When the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 smartphone is completely discharged or turned off and the power button has stopped responding, it causes panic in any owner.Mechanical wear of the keys is a common problem of budget and mid-budget devices in use for more than two years. The internal plume could go away, or the tactile element itself failed, breaking contact with the motherboard.
Fortunately, the Android architecture and the MIUI shell provide several workarounds to start the system. You don't have to carry it to the service center right now if the battery is fully functional. There are a number of software and hardware methods that allow you to activate the device even when the physical switch is not working.
In this article, we will go into detail all the available methods, from simple manipulation of charging to using the engineering menu through the computer. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging the software. Some methods require connection to a PC, others only have a charger.
Use of the charging function
The simplest and most affordable method that is often overlooked is to use the system's response to the power supply. When you connect a USB cable to a Redmi Note 5 connector, the power controller receives a signal that, in normal mode, should initiate a screen start or full boot. However, if the phone was turned off programmatically (via a menu), this signal can be ignored without pressing a button.
There's a nuance that depends on the MIUI version and the battery status. If the battery is dead, the phone can show the battery icon and start automatically. If there's a charge but the device is off, try the following combination of actions. Connect the original cable to a running computer or a powerful power supply, then press one of the volume buttons.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone vibrates when charging, but the screen remains black, do not release the buttons immediately.The system may be in a cyclic reboot, and prolonged volume retention will help to enter recovery mode.
The effectiveness of this method depends on how the device was turned off. If it was a hardware failure, the charging method works 80% of the time. In a deep sleep situation, the system may need to wait 10-15 minutes after connecting the cable.
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Use a quality USB cable, as cheap analogues can only transmit current, but not data, which will not allow the computer to recognize the device for further manipulation.
Run through the computer and the ADB utility
The most reliable software way to reanimate the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 without a physical button is to use USB debugging. This method requires prior preparation: the developer settings must activate the USB debugging function. If you have enabled this option before while the phone was running, your chances of success are maximum.
To implement you will need a computer running Windows, installed drivers ADB and Fastboot, and USB-Connect the smartphone to the PC, the Windows Device Manager may have an unknown device or device with an exclamation mark, indicating an attempt to communicate.
Open the command line (cmd) in the ADB tool folder and type the following command:
adb rebootThis causes the controller to send a signal to restart the system. If the phone is in a deep shutdown, the command may not work immediately, in which case, try to press the volume button and plug the cable in, holding the key for about 10 seconds, then release the volume and immediately send a command via the PC.
- 🔌 Make sure that Android drivers ADB Interface is correctly installed in Device Manager.
- 📱 The phone must be at least partially charged (over 15%), otherwise the system will go into a cyclical attempt to charge.
- 💻 The command line must be run on behalf of the administrator to obtain the necessary privileges.
Enter Recovery and Fastboot Mode
Recovery and fastboot modes take precedence over a standard Android bootloader, which can often be entered even if the on button is faulty, using specific volume key combinations. In Recovery mode, you can select a system reboot point that ignores the button breakage.
Signing into Recovery on Redmi Note 5 typically requires you to press the volume button and plug in the power cable. If the phone reacts with vibration, hold the button until the Mi logo or menu recovery appears. In some cases, it helps to simultaneously clamping both volume buttons when you connect the cable.
Once you're on the Recovery menu (which can be in Chinese or English), you're navigating with volume buttons and you're choosing with the power button. Here's the problem: if the power button doesn't work, you won't get the "Reboot" option the standard way.
- Press the volume button "Up" and connect the cable.
- Wait for the menu to come out.
- Try pressing the volume button "Down" several times, then "Up".
If you can't navigate the menu because you don't have a button response, use Fastboot mode. Press the volume button and plug in the cable. The screen will show a picture of a rabbit fixing an android. In this mode, you can reboot the phone programmatically via your PC command:
fastboot reboot⚠️ Warning: Do not select "Wipe Data" or "Factory Reset" option from the Recovery menu unless you have a backup.
Methods for a fully discharged battery
If the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is turned off due to a full battery drain, the algorithm of actions changes. The charge controller blocks any attempts to turn on until the minimum voltage threshold is reached.
Leave the device on charge for at least 30-40 minutes, even if the screen is not lit. The charging indicator (LED) can flash orange. After this period, try to sharply press the volume button several times, simulating on, and then plug the cable.
There is a "thermal" method that sometimes helps activate oxidized button or battery contacts. Heating the device to 40-45 degrees (e.g., on a heater, wrapped in a towel) can temporarily restore contact inside the battery or button. Be extremely careful not to overheat the gadget!
It's also worth checking the integrity of the charging socket. If the connector is shattered, the phone may receive current but not see the data signal needed to wake up. Swing the cable in the socket when it's off -- if there's a vibration, the contact problem is.
☑️ Diagnostics of the battery
Hardware closing of contacts on the board
For users with experience in electronics repair, there is a way to turn on by closing the contacts on the motherboard.This method requires disassembling the Redmi Note 5 body. Remove the back cover (it is glued, you need a hair dryer or a thin blade) and unscrew the screws that hold the middle frame.
You need to find the plug connector of the power button on the board. Carefully unplug the plume. Using tweezers or a thin conducting needle, briefly lock the two contacts that were approached by the tracks from the button. This simulates a press.
Some Xiaomi models can lock the battery pins (BMS) in a special way, but it's risky. A safer option is to find test points (TP) next to the button connector. There are usually two. Tweez them at the same time with the battery attached.
| Action. | Risk | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Closing of the button plume | Low. | Tall. |
| Removal of battery | Medium. | Medium |
| Heating the device | High-pitched | Low. |
| ADB Team Team | Absent. | High (if debugging is included) |
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Hardware closure is the most effective way if the software methods are powerless, but requires the skills of disassembling the smartphone.
Software Solutions for the Future: Auto Clicker
If you have managed to turn your phone on by one of the above methods, it is highly recommended to protect yourself from repeating the situation.Install a press emulation application that will allow you to create a virtual on-screen button or set up an on/off schedule.
In MIUI settings, go to Battery and Performance -> Schedule on/off. Set daily turn on times. So even if the phone runs out or freezes, it will try to turn on itself at a given time.
There are also apps that turn double tapping on the screen into a Double Tap to Wake feature, which won’t turn on a completely switched-off phone, but will save you from having to use the power button when you lock it.
- 📲 Install the Button Mapper app to reassign volume button functions.
- ⏰ Set up automatic turn on at 07:00 am daily.
- 🔋 Use fast charging widgets to monitor battery status.