How to turn on Xiaomi Mi 6 if the buttons don’t work: the complete guide

Xiaomi Mi 6 is the legendary flagship of 2017, which is still used by many users. But even such a reliable device can eventually fail the power button. What if the smartphone does not turn on and the mechanical button does not respond to presses? In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to launch the Mi 6 without using physical buttons, from simple methods to technically complex solutions.

It is important to understand that the problem can be both software (system freeze, firmware failure) and hardware (contact oxidation, damage to the button plume). We will consider options for both cases, and also give recommendations on how to avoid repeated breakdowns. If you are not sure of your skills, it is better to contact the service center so as not to aggravate the situation.

All the instructions in the article are tested on Xiaomi Mi 6 with original and custom firmware, USB-cable and special programs!

Why the power button on Xiaomi Mi 6 does not work

Before you try to turn on your smartphone in alternative ways, you should understand the causes of the malfunction.

• 🔋 Mechanical wear - the power button on the Mi 6 loses tactile return over time due to frequent use.The contacts inside the microswitch oxidize or erase.
• 💧 Moisture infestation – even if the phone hasn’t sunk, condensation or high humidity can cause corrosion on the board, especially in the area of the buttons.
• 🔌 Fall or impact – physical impact often leads to the disconnection of the button plume from the motherboard.
• 🤖 Software failure is rare, but it happens that the system “does not see” the click due to errors in the button drivers (for example, after a failed update).
• 🔄 Incorrect assembly – if the phone was already repaired, the master could not fix the plume poorly or damage the contacts.

How do you tell if it's a hardware problem or a software problem? Try pressing the power button with effort (but no fanaticism!) -- if the smartphone sometimes reacts, it's more of a mechanical problem. If there's no reaction at all, it might be a plume or contacts on the board that are damaged.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the Xiaomi Mi 6 yourself if you don't have experience with electronics.The board of this smartphone is very dense and the plumes are brittle - one wrong move can lead to a short circuit.

Method 1: Initiation via charger

The easiest method that works 60 percent of the time is to automatically turn on when you connect to a charge. Many users don't know, but the Mi 6 can be launched without a power button if the battery is completely drained or the smartphone is in a deep sleep state.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect the Xiaomi Mi 6 to the original charger (preferably with a USB Type-C cable from the kit).
2. Leave your smartphone on charge for at least 15-20 minutes – even if the indicator is not on.
3. If after 20 minutes, the Mi logo or charging animation appears on the screen, wait another 5-10 minutes.
4. If the screen remains black, try turning off and reconnect the charger (sometimes this works as a “push” to start).

This method works because the Mi 6 power controller, when a charging current is detected, can initiate the system to start even if the power button is not pressed, but if the battery is completely discharged (below 3%), it may take longer, up to 30 to 40 minutes.

Use the original RAM (not wireless!)|Try another one. USB-cable|Connect to another power source (computer, power bank)|Leave on charging for at least 30 minutes|Try the button retention method (see next section)

-->

If this method does not work, move on to the next method – forced reboot through a combination of buttons.

Method 2: Forced Reset (Hard Reset)

If the Xiaomi Mi 6 doesn't turn on even after a long charge, try a forced reboot. This method simulates pressing the power button through a hardware keyboard combination. Importantly, this method will not reset your data, but simply restart the device.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to charging (required!).
2. Hold and hold two buttons at the same time: Volume Up and Volume Down.

10-15 seconds

Mi

Release the buttons – the smartphone should start downloading.

If the Mi 6 is turned on after that, but the power button still doesn’t work, we recommend that you immediately turn on USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times press) → Settings for developers → Debugging over USB).

⚠️ Warning: If after a forced reboot, the smartphone loads into Fastboot mode (black screen with a rabbit and the inscription Fastboot), do not panic. This is normal – just select Reboot with volume buttons and confirm the choice of the power button (if it works even a little) or wait for the automatic restart.

Energizing through charging|Forced reset|I haven't tried it yet.|Nothing helped.-->

Method 3: Use ADB (for advanced users)

If you've previously had USB debugging enabled, you can turn on the Xiaomi Mi 6 via your computer using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, which requires pre-setting, but it's one of the most reliable.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set)
• 📥 Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools (includes ADB and Fastboot).
2. Connect the Mi 6 to your computer via USB (even if it’s turned off).
3. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools
4. Enter the command to check the connected device: adb devices If Mi 6 is selected in the list, great! If not, try the command: adb reboot
5. If your smartphone doesn’t respond, try to put it in Fastboot: adb reboot bootloader Then select Reboot System Now using the volume buttons.

If ADB doesn’t see the device, but you’re sure the debugging has been enabled, try:

• Use the other USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• Reinstall Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager.
• Try another cable (some cheap cables don't support data transmission).

💡

If ADB It doesn't detect the Mi 6, but you're sure the debugging was on, try holding the volume buttons for 10 seconds before connecting to the PC. USB.

Method 4: Enable through Recovery Mode

If previous methods have failed, you can try to launch your smartphone through Recovery, which is suitable even if USB debugging was not enabled, but requires working volume buttons.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the Mi 6 from charging (if connected).
2. Press and hold at the same time: Volume Up button Power button (even if it doesn’t work, press it to simulate)

10-15 seconds

Mi

Recovery

Recovery

Reboot → System

If you are in Recovery but can’t confirm your choice because of a power button that is not working, try:

• Connect your smartphone to charge – sometimes this automatically confirms the choice after 10 seconds.
• Use ADB to send a reboot command (if Recovery supports ADB).

Method 5: Hardware repair of the power button

If neither software method worked, the problem is probably hardware, and there are two options:

1. Replace the power button – if the problem is in the mechanical part (wear, oxidation).
2. Repair of the plume or contacts on the board - if the problem is a connection break.

Cost of repairs in service centers:

• 🔧 Replacement of the power button: 1,200–2,500 ₽ (depending on the region).
• 🔧 Diagnostics + ration of the plume: 1,500-3,000 ₽.
• 🔧 Complete replacement of the button plume: 2,000–4,000 ₽.

If you decide to repair your smartphone yourself, consider: the Xiaomi Mi 6 has a very fragile button plume that is easily damaged when disassembled.In addition, a soldering station with precise temperature control is required to replace the power button, since the contacts are microscopic.

If you are not willing to pay for repairs, you can try using a smartphone without a power button by configuring alternative ways to turn on/off via ADB or special applications (for example, Button Remapper). However, this is a temporary solution - sooner or later a faulty button can lead to more serious problems (for example, the inability to turn off the phone in an emergency).

How to prevent the power button from breaking in the future

To make the power button on Xiaomi Mi 6 last longer, follow these recommendations:

• 🛡️ Use a cover with button protection - this reduces the ingestion of dust and moisture.
• 🧼 Clean the connectors regularly - every 3-6 months, carefully clean the buttons with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🔄 Do not press the power button unnecessarily – use double-pressing the screen or fingerprint to unlock.
• 🔋 Avoid full battery discharge – this increases the load on the button when forced on.
• 📱 Set up alternative ways to turn off – for example, through ADB desktop-widget.

You can also install power management applications without physical buttons:

• Power Button to Volume Button – allows you to use volume buttons to turn on/off.
• Gravity Screen automatically locks/unlocks the screen by movement.
• Button Remapper – Reassigns button functions (root rights required).

💡

If the power button has already started to stick or requires a strong press, do not pull with repair. The longer you use a faulty button, the greater the risk of damage to the plume or contacts on the board, which will lead to more expensive repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)