How to Reboot Xiaomi Phone if the Power button is Not Working

Why the power button fails and what to do first

The power button on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most vulnerable places. According to service centers, up to 12% of calls are related to its breakdown: from banal sticking to complete mechanical destruction. The reasons are diverse: falling on a hard surface, getting moisture under the body, wear of contacts after 2-3 years of active use or even factory defect (especially relevant for Redmi Note 8/9 and POCO X3). But what if the phone freezes, brakes or requires a reboot, and the physical button does not respond?

The first rule is not to panic: modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 10 and above) support several alternative ways to reboot, which do not require mechanical action.

• 🔄 The phone responds to the touch of the screen → Use the programmatic methods (menu, ADB, voice assistant).
• 🔋 The screen is black, but the phone vibrates/charges → Try combinations with charging or hard reset.
• ⚡ The device is not fully responsive → Only a forced reboot through connectors or a service center remains.

Important: If the power button is physically broken (for example, a plastic rod broke off or the contacts on the board broke off), none of the software methods will fix the problem forever, in which case rebooting will only help as a temporary solution before repair.

Method 1: Reboot via the settings menu (if the screen is running)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It is suitable if the screen is responsive to touch, and the system is not critically getting stuck. The instruction is universal for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on Android 9 and later:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select the About Phone section.
3. Slip on the item Reboot (on some firmware - Shutdown and restart).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Reboot.

If this path is not available for some reason (for example, after updating the menu), the alternative route is:

Settings → Additional → Reboot and turn off

Check the level of charge (minimum 15%)

Close all active applications

Turn off Bluetooth/Wi-Fi (if you don’t need it)

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Important: on some custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU or Pixel Experience), the reboot point may be located elsewhere - look for it in the System section.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is getting stuck during the shutdown phase (the screen is out, but the light is on), do not immediately try to repeat the procedure. 2-3 minutes – the system can complete background processes.

Method 2: Voice Use (Google Assistant or Xiao AI)

Voice assistants are an unexpectedly effective tool for controlling a smartphone without physical buttons. There are two options available on Xiaomi:

• 🎤 Google Assistant – Works with all models of Google Mobile Services (GMS). Activated by the phrase “OK, Google” or holding the home button (navigation bar).
• 🤖 Xiao AI — Xiaomi brand assistant, available on Chinese firmware and global versions with MIUI 12+.

To restart the phone with voice:

1. Activate the assistant with the command “OK, Google” or “Hey, Xiao AI”.
2. Say “Reboot the device” or “Restart phone” (in English, it often works better).
3. Confirm the action with a voice ("Yes" or "Confirm").

If the voice assistant refuses to execute the command, check:

• 🔊 Are permissions for assistant included in Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google/Xiao AI → Permits.
• 🌐 Is the phone connected to the Internet (the assistant needs cloud services to process commands).
• 🔄 Updated to the latest version (via Google Play or App Store).

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Tip: If you have a POCO F3 or Redmi K40 with an unlocked bootloader, you can install the Voice Control for Reboot module via Magisk – it adds advanced voice commands to manage power.

Method 3: ADB-command

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a powerful tool for controlling your smartphone through your computer, and it will help you reboot Xiaomi even if the screen does not respond to touch (but the phone is determined by a PC).

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from Google or through Xiaomi) ADB/Fastboot Tools).
• 🔓 Included debugging by USB on your phone (if the screen is working, activate Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the computer.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows) or the terminal.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Execute the reboot command: adb shell reboot

If the phone is frozen and does not respond to adb devices, try the forced reboot via fastboot:

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: fastboot commands only work if the bootloader is unlocked. On locked devices (Mi Account is tied), this method can lead to a data reset!

Method 4: Forced reboot via charger

If the phone doesn't respond fully (black screen, no touch response), but it charges, you can try to initiate a reboot through power manipulation, a technique that works thanks to built-in Qualcomm and Mediatek protections that reset the system when voltage changes abruptly.

Instructions for Qualcomm chips (most of Xiaomi’s flagships):

1. Connect your phone to the charger (preferably original, with Quick Charge support).
2. Hold the volume button for 10-15 seconds.
3. Without releasing the button, turn off the charging for 2-3 seconds, then plug again.
4. Wait for the vibration or the MI logo to appear.

Instructions for Mediatek chips (Redmi 9A, POCO C31, etc.):

1. Connect the phone to the charger.
2. Hold both volume buttons (increase + decrease) for 20 seconds.
3. Release the buttons and immediately turn off/connect the charging.

Critical information: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra), a forced reboot via charging can reset Secure Flag settings, which will result in a bootloader lock. Use this method only as a last resort!

Method 5: Emergency Reboot via Service Menu (EDL Mode)

Emergency Download Mode (EDL) is a “hidden” firmware mode that is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with Qualcomm chips. It allows you to restart the device even if there is no reaction to the buttons or screen.

For EDL entry:

1. Turn off your phone (if it still works, use the methods in the first section).
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Close the Test Point contacts on the motherboard (disassembly required) or use the command: fastboot oem edl Attention: this command only works on the unlocked bootloader!
4. In EDL mode, the phone will be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
5. Send a reboot command via MiFlash or QFil: fastboot reboot

Without experience with EDL, it is better not to take risks - wrong actions can lead to a blink (complete failure) of the device.

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If you have Xiaomi on a Qualcomm processor, you can buy a special one. EDL-cable 500-1000₽) — It automatically puts the phone into firmware mode when connected.

Method 6: Hard Reset as a last resort

If all the previous methods didn't work, you're left with a hard reset, a complete reboot of the system, and you clean the cache, which is guaranteed to bring the phone back to life, but it has risks:

• 📱 Loss of unsaved data (photos, messages, applications).
• 🔒 Resetting all settings to factory.
• 🔐 Some models will require the entry of the Mi Account login after resetting.

To do Hard Reset:

1. Turn off the phone (if it is still on).
2. Hold the combination: 🔧 For most models: Volume up + Food (hold on) 10-15 sack). 🔧 For POCO F1, Mi 8: Loudness up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

MI

Recovery Mode

Use volume buttons for navigation and the power button (or touch screen) to select.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Mi) 10T, Redmi Note 10 Pro and later) after Hard Reset may require binding to Mi Account.If you do not remember the password, the phone will become a "brick»!

Method 7: Contact a service center when necessary

If none of the methods worked, or the power button is physically broken (unresponsive, wobbling, creaking), it's time to contact the professionals. Here are signs that self-repair is not advisable:

• 🔧 The button “falls” inside the case or broke off a plastic stem.
• 💧 The phone fell into the water or was subjected to severe vibration (for example, after falling from a height).
• ⚡ After a forced reboot, the phone turns on, but the button still doesn't work.
• 🔄 The smartphone is constantly restarted in a cycle (bootloop).

The cost of repairing the power button in Xiaomi:

Tip: Before visiting the service:

• 📱 Backup your data via Mi Cloud or Google Account.
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50% – some services refuse to work with discharged devices.
• 📄 Bring a check or confirmation of purchase (if the phone is guaranteed).

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If the phone is warranty, do not try to disassemble it yourself - this will void the warranty obligations of Xiaomi!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reboot without power button