How to turn off Xiaomi if the power button does not work: all the ways from a safe shutdown to a forced reboot

A broken power button on a Xiaomi smartphone is a problem that many users face after 1-2 years of active use. The button may stop responding to presses due to mechanical wear, moisture, falls or factory defects. In this situation, the main thing is not to panic: you can turn off the device even without physical access to the button. However, improper actions (for example, removing the battery or abruptly turning off power) can lead to data loss or damage to the system.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to turn off Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO without a power button running – from software methods through settings to hardware solutions. Each option is illustrated with step-by-step instructions taking into account the features of MIUI firmware and Android versions.

1. Turn off via the settings menu (if the screen is running)

If the smartphone display is touch-sensitive and the system is loaded, the safest way to turn off the device is to use a software menu.This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models based on MIUI 10 and later, including the Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12 and others.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings app** (cog icon).
• 🔍 Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device in New Versions) MIUI).
• ⚙️ Click on the Power button (or additionally) → Turning off in some firmware).
• 🔄 In the window that appears, select “Switch Off” (or “Reboot” for a soft reboot).

If the Power button is not on the menu, try an alternative route:

1. Turn the notification bar swipe from top to bottom.
2. Tap the Nutrition icon (or Flight Mode → hold your finger to call for additional options).

Close all applications (especially those with unsaved data)

Connect the charger if the charge is below 15%

Make sure that data sync is enabled (Settings → Accounts)

Take a screenshot of important screens (in case of a crash)-->

Note: On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13, the path may be different. If you don't find the right item, search the settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen) and type in the "off" request.

2.Use of gestures or voice assistant

Xiaomi’s current smartphones support alternative controls that will help turn off the device without a physical button, one of which is gestures, the other is Google’s voice assistant or XiaoAI.

Method 1: Triple-click gesture on the screen

Triple Touch allows you to open a special feature menu where you can turn off the option.

• 👆 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Physical capabilities → Triple press.
• 🔘 Turn on the switch and select the “Power Menu” (or “Switch off”) action»).

Method 2: Voice commands

If you configure Google Assistant or XiaoAI (in Chinese firmware), you can give a voice command:

• 🎤 Say, “OK Google, turn off the phone").

Gestures|Voice assistant|Physical buttons|Another option-->

Important: Voice shutdown may not work if:

• 🔋 Charge level below 5% (the system blocks commands to save energy).
• 🔇 Mike or permissions for assistant are disabled.
• 🌐 No Internet connection (required to handle commands on Google servers).

3. Forced reboot (if the smartphone is frozen)

If Xiaomi is completely frozen (no response to touch, black or frozen screen) and the power button is not working, it is a hardware reset. This method simulates battery extraction and reboots the device forcibly. Use it only as a last resort: a sudden power outage can damage the file system and lead to the loss of unsaved data.

Instructions for most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models:

1. 🔋 Hold the Volume Up button (Volume Up) + power button for 10-15 seconds.
2. 🔄 When the screen goes out and the Mi logo appears, release the buttons.
3. 📱 After restarting, the smartphone will turn on in normal mode.

For some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1), the combination may be different:

⚠️ Warning: Forced reboot doesn't turn off the smartphone, it restarts it. If you want to turn off the device completely, after the Mi logo appears, immediately hold Volume Up. + Power again to log in to Fastboot, then select "Power Off"** from the menu (see section 4).

4. Shutdown via Fastboot mode (for power users)

Fastboot mode is an engineering menu that allows you to control your smartphone at a low level, including forced shutdown.The method is suitable if the screen is working, but the power button is not responding and other methods have not helped.

Step-by-step:

1. 🔌 Connect your smartphone to charging (recommended for stability).
2. 🔄 Turn off the device via the settings menu (section 1) or forcefully (section 3).
3. 🔧 Hold Volume Down + Power before the appearance of the screen with a rabbit in a hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
4. 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable.
5. 💻 On the computer, open the command line (Win) + R → enter cmd).

If the commands don’t work, try an alternative:

• 🔄 In the Fastboot menu with Volume Up/Down Select "Power Off" (if any).
• 🖱️ On some firmware, you need to confirm the choice with the Power button (even if it does not work in normal mode, Fastboot can trigger).

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If you don’t have access to a PC but your smartphone recognizes touches in Fastboot, try holding Volume Up + Volume Down simultaneously for 10 seconds – this causes a forced shutdown on some models.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot requires an unlocked bootloader. If you have never officially unlocked it through the Mi Unlock Tool, commands may not be executed.

5. Battery extraction (extreme case for collapsible models)

If all software methods are exhausted, and the smartphone does not respond to either touch or button combinations, then the battery remains physically disabled, which is only suitable for Xiaomi with a removable battery (for example, Redmi 3S/4A, Mi Max 2) or devices whose back cover can be removed without damage.

Step-by-step:

1. 🛠️ Turn off the smartphone from charging (if connected).
2. 🔧 Carefully tuck the back cover with a plastic spatula or mediator (start at the corner near the headphone jack).
3. 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume (usually it is fixed to the connector with a latch - put it in a thin object).
4. ⏱️ Wait 30 to 60 seconds and plug the battery back in.

Models with removable battery (incomplete list):

• 📱 Redmi 2/3/4 Series (except Pro versions).
• 📱 Mi 2/3/4, Mi Max (first generation).
• 📱 POCO F1 (Battery removable, but the cover is glued).

💡

Battery extraction is the riskiest method. It voids warranty, can damage plumes or contacts, use it only if other methods have not worked, and it is critical to turn off your smartphone (for example, if you overheat).

⚠️ Note: Most modern Xiaomi (starting with the Redmi Note 5 and later) have a non-removable battery, and trying to remove it without special tools and skills will lead to a battery that is not removable: 💥 Damage to the battery (risk of fire!). 🔧 Breaking of display or camera plumes. 🚫 Loss of warranty (even if it is still valid). For such models, it is better to contact the service center.

Prevention of breakdowns of the power button

To avoid repeated problems with the power button, follow these guidelines:

Causes of breakdowns and how to prevent them

Software alternatives to the power button

Set up these features in advance to avoid problems in the future:

• 🔄 Double touch gesture to wake up** (Settings) → Screen. → Double touch).

Frequently asked questions