Cold Boot on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Cold Reset

Have you ever come across a situation where a Xiaomi smartphone or a Mi TV is a good choice? TV Does the screen freeze on the logo, the apps spontaneously close, and the system slows down to the point of impossibility? In such cases, the so-called Cold Boot, a cold reset that is often confused with a conventional reboot or even a factory reset, is actually a separate procedure that can save a device without losing data if you know how to use it correctly.

In this article, we’ll look at what Xiaomi Cold Boot is, how it differs from other types of reboot, where it really helps and when it can hurt. You’ll also find step-by-step instructions for Xiaomi smartphones and TVs, learn how to recognize the symptoms that require this method, and learn how to avoid typical errors. This material is relevant for devices in 2026, but also for older models — from Redmi Note 7 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

What is Cold Boot and How Does It Work?

Cold Boot (literally “cold start”) is a forced reboot of a device, in which the state of RAM is completely reset (RAM) Unlike a conventional reboot (Warm Boot), when the system restarts softly, storing some of the data in memory, Cold Boot simulates a complete power outage and then turns on, even if the device does not physically turn off.

Technically, the process looks like this:

• 🔌 Disconnect power at the control controller level (not just turn off the screen!).
• 🧹 Cleanup RAM and reset the system kernel state (kernel).
• 🔄 Re-initiation of all hardware modules (processor, graphics accelerator, modem, etc.).
• 📱 Booting the system from scratch, as when you first turn on after purchase (but without data loss!).

On Xiaomi Cold Boot devices implemented at the firmware level MIUI It's available through hidden commands or button combinations. It's important to understand that it's not the same thing as:

• ❌ Regular reboot (Reboot to the power menu).
• ❌ Reset to factory settings (Wipe Data in Recovery).
• ❌ Hard Reset (deletes all data!).

Cold Boot and Hard Reset Differences

To avoid confusing the reboot methods, compare them in the table:

⚠️ Warning: Cold Boot is not a panacea! If a device gets infected with a virus or system files are corrupted, this method will not help - you will need a complete reset or flashing.

Cold Boot’s main advantage over Hard Reset is to save all user data (photos, contacts, messages) but it does not reset the system settings, so if the problem is caused by incorrect settings (for example, after manually changing build.prop), additional configuration may be required.

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If the device is glitching again after Cold Boot, try going to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI And then you tap the build number a few times, and that activates the developer mode, where you can reset the animation settings. → Windows animations) before 0.5x speed up.

When you need Cold Boot on Xiaomi: Symptoms and Cases

Cold Boot is not designed for regular use, it's an ambulance for the device, and here are the typical situations where it's really needed:

• 📵 The device hangs on the logo (Mi or Redmi) when turned on, but does not boot further.
• 🐢 The system brakes to the point of impossibility, applications do not open, and the interface does not respond to touch.
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (the device is constantly in need on its own).
• 🎮 Graphic artifacts (screen stripes, flickering, distorted colors) after firmware update.
• 📡 Network problems: Wi-Fi or mobile internet not turned on, although modules are serviceable.
• 🔋 Battery discharges in a few hours for no apparent reason (after a failed update).

Cold Boot will not help if:

• 🚫 The device is physically damaged (for example, after falling or getting moisture).
• 🚫 The file system is damaged (FSK is needed via Recovery).
• 🚫 Broken bootloader (bootloop due to failed firmware).
• 🚫 Virus blocked system (antivirus check or reset required).

⚠️ Note: If the device stopped turning on after Cold Boot, there is likely a problem in the hardware (for example, the dump of the memory chip.

How to make Cold Boot on Xiaomi smartphones: step-by-step instructions

How to run Cold Boot depends on the device model and version MIUI. Below are the universal methods that work on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 etc.).

Method 1: Recovery Menu (Recovery)

This method works on all devices, but requires access to Recovery Mode.

1. Turn off your phone (hold on the power) + Vol Up to vibration).
2. Hold the Power. + Vol Up for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. In the Restore Menu, select Reboot. → Cold Boot (on some firmware, the item may be called Reboot to Bootloader followed by automatic cold start).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (can take up to 2-3 minutes).

Method 2: Through teams ADB (advanced)

If you have access to ADB (debugging USB), Use this command:

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot reboot cold

After execution, the device will restart with a complete reset of the memory state.

Method 3: Hardware button combination (for older models)

On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 4X, Mi A1) Cold Boot is running like this:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the Power. + Vol Up + Vol Down at the same time 15-20 seconds.
3. Release the buttons when the device vibrates, and a cold reboot will begin.

Charge the battery to at least 30%|Save important data (in case of failure)|Disconnect all cables (charging, headphones)|Remember the button combination for your model-->

Cold Boot on Mi TVs TV: features and instructions

Xiaomi Mi TVs TV (series A2, P1, Q2 Cold Boot is also supported, but the algorithm is different from smartphones:

• 📺 The screen is getting stuck on the Mi logo TV or shows "no signal" when the source is connected.
• 🎛️ The remote does not respond, and the buttons on the TV panel do not work either.
• 🔊 No sound, although the image is (problem with the audio driver).
• 🔄 The TV is spontaneously restarted or turned off.

Instructions for Mi TV:

1. Turn off the TV for 30 seconds (this is not Cold Boot, but the prep stage!).
2. Connect back and immediately press the Menu button on the remote. + Vol Down for 10 seconds.
3. If the remote is not working, use the buttons on the back of the TV: Power + Vol Down (hold 15 seconds).
4. Wait for the reboot (it can take up to 5 minutes – the indicator will flash on the screen).

⚠️ Attention: On Mi TVs TV The Stick and Mi Box Cold Boot is different — turn off the console power, wait 1 minute, and then hold the Reset button (hidden in the hole on the case) for 10 seconds!

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On TVs, Xiaomi Cold Boot often solves problems with the HDMI-CEC (Controlling other devices via one remote control and Google Cast failures (screen transfer from your phone).

Risks and Possible Problems After Cold Boot

Although Cold Boot is considered a safe procedure, it can rarely lead to undesirable consequences.

• ⚠️ Loss of unsaved data: All open documents, draft messages, or unsynchronized files will be lost.
• ⚠️ Resetting temporary settings: For example, Developer Options settings or power saving modes may fly off.
• ⚠️ Freeze during booting: If the system has been severely damaged, Cold Boot can cause bootloop (endless restart).
• ⚠️ Problems with SIM-Map: Some models may need to re-activate the mobile network after Cold Boot.

To minimize the risks:

• 🔋 Before the procedure, charge the device at least 50 times%.
• 📱 Close all applications manually (if the system is still responsive).
• 🔄 Do not interrupt the reboot process (even if it takes longer than usual).
• 📡 After Cold Boot, check the network and sound first.

What if the device does not turn on after Cold Boot?

1. Connect to charging and wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes the battery runs out in the process.
2. Try to get into Fastboot Mode (Power) + Vol Down and run the fastboot reboot command.
3. If nothing helps, contact the service (possibly the problem is in the hardware).

Cold Boot Alternatives: What to Do If It Doesn't Help

If Cold Boot hasn’t solved the problem, consider the following methods (from the most gentle to the most radical):

How to get into Safe Mode on Xiaomi:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. Once the logo appears, release Power and immediately press Vol Down.
4. Hold Vol Down until the Safe Mode sign appears at the bottom of the screen.

In Safe Mode, all third-party apps are disabled -- if the problem has gone away, one of them is to blame.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Cold Boot