Smartphone Xiaomi suddenly began spontaneously rebooting, and then completely stopped turning on? This situation is familiar to many owners of devices of the brand – from budget Redmi to flagship Mi or POCO. The reasons can be both software failures and hardware malfunctions, and it's important to understand that if a phone is stuck on startup the logo, goes into an endless reboot, or completely refuses to respond to the power button, it's a signal of a serious problem.
In this article, we will look at all possible causes, from a simple battery discharge to a motherboard damage, how to diagnose a malfunction, what actions you can take yourself, and in which cases you can not do without a visit to the service center, and pay special attention to models with Qualcomm and MediaTek processors, because they have specific “diseases”.
🔹 If your Xiaomi still has any response to charging or buttons, the chances of recovery without repair are higher. If the screen is black and the charging indicator is not on, the problem is likely hardware.
🔹 Don't rush your phone into the shop: 60 percent of cyclic reboots are solved by software (reset, flash, clean the cache), but there are exceptions, such as a bloated battery or chip dump, requiring specialist intervention.
1. Discharged or defective battery
The most obvious but often overlooked reason is the battery’s full discharge: If Xiaomi runs out of power and stays uncharged for a long time, the power controller can block the start, especially for older models (Redmi Note). 4/5, Mi A1), where the batteries are already worn out.
🔋 How to check:
- 🔌 Connect the original charger and cable. Wait 15-20 minutes, sometimes the charging indicator doesn't light up right away.
- 🔄 Try another cable and power supply (preferably with Quick Charge support for Qualcomm models).
- 🔍 Check the connector. USB-C/Micro-USB If necessary, clean it carefully with a toothpick.
- 📊 If the phone reacts at least somehow (vibration, flashing indicator), but does not turn on - try to press the power button for 30 seconds for a forced reboot.
⚠️
Warning: If the battery is swelling (visible from the raised back cover or screen glass), DO NOT try to charge it! This is dangerous - risk of fire. Take the phone to service immediately.
📉 Battery wear is another common cause: after 300 to 500 charging cycles, the capacity drops by 30 to 50 percent, and the phone can shut down even when 10 to 15 percent is charged. You can check the wear and tear through the engineering menu (code #4636## → Battery information), but if the phone doesn't turn on, only a replacement remains.
2. firmware failure or update conflict
About 40 percent of cyclical reboots are caused by software errors.
- 📱 Failed update MIUI (Especially if the installation process is interrupted).
- 🧩 Conflict of user applications with the system (often to blame optimizers, antiviruses or custom launchers).
- 🔧 Damage to system files after manual intervention (getting root, changing build.prop).
- 📦 Installation of unofficial firmware with errors.
🔄 How to restore the working capacity:
- Hard Reset: Turn off the phone, press the Volume up. + Power (for most models). From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Factory Reset.
- Cache cleanup. In the same Recovery, find Wipe Cache Partition. It won't delete your data, but it can eliminate the hangovers.
- Fastboot flashing. If the reset didn't work, you'll need official firmware from Xiaomi's site and the Mi Flash Tool.
🛠 For advanced users:
If the phone is loaded to the logo MI And it reboots again, try rolling back the firmware to the previous version:
- Download the firmware archive (.tgz or.zip) for your model.
- Rename him in update.zip Put it in the root of internal storage (if the phone is even slightly switched on).
- Hold the Loud up. + Power, in Recovery, select Install update.zip.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Hardware malfunctions: from board to buttons
If the software methods didn't work, the problem is the hardware.
| Malfunction | Signs. | Can I fix it myself? |
|---|---|---|
| Chip dump (often after a fall) | The phone does not turn on, but vibrates when charging. | ❌ Requires ration in the service |
| Damage to the power plume | Charging indicator flashes, but the screen is black | ❌ We need a replacement plume. |
| Power button malfunction | The phone responds to charging, but does not turn on the button | ✅ You can try to clean and clean your contacts. |
| Short circuit on board | Phone warms, smell of burning, battery quickly goes down | ❌ I need a diagnosis. |
| Failure of the charging controller | Charging is jerky, the phone turns off at 50% charge. | ❌ Chip replacement required |
🔧 Self-diagnosis:
- 🔊 Connect your phone to charging and listen: if you hear repeated clicks (relay charging works), the problem is in the board.
- 🌡 Check the body temperature: if it is hot even without a load, it is a sign of a short circuit.
- 🔦 Light a flashlight on the screen at an angle: if you see a dim image, faulty backlight or plume display.
⚠️
Note: If you don’t have experience in electronics repair, don’t try to disassemble a phone with a lithium battery – the risk of battery damage and fire!
💡
If the phone only turns on when the charger is connected, but turns off without it, it is almost certainly the battery or power controller that is to blame. Try to keep it charging for 1-2 hours, and then try to turn it on without the cable.
4. Conflict with custom firmware and root rights
If you have installed unofficial firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or obtained root access, there is a high risk of damage to the bootloader.
- 📱 The phone is loaded to the logo MI and goes into rebuke.
- 🔄 Fastboot writes Invalid boot image header or No command.
- 🚫 Recovery is not working (E:unknown command error).
🛠 Decisions:
- Stock recovery boot.img. Download the original boot for your model and run through Fastboot: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot reboot
- Full Firmware with bootloader Unlock. To do this: Unlock Bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (Mi Account binding required). Sweep the full firmware package through Mi Flash Tool (select Clean All).
- Removal of Magisk or TWRP. If the phone is loaded into TWRP, but not in the system, remove Magisk modules or return stock Recovery.
📌 For models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi Note) 10/11):
Firmware through SP Flash Tool may require an authorization file (auth.ini) and can be obtained from forums such as 4PDA or XDA-Developers.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
5.Overheating and cooling problems
If Xiaomi gets hot and shut down or goes into rebuke, it could be because of overheating.
- 🎮 Smartphone gaming (Black Shark, POCO F-series) under prolonged loads.
- 🔥 Phones with damaged heatpaste (for example, after a fall).
- 📱 Devices operated in heat or under direct sunlight.
🌡 How to diagnose:
- Install the app AIDA64 (If the phone is working, check the temperature. CPU and GPU.
- Normal temperature: 30-45°C in plain, up to 60-70°C under load. If above, there's a problem.
- See if the battery is swelling (it can push the board, causing overheating).
❄️ Decisions:
- 🛌 Let the phone cool down (put it in a cool place for 30 to 60 minutes).
- 🔧 Clean the charger and speaker connector of dust (use a soft brush or compressed air balloon).
- 📉 Reverse the frequency (if you have changed the frequency) CPU/GPU Performance Control).
- 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (if overheating is caused by software).
⚠️
Warning: If the phone turns off at temperatures above 80°C, this is a defense mechanism. Don't ignore it, because long-term use in this mode will damage the motherboard!
6. Memory problems (eMMC/UF)
In budget models Xiaomi (Redmi) 4A, Redmi 5, Redmi 6) is often found to degrade embedded memory (eMMC:
- 📱 Phone slows down, apps fly out, then restarts.
- 💾 Recovery is getting E:failed to mount error /data.
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot after reaching 50-70% of battery charge.
🔍 How to check:
- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot devices If the device is detected but not booted, the problem may be in memory.
- Try flashing another firmware: if the error persists, the eMMC is damaged.
💽 Decisions:
- 🔧 Replace the memory chip. It's only possible in the service.
- 📀 Using a phone without internal memory. Some people use re-sweetened contacts to make the phone work with the phone. SD-card-like.
- 🆕 Buying a new phone: If the model is old, repairs can cost more than the device.
💡
Degradation of eMMC is a “disease” of budget smartphones Xiaomi 2016–2018 If your Redmi is 4/5/6 He started spontaneously restarting after 2–3 years of use, with the probability of 90% memory.
7. Moisture effects and contact oxidation
Even if your Xiaomi hasn't sunk, high humidity or condensation can cause the contacts to oxidize.
- 💧 Moisture indicator (usually white or red circle under the lid) SIM-blush.
- 🔌 Charging is interrupted, the phone spontaneously shuts down.
- 📶 The antenna does not catch the network well (the contacts of the communication module are oxidized).
🚿 What do you do:
- Turn off the phone immediately and remove it. SIM/SD-map.
- Place the device in a silica gel (or rice) bag for 24 to 48 hours.
- Wipe the charging connector contacts and SIM-slurry%+).
- If the phone does not turn on - bring to the service for ultrasonic cleaning.
⚠️
Warning: Don't dry your phone with a hair dryer or on a battery! This can damage the screen and battery. The optimal drying temperature is room temperature.
8. When do you contact the service?
If you’ve tried all the methods, but Xiaomi still doesn’t turn on or is cyclically restarting, it’s time to contact the experts.
- 🔥 The phone is still warmed even when it is off.
- 💥 The battery is swelling or deformed.
- 🔌 When connecting charging, you can hear clicks or the smell of burning.
- 📵 The screen remains black, but the phone vibrates or makes sounds.
- 🔧 You are not sure about your rationing/disassembly skills.
📍 How to choose a service:
- 🔍 Look for workshops with reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS.
- 💰 Compare prices: repairing a motherboard can cost anywhere from 3,000 to 15,000 ₽ model-wise.
- ⚠️ Avoid garage masters without warranty - there is a high risk of getting a phone in an even more deplorable state.
📄 What to say to the master:
Describe the problem in as much detail as possible:
- When it started (after falling/upgrading/getting moisture).
- What actions you have already tried (reset, firmware, etc.)
- Are there any additional symptoms (heating, vibration, sounds)?
💡
If the phone is warranty, don’t disassemble it yourself! Xiaomi may refuse free repairs due to autopsy marks.