Xiaomi phone is stuck on startup the boot screen: reasons and 5 working ways to solve

Why does Xiaomi smartphone hang on the logo when turned on?

You've turned on Xiaomi, but instead of the desktop, you only see the Mi logo or the download animation that spins endlessly? This problem is familiar to many owners of the brand's devices, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 13. The reasons can be both software (90% of the time) and hardware.

Failures after the update are incorrect firmware through OTA or manual update with errors. For example, if during the installation of the update the battery is dead or the Internet connection is interrupted. Application conflict is viruses, incompatible appliances or "curves" modifications of system files (for example, after obtaining root rights); damage to the memory partition - when the phone can not read the critical files of the bootloader due to broken sectors of the drive.

Less commonly, the problem is hardware: broken plumes, damaged memory chips (eMMC or UFS), a faulty battery that doesn't provide enough current to initialize the system, in which case a service center is essential, but in 80 percent of cases, you can reanimate the phone yourself -- more on that.

Method 1: Forced reset - the first step when getting stuck

If Xiaomi is stuck on the logo for the first time, start with the simplest, a hard reboot, which works if the cause is a temporary system failure, not serious firmware damage.

For most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models, the combination is one: Press the power button + volume button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out. Then let go and turn on the phone as usual. If the buttons don't respond, try holding only the power button for 20 to 30 seconds - this simulates battery extraction.

Important! On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi A1/A2 with pure Android One), the combination may be different. If it didn't work, try Power + Volume Reduction (for older devices) or Power + both volume buttons (for new flagships).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone freezes on the logo again after the reboot, don't try to turn it on repeatedly - this can aggravate the problem.

Method 2: Download to Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

Safe Mode lets you run Xiaomi with third-party apps disabled, and if the phone boots up, it's a problem with one of the apps installed, and it only works if the system responds to the buttons in any way.

Instructions for downloading in Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (as in Method 1).
2. Press the power button and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. As soon as the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press the volume down button.
4. Hold it until the phone boots up. The bottom left corner of the screen should show the word Safe mode.

If the download is successful:

• 📱 Remove newly installed applications (especially those that required root or access to system files).
• 🔍 Check your phone with an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes or built-in Mi Security).
• 🔄 Restart the device in normal mode.

Method 3: Resetting settings via Recovery Mode

If Xiaomi doesn’t boot even in Safe Mode, the next step is to reset to factory settings via Recovery, which will remove all data from internal memory (photos, contacts, apps), but bring the phone back to life. On models with a locked bootloader, this method may not work — you will need to unlock.

How to log in to Recovery:

• Turn off the phone (forced).
• Press the power button + volume button.
• Hold on until a menu with the Mi logo and the Android robot appears.

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (up/down) and the power button (select) are controlled.

• Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (full reset).
• Confirm the action (usually you need to enter Yes).
• After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Backup of important data (if the phone is turned on somehow)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Prepare. SIM-Mi card and account (required to be activated after reset)

Make sure the bootloader is not locked (otherwise reset will not help)-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F1 Xiaomi Mi 9) after reset may require entering the username and password from the account Mi. If you do not remember them, the phone will turn into a “brick” – check the login details in advance!

Method 4: Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot (for advanced ones)

If the reset doesn't work, you have to flash it over the Fastboot, USB-It's a cable and command line knowledge, and it's a good fit for cases where:

• 🔧 The bootloop is damaged).
• 📱 Phone does not respond to reset in Recovery.
• 🔄 You need to install the official firmware "from scratch".

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on the disk C:\ (for example, C:\miui_fastboot).
3. Install drivers for Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Flash Tool or ADB Driver Installer).
4. Start your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off your phone → Press down Power + Volume down The screen will see a hare in a hat-eared hat (Fastboot logo).
5. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the firmware folder. Enter: fastboot flash all (new models may require a fastboot flash command). all_lock).
6. Wait for the end (10-15 minutes) and restart your phone: fastboot reboot

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If the firmware is interrupted with an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one before, in which case you need to download the firmware of the same or newer version.

Method 5: Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

If you see a Device is locked error when you try to flash your phone through Fastboot, you have a bootloader blocked. Xiaomi locks it on all new devices to protect against unauthorized changes.

1. Get permission from Xiaomi: Go to Mi Unlock. Sign in with your Mi Account (it must be linked to your phone!). Download the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.

Fastboot

Launch unlock.

Important! After unlocking:

• 🔓 All data from the phone will be deleted.
• 🔄 The bootloader will remain unlocked – this will reduce the security of the device.
• 📱 Some features (such as Mi Pay or Face Unlock) may stop working.

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Unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty. If the phone is warranty, it is better to contact the service center.

When do I contact the service center?

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

• 🔋 The phone does not respond to charging (even after replacing the cable and power supply).
• 💾 When connected to a PC, it is not defined as a device (no connection sound, not visible in Device Manager).
• 🔥 Heated body in the processor or memory area (indicates a short circuit).
• 🛠️ Artifacts appear on the screen (stripes, flickering) - this may indicate problems with the plume or display.

The average cost of repairs in Xiaomi service centers:

Before the service visit:

• 📋 Write it down. IMEI phone (on a box or under a battery).
• 🔐 Take a check or a warranty card (if any).
• ⚠️ Check if the service works with your model – some new devices require special hardware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi hanging on the logo