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

Broken on or volume buttons on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most unpleasant breakdowns that can completely paralyze the device. Without the ability to physically press the power button, many users think that the phone has turned into a “brick” and can only be carried to a service center. However, there are at least 5 proven ways to turn on Redmi, POCO or Mi without working buttons – from simple manipulation of charging to using engineering modes.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for 2026, including hardware and software solutions, and give recommendations on how to avoid repeated failures. Importantly, some methods require prior preparation (for example, enabled debugging over USB), so if your Xiaomi is still working, activate all the necessary options in the settings in advance, this will save you hours of nerves in the event of a breakdown.

Why Xiaomi buttons don’t work: the main reasons

Before you try to turn on the phone, it’s worth understanding exactly what went wrong.The power and volume buttons on Xiaomi may stop responding for several reasons:

• 💧 Liquid ingress – even a small amount of moisture under the button leads to oxidation of the contacts, often accompanied by “sticking” or complete lack of response.
• 🔧 Mechanical wear – buttons on budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) They wear out after 1-2 years of active use.
• ⚡ Software failure is rare, but it happens that after the update MIUI The buttons stop working due to firmware errors.
• 🔋 Battery discharge – if the battery is completely drained, the phone may not respond to charging until it reaches a minimum charge (usually 5-10%).
• 🛠️ Damage to the plume - after falling or disassembling the body, a flexible cable connecting the buttons to the motherboard could break off.

If the buttons stopped working after falling or getting water, the probability of hardware failure is high. In this case, software methods of turning on will help only temporarily - for data extraction or backup. For full repair, you will need to replace the button or plume (the cost in the service is from 800 to 2500 rubles, depending on the model).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone gets hot when connected to charging or makes unusual sounds (squeaking, crackling), immediately disconnect it from the network! This may indicate a short circuit - further manipulation is dangerous.

Method 1: Booting through charging connection (for discharged phones)

The simplest method, which works 30 to 40 percent of the time, is to simulate the power button being pressed by manipulating the charger, and it's suitable if:

• 🔋 The battery is completely discharged;
• 📵 The phone does not respond to the cable connection;
• 🔄 Power button broken, but phone switched on normally.

Instructions:

1. Connect Xiaomi to the original charger (or a quality analogue with Quick Charge support).
2. Leave the phone to charge for 15 to 30 minutes, even if the light doesn’t burn.
3. After 15 minutes, turn off the cable and reconnect it. Repeat this action 3-5 times in a row at intervals of 5 seconds.
4. If the MI logo or charging indicator appears on the screen, hold the area of the broken button (even if it is not pressed) for 10-15 seconds.

This method works because some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F3) have deep discharge protection. When multiple connects/disconnects charging, the power controller can initiate a forced boot.

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If the charging indicator is not on, try using another cable (preferably USB-Type-C) or connecting the phone to your computer, sometimes the problem lies in the damaged wire, not in the smartphone itself.

Method 2: Using OTG cable and mouse (for phones with debugging enabled)

If your Xiaomi has previously been activated debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB), You can turn it on with the help OTG-cable USB-This is a way to do it for models that support mice. OTG (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro, Mi 11 and newer).

What you need:

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (Type-C or Micro-USB depending on the model);
• 🖱️ USB-mouse (wired or wireless with a USB-receiver);
• 🔋 Charger (optional if the battery is discharged).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-phone adapter.
2. Connect to the adapter USB-mouse.
3. If the screen is black, plug your phone into charging and wait 5-10 minutes.
4. Wait for the mouse cursor to appear on the screen (it can take up to 1 minute).
5. Click the left mouse button anywhere on the screen – this simulates the pressing of the power button.
6. If the phone doesn’t respond, try restarting it via the mouse key combination (depending on the firmware).

On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13/14) When you connect your mouse, you get a menu with the option to Reboot or Turn off. If the cursor doesn't show up, try using another one. OTG-Adapter – some cheap models do not support data transfer.

Method 3: Enable via ADB (for advanced users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is one of the most reliable, but requires pre-configuration.

• ✅ The phone was debugging on. USB;
• ✅ You have access to a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed;
• ✅ The phone is determined by the computer in Fastboot or Recovery mode.

Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB and Fastboot Tools on your computer.
2. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone is identified, you will see its serial number.
5. Run the reboot command: adb reboot If your phone is in Fastboot mode, use: fastboot reboot

If the phone is not identified, try to switch it to Fastboot mode manually:

• 🔌 Connect the charger;
• 🔄 Press the volume button (even if it is broken, try pressing harder);
• 🖥️ Hold for 10-15 seconds until the Fastboot logo appears).

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They can erase data if you're wrong with the syntax. Don't use commands like fastboot erase userdata unless absolutely necessary!

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download ADB and Fastboot Tools|Enable debugging on USB on the phone (if it still works)|Prepare original USB-cable|Check the definition of the phone by the adb device team

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Method 4: Forced downloading via Recovery Mode

If the power button doesn’t work, but the volume buttons are partially responsive (or can be pressed with effort), you can try logging into Recovery Mode — Recovery Mode. This method is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 9, POCO X3, Mi 10T, and others.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone from charging (if connected).
2. Press the volume button + power button for 10-15 seconds. If the power button is broken, try pressing the volume button up and simultaneously plugging/off charging.

Mi Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection (if it doesn’t work, plug in). OTG-mouse).

Reboot → Reboot to System

If the screen doesn’t respond to touch, but the phone is turned on in Recovery, you can plug in OTG-Mouse (as in Method 2) and control the menu with it.

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If the phone boots into Recovery but doesn't turn on, try resetting your settings (Wipe Data) which will delete all data, but can make the buttons work again after flashing.

Method 5: Hardware Repairs – When Nothing Helps

If the software methods don't work, you just have to physically repair it, and depending on the cause of the failure, you can try the following options:

• 🔧 Replacement of the power/volume button - cost in the service: 800-1500 rubles. On models with a non-removable battery (for example, POCO F4) The price may be higher due to the complexity of the.
• 🔌 Repair of the plume - if the contacts are gone, the master can solder them again (1000-2000 rubles).
• 💧 Cleaning from oxidation - if the buttons stuck after getting a liquid, sometimes alcohol washing helps (500-1000 rubles).
• 🔋 Battery replacement – if the phone does not turn on due to a bloated battery (1500-3,000 rubles depending on the model).

Self-repair is possible if you have experience with a soldering iron and a microscope. To replace the button on Xiaomi you will need:

• New button (you can buy on AliExpress or in service centers);
• T3-T5 screwdriver set;
• Plastic mediators for disassembling the body;
• A hair dryer or a station for heating glue (on new models the body is glued).

⚠️ Note: If you replace the button yourself, you risk damaging the flexible plume or display module. AMOLED-The plume is particularly fragile with screens (for example, Mi 11 Ultra) and will cost 5,000 to replace.+ ruble.

If you decide to take the phone to the service, choose official Xiaomi centers or trusted workshops with a guarantee. Avoid “handicraft” repairs – often after they have problems with the sensor or charging.

How to avoid button breakage in the future

To make the power and volume buttons on Xiaomi last longer, follow these guidelines:

• 🛡️ Use a button protection case (especially relevant for POCO and Redmi with plastic case).
• 🚫 Avoid pressing buttons hard – many users are used to “pressing” them before clicking, which accelerates wear and tear.
• 💧 Do not use your phone in wet conditions (bath, swimming pools, rain).
• 🔄 Clean connectors regularly with a dry brush or compressed air.
• 🔋 Do not allow the battery to discharge completely - this increases the load on the power controller.

If the buttons have already started to stick or press poorly, you can temporarily improve their performance with silicone lubrication (a thin layer under the button), but this is not a panacea - only replacement will help with mechanical wear.

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On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 11), you can turn off the power button software and use the virtual on-screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s inclusion without buttons