Xiaomi Mi 8 not included: full guide to diagnostics and repair

Xiaomi Mi 8 is the flagship of 2018, which is still popular among users due to its powerful hardware and affordable price. But even such reliable devices sometimes refuse to turn on, leaving owners confused. The reasons can be very different from the banal discharge of the battery to serious hardware breakdowns. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios why the Mi 8 does not turn on, and give step-by-step instructions for restoring operability.

It's important to understand that the algorithm of actions depends on the symptoms: a smartphone can completely not respond to buttons, hang on the Xiaomi logo, reboot cyclically or give out a black screen with a backlight. We will look at each case separately so that you can accurately identify the problem and choose the right solution. If you are not confident in your abilities, you should contact a service center, especially if you suspect damage to the board or battery.

1. Diagnostics problem: why is the Mi 8 not included?

Before you start repairing, you need to understand what exactly you are dealing with, and here are the key signs that will help narrow down the range of possible malfunctions:

• 🔋 No reaction to the charging and power button - battery discharge to zero, damage to the cable / power supply or failure of the charging controller is possible.
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop) – often associated with damaged firmware, module conflict, or hardware memory failure.
• 🖥️ Backlit black screen – may indicate problems with the display, plume or graphics chip.
• 🔌 Vibration/sound when charging, but the screen does not turn on – a typical symptom of a malfunction of the screen or its backlight.
• 🚨 Red/orange indicator when charging – a signal of a critically low charge level or battery failure.

If the smartphone responds to manipulations even slightly (vibrates, makes sounds, flashes an indicator), the chances of recovery without repair are much higher. In the case of complete absence of signs of life, the problem is likely hardware – you will need a diagnosis in the service.

2.First steps: what to do if the Mi 8 is not turned on?

Start with basic steps that often help to “reanimate” your smartphone without deep intervention:

1. Check the charger and cable. Use the original Xiaomi power supply (5V/2A or 9V/2A) and USB Type-C cable. Try charging your phone from another source (computer, power bank).
2. Perform a forced reboot. Press the power and volume button for 10 to 15 seconds. If the smartphone vibrates, release the buttons and wait for it to turn on.
3. Connect to charging for 30 to 60 minutes, even if the indicator doesn't burn, the battery could run out to a level where the phone doesn't show signs of life. Use a fast-charging cable.
4. Check for moisture. If your phone has been in contact with water, don't turn it on right away, it can short circuit. Put it in a silica gel bag for 24 to 48 hours.

If after this manipulation, the smartphone still does not turn on, move to more serious measures. Note: if the phone vibrates when you connect the charger, but the screen remains black, the problem may be in the display or its plume.

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If the charging indicator flashes red, try charging the phone from the off state - sometimes the power controller blocks the on at a critical discharge.

3. Hardware reasons: when without repairs can not do

If the basic methods don’t work, the problem may be the hardware. Here are the most common hardware malfunctions of the Xiaomi Mi 8:

Note: Xiaomi Mi 8 is known for the problem of the chip failure of the eMMC memory during overheating or mechanical shocks. If the phone began to reboot cyclically after a fall or prolonged load (games, video shooting), with an 80% probability of this fault, solved only by soldering in the service center.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the phone yourself unless you have experience! Mi 8 boards are extremely sensitive to static electricity and improper assembly can lead to additional breakdowns.

4. Software glitches: how to exit a bootloop or black screen

If the smartphone reacts to buttons (vibrates, lights up), but does not load beyond the Xiaomi logo or cyclically reboots, the problem is likely software.

• 🔧 Reset via Recovery Mode: Turn off the phone (press the power button) + Turn up the volume by 10 seconds. Hold the power. + Turn up the volume until the Recovery menu appears. select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power).

Fastboot flashing through Fastboot

If the reset didn't work, you'll need to reinstall the firmware.

• A computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed.
• Original firmware for Mi 8 (download from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• USB Type-C cable (preferably original)

Instructions for firmware through Fastboot:

1 Unpack the firmware in a folder on your computer.


2. Connect the phone turned off to the PC, holding the power + volume reduction.




3. In the command line (on behalf of the administrator) perform:




fastboot flash all name file firmware.zip




4. wait until the process is completed (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot firmware erases all data! If your phone had important files, try extracting them first ADB (If the phone is determined by a computer).

5. Battery problems: how to check and replace

The battery is one of the most vulnerable parts of the Xiaomi Mi 8. Over time, the capacity drops and the power controller may fail. Here are signs that the battery is the problem:

• 🔋 The phone is switched on only from charging, but immediately switches off when disconnected.
• 🔥 The battery is very hot or swelled (see above the raised back cover).
• ⚡ The charging indicator flashes red or does not burn at all.
• 📉 Fast discharge (from 100% to 0% in 1-2 hours) even without load.