Xiaomi Redmi 5 doesn’t turn on: what to do if the phone is dead

Why Xiaomi Redmi 5 might not be included?

Your Xiaomi Redmi 5 has stopped responding to the power button, the screen is black, and the charging indicator is not on? The reasons for this behavior can be several, from a banal battery discharge to serious hardware failures. In 60% of cases, the problem can be solved independently without resorting to the services of a service center, the main thing is to correctly diagnose the source of the malfunction.

Redmi 5 (codenamed rosy) was released in 2017 and has a 3300 mAh non-removable battery. Over time, battery capacity decreases, which can lead to sudden shutdowns or inability to turn on. Also common causes are software failures after updates, damage to the charging connector or failure of the power controller. If the phone does not show signs of life, do not panic: follow our instructions by stages.

It is important to distinguish between “mild” failures (when the device does not turn on but responds to charging) and “hard” failures (complete lack of reaction). In the first case, a forced reset or resetting often helps, in the second case, it may require disassembling the case or replacing components.

Charging and battery check

The first thing to do is to eliminate power problems, and even if you're sure your phone was charged the day before, a dead battery is still the most common cause of a dead battery, especially for a worn-out Redmi 5 that can lose power in hours when it's off.

Follow this algorithm:

• 🔌 Connect an original or certified cable USB Type-C to charger with output current of at least 2A (it is better to use the “native” adapter from Xiaomi).
• ⏳ Leave your phone charging for at least 30 to 60 minutes. Even if the indicator doesn't burn, the battery can gradually gain charge.
• 🔄 Try another charger or cable – often the problem lies in damaged contacts.
• 🔍 Check the charging connector on your phone: If you see dirt, dust or oxidation inside, clean it gently with a toothpick (not a metal object!).

If after an hour of charging the phone still does not respond, try an alternative way to supply power:

• 🔋 Connect Redmi 5 to your computer via USB. Sometimes a weak current from USB-PC port can 'wake up' power controller.
• 🔌 Use wireless charging (if you have previously installed the Qi module). Even if the screen does not turn on, the charging indicator may catch fire.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has previously fallen into water or been exposed to moisture, do not connect it to charging - this can cause a short circuit.

Forced Reset (Hard Reset)

If the Xiaomi Redmi 5 does not turn on, but reacts to charging (for example, the indicator lights up), the cause may be a system freeze, in which case a forced reboot will help. On the Redmi 5 model, it is performed by a combination of buttons:

1. Hold the power button and the volume button at the same time.
2. Keep them clamped for 10-15 seconds until you feel a vibration or see the Mi logo.
3. Release the buttons and wait for the system to boot (it can take up to 2-3 minutes).

If the phone vibrates but the screen is black, it could indicate that the display plume is damaged or the graphics chip is malfunctioning, in which case try connecting the device to the computer via USB — if the PC identifies Redmi 5 as a removable disk, the problem is exactly in the screen.

Make sure the phone is not charging.|Check that the buttons are not stuck|Wait 10 minutes after the last attempt to turn on|Use the original buttons (not the case)-->

If the forced reboot didn’t work, try an alternative combination:

Power button + volume button (hold 20 seconds)

⚠️ Note: On some firmware, long-term button retention can trigger Fastboot mode (a black screen with a rabbit and the words Fastboot.

Diagnostics of hardware faults

If the phone doesn't show any signs of life (it doesn't vibrate, it doesn't warm, it doesn't light up), there's a possibility of hardware failure.

For self-diagnosis, the following points can be checked:

• 🔍 Battery inspection: if the phone case is swollen, the battery needs urgent replacement.Bloated battery is dangerous - it can ignite!
• 🔌 Check the charging connector: connect the phone to the computer – if the PC makes the sound of the device connection, the problem is not in the port.
• 🔥 Heating the case: if the phone is strongly warmed off, this is a sign of a short circuit on the board.

If you suspect a hardware malfunction but have no experience in electronics repair, it is not recommended to disassemble the phone yourself. In the Redmi 5, the display and battery plumes are very fragile - they are easily damaged if you disassemble them neatly. Contact a service center where there is equipment for micro-district soldering (for example, a BGA station).

Recovery through Fastboot mode

If the phone responds to button combinations and goes into Fastboot mode, that's a good sign! That means the hardware is working and the problem is in the software, so you can try to reflash the device.

For this you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download from Xiaomi or Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔗 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware for Redmi 5 (codename rosy). Download the latest stable version from Xiaomi's official website.

Firmware instructions:

1. Unpack the archive with the firmware in a folder on the computer.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC.
3. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the firmware folder:

cd C:\path\folder\firmware\folder


fastboot devices

If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), enter the command for firmware:

fastboot flash all

After the process is complete, the phone will automatically restart.

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If the fastboot flash all command doesn't work, try unlocking the bootloader first with the fastboot oem unlock command. Note that this will erase all data on the phone!

If the firmware is successful but the phone is still not turning on, the EFS partition (which contains IMEI and network settings) may be damaged, and you will need specialized recovery software, such as the Miracle Box or UFi Box.

Resetting settings through Recovery

If the phone is turned on but hovers on the Mi logo or cyclically reboots, resetting to factory settings via Recovery mode will help.

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the power button for 20 seconds).
2. Press the power button + volume button.
3. Release the buttons when the Recovery menu appears (Mi Recovery is written in English or Chinese).

In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume button (move) and the power button (select). Select Wipe Data (or Factory Reset), then confirm the action. After reset, select Reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting will delete all data on your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, and if you have Mi Account enabled and synced, some of the data can be restored once you log in to your account.

If the phone is stuck on the logo again after reset, this may indicate:

• 🔄 Firmware damage (reflashing via Fastboot is required).
• 💾 Memory malfunction (eMMC chip fails on older devices).
• 🔧 Problems with the motherboard (for example, the dump of the memory chip).

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If a reset via Recovery didn't help and the phone still doesn't turn on normally, the cause is almost certainly a hardware malfunction.Further attempts at software recovery are futile - diagnostics are required in the service.

When do I contact the service center?

If all of the above methods fail, there are two options:

1. Self-repair (only if you have experience with soldering equipment and microscope).
2. Contact the service center (recommended option for most users).

Signs for which you must carry your phone to the service:

• 🔥 The phone is warmed off (the risk of fire!).
• 💦 On the board or battery visible traces of corrosion or oxidation.
• 🔌 The charging connector is staggering or not fixing the cable.
• 📱 The screen is cracked, but the phone has been working before (possibly damage to the plume).

The cost of repairing Xiaomi Redmi 5 in services (for 2026):

Before you put your phone in for repair, check the service center's reviews and check if they give you a guarantee for the work, and unscrupulous craftsmen can replace the original components with cheap ones, which will lead to repeated breakdowns.

Prevention of inclusion problems

To avoid repeated issues with including Xiaomi Redmi 5, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Do not allow full battery discharge (charge your phone at 15-20% charge).
• 🔌 Use only original or certified chargers.
• 📱 Regularly update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 💾 Do not load your phone while charging (games, videos, updates).
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating (do not leave your phone in direct sunlight or in your car in the summer).

It is also useful to perform calibration of the battery every 3-6 months:

1. Discharge the phone before automatically shutting down.
2. Put on the charger and do not turn on until the indicator shows 100%.
3. Turn off the charger, turn on the phone and again wait for full discharge.
4. Repeat the charging-discharge cycle 2-3 times.

If the phone is often turned off or quickly discharged, check the status of the battery through the engineering menu:

#4636## → Battery

If you have a "Good" or "Replace soon" or "Bad" in the Health Level box, the battery needs to be replaced.

FAQ: Frequent questions