Xiaomi smartphone got stuck during the reboot: step-by-step instructions for recovery

You turned on or rebooted your Xiaomi smartphone, but instead of the usual desktop, the Mi logo, endless download animations, or a black screen froze on the screen? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, from budget models to flagships. The reasons for freezing when rebooting can be different: from a software failure after an update to hardware problems.

In 80 percent of cases, you can bring your device back to life without losing your personal data. In this article, we'll look at all possible scenarios, from a simple forced reboot to a flashshot via Fastboot or EDL. You'll learn how to diagnose the problem, what tools you'll need, and what to do if your smartphone doesn't respond to buttons at all.

Before you start, check if the battery is charged (plug in 15-20 minutes, even if the indicator is not on). If the phone overheats before freezing, let it cool. These simple steps sometimes solve the problem without any further manipulation.

1. Forced reset: first step when getting stuck

If Xiaomi’s smartphone is stuck on the logo or black screen but reacts to the charging connection (the indicator lights up), try the hard reset. This method works on all models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 and older devices. Importantly, forced reboot does not delete data, but can interrupt background processes (for example, system updates).

Instructions:

• 🔋 Turn off the charger (if connected).
• 📱 Hold the power button. + Increase volume at the same time 10-15 seconds.
• 🔄 When the screen goes out (or vibrations appear), release the buttons.
• ⏳ Wait 30 to 60 seconds – the device should boot in normal mode.

If the smartphone is stuck on the logo again, repeat the procedure 2-3 times. Sometimes the system “wakes up” after several attempts. On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F4 GT) it may be necessary to hold the buttons for up to 20 seconds - this is normal.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the combination of food + Volume reduction – it triggers Fastboot mode, making recovery difficult for untrained users.

2. Safe Booting: Diagnosing Viruses and Conflicts

If the forced reboot didn’t help, but the smartphone somehow reacts to the buttons, try to run it in safe mode. This mode turns off all third-party applications, which allows you to identify the cause of the freeze: a virus, a conflict of programs or a launcher malfunction.

How to boot up in Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (hold power until vibration).
2. Press and hold the Power button until the Mi logo appears.
3. Once the logo appears, press and hold the Volume Down button until the system is fully loaded.

In the lower left corner of the screen, the message Safe Mode should appear. If the phone boots, it's a problem in one of the installed applications, remove recently added programs (especially from unverified sources) and restart the device in normal mode.

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If the smartphone is stable in Safe Mode, but it hangs again after a normal boot, it is the launcher’s fault. Install an alternative (for example, Nova Launcher) through Settings → Applications → Launcher by default.

3.Cache reset via Recovery: Clearing temporary files

A common reason for freezes when rebooting is a damaged system cache or Dalvik cache (especially after MIUI updates).Cache cleaning does not delete personal data, but resets temporary files that can block downloads. This method works on all Xiaomi models, including devices with a locked bootloader.

How to clean the cache through Recovery:

1. Turn off your phone (forced if it doesn’t respond).
2. Press Power + Volume Up until the Mi logo appears, then let go.
3. From the Recovery menu (English or Chinese), select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation, Power for confirmation).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (1-3 minutes).
5. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the phone still hangs after cleaning the cache, try resetting the Dalvik cache (in the same Wipe & Reset menu). → Wipe Dalvik Cache - This can help with a malfunction ART/DVM (Android application execution system).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3) After the cache is reset, the first run can take up to 10 minutes.

4.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If previous methods failed, a hard reset will delete all data from internal memory (photos, apps, accounts), but return the phone to working condition. Xiaomi allows you to reset in two ways: via Recovery or Fastboot (if the first menu is not available).

Method 1: Resetting through Recovery

• 📱 Go to Recovery (as in the previous section).
• 🧹 Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset).
• ✅ Confirm the action and wait for the completion (5-10 minutes).
• 🔄 Reboot the device (Reboot to System).

Method 2: Reset via Fastboot (for a locked bootloader)

If Recovery is not available or your smartphone is running an error, "This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device"

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

You will need a computer with installed drivers. ADB/Fastboot and connected phone in Fastboot mode (click Power) + Reduce volume when switched on).

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Reset to factory settings deletes all data, including linked Google and Mi accounts. If you have Mi Cloud enabled, you can restore contacts and some files through a backup after reset.

5.Fastboot Flashing: Restore the System

If the phone still doesn't boot or produces errors like "No command" or "System destroyed," you'll have to refashion the device.

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (or Linux/MacOS virtual-machine).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🛠 Mi Flash Tool (Last version).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\proshivka).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and ADB/Fastboot drivers.
3. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Press Select, specify the firmware folder, then Refresh (the device should appear).
6. Select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have been firmware).
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-15 minutes).

Once the firmware is up, the phone will automatically restart. It can take up to 10 minutes to start up, so don't interrupt. If you have an "Anti-rollback" error, you're trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one on the device, in which case, download a newer firmware.

6. EDL mode: When nothing helps

If the smartphone does not respond to any combination of buttons, is not determined in Fastboot and does not even charge, there is a last chance – mode EDL (Emergency Download Mode: This method requires special equipment (EDL-cable or circuit board contacts) and is only suitable for experienced users.

How to run EDL:

• 🔧 Method 1: Buy it. EDL-cable (for example, for Qualcomm devices) and connect it to a phone turned off. HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 🔩 Method 2: Disassemble the phone and close the contacts EDL on the motherboard (see instructions for a specific model).

Once EDL is activated, run the phone through the Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm). On models with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi 10A, POCO C40), the EDL mode is called BROM and requires authorization through the MTK Auth Bypass.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right EDL If you're not sure what you're doing, you can go to a service center. EDL In the official centers of Xiaomi starts from 1500 rubles.

7. Hardware malfunctions: when "iron" is to blame

If none of the software methods helped, the problem may lie in the hardware:

• 🔋 Faulty battery: Bloating or deep discharge (below) 3.2V) Check the voltage with the multimeter or try connecting another battery.
• 💾 Damaged memory (eMMC/UF): Symptoms: the phone is detected in Fastboot, but not stitched (flash write failure error").
• 🔌 Oxidized contacts: Moisture intrusion or corrosion on the power connectors/display. Visually inspect the charge for green spots.
• 🧠 CPU or memory is damaged: Phone doesn't warm, doesn't respond to charging, doesn't detect by computer.

To diagnose hardware problems:

1. Try charging your phone with another charger (preferably original).
2. Connect to a PC – If the device is defined as Unknown Device, the problem may be in the USB controller.
3. Light a flashlight on the screen – if the image is barely noticeable, the plume of the display or backlight is to blame.

Cost of repair of hardware malfunctions in unofficial services:

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi hanging