge).
• 📱 The firmware at the bootloader level is damaged (requires resolding of memory).

What to do:

1. Contact an authorized Xiaomi service center to diagnose the problem with specialized equipment (for example, DC Power Supply to check the current consumption).
2. If the phone is warranty, do not disassemble it yourself - this will void the warranty.
3. Check the cost of repair in advance: replacement of the plume buttons will cost 800-1500 ₽, A repair fee costs up to 5000 ₽.

In some cases (e.g., when eMMC memory is damaged), data recovery may not be possible. If your phone has important files, check with the service to retrieve them via Chip-Off.

⚠️ Warning: Don't trust repairs to informal workshops if they offer "to flash the phone in 5 minutes" without diagnosis. UFS 3.1 (e.g. Mi 12) unqualified intervention may result in complete data loss.

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If the phone does not respond to any of the methods, the cause with a 90% probability is a hardware malfunction (board, battery or plume).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s inclusion without buttons