Xiaomi is stuck in a bootloom: what to do if the phone is constantly rebooting

You turned on a Xiaomi smartphone, and instead of a desktop, you saw an endless load with the Mi logo? The phone turns on and off before you get to the system? This is a classic bootloop, a cyclical reboot that blocks access to the device. The reasons can be different: from a failure after an update to hardware malfunctions. The main thing is not to panic: in 80% of cases, you can solve the problem yourself without contacting the service center.

In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to exit the bootloops on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (relevant to the 2018-2026 models), and explain how to avoid data loss. Importantly, the methods differ depending on whether your computer sees your phone and whether you have a backup, starting with the simplest solutions and gradually moving on to radical measures.

What is a bootloop and why does it appear on Xiaomi

Bootloop is a state in which a smartphone cannot complete the startup process and is constantly restarted. The screen usually displays the Mi, Redmi or POCO logo, sometimes an animation of the boot appears, but it does not go on. In rare cases, the device can “hang” on a black screen with backlighting.

The main reasons for bootloop on Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Failed software update - interrupted firmware through OTA manually installing an incompatible version MIUI.
• 📱 Failure after resetting settings – especially if system files have been changed before (e.g., through a reset) ADB magisk).
• 🔋 Battery problems – if the battery is inflated or the power controller is out of order, the phone may “lock in” during the initialization phase.
• 🛠️ Incorrect overclocking/undervolting through an engineering menu or applications like Performance Control.
• 🦠 Viruses or corrupted system files – often after installing pirated applications or modified systems APK.

On Xiaomi models with Qualcomm processors (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro), the bootloop is more likely to be associated with errors in the boot or vendor section. Devices on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO M3) are more resistant to software failures, but can get "locked" due to problems with the preloader.

⚠️ Warning: If the bootloop appears after a phone drop or moisture hits, do not try to sew the device through - this can aggravate the hardware malfunction.

First steps: what to do immediately after the discovery of the bootloop

Before you start taking radical measures, do these things:

Wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes the system recovers on its own after a long load

Connect your phone to charge for 30 minutes – a discharged battery can simulate a bootloop

Try to press the power button for 20-30 seconds - forced reset

Extract SIM-Card and memory card (if any) – these may conflict with the system-->

If the phone is responding to charging (the indicator lights up or the battery icon appears), the problem is more software, and if the device is completely unviable (no vibration, no warming), this may indicate a hardware failure.

Try connecting your smartphone to your computer via USB. If your PC makes a connection sound or identifies the device as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (in Device Manager), then the phone is in emergency mode (EDL) and can be flashed. If the computer can't see the device, go to the testpoint method (described below).

MIUI updates

Custom firmware installations

Resetting settings

Falls/blows

Other (write in the comments)-->

Method 1: Hard Reset (Hard Reset) through Recovery

The easiest way to bring the phone back to life is to reset the settings through standard Recovery, which deletes all data (photos, contacts, apps) but keeps the device running, and is suitable for most Xiaomi models, except those where Recovery is locked (for example, on some versions of the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Hold the combination: 🔘 Power button + Volume upwards - for most models. 🔘 Power button + Loudness up + Loudness down - for POCO F1, Mi 8 and others.

Mi Recovery

Recovery

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm

Or (on older versions):

Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data

Reboot → Reboot to System

If you drop the phone back into the bootloop, you've got a deeper problem, you've got a broken boot or firmware. Go to the next method.

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 with a MIUI 13+) Recovery reset may require you to enter a password from Mi-account.If you don't remember it, use the Mi Flash Unlock Tool (described below).

Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (Save Data)

If hard reset didn’t help or you want to save data, try flashing your phone over Fastboot. This method works if the phone is detected by a computer in Fastboot mode (checked by the fastboot devices team in the CMD).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (on macOS/Linux There may be problems with drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📁 Fastboot firmware for your model (download only from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on your phone’s processor).
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off your phone → Press Volume Down + Power → Connect to your PC
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, select Clean All or Clean All and Lock.
6. Press Flash and wait until it is finished (5-10 minutes).

Important: If the firmware is interrupted with an error anti_rollback, So you're trying to install an older version. MIUI, In this case, download the latest stable firmware for your model.

Method 3: Firmware through EDL (Emergency Mode)

If the phone is not detected in Fastboot, but the computer sees it as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, then the device is in EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which is guaranteed to restore the phone even if the bootloader is damaged, but requires unlocking the bootloader.

What do you need?

• 🔓 Unlocked Bootloader (if not unlocked, read the instructions below).
• 📁 Firmware EDL (You can use the same as Fastboot, but with the.mbn extension).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm).

Instructions for Qualcomm (most Xiaomi models):

1. Install the Qualcomm Driver (you can download it on XDA Developers).
2. Connect your phone in EDL mode (if it doesn’t switch automatically, use testpoint).
3. Open Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Refresh – the device must be determined.
4. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
5. After successful firmware, the phone will restart (it can take up to 15 minutes).

On models with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi 9, POCO C3) for EDL-firmware used utility SP Flash Tool. The algorithm is similar, but requires separate drivers and a scatter file from the firmware.

Method 4: Unlocking the bootloader and firmware through testpoint

If the bootloader is locked and the phone is not detected in either Fastboot or EDL, you'll have to use Testpoint, which is a special pin on the motherboard that forces the device to go into firmware mode, which requires disassembling the phone and is only suitable for advanced users.

What you need:

• ⚡ Screwdriver. T3/T4 and plastic mediator to open the body.
• 🔧 Thin metal object (needle, tweezers) for closing testpoint.
• 🔌 USB-cable (requiredly original!).
• 📁 Firmware and Mi Flash Tool (as in Method 3).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-memory-card.
2. Carefully remove the back cover (heat the hair dryer around the edges if the glue is too strong).
3. Find the testpoint on the motherboard (usually signed as EDL or indicated by two contacts next to the battery. 4PDA.
4. Connect. USB-cable to the computer (but not to the phone!).
5. Close the testpoint with tweezers and, holding the circuit, connect the cable to the phone.
6. If done correctly, Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 will appear in Device Manager.
7. Swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (as in Method 3).

⚠️ Warning: A faulty testpoint circuit can cause your phone to fail. If you've never disassembled your smartphone, you should contact the service. Also note that after disassembly, the warranty (if any) will be lost.

💡

Before disassembling, take a picture of the location of all the plumes and screws - this will help to properly assemble the phone back. Use a magnetic screw mat to avoid losing them.

Method 5: Recovery through Custom Recovery (TWRP)

If you have previously installed custom Recovery (such as TWRP), you can restore your phone without losing data.

Instructions:

1. Download the latest version of TWRP for your model from the official website.
2. Install TWRP via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. In TWRP, select Mount → System and copy backup or firmware (via MTP or ADB) to your phone.
4. Install the firmware through Install or restore the backup through Restore.
5. Once completed, run Wipe → Format Data (if required) and restart.

If the TWRP is not installed or the phone is not loaded into it, then the bootloader is locked, in which case, first unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Mi Account tied to the phone).

Table: Comparison of methods of exiting the bootloop

What to do if nothing helps

If all of these methods didn't work, it could be a hardware problem, and here are some signs that the phone needs repair:

• 🔥 The phone is very warm even when turned off.
• 🔋 Battery swollen or phone shuts down at 30-40% charge.
• 💥 Artifacts appear on the screen (stripes, flickering) or it does not turn on at all.
• 🔌 The phone is not detected in any mode (Fastboot, EDL).

In such cases, contact the service center. The average cost of diagnosis is 500-1000 rubles, repair (replacement of the motherboard, soldering work) will cost 3000-10,000 rubles depending on the model. If the phone is warranty, do not disassemble it yourself - this will void warranty obligations.

Last chance: If your phone has any response to charging, try leaving it for a day with the charger connected, and sometimes a deep battery drain simulates a bootloop, and after full charging, the device comes back to life.

💡

If the phone doesn’t respond to any manipulations, but you are sure that the problem is software, try stitching it through the box (for example, UFi Box or EasyJTAG).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the bootloop on Xiaomi