How to turn off Xiaomi if the screen is not working: a complete guide with a guarantee of security

Why your smartphone doesn’t respond to your screen and how to fix it

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi line) are known for their reliability, but even they are not immune to hardware failures. One of the most unpleasant scenarios is the complete inoperability of the display: the phone may not respond to touch, show a black screen or display artifacts. The reasons range from software errors (for example, after a failed MIUI update) to physical damage (fall, moisture, failure of the plume).

The main problem is how to safely turn off the device without making it worse, because the standard method (holding the power button) may not work if the screen is locked or the system is frozen. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including hardware and software solutions, and also describe what actions can harm your Xiaomi.

Important: if the screen is not responding, but the phone is making sounds (notifications, vibrations) or is illuminated, most likely the problem is in the touchscreen or graphics driver. If the device is completely dead (no reaction to charging, buttons, backlights), the cause may be battery drain or damage to the motherboard.

Method 1: Forced reboot through hardware buttons

The most versatile method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Mi 11/12/13), is a hard reset, which simulates battery extraction and restarts the system without affecting user data.

1. Hold the power button (usually located on the right) for 10-15 seconds.
2. If nothing happens after 15 seconds, add the volume button (Power + Vol Up) and hold for another 10 seconds.
3. Release the buttons when you feel the vibration or see the MI logo (if the screen is partially working).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) long-term retention of Power + Vol Up can start Fastboot instead of restarting. FASTBOOT On the screen – release the buttons and try again, holding only Power.

Make sure your phone is not connected to the charger.

Turn off all cables (USB, headphones)

Try pressing buttons with different strengths (sometimes contacts are oxidized)

If the phone is in the case, remove it (buttons may be blocked)

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If the method does not work, the cause may be:

• 🔋 Full battery discharge – connect the charge for 10-15 minutes, then try again.
• 🛠️ Power button damage – check if it is falling off, if there is any mechanical damage.
• 🖥️ Failure in the bootloader - you will need a connection to the PC (see Method 3).

Method 2: Removal of the battery (for models with removable battery)

Until 2018, many Xiaomi smartphones (e.g. Redmi 4A, Redmi 3S, Mi A1) had removable batteries. If your model is in this generation, the most reliable way to turn off the device is to physically turn off the power. Here's how to do it safely:

1. Remove the back cover (a plastic shoulder blade or mediator will be required).
2. Carefully slap the battery on the side (do not pull the wires!).
3. Disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard (if any).
4. Wait 30 seconds and reconnect the battery.

⚠️ Note: On models with non-removable battery (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO F3) Trying to remove the battery yourself can damage the plumes or break the battery. In this case, use other methods or contact the service center.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If your Xiaomi has previously been connected to a PC with USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap → For developers → USB debugging), you can turn it off via the ADB command. This method works even with a black screen if the phone is determined by the computer.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB (You can download from the official website).

Instructions:

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

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB It's not on in advance, it's not going to work. Also, don't use commands like the adb shell reboot bootloader, which will put the phone in Fastboot mode, but it won't turn it off.

1. reconnect the cable to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

2. Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select "ADB Interface").

3. restart your PC and phone (if possible).

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Method 4: Battery discharge in forced mode

If no buttons are responding and PC connectivity is not possible, the only safe way to do this is to completely drain the battery, which takes 2 to 12 hours, but is guaranteed to shut down the device without risk of damage.

How to speed up discharge:

• 🔋 Connect the phone to an energy consumer (e.g., power bank in discharge mode or car lighter via adapter).
• 📶 Turn on mobile Internet (if the communication module is working) – this will increase the load on the processor.
• 🔊 Run music playback via Bluetooth headphones (if they were previously connected).

⚠️ Note: Do not use a short circuit (for example, connecting the contacts of the battery with metal) - this can lead to fire or explosion of the battery.

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Discharge is the safest, but longest way to go, and after a complete shutdown, charge your phone to at least 20% before re-energizing to avoid power controller failures.

Method 5: Contact a service center (when nothing helps)

If all of these methods fail, the problem is likely to be deeper:

• 🛠️ Damage to the motherboard (for example, after falling or getting moisture).
• 🔌 Power controller failure (phone does not respond to charging).
• 🖥️ Firmware failure (for example, after a failed update via Fastboot).

In such cases, self-repair can lead to complete loss of data or aggravation of the breakdown. Contact the authorized service center Xiaomi (list on the official website). ₽, repair of the display or board will cost 3000-10000 ₽ model-wise.

💡 Advice: Before visiting the service:

• 📋 Write it down. IMEI phone number (can be found on a box or check).
• 🔒 Make sure that the device has disabled the binding to the Mi Account (if the screen is not working, only the service can do this).
• 📦 Bring a case and cable with you – this will help the master to identify the model faster.

What not to do with a broken screen

Attempts to “reanimate” Xiaomi with a black screen can lead to irreversible consequences.

• 🔥 Heating the phone (dryer, battery, microwave) – this can melt plumes or blow up the battery.
• 💧 Immerse in water or alcohol (even if the cause of the breakdown was moisture - self-drying without disassembly is meaningless).
• ⚡ Connect to non-standard charging (for example, from a laptop with voltage) 19V — It'll burn the power controller).
• 🔨 Disassemble the case without experience – on modern Xiaomi, the display plumes and batteries are fragile and easily torn.
• 📱 Install firmware through Fastboot without a screen – if the process is interrupted, the phone will turn into a “brick».

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi was under warranty, any independent intervention (disassembly, firmware, repair) will cancel it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's broken screen