How to turn on Xiaomi phone if it doesn’t turn on: the full guide 2026

Your Xiaomi has stopped responding to the power button and the screen is still black? This problem is familiar to many owners of the brand's smartphones, from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and POCO. The reasons can vary from a banal battery discharge to serious hardware failures, but in 80% of cases the device is able to "reanimate" without going to the service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can run a Xiaomi phone that doesn’t turn on, from the elementary (charging, forced reboot) to the advanced (firmware via Fastboot or test point). Each method is accompanied by step-by-step instructions, risk warnings and tips on how to avoid repeated crashes. If your Redmi Note 10 or Xiaomi 13T “died” after a fall, a MIUI update or just laying empty for a month, here you will find a solution.

1. Check the obvious: charging and physical damage

Before you panic, rule out trivial reasons: a black screen does not always mean a breakage - often the phone simply does not receive power or "hangs" due to a software glitch.

Start by inspecting the device:

• 🔌 Connect the original charger (or Qualcomm certified Quick Charge) to the working outlet. Use the cable from the kit - cheap analogues may not transmit current.
• 🔋 Leave the phone to charge for at least 30 to 60 minutes. Even if the indicator does not burn, the battery could run out of charge (especially after a long downtime).
• 🔍 Check the connector. USB-C: If you have any debris, bent contacts or oxidation inside, you need to get the cable in tightly, without backlash.
• 💧 If the phone fell into water or was in high humidity, there may be traces of corrosion on the case (green plaque on the contacts).

If the indicator doesn’t light up after charging, try another power supply (for example, from a laptop with PD support) or connect the phone to your computer. Sometimes the smartphone only wakes up from a high-current source (for example, 9V/2A).

⚠️ Warning: Don't use "fast charging" from other brands (e.g. Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging).The Xiaomi and Samsung protocols are incompatible - this can cause the battery to overheat.

Charges | Prolonged downtime (discharge to zero)

By itself (without apparent reason)-->

2. Forced reboot: Hard Reset

If the phone doesn't respond to the power button but you're sure the battery is charged, try hardware reset, which works even when the system freezes or the black screen is up after the upgrade.

Instructions for most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 11/12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 12/13):

1. Press the power button + volume up for 10-15 seconds.
2. Release the buttons when the Mi logo (or vibration) appears on the screen.
3. If the logo does not appear, repeat the action by holding the buttons for up to 20 seconds.

Older models (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi A1) may require a power + volume combination down. If you're not sure, try both.

Disconnect the charger

Make sure the buttons aren't stuck

Try the combination 2-3 times with an interval of 30 seconds

If it doesn’t work, move on to the next method.-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3) Long-term button retention can start Fastboot instead of rebooting. If you see the word Fastboot mode, just select Reboot using volume buttons.

Charging via another port: Type-C vs wireless

If the phone doesn’t respond to wired charging, the problem may be the USB-C connector. Over time, the contacts wear out or oxidize, especially if you often plug in/disconnect the cable.

What to do:

• 🔌 Try wireless charging (if the model supports Qi, such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Mi 11). Put the phone on the charging station - if the indicator appears, the problem is in the case of a new battery. USB-port.
• 🔧 Clean the connector with a wooden toothpick (carefully, without scratching the contacts!) Sometimes dust or metal shavings accumulate inside.
• 🔄 Connect your phone to your computer. If your PC makes the sound of the device connecting, but the screen is still black, the problem is the display or the firmware.

If the wireless charging isn't working, but you're sure the battery isn't dead, the power controller may have failed, and you'll need repairs at the service center.

4.Pc Connection and Diagnostics via MiFlash

If the phone doesn’t turn on but the computer sees it, you can try flashing the device through Fastboot mode, which will help if the failure occurred due to a damaged firmware (for example, after a failed MIUI update).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install MiFlash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
2. Connect your phone to your PC by holding the power button + volume down (Fastboot mode should start).
3. In MiFlash, press Refresh – if the device is determined, you will see it. COM-port.
4. Download Fastboot firmware for your model (for example, tissot_global_images_... for Mi A1) From the Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
5. Unpack the archive with your firmware and point the path to the folder in MiFlash. Select Clean all mode and press Flash.

It takes 5-10 minutes, and after a successful firmware, the phone should automatically restart.

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot firmware will reset all data on your phone!If your device had important files, try recovery methods first (Section 6).

1. Use another. USB-cable (preferably original).

2. connect your phone to a USB 2.0 port (Blue USB 3.0 ports often don't work on Fastboot).

3. Run MiFlash on behalf of the administrator.-->

5. Recovery through Recovery Mode (if the phone vibrates)

If you press the buttons, the phone vibrates but the screen is black, maybe only the graphics shell (MIUI) is damaged and the core is working, and then resetting through Recovery will help.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off your phone (if it freezes) or wait until the battery runs out.
2. Press the power button + volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons – in a few seconds, the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese) should open.

On the Recovery menu:

• 🔄 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete reset).
• 🔧 If you want to save data, try Reboot to System (sometimes the system is restored after a restart).
• 📱 If the menu is in Chinese, look for icons: reset is usually a red button with the inscription.

On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 12 for the Russian market), a reset via Recovery may require you to enter a password from your Mi Account. If you do not remember it, you will have to unlock the bootloader officially (section 7).

Hardware methods: test point and battery

If the software didn't work, the problem could be hardware: a failed battery, a damaged motherboard, or a detached display plume, in which case more drastic measures would be needed.

Checking the battery

Symptoms of a faulty battery:

• The phone is turned on only from charging, but immediately turns off when the cable is turned off.
• The charging indicator flashes red or does not burn at all.
• The battery swelled (see on the raised back cover).

If the battery is swelling, don't try to charge it - it's dangerous! Contact the service for replacement. If there is no swelling, but the phone does not hold the charge, try "swinging" the battery:

1. Connect your phone to charge for 1 hour.
2. Turn off the cable and try to turn it on.
3. If it does not work, repeat the charging / disconnecting cycle 3-4 times.

Test Point (Test Point)

Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi 5) have a hidden test point on the motherboard, which allows you to close the contact in EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode for firmware even when the bootloader is damaged.

Attention! This method requires disassembling the phone and is only suitable for advanced users, and the wrong actions can permanently disable the device.

How to find the test point:

• 🔧 Disassemble the phone (you will need a plastic spatula and screwdriver). T3/T4).
• 🔍 On the motherboard, find two contact platforms with the inscription TP or EDL (usually near the battery connector).
• 📌 Lock them with tweezers or a needle for 5-10 seconds while connecting your phone to your PC.

If done correctly, Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 will appear in Device Manager, and then you can flash your phone through MiFlash in EDL mode.

💡

The test point can only be used on phones with a Qualcomm processor (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3). On devices with Mediatek (e.g. Redmi 9A), this method does not work.

7. Unlocking the loader and official repairs

If all previous methods fail, there are two options:

1. Unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked) and flash the phone through Fastboot.
2. Contact the service center (if the problem is hardware).

To unlock the loader:

1. Go to the Mi Unlock website and download the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (it should be tied to your phone!).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions.

The process can take up to 72 hours (Xiaomi imposes a limit on unlocking), after which you can flash custom firmware or restore stock.

If the phone is not turned on due to physical breakdown (fall, water, overheating), self-repair can aggravate the problem.

• 📍 Find the official Xiaomi service center.
• 💰 Find out the cost of diagnostics (usually free) and repairs, for example, replacing the battery with a Redmi Note 10 will cost between 1,500 and 2,500. ₽.
• ⚠️ If the phone is warranty, do not disassemble it yourself - this will void the warranty!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi phones not included