Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 phone does not turn on: what to do if the screen is black and there is no reaction to the buttons

Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is no longer on, the screen is black, and the charging indicator is not on? Don't panic - 80% of the time, the problem can be solved without going to the service center. This model, released in 2017, is still popular due to reliable hardware, but even it is not immune to failures. The reasons can be different from a dead battery to damaged firmware.

In this article, we'll look at all possible scenarios, from basic checks to complex firmware manipulations. Importantly, not all methods are safe. For example, misuse of Fastboot or unofficial firmware can turn a phone into a brick. So follow the instructions carefully and don't miss warnings.

1. Charging and battery check: where to start the diagnosis

The first thing to do is rule out power issues.The Redmi Note 4 is known for its "gluttony" to chargers: if a power supply or cable doesn't give enough current, the phone may not respond to the connection.

Here's what we're checking out first:

• 🔌 Use the original cable and charger (or certified Quick Charge-enabled analogue) 2.0/3.0). Cheap cables often don’t provide stable voltage.
• 🔋 Connect to another power source: Try charging from a computer (USB 3.0), power bank or other charger.
• ⚡ Leave at least 30 minutes on the charge. If the battery is completely discharged, the indicator may not light up immediately.
• 🔄 Try hard reset: press the power button for 15 to 20 seconds, sometimes it helps if the phone is stuck in the boot phase.

If the phone doesn’t show signs of life after this manipulation, move on to the next step: the Redmi Note 4 feature: with a deep battery discharge (below 3%), the smartphone may not respond to charging for 10-15 minutes – this is normal.

Indication when charging: what flashing and colors mean

If the indicator lights up when you connect to a charger, its behavior can tell you the cause of the malfunction. Redmi Note 4 uses a single-color (white/red) LED that signals status:

If the indicator flashes red with pauses, this often indicates a deep discharge, in which case standard charging may not help - a "push" from a more powerful source (for example, a 9V/2A charger) will be required.

⚠️ Warning: If the indicator doesn't burn at all, don't try to disassemble the phone yourself. In the Redmi Note 4, the battery plume is easily damaged if you're not getting it right, which will lead to a short circuit.

3 Hard Reset: When and How to Do It

If the phone doesn't turn on but responds to charging (the indicator is on), try a hardware reset.This will delete all data, but often helps with software crashes. There are two ways to do this in the Redmi Note 4:

Method 1: Recovery Mode

1. Turn off the phone (if it is on, press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds.
3. When the Mi logo appears, release the buttons and you will be taken to Recovery.
4. Use volume buttons to navigate, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone (Reboot).

Method 2: Fastboot (if Recovery is not available)

• 🖥️ Connect your phone to a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed and MiFlash.
• 🔧 Hold the Loud down. + Food to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat will appear).
• 📥 In MiFlash, select the Clean All option and flash the stock firmware.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo for more than 10 minutes after reset, it means that the system partition is damaged.

4. Battery problems: how to check and replace

The battery is one of the most vulnerable parts of the Redmi Note 4. After 3-4 years of operation, the battery capacity drops by 30-50%, which can lead to sudden shutdowns or complete failure.

Signs of a faulty battery:

• 🔋 The phone is switched on only from charging, but switches off when disconnected.
• 📉 Fast discharge (from 100% to 0% in 1-2 hours).
• 🔥 The battery swelled (seems to be on the raised back cover).
• ⚡ The charging indicator flashes red or does not burn at all.

If you have confirmed that the problem is in the battery, it can be replaced yourself. For the Redmi Note 4, batteries labeled BF41 or DM43 with a capacity of 4100 mAh are suitable. The average price is 800-1200 rubles.

Step-by-step replacement:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the tray for SIM-map.
2. Tap the back cover with a plastic card (start at the bottom corner).
3. Unscrew 10 T3 screws and gently disconnect the battery plume.
4. Remove the old battery (it's glued, so pull the tongue).
5. Install a new battery, plug in the plume and assemble the phone in reverse order.

If the phone still doesn't turn on after the replacement, the problem may be the power controller (the PMIC chip on the motherboard), in which case professional repairs will be required.

5. Firmware through Fastboot: When is it the only way out

If the phone doesn't turn on, but it's detected by the computer in Fastboot mode, then the last chance is a complete flashing, and this method will help if:

• 📱 The phone hangs on the Mi logo or loads into an endless loop.
• 🔄 There was a failure after the update. OTA.
• 🛠️ Unofficial firmware was installed (for example, LineageOS).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11 (Xiaomi drivers must be installed).
• 📁 Stock firmware for Redmi Note 4 (version should match your model: mido for global or nikel for Chinese).
• 🛠️ MiFlash program (you can download from the official website of Xiaomi).

Firmware instructions:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\mido_fastboot).
2. Launch MiFlash, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. In MiFlash, select the Clean All option and click Flash.
5. Wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

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Before you run your firmware, disable the antivirus, which can block MiFlash files, and make sure the cable is connected to a USB 2.0 port (the blue connector on the motherboard) – this reduces the risk of errors.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is not turned on and detected in Fastboot after firmware, it may mean partition damage EFS (IMEI). It can only be restored with boxing. UFI Or Octoplus at the service center.

6.Maternity board problems: when repairs are inevitable

If none of the previous methods worked, the problem is most likely the hardware.Redmi Note 4 most often fails:

• 🔌 Power controller (PMIC) — It's responsible for the distribution of voltage. When damaged, the phone doesn't respond to charging.
• 📶 Memory module (eMMC) – if damaged, the phone will not boot or permanently restart.
• 🔄 Processor (Snapdragon 625) – rare, but possible overheating or rolling off the board.
• 🔌 Charging connector - oxidation or break of contacts.

It is difficult to diagnose such problems on your own, but there are indirect signs:

• 🔥 The phone is still warmed even when it is off.
• 💥 There were falls or moisture.
• 🔌 The charge is “jumping” (it goes, then interrupted).

Cost of repair in the service center:

If the phone is older than 5 years, repairs may not be cost-effective, and then it makes sense to consider buying a new smartphone (like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5).

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Before you go for repair, back up your data (if the phone is turning on in any way) and the service center can erase everything without warning.

7. Alternative methods: what else can you try

If the standard methods didn’t work, there are a few non-obvious solutions:

Method 1: “Heat-up” of the phone

Sometimes the contacts of the battery or motherboard are oxidized, and short-term heating helps to restore the connection.

1. Put your phone on a warm battery (not hot!) or under an incandescent lamp for 5-10 minutes.
2. Try to turn on or connect to the charger.

⚠️ Don’t use a hair dryer or microwave – it’s dangerous!

Method 2: Connection to a 9V power supply

If the battery is completely dead, the standard charger (5V) may not be enough to push.

• Use a charger with Quick Charge 3.0 (9V/2A) support.
• Connect to a power bank with PD (Power Delivery) function.

Method 3: Bypassing the Mi Account lock

If the phone was tied to your Mi Account and after reset requires a login/password that you do not remember, you can try:

• Restoring access through account.xiaomi.com.
• Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.
• Use the official unlock tool (requires a wait of 720 hours).

These methods rarely work, but in some cases help avoid costly repairs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi Note 4