How to enter BIOS Xiaomi Mi Notebook: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi Mi Notebooks have gained popularity due to a combination of performance, stylish design and affordable price. However, when setting up hardware, installing alternative OSes or diagnosing faults, users often need access to the device. BIOS (or its modern counterpart — UEFI). Unlike traditional PCs, where the input is done by pressing Del or F2, Xiaomi devices have this process.

The main difficulty is that the manufacturer uses a non-standard key combination to enter the keys. BIOS on some models, and quick download of Windows 11/10 This article will look at all the current methods, from classic hot buttons to alternative methods through system settings, and also look at typical errors and their solutions.

Why you might not be able to enter BIOS Xiaomi Mi Notebook

Users often find that the laptop simply ignores the keystrokes when turned on.

• 🔹 Quick Windows boot – a feature that skips the initialization step BIOS, As a result, the command input window simply does not have time to appear.
• 🔹 Wrong key – different Mi Notebook models (Pro, Air, Lite) can use different combinations, such as the 2022 Mi Notebook Pro requires a different Mi Notebook. F2, And earlier versions, Del.
• 🔹 USB-Keyboard is not recognized if you connect an external keyboard, BIOS She may not be seen at the stage. POST. Especially important for wireless devices.
• 🔹 Update UEFI — after firmware, the interface can reset to factory settings, including key combinations.

Another common problem is key sticking. Some Xiaomi models have buttons. F2 It can only work if you hold it for 3 to 5 seconds, and if you press it too fast, the system will just ignore the command.

⚠️ Note: On Mi Notebooks with Windows 11 preinstalled, login BIOS If the screen with the logo flashes and immediately loads the OS, try to disable Safe Boot through Windows settings (more on this below).

Method 1: Hot keys when switched on

The classic method that works on most devices is the algorithm of actions:

1. Turn off your laptop completely (don't restart!). Hold the power button for 5-7 seconds for reliability.
2. Press and hold the key. F2 (for most models or Del (for Mi Notebook Pro 15.6 2019-2020.).
3. Without releasing the key, press the power button.
4. Hold on. F2/Del before the blue screen BIOS (usually 3–5 seconds).

If the screen is black or the Xiaomi logo appears, the combination is not appropriate.

• 🔄 F1 + Power button (for Mi Notebook Air 12.5" and 13.3").
• 🔄 Esc → later F2 (version UEFI).
• 🔄 Fn + F2 (keyboard F2 locked up in multimedia mode).

Make sure your laptop is off, not in sleep mode.|Turn it off. USB-devices (except the keyboard)|Try to connect the wired keyboard|Check if the key's stuck. F2/Del-->

Mi Notebook Lite and Mi Notebook 14 2021 may work a combination F2 + Power, but you need to hold it longer than usual, up to 10 seconds. If after three attempts nothing happens, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Through Windows settings 10/11

If the hot keys do not work, you can initialize the entrance to the BIOS It's a reliable method, but it requires Windows to boot to at least the login screen.

Instructions for Windows 11:

1. Open the Options (Win combination) + I).
2. Go to the System. → Recovery.
3. Find the Special Download Options section and click Reboot now.
4. After restarting, select Diagnostic → Additional settings → UEFI embedded software settings.
5. Confirm the reboot – the laptop will automatically enter the BIOS.

For Windows 10, the path is a little different:

1. Press Shift and click on the Reboot button in the Start menu.
2. In the menu, select Find and troubleshoot → Additional parameters → Parameters of embedded software UEFI.

If the paragraph UEFI No menu, so no:

• 🔴 Your version of Windows does not support this method (relevant for some builds). LTSC).
• 🔴 The laptop works in Legacy mode. BIOS (obsolete system, not UEFI).
• 🔴 Fast Startup is disabled – it must be deactivated in the Control Panel → Power supply.

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If the recovery menu does not contain the item "Inline Software Options" UEFI", Try disabling Quick Start in Windows Power Settings. After that, the item should appear.

Method 3: Resetting settings BIOS (if the entrance is blocked)

If Xiaomi laptop does not respond to any key combination, the settings may have gone wrong BIOS Or you activate a password, and then you can use a hardware reset.

Note: This method will result in the return of all parameters. BIOS to factory, including priority loading and security settings.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the laptop and disconnect the charger.
2. Turn the device over and find a hole to reset. BIOS (usually signed CMOS or CLR). On most Mi Notebook models, it is located next to the ventilation grilles.
3. Insert a paper clip or an unburdened stationery bracket into the hole and hold for 10-15 seconds.
4. Connect the charger and turn on the laptop — BIOS must throw off.

If there is no hole (relevant to Mi Notebook Air 12.5), you will have to disassemble the laptop and temporarily remove the battery. BIOS (round-battery CR2032 After removal, wait 1-2 minutes before resetting.

⚠️ Note: Mi Notebook Pro X 15 and newer Mi Notebook Ultra Reset BIOS This can cause the disk to lock due to the Secure Boot feature. After the reset, you will need to manually disable the secure boot to Windows boot.

Method 4: Using a bootable flash drive (for power users)

If Xiaomi laptop persistently does not let in BIOS, You can fool the system with booting. USB-This method is suitable for installing alternative OSes (e.g. Linux) or resetting passwords. BIOS.

You'll need:

• 📁 A flash drive. ≥8GB.
• 🖥️ Rufus or Ventoy to create a boot disk.
• 📀 Image Live CD (For example, Ubuntu or Hiren's BootCD).

Algorithm:

1. Create a bootable flash drive with Rufus (select partition scheme) GPT for UEFI).
2. Connect the flash drive to the laptop and turn it on.
3. At the boot stage (when the Xiaomi logo appears), press Esc – the boot device selection menu should open.
4. Select your flash drive. In some cases, you'll be able to log in after that. BIOS via the loader menu (keyboard) F2 Del).

If the download menu doesn’t appear, try:

• 🔄 Disable Secure Boot via msconfig in Windows (Download tab) → Safe booting).
• 🔄 Use a different flash drive (some Xiaomi models don't work well with the device) USB 3.0 ports).

Typical errors and their solutions

Even after successfully entering the BIOS Xiaomi Mi Notebook users are facing problems:

1. BIOS Chinese

On some models (especially those purchased in China) BIOS It could be in Chinese:

• 🌐 Find the flag in the upper right corner and select English.
• 🌐 If you don't have a language, download the firmware. BIOS From the official Xiaomi website and update it – it will reset the region.

2. The settings are not saved

If the settings are reset after changing the settings (for example, download priority) and clicking Save & Exit, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔋 The battery's gone. BIOS (CR2032) — replacement.
• 🔄 Secure Boot enabled – disable it in Security.
• 🔄 Wrong firmware BIOS — Update it with the official Mi Flash tool.

3. The laptop can't see. SSD post-mortem BIOS

If you've changed the settings SATA Mode (e.g. with AHCI on RAID), Windows can stop booting and the drive can stop being defined:

• 🔄 Return the setting to its original state.
• 🔄 If Windows does not boot, boot from Live CD Check the disk of the CrystalDiskInfo utility.

How to update BIOS Xiaomi Mi Notebook

Update BIOS It can solve hardware compatibility problems, add support for new processors, or fix bugs, but it's a risky operation -- if a laptop crashes, it can turn into a brick».

Official instruction:

1. Download the latest version BIOS From the Xiaomi website (select your model).
2. Unclose the file and copy it to a flash drive formatted into FAT32.
3. Restart your laptop and enter BIOS.
4. Find the Advanced section → Start Easy Flash (or similar).
5. Select the firmware file and confirm the update.

Important:

• 🔌 Do not turn off power during the process (the laptop must be connected to the network).
• 🔌 Don't use it. USB-Hubs – The flash drive must be connected directly.
• 🔌 Before upgrading, disable BitLocker (if enabled), or Windows won’t boot.

⚠️ Note: On Mi Notebook Pro X and newer after the update BIOS may fall off TPM 2.0, which will require you to enter a BitLocker key when you boot Windows. Make sure you have a backup copy of the key (can be found in your Microsoft account).

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Update. BIOS Only when necessary, such as to support a new processor or to fix critical errors, otherwise the risk outweighs the benefits.

FAQ: Frequent questions about BIOS Xiaomi Mi Notebook