How to turn on Xiaomi smartphone if the power and volume buttons do not work: all working methods

Xiaomi is not responsive to both the power and volume buttons, which seem like a dead end. Without them, you can't turn the device on, you can't restart it in the Fastboot, you can't even reset it to factory settings. But even then, there are a few proven ways to bring the phone back to life. In this article, we'll look at all the possible methods, from the simplest (connect to charging) to the technically complex (working with testpoints).

It's important to understand that the effectiveness of each method depends on the Xiaomi model, the firmware version and the cause of the failure. For example, one method will work on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with a dead battery, and on the POCO F3 with a damaged button plume, a completely different one, we will indicate which solutions are suitable for which situations, and also warn against dangerous actions that can finally kill the gadget.

If your Xiaomi isn't showing signs of life (it's not vibrating, it's not lighting up, it's not warming up), first check the obvious: whether the battery is dead, whether the charging cable is damaged, whether the contacts on the connector are oxidized. Sometimes the problem lies not in the buttons, but in the power controller or battery.

1. Energizing through the charger (the “hard reboot” method)

The easiest way to do this is to try to force charging even if the buttons don't work, and this method works if:

• 🔋 The battery is not completely discharged (remainder of the charge) ≥5%).
• 🔌 Used original cable and power supply (power) ≥18W).
• 📱 The phone has no hardware damage (for example, a break in the battery plume).

Connect Xiaomi to charging and leave it for 15 to 30 minutes. If the charge indicator appears on the screen (even flashing), then the device has recognized the power.

1. Turn off the cable.
2. Wait 10 seconds.
3. Connect the charging again - sometimes this causes an automatic reboot.

If the screen is black, try using another cable (preferably with Quick Charge support) or connect the phone to your computer via a computer. USB. Some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) can be activated when connecting to the PC, if previously activated mode USB-debugging.

2.Using ADB and Fastboot (if debugging was previously enabled)

If your Xiaomi has previously been on the mode USB-debugging (in Settings) → For developers, you can try to include it through ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tools ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Worker USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 A phone that somehow reacts to a connection to a PC (vibrates, is determined in Device Manager).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the computer.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb devices

If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), do:

adb shell input keyevent 26

This command simulates the power button pressing. If the phone doesn't respond, try:

adb reboot

If adb devices don’t show the device, but the phone is identified in Device Manager as Qualcomm 9008 or MTK Preloader, you can try to transfer it to Fastboot via hardware reset (see next section).

3. Hardware reset via testpoints (for power users)

If the buttons don't work and ADB doesn't work, the hardware method is to close the testpoints on the motherboard, which is suitable for Xiaomi models on Qualcomm processors (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO X3) and requires disassembling the phone. On models with MediaTek chips (Helio Gseries), testpoints may be missing or work differently - specify the scheme for your model!

Common algorithm:

1. Remove the back cover and disconnect the battery (required!).
2. Find two contacts on the board that say TEST POINT (usually next to the battery connector).
3. Close them with tweezers or a screwdriver for 5-10 seconds.
4. Connect your phone to your PC – it should be determined in Fastboot or EDL mode.

Further, through Fastboot, you can flash the device or give a command to turn on:

fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect closure of contacts can lead to short circuit and failure of the board. If you are not sure of your skills, it is better to contact the service center.

4. Connect to charge with button retention (alternative method)

Some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi 5/6/7 series) have a hidden feature: if you plug in charging and hold the volume keys at the same time (even if they don’t work mechanically), the phone can turn on in Fastboot or Recovery mode.

Procedure:

1. Connect the phone to the charger.
2. Press both Volume Up + Volume Down buttons for 15-20 seconds.
3. If the screen is black, try holding only Volume Up or Volume Down.

If the phone vibrates or lights up the Mi logo but does not load further, it may indicate:

• 🔄 Damaged firmware (needs to flash through Fastboot).
• 💾 Faulty boot partition (requires recovery through EDL).
• 🔧 Hardware failure (for example, the dump of a memory chip).

5. Including through service mode (for models with Qualcomm)

Devices on Qualcomm processors (most of Xiaomi’s mid-range and flagship segment) support hidden service mode, which can be activated even without running buttons.

• 🔌 Cable USB-A → USB-A (adapter).
• 💻 Computer with QFil or Mi Flash Tool.
• 📄 Firmware in.mbn format for your model.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via a USB-A → USB-A cable (one end to the phone, the other to the PC port).
2. Press on the Shift computer keyboard and, holding it, connect the second end of the cable to the other. USB-port.
3. If the drivers are installed, the phone should be identified as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.

This method will work even if the phone is completely dead, but requires precise firmware for your model, and an error in choosing a firmware file can result in a device blinking (total inoperability).

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If the Mi Flash Tool is giving you a Hello Packet Failed error, try using QFil or manually update Qualcomm drivers through Device Manager.

6. Diagnostics of the problem: buttons or board?

Before you try to turn on your phone, you should understand what the problem is, and here's a table of symptoms and possible causes:

If you suspect a hardware breakdown (for example, after a fall or moisture), you should contact the service immediately. Self-repair without experience can aggravate the situation. For example, if you replace the button plume with the Redmi Note 8, it is easy to damage the flexible contacts of the battery, which will lead to complete failure of the device.

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If the phone has any response to charging or connecting to a PC (vibrates, warms, detects in the system), the chances of recovery without disassembly are 70-80%.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)