How to turn off Xiaomi phone if the screen is not working: the full guide

Introduction

A broken screen on a Xiaomi smartphone is a bad situation, but it's not a bad one. If the display crashes, stops displaying images or reacts to touches, many users face the problem of how to turn off the device correctly without exacerbating the breakdown? Because the standard way through the power menu is now unavailable.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to turn off Xiaomi without a desktop screen, from simple button combinations to advanced technical solutions, which are safe for your model and which can lead to data loss, and what to do if the phone freezes and does not respond to buttons, and how to prepare for repairs.

Important: the methods are different for different Redmi, POCO and Mi series. We will point out features for popular models, but universal solutions work on 90% of the brand's devices. If your smartphone is discharged or does not show signs of life, check the charging first - perhaps the problem is not in the screen, but in the battery.

Method 1: Forced button shutdown (Hard Reset)

The most reliable and versatile method is hardware reset via a combination of physical buttons, which works even on completely dead screens if the phone has any response to charging or vibration.

For most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12), the following are the following:

1. Hold the Power + Volume button at the same time.
2. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the phone vibrates or the backlight goes out (if the screen is even slightly glowing).
3. After vibration release the buttons - the device will turn off.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) You may need to hold the buttons for up to 20 seconds. If the phone doesn't respond, try an alternative combination: Power + Turning down the volume.

Make sure your phone is not charging (turn off the cable)

Try holding the power button for 5 seconds first (a regular soft reset may work)

If the phone vibrates but doesn’t turn off, repeat the combination 2-3 times.

Do not use this method more than 1 time per hour (risk of battery damage)-->

Method 2: Shutting off via charging connection

If the screen is not working, but the phone recognizes charging (lights or a connection sound is heard), you can use the feature of the MIUI firmware. Many Xiaomi models automatically turn off when you hold the power button for a long time while charging.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the charger (preferably the original one).
2. Wait for the charging indicator to appear (if the screen is even slightly glowing) or a characteristic sound.
3. Hold the power button for 8-10 seconds until you feel the vibration of the shutdown.

This method often works on Redmi 8/9, POCO F1/F3, and other devices with MIUI 12+. If the phone doesn't respond, try Power + Volume up when you connect to the charger.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use non-original chargers - they can damage the power controller, especially if the phone is already in a malfunction.Optimum: charging from Xiaomi with power 18W or 33W.

Method 3: Discharge the battery until completely shut down

If the phone doesn't respond to the buttons, but the screen is lighting up a little (for example, the backlight is working but the image is missing), you can wait until the battery is completely discharged, which will take from a few hours to a day depending on the model.

How to speed up the process:

• 🔋 Turn off all cables (charging, headphones, OTG).
• 📶 Turn on mobile internet or Wi-Fi (if the phone still reacts to touch, swipe your finger across the screen in the notification panel area).
• 🔊 Run music or video playback (if you have access to Google Assistant or Xiao) AI).
• 💡 Increase the brightness of the screen to maximum (if the backlight is working).

Once completely discharged, the phone will turn off automatically, which is safe but long-lasting, and is not suitable if you need to turn off the device immediately (for example, before repair).

Try forced reset buttons | Connect to charge and hold the power button | Wait for battery discharge | I will take to the service center-->

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If your Xiaomi previously had USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version, 7 times press to unlock the developer menu), you can turn it off via your computer using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the command: adb devices If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), move to the next step. If not, check the driver or cable.
4. Execute the shutdown command: adb shell reboot -p

⚠️ Note: This method only works if the debugging is done USB It was turned on before the screen broke, ADB Also, don't use commands like adb shell reboot bootloader, which will put your phone in fastboot mode, but won't turn it off.

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If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling the Mi USB Driver from Xiaomi’s official website. Windows 10/11 may require you to disable driver signature verification.

Method 5: Removing the battery (extreme case)

On older Xiaomi models (before the Redmi 4X or Mi 5), the battery was removable and could be removed for forced shutdown. In modern smartphones, the battery is soldered, but if urgently needed, it can be disconnected manually - but this will lead to loss of warranty and risk damage to the board.

If you are taking this step:

1. Turn off the phone in any of the above ways (if possible).
2. Remove the back cover with a plastic shoulder blade or mediator (heating with a hairdryer is not recommended - you can damage the plumes).
3. Unplug the battery plume with plastic tweezers. Don't use metal tools!
4. Wait 1-2 minutes and plug the plume back in.

⚠️ Note: This method is only suitable for power users. Incorrect disconnection of the battery can lead to:

• 🔥 Short circuit (if you touch the board with the tool).
• 💥 Damage to the power controller.
• 📱 Data loss (if the phone was not turned off before disassembly).

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Removing the battery is a last resort, and in 90% of cases, you can solve the problem software (through buttons or ADB), and if you are not sure about your skills, you should contact a service center.

What to do if the phone is stuck and not turned off?

If Xiaomi doesn't respond to buttons or charging, it may be in a "soft brick" state, which often happens after a failed update or firmware failure.

1. Try to keep Power + Volume up + Volume down at the same time for 20-30 seconds (works on the Redmi Note 8/9 and new models).
2. If the phone vibrates but doesn’t turn off, connect it to your PC and check if it’s detected in Device Manager (you may need to run firmware through the Mi Flash Tool).
3. If nothing helps, leave your phone without charging for 12 to 24 hours to make the battery completely discharged.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to defrost your phone by putting it in the refrigerator or heating it with a hairdryer. This is a myth that can aggravate the breakdown. Temperature swings are dangerous for lithium-ion batteries and can cause them to bloat.

Preparation for repairs: what to do before visiting the service?

If you plan to carry your phone for repair, follow these steps to save data and speed up your diagnosis:

• 🔌 Check charging: Make sure the cable and power supply are in good working order.Try charging your phone from another device.
• 📱 Take a picture. IMEI: It is indicated on the box or under the battery (if the lid is removable) and this will help avoid activation problems after repair.
• 🔐 Untie your Mi Account: If the screen isn’t working but the phone is turning on, try untie it via account.xiaomi.com (Devices section").
• 💾 Save data: If the phone sometimes wakes up, connect it to your PC and copy files through the phone. MTP (data-transmitting).

⚠️ Warning: If the Find Device feature is enabled on the phone, turn it off in advance - some service centers refuse to repair locked devices.

Also inform the master:

• When and how the damage occurred (hit, fall, ingress of moisture).
• Does the phone respond to charging or buttons?
• Have there been attempts to repair yourself (disassembly, firmware).

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Honest information about a breakdown will help the wizard diagnose the problem faster and reduce the cost of repairs. Hidden defects (such as moisture) can lead to a relapse after changing the screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off Xiaomi without a screen