Xiaomi smartphone stuck on an endless reboot: reasons and 7 ways to solve

Your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO suddenly stopped booting, got stuck on the MI logo and constantly rebooted? This is a classic symptom of bootloop, a looped reboot when the system can not complete the launch. The problem is found on all models, from the budget Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra. In 80% of cases, it can be fixed yourself without contacting the service center.

The causes of bootloop range from firmware failure to hardware malfunctions, most commonly to blame: a failed MIUI update, damaged system files after rooting, application conflict, or a discharged battery with impaired calibration. In rare cases, the problem lies in a damaged EFS partition (where IMEI and serial numbers are stored) or a failed memory chip.

In this article, we'll give you step-by-step instructions for all scenarios, including when your phone doesn't respond to buttons, doesn't go into a Fastboot, or isn't detected by a computer. We'll look at both soft methods (recovery resets) and radical ones (EDL firmware), and we'll give you tips on data retention. If your Xiaomi is still under warranty, skip disassembly sections and go to an authorized service.

1.Diagnostics: Why Xiaomi is stuck on a reboot

Before you start repairing, it is important to understand the root of the problem.

• 🔄 The phone turns on, shows the MI/POCO/Redmi logo, then turns off and repeats the cycle.
• 📱 The screen flashes, but the download does not go beyond animation (for example, getting stuck on Android labels).
• 🔋 The device vibrates every 5-10 seconds, but the screen remains black.
• 💻 The computer makes a connection sound USB, but the phone is not detected (drivers are not installed).

The most common causes and their signs:

If you installed the update via Settings → About Phone → System Update before bootloop, the problem is almost certainly the interrupted firmware, in which case a forced reset via Recovery or a Fastboot flashing will help.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't respond to buttons (don't go into Fastboot or Recovery), doesn't connect to the PC, and doesn't make any noises, that's a sign of hardware damage, and self-repair is impossible, and you need a motherboard diagnostic.

2.Soft reset: exit the bootloop without data loss

If your phone is responsive to buttons (vibrates, lights up), try the softest methods. They won't delete your data, but they will help 40% of the time.

Method 1: Forced resetting

Sometimes the system freezes during the boot phase due to a temporary failure.

1. Press the Power button + Volume up for 15-20 seconds.
2. If the phone vibrates, release the buttons and wait 1-2 minutes.
3. Repeat the attempt 2-3 times with an interval of 30 seconds.

Method 2: Download to Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

If the bootloop is caused by a third-party app, Safe Mode will help you remove it:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. When the MI logo appears, press the Volume down and hold it until the Safe Mode sign appears at the bottom of the screen.
3. In Safe Mode, remove newly installed apps through Settings → Apps.

Method 3: Resetting cache via Recovery

A damaged cache is a common cause of bootloop after updates.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Recovery menu appears (Mi Bunny logo with android robot).
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

⚠️ Warning: If Recovery doesn't have Wipe Cache, only Wipe Data is an erased Recovery (often after rooting), then go to the Fastboot firmware section.

Turn off the phone.

Press the power + Volume up for 10+ seconds

Wait for the Recovery menu to come out (Mi Bunny logo)

Do not select Wipe Data - this will delete all files-->

Hard Reset: Recovery via Wipe Data

If the soft methods didn't work, you'd have to reset your phone to the factory settings, which would delete all the data, but it would bring it back to work 90 percent of the time.

Instructions for resetting through Recovery

1. Go to Recovery (as in the previous section).
2. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (or Wipe Data).
3. Confirm the action (you may need to enter a password if it was set).
4. After reset, select Reboot to System.

If the phone goes back to bootloop after reset:

• 📱 Try resetting again.
• 🔧 Flash your phone through Fastboot (instructions in the next section).
• 💻 Check if the phone is detected in the Mi Flash Tool (if not, the problem is hardware).

⚠️ Warning: Some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO X3) may require re-activation of your Mi Account after reset via Recovery. If you don't remember the password, link the phone to another account before reset via account.xiaomi.com.

4.Fastboot firmware: When Recovery doesn't help

If the reset doesn't work or the phone doesn't go into Recovery, you have to flash it through Fastboot, which requires a computer and a formal firmware.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (on Mac/Linux There may be problems with drivers).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (don’t use cheap Chinese cables – they often don’t transmit data).
• 📁 Official firmware for your model (download from new.c.mi.com).
• 🛠 Mi Flash Tool (download from xiaomiflashtool.com)

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery!). Unpack the archive into a folder.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers (complete with the program).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a hare will appear with the inscription Fastboot).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
5. In Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the firmware folder, then Refresh (should appear) COM-port).
6. Select Clean All (delete all data) or Clean All and Lock (if you want to block the bootloader after you have been firmware).
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

If the firmware is successful, the phone will restart. If it's not, try:

• 🔄 Repeat the process with another firmware version (e.g., an older one).
• 🔌 Use the other USB-port.
• 💻 Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.

5.Firmware through EDL: Last Chance for Bricks

If the phone doesn't go into the Fastboot, doesn't respond to buttons, and isn't detected by the computer, it's still running through EDL, which is activated at the CPU level, and it works even when the firmware is damaged.

Note: The method requires an authorized Xiaomi account (for new models) or a paid EDL credit (for old ones). On models with Qualcomm (most Xiaomi), you can use the QFil utility or Mi Flash Pro.

Instructions for Qualcomm-telephones:

1. Download firmware in.mbn or.elf format (for example, from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
2. Install the QDLoader 9008 driver (search the network for "Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 Driver").
3. Turn off your phone. Close the Test Point contacts (their location depends on the model - look for circuits for your device) and connect the USB- cable.
4. Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
5. Run Mi Flash Pro or QFil, select firmware and press Flash.

For MediaTek phones (like the Redmi Note 11), use the SP Flash Tool and scatter firmware.The process is similar, but instead of Test Point, Firehose authorization may be required.

⚠️ Warning: The firmware via EDL resets all data and can block the bootloader if the firmware is incorrect. On models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 (e.g., Xiaomi 12/13), an authorized account is required for the EDL (it can be purchased from official Xiaomi partners).

6. Hardware reasons bootloop: when to carry in the service

If none of the software methods worked, the problem is probably hardware, and here are some signs that the phone needs repair:

• 🔥 The phone overheats when you try to turn on (hot case, burning smell).
• 💧 Before the bootloop, the phone would fall into water or be exposed to moisture.
• ⚡ Artifacts (strips, flickering) appear on the screen or it doesn't turn on at all.
• 🔋 The battery is swollen or the phone turns off at 30-50% charge.
• 📱 The phone is not defined in any mode (Fastboot, EDL, Recovery).

Typical hardware faults that cause bootloop:

If the phone is warranty, don't disassemble it yourself - this will void the warranty. Contact the authorized Xiaomi service center (list on mi.com/ru/service/center). For phones older than 2 years, look for proven workshops with good reviews.

💡

Before visiting the service, take photos of IMEI (on the box or under the battery) and the serial number. This will help to avoid replacing components with non-original ones.

7. How to avoid bootloop in the future

To minimize the risk of re-booting, follow these guidelines:

• 📱 Do not interrupt the MIUI update (do not turn off the phone, do not remove the battery during installation OTA).
• 🔋 Keep an eye on battery power – don’t let the discharge fall below 10% (especially in the cold).
• 🛠 Do not install custom firmware without backup and knowledge.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
• 📁 Use official sources to download firmware and applications.

If you often experiment with the following:

• 🔧 Install TWRP Recovery and do backups through Nandroid Backup.
• 📱 Unlock the bootloader officially via en.miui.com/unlock.
• 💾 Store copies of important data (photos, contacts) in the cloud or on your PC.

💡

The most common reason for bootloop is an interrupted update or incompatible firmware. Always check the MIUI version before installing and monitor battery power during the upgrade.

FAQ: Frequent questions about bootloop on Xiaomi