How to turn on Xiaomi Redmi 5 without a power button: all the ways from simple to complex

The broken power button on Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a problem that many owners of this budget smartphone face after 2-3 years of operation. Contacts oxidize, the mechanism wears out, and sometimes the button just falls off after a fall. But don’t rush to carry the phone to the service center: in 80% of cases, the device can be turned on without physically pressing the key. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods – from elementary (charging, connecting to a PC) to advanced (firmware via EDL, using testpoints).

It’s important to understand that Redmi 5 (codenamed rosy) has some architectural features: it doesn’t have a hardware reset button (as on some Samsung models), but it does have a Fastboot mode and a hidden EDL mode that can be activated software. We’ll focus on methods that don’t require disassembling the phone — they’re enough for most users. If the button breaks due to mechanical damage to the board, it will require soldering or chip replacement (this is discussed in the last section).

1. Method: Charging and automatic switching on

The simplest method, which works 30-40% of the time, is that the Xiaomi Redmi 5 can turn on itself when connected to a power source if the battery is completely drained or the smartphone is in a deep discharge state.

• 🔌 Connect the phone to the original charger (preferably with current) ≥2A) Use the cable USB Type-C, which came with the kit.
• ⏳ Leave your smartphone on charge for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Don't try to turn it on at this time!
• 📱 If the charge indicator (red battery) appears on the screen, wait until it changes to green (100.
• 🔄 If the screen remains black, try turning off charging, wait 10 seconds and plug it back in again.

Why does it work? In deep discharge, the Redmi 5 power controller blocks the power on until a minimum charge level (usually 3-5%) is reached. If the button is faulty but the battery is getting enough power, the system can initiate the boot automatically.

⚠️ Note: Do not use "fast" charging from other manufacturers (for example, Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging or OnePlus Dash Charge).They can supply unstable voltage, which will lead to a failure of the power controller. 5V/2A — best-case.

2. Method: Connecting to PC and Forced Reboot via ADB

If your smartphone is responding to charging (battery lights) but not turning on, you can try a forced reboot via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method requires pre-activating USB Debugging in the developer settings. If you have never enabled this option, skip the section.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb.exe).
2. Connect Redmi 5 to your PC via USB-Wait for the drivers to be installed (if required, install them manually via Mi). PC Suite).
3. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter).
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), proceed to the next step.
5. Perform a forced reboot: adb reboot

If the adb reboot command doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell input keyevent 26

This command emulates the pressing of the power button at the software level.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone goes into an endless bootloop after adb reboot, disconnect it from your PC and wait for the battery to drain completely. Then try again in 30 minutes. MIUI on the Redmi 5.

3. Method: Sign in to Fastboot and firmware via Mi Flash Tool

If previous methods have failed and the phone has any response to the PC connection (e.g., making a USB connection sound), you can try Fastboot mode and flash the device, which is a good way to do it even if USB debugging hasn't been enabled before.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (important!)
• 📦 Mi Flash Tool Programming.
• 📱 Firmware for Redmi 5 (Rosy version) download it from the official Xiaomi website in the Fastboot section ROM.

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\ROM\redmi5).
2. Connect the Redmi 5 switched off to your PC. Press and hold the volume down button (-) for 10-15 seconds. If the power button doesn't work, this method can work thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 hardware feature (Redmi 5 chipset).
3. If the screen is black, the PC will make the connection sound. USB-Devices, check the list of devices in Task Manager. HS-USB QDLoader 9008 – This means that the phone is in mode EDL.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware. Then press Refresh, the program must identify the device.
5. Select Clean all firmware mode and press Flash. The process will take 5-10 minutes.

Critical information: If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error "Cannot receive hello packet", this means that the phone is not in EDL mode. In this case, only physical closure of test points (see section 5) or repair of the power button will help.

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If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after you've firmware, press the volume button (-) and connect to your PC. Repeat the firmware in Clean all mode.

Method: Use of OTG-cable

Little-known but effective method for Xiaomi Redmi 5 is connectivity USB-mouse-wise OTG-This is an adapter. This works if the phone is on, but the screen is locked, and the power button is not responding. You're going to need to use it:

• 🔌 OTG-adapter (Micro-USB) → USB Type-A).
• 🖱️ Simple. USB-Mouse (wireless will not work).
• ⚡ Charged battery (minimum 20%).

How it works:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to Redmi 5 and Adapter to Mouse.
2. If the phone is on but the screen is off, move the mouse or press its buttons, and that will wake the device up.
3. Using the mouse cursor, unlock the screen (if a pattern lock is installed or if a graphical key is installed). PIN-code).
4. Go to Settings → System → Reboot and select Reboot.

If the screen is completely black, but the phone is responding to charging (the indicator is on), try this trick:

1. Connect the OTG + mouse.
2. Press the volume button (+) for 10 seconds.
3. Without releasing the button, connect the charger.
4. If you are lucky, the phone will turn on in Safe Mode mode, where you can reboot through the menu.

5. Method: Testpoint closure (for advanced users)

If all software methods are exhausted, then hardware resets through testpoints, which requires disassembly of the phone and minimal electronics skills. Redmi 5 has hidden contacts on the motherboard, the closure of which forcibly transfers the device to EDL (Emergency Download Mode).

You'll need:

• ⚙️ Set of screwdrivers (cross, plastic spatula).
• 🔗 Thin metal object (clip, tweezers).
• 🔌 USB-cable and PC with Mi Flash Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone from all power sources.
2. Remove the back cover (it is on the latches, gently slid the blade on the side of the SIM card connector).
3. Unscrew 8 screws that lock the metal battery cover. Take it off carefully.
4. You'll see a motherboard underneath the battery, and you'll find two contacts that say EDL or TEST POINT (they're next to the plug connector).
5. Close these contacts with tweezers or a paper clip for 2-3 seconds, while connecting the phone to the PC.
6. If done correctly, Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 will appear in Device Manager.
7. Next, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (as in Section 3).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly closing testpoints can lead to short circuit and failure of the power controller. If you have never disassembled phones, better contact the service center. The cost of repairing the power button on Redmi 5 is about 800-1500 rubles (2026).

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Closing the testpoints is the only way to turn on the Redmi 5 if the power button has completely fallen off the board or its controller has burned down.

6. Method: Repair or Replace the Power button

If none of these methods worked, the problem is that the button or the contacts on the board will be mechanically damaged.

• 🔧 Clean contacts if the button is stuck or oxidized. Use alcohol and cotton swab.
• 🔄 Replacement of the button – if it is physically broken (the cost of the part: 200-400 rubles).
• 🔥 Repair of tracks - if contacts are detached from the fee (salting is required).

Average repair prices (for 2026):

Where to find the master:

• 🏠 Xiaomi service centers (6 months warranty, but more expensive).
• 🛠️ Local workshops (cheaper, but check reviews).
• 📦 Self-repair (only if you have experience with a soldering iron).

How do you check if the problem is in the button? Connect your phone to charge and try pressing the power button area with effort. If the phone is on, it's a mechanical problem (the button doesn't reach the contacts); if there's no response, it's a malfunction at the board level.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions