How to turn on Xiaomi smartphone if the power button does not work: the full guide

Why the smartphone does not turn on through the power button and what to do about it

A broken power button on Xiaomi is one of the most unpleasant malfunctions that can happen to your device. Unlike a screen or speaker problem, a broken power button makes the phone virtually useless: you can't turn it on, turn it off or even restart it. But don't rush it to the service center, because in 80% of cases the device can be started without physical repair.

The causes of a button breakage can range from a simple dust clogging to a plume break or a control chip failure. Most often, the problem occurs after a phone falls, moisture gets in or long-term use (especially on Redmi Note 4/5 and Mi A1/A2 models, where the power button is a known “weak spot”). It is important to understand that even if the button does not respond to a press, the smartphone itself can be completely functional - you just have no way to activate it.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways Xiaomi can turn on without a power button, from the simplest (charging, connecting to a PC) to the most advanced (working with testpoints and service menus). Each method is illustrated with step-by-step instructions and is suitable for different scenarios: when the phone is discharged, when it hovers, or when the button fails periodically.

Method 1: Starting through a charger (for discharged phones)

If your Xiaomi is dead and doesn’t respond to the power button, the first thing you should do is simply plug it into charging. Modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the Redmi Note 7 and Mi 9) support automatic charging when the battery is completely drained. Here’s how it works:

• 🔌 Connect the original cable and power supply (preferably on the 18W higher).
• ⏳ Leave your phone on charge for at least 15 to 20 minutes, POCO F3) It may take up to 30 minutes.
• 📱 If the charge indicator (battery or percentage) appears on the screen, then the phone has already “waked up” and then boots automatically.
• 🔄 If the screen remains black, try turning off and reconnect the charger — sometimes it works as a “push".

This method doesn't work on all models, for example, older machines (Redmi 4X, Mi 5) may not turn on automatically even if the battery starts charging, in which case move on to the next method.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone shows no signs of charging (no warming, no indication), do not leave it connected to the network for longer than 1 hour.This may indicate a malfunction of the power controller, and further charging can be dangerous.

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If you have wireless charging, try using it instead of a cable, and sometimes it's the contactless way that works, even if you're not using it. USB-port is not responding.

Method 2: Using OTG cable and mouse (for phones with unlocked screen)

If your Xiaomi is on but the screen is locked and the power button is not working (for example, to turn off or reboot), you can use it. OTG-adapter USB-This method is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or enabled debugging. USB, But sometimes it works on standard firmware.

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (anything is suitable, even the cheapest).
• 🖱️ USB-mouse (wired or wireless with a USB-receiver).
• 📱 Phone with a charge of at least 5-10% (so as not to turn off during the procedure).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to the phone and mouse to the adapter.
2. If the phone screen is turned on, the mouse cursor should appear on it in 5-10 seconds.
3. Use your mouse to unlock your phone (if the screen is locked).
4. Go to Settings → About Phone → All specs and tap 7 times on the Build Number to turn on the developer mode.
5. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.

Now you can control the phone through the mouse, including rebooting or turning it off through the menu. USB It was already turned on earlier, you can connect the phone to the PC and use it. ADB-The team (about this in the following way).

OTG support for your model (the list of compatible devices is available on 4PDA)

Battery charge of at least 5%

Correction OTG-Adapter (Try on another device)

No physical injury USB-port-->

Method 3: Enable via ADB (for phones with USB debugging enabled)

If your Xiaomi has previously activated USB debugging, you can turn it on using your computer and Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works even if the phone is turned off, but requires pre-configuration. If you've never enabled debugging, move on to the next method.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably one that was included in the set).
• 📱 A phone that is at least sometimes recognized by a computer (even if it doesn't turn on).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC using USB-cable.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices If the phone is identified (its serial number appears), move to the next step. If not, try another cable or USB port.
3. Enter the command to turn on the phone: adb shell input keyevent 26 This simulates the pressing of the power button.
4. If the phone doesn’t respond, try an alternative command: adb shell reboot.

If the commands don't work, maybe the USB debugging has been disabled, or the phone is in a soft brick state (the system doesn't boot, but reacts to the PC connection), in which case only flashing through Fastboot will help.

Method 4: Activation through Testpoints (for power users)

If the software methods didn't work, you can try to turn Xiaomi on through testpoints, special contacts on the motherboard that simulate the press of the power button. This method requires disassembling the phone and is only suitable for users with experience in electronics repair. Incorrectly closing testpoints can lead to short circuit and complete failure of the device.

Here's how it works:

1. Remove the back cover of the phone (it is glued on most Xiaomi models, so you will need a mediator or a plastic spatula).
2. Disconnect the battery (disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard).
3. Find the test points for the power button. They're positioned according to the model: 📱 Redmi Note 8/9: two contacts next to the battery plume connector, signed KPP or PWR_KEY. 📱 Mi 9/10: contacts near the processor, often indicated by green or red dots. 📱 POCO X3/F3: Testpoints can be hidden under a metal screen – a complete disassembly is required.

Close the contacts carefully with tweezers or a screwdriver for 1-2 seconds. If done correctly, the phone will start loading.

⚠️ Warning: Closing the test points on the phone on (without turning off the battery) can damage the motherboard. Always turn off the battery before working with contacts!

Method 5: Service menu and engineering codes (hidden functions)

On some Xiaomi models, you can turn on your phone through the service menu even if the power button doesn't work. It'll take another healthy smartphone (or a computer with ADB) and a little patience. It doesn't work on all firmware, but it's worth a try.

Instructions for phones with unlocked bootloader:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the terminal and type: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings This will open the developer menu.
3. Activate the Factory Unlock option (if it is in your firmware).
4. Reboot the phone in service mode with the command: adb reboot edl

For phones with a locked bootloader, you can try engineering codes (do not work on all models):

• 📞 Dial on your phone keyboard (if the screen is active): ##4636## → Select Battery Information → Reboot.
• 🔧 Some Redmis have code ##7594##, which resets the phone to factory settings (data will be deleted!).

If none of the codes worked, the last option is to contact a service center to replace the power button or plume, the cost of repair varies from 800 to 2500 rubles depending on the model.

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Service menus and engineering codes are the riskiest method. Incorrect commands can result in a data dump or a phone lock. Use only if you are confident in your actions!

What to do if no one method helps

If you’ve tried all the techniques in this article, but Xiaomi still doesn’t turn on, chances are the problem lies deeper than just a faulty power button.

• 🔋 Power controller failure: If the phone doesn’t charge and doesn’t respond to the PC connection, it may have failed PMIC (Power management chip repairs are only possible in the service with replacement chip.
• 💾 Firmware damage: If the phone vibrates or flashes the indicator but doesn’t boot, try flashing it over Fastboot or EDL.
• 🔌 Battery plume break: a common problem after falls, check if the battery connector has moved away from the motherboard.
• 🚨 Short circuit: if the phone warms or smells of a burn, don't try to turn it on - it's dangerous.

If you decide to contact a service center, choose a proven workshop with good reviews.The cost of repairing the power button on Xiaomi in 2026:

• Redmi Note 8/9/10: 1200-1800 rubles.
• Mi 11/12: 1800–2500 rubles.
• POCO F3/4: 1500–2000 RUB
• Black Shark: 2500-3500 rubles (due to difficult disassembly).

⚠️ Note: If you are offered to replace the power button for 500-700 rubles, most likely use an unoriginal part or a used component.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi powering up without power button