Xiaomi laptops are popular devices that combine performance and affordable price. However, when you need to change hardware settings, update the firmware or reinstall the operating system, users face a problem: how to run the BIOS (or its counterpart UEFI in modern models), Unlike classic PCs where you enter by pressing Del or F2, Xiaomi has a special process – especially on models with fast Windows boot.
In this article you will find the most important ways to enter the BIOS/UEFI for all Xiaomi laptops (including RedmiBook, Mi Notebook Pro, Mi Notebook Air, and others), as well as solving typical problems: why the keys do not work, how to turn off Fast Boot, and what to do if the screen does not respond. 10/11 Linux.
Why don't the standard keys work?
Many users complain that pressing F2, Del or Esc when turning on a laptop does not open the BIOS.
- 🔹 Fast Boot – a Windows feature that saves the kernel state of the OS in the hibernation file, skipping the initialization step UEFI.
- 🔹 Ultra Fast Boot – a hardware feature of Xiaomi motherboard that turns off the keyboard at the stage POST, making it impossible to enter on hot keys.
- 🔹 Secure Boot – if enabled, can block alternative ways of entering.
For example, RedmiBook 14/15 with AMD Ryzen often requires you to disable Fast Boot via Windows, and Mi Notebook Pro X 15 (2022+) requires you to use a combination of Fn + F2 due to the specifics of the keyboard.
Method 1: Hot keys when switched on
The classic method is to hold a special button immediately after pressing the power button. For Xiaomi, the following combinations are relevant:
| Laptop model | Key(s) to enter the BIOS | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RedmiBook 14/15/16 (2020–2023) | F2 or Fn + F2 | Some versions require you to hold Esc for the download menu, then select Enter Setup. |
| Mi Notebook Pro X 15 (2022+) | Del or Fn + Del | The Del key can be locked – try to connect USB-keyboard. |
| Mi Notebook Air (all generations) | Esc → F2 | First, the download menu appears, then you need to select the BIOS Setup. |
| Mi Gaming Laptop | F7 (for download menu) → F2 | Some firmware only works after Fast Boot is turned off. |
Important: press the key continuously (2-3 times per second), rather than holding it, the fact that in the POST stage, the laptop may not recognize the pressed buttons due to energy savings.
Disable all peripheral devices (mouse, external drive)
Connect your laptop to charge (the battery must be charged >20%)
Close all programs and reboot, not turn on from the off state
Press the power button and immediately start pressing the input key-->
Method 2: Through the Windows Download Menu
If the hotkeys don’t work, use the built-in Windows tools:
- Open Options → Update and Security → Recovery.
- In the Special Download Options section, click Reboot Now.
- After the reboot, select: Diagnostics → Additional settings → UEFI embedded software settings.
- Confirm the reboot – the laptop will automatically open the BIOS.
This method bypasses Fast Boot, but only works if Windows boots normally.If the system is damaged, use the emergency drive (see next section).
What to do if the item "UEFI embedded software options" is not?
Method 3: Disabling Fast Boot in Windows
Fast Boot (or Quick Start) prevents 80 percent of Xiaomi laptops from entering the BIOS.
- Open the control panel. → Power supply.
- On the left, select Power button actions.
- Click Change settings that are not currently available (administrator rights required).
- Uncheck the tick from Enable Quick Startup and save the changes.
After that, restart your laptop and try to log back into the BIOS with standard keys. If it doesn't work, check the UEFI settings (possibly enabled by Ultra Fast Boot at the motherboard level).
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On some Xiaomi models (e.g. RedmiBook Pro 15 2023), disabling Fast Boot in Windows is not enough – you also need to deactivate Fast Startup in the BIOS itself. To do this, first log in to it through the Windows Restore menu, then find the Fast Boot option in the Boot section and set the Disabled value.
Method 4: Emergency Entry with the USB-storage
If your laptop doesn’t load Windows or the keys don’t work, create a bootable flash drive with utilities:
- Download a Live USB image (such as Ubuntu or Hiren’s BootCD).
- Write it to a flash drive using Rufus (select the GPT partition schema for UEFI).
- Connect the flash drive to your laptop and turn it on. Press Esc (for the download menu) or F12 (on some models).
- In the download menu, select your flash drive, then in the utility find the login option to the BIOS Setup.
Warning: if the laptop does not respond to the keys even with the connected USB-The keyboard might have enabled Secure Boot with the peripheral lock, and then the reset would only help. CMOS (see next section).
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Use UEFI-enabled flash drives (FAT32). On Xiaomi 2020+ laptops, Legacy boot (MBR) is often disabled by default, and the device will simply ignore such a drive.
Method 5: Reset CMOS (last resort)
If all methods fail, the BIOS settings will be reset by hardware, which will result in all settings being returned to factory settings (including boot priority and passwords).
For Xiaomi, the procedure is different from classic PCs:
- Turn off the laptop and disconnect the charger.
- Turn it over and find a small hole on the back that says CMOS or CLR (usually next to the vents).
- Insert a paper clip or toothpick into the hole and hold for 10-15 seconds.
- Connect the charging and turn on the laptop – it will automatically boot into the BIOS with factory settings.
⚠️ Note: Mi Notebook Pro X (2022)+) The reset hole may be hidden under a rubber plug. Don't confuse it with a microphone connector.
If there is no hole, you will have to disassemble the laptop and temporarily remove the CMOS battery (a small round battery on the motherboard), which is usually located under a metal screen next to the RAM.
Common mistakes and decisions
Even after successfully logging in to the BIOS, users face challenges.
- 🔄 No settings are saved - check if you click F10 (Save & Exit) after changes: Some Xiaomi models require confirmation via Enter.
- 🔒 BIOS Password requests – if you haven’t set it, try the standard combinations for Xiaomi: 123456, admin or xiaomi123. If it is not suitable, a reset is required. CMOS.
- 🖥️ No hard drive visible – check the mode SATA Mode in Advanced. For NVMe SSD should be chosen AHCI, not RAID.
- 🔌 The laptop doesn't turn on after the changes - you may have disabled critical options (like Secure Boot for Windows 11). CMOS and re-set the setup.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi laptops with 12th-generation Intel processors and later, disabling Secure Boot could cause a 2005 boot error.To avoid this, add your keys to the database first UEFI (security → Secure Boot → Key Management).