How to turn off Xiaomi smartphone if the power button does not work: step-by-step instructions

Why Xiaomi’s power button is failing and what to do

The on/off button on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most vulnerable elements. According to service centers, up to 15% of calls are related to a malfunction: from banal sticking to complete mechanical failure. The reasons are diverse: moisture, falls, wear of contacts after 2-3 years of active use or even factory defect (especially for Redmi Note 8/9 and POCO X3 models, where the button is integrated into the plastic case).

The problem is compounded by the fact that without a power button, users lose access to basic functions: not only can the device be turned off, but it can also be rebooted, activate Fastboot mode, or even simply unlock the screen if a graphical key is used. In this article, we will look at all possible ways to turn off Xiaomi without a power button, from software methods to hardware solutions, including those that are not written in the official documentation.

It’s important to understand that some methods require pre-setting (e.g., activating debugging over USB), so if your Xiaomi is still working, prepare it for possible failures in advance.

Method 1: Turn off via the power menu (if the screen is running)

The most obvious, but often ignored, method is to use a software shutdown menu, which works if:

• 📱 Smartphone screen responds to touch (no physical damage to display).
• 🔋 The device is not frozen (no critical battery discharge).
• 🤖 System not locked (no infinite loading or "boatloops").

Instructions:

1. Unlock the screen (if you use a PIN or pattern lock).
2. Hold the volume button + volume button at the same time for 2-3 seconds.
3. On the screen will appear menu options: Turn off, Reboot, Emergency mode.
4. Select Turn Off and Confirm the Action.

This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI 10 and later, including the Redmi, POCO and Mi models. Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.5 for Xiaomi 11T) may need to hold buttons for up to 5 seconds.

💡

If the menu does not appear, check if the hardware buttons are disabled in the settings: Settings → Special features → System settings → Hardware buttons.

Method 2: Turn off through recovery mode (Recovery Mode)

If the screen is not responsive to touch or the system is locked, you can use the recovery mode, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3 and Mi 11 Lite. The main condition is that the device must at least turn on (even if you do not go beyond loading the logo).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to the charger (this will prevent discharge during the procedure).
2. Press the volume button + volume button combination and hold them until the Mi logo appears (usually 10-15 seconds).
3. After the vibration release the buttons – you will be taken to Recovery Mode.
4. Use volume buttons to navigate the menu and select Power Off (or similar on Chinese firmware – ).
5. Confirm the shutdown by pressing the power button (if it reacts even slightly) or the volume button (on some models).

If the power button is completely dead, but the screen is working, you can try an alternative way:

• 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB.
• 🖱️ Use a mouse with OTG-Adapter (if supported) for navigation in Recovery.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If your Xiaomi has previously been activated debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can turn it off using your computer and utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method works even if the screen is not responsive to touch, but requires pre-preparedness.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 On the smartphone should be included debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC.


2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux).




3. Enter the command:




adb devices




(Your device should be displayed).




4. execute the shutdown command:




adb shell reboot -p

If the command doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell input keyevent 26

This command simulates the pressing of the power button.

Install Xiaomi drivers|Download ADB Tools from the official website|Enable debugging on USB smartphone|Connect the original USB-cable-->

Method 4: Shutdown via Mi Assistant (official Xiaomi software)

Xiaomi has developed the official Mi Assistant (formerly Mi PC Suite) software that allows you to control your smartphone from a computer, including turning it off, a method that is suitable for users who do not want to mess with ADB, but require pre-installing the program.

How it works:

1. Download and install Mi Assistant from the official website.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).
3. In the program, select your device from the list.
4. Go to the Device Management section → Turn it off.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work if the smartphone is blocked by a pattern lock.
• ❌ It requires a stable USB-Connections (some cables do not support data transmission).
• ❌ Chinese firmware may require additional authorization through Mi Account.

Menu (volume buttons)|Recovery Mode|ADB-team|Mi Assistant|Another way.-->

Method 5: Hardware reset (if nothing helps)

If all software methods are exhausted, then you have to reset the hardware, which is forced power outage, and you should use this as a last resort, because it can cause unsaved data to be lost or the file system to be damaged.

How to perform the hardware reset correctly:

1. Disconnect all cables (charging, headphones, OTG-adapter).
2. If the battery is removable (relevant to older models like the Redmi 3S or Mi 4i), remove it for 10-15 seconds.
3. If the battery is not removable (most current models), hold the volume button + volume button for 20-30 seconds, this will force the capacitors to discharge and turn off the device.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F2 Pro) Long-term volume button retention can start Fastboot Mode instead of turning it off. In this case, try holding only the volume button.

After the hardware reset:

• 🔋 Connect your smartphone to charging and wait for the charging indicator to appear (usually) 5-10 minute).
• 📱 If the device does not turn on, try to press the volume button. + Connect charging (this sometimes helps to get out of the "dead" state).

Method 6: Using third-party apps (if the screen is running)

If the power button has started to "glut" but has not yet died, you can install software-based shutdown applications that mimic the power button pressing through the software.

To install these applications:

1. Activate the ability to install from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications).
2. Download APK from a trusted source (e.g. APKPure).
3. Set up and provide the necessary permits.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Button Mapper may conflict with MIUI, It causes random reboots. Backup data before use!

Method 7: Contact a service center (if nothing helps)

If all of these methods have failed, the problem is likely hardware in nature, in which case it is recommended to contact an official Xiaomi service center or an authorized workshop.

The cost of repairing the power button:

• 💰 Redmi 9/Note 9: 1 200–1 800 ₽ (switch-off + diagnostics).
• 💰 POCO X3/X4: 1 500–2 200 ₽ (depending on the region).
• 💰 Xiaomi 11/12 series: 2 000–3 500 ₽ (due to the complexity of disassembly).

What to do before visiting the service:

1. Make a backup copy of the data (if the phone is still turned on).
2. Check whether the warranty is maintained (on most models, the power button is covered by the warranty only in case of factory defect).
3. If the warranty is over, ask about the possibility of replacing the button with the original one (some workshops put cheap counterparts that quickly break).

The addresses of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website: mi.com/ru/service.

💡

If you have a warranty smartphone, DO NOT open it yourself, it will void warranty obligations, and even if you "carefully" disassemble the case, experts will notice it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off Xiaomi without a power button