If your Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is slowing down, spontaneously rebooting or “glutching,” the first thing experts advise is to perform a reboot, a simple but effective method that can solve up to 70 percent of software problems without going to the service center. But what exactly is behind this term? Why does a conventional reboot sometimes work better than complex manipulation of settings?
In this article, we’ll look at how the reboot differs from the standard off/on when it’s really worth using on Redmi devices (including the Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C, Redmi A2 and others), and when it can hurt. You’ll also learn about the hidden reboot features in Fastboot and Recovery mode, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but which are able to “resuscitate” even a heavily got stuck device.
Reboot and Reboot: What's the Difference?
Many users mistakenly think that the reboot is just a fancy name for a familiar reboot. In fact, there is a difference, and it is the depth of the system reset. When you switch off / turn on the phone stores some temporary data in RAM, which can lead to an accumulation of errors. Reboot involves a complete cache reset and re-initiation of all hardware components, including communication modules, graphics processor and power controller.
On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, there are three types of reboot:
- 🔄 Soft Reboot is the equivalent of a standard menu reboot, suitable for eliminating small lags.
- 🔧 Hard Reboot: Forced reboot by pressing buttons. Used when getting stuck.
- 🛠️ Rebuttal in mode Recovery/Fastboot — Deep reset for diagnostics or firmware.
Important: On new Redmi models (like the Redmi Note 13 Pro), the soft rebuke automatically clears the app cache, which doesn’t happen when you shut down, which explains why the phone is faster after a reboot.
When you need a reboot: 7 signs that it’s time to restart your phone
Xiaomi recommends that you perform the rebut in the following cases (the list is based on the analysis of support requests):
- 🐢 Slowdown: applications open long, animations slow down, most often associated with overflow of RAM.
- 📶 Network problems: The phone doesn't catch mobile internet or Wi-Fi, although other devices are working normally.
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge: if the battery lands on 30-50% faster than usual for no apparent reason.
- 🎮 On-screen artifacts: flickering, stripes, or “broken” pixels when watching videos or playing games.
- 🔊 Sound distortion: cracking in speakers, loss of sound in headphones.
- 📱 Does not respond to touch: the screen “freezes” or is triggered with a delay.
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot: The phone turns off and turns on in an infinite loop.
On the Mi Community forums, Redmi K50 and Redmi Note 11 Pro users note that the rebut helps even with problems with NFC - after the reboot, the contactless payment module begins to work more stable.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone overheats to 50°C and higher for normal tasks (such as watching videos), the rebate may be a temporary solution, but in this case, a diagnosis is required at the service center - thermopaste wear or processor malfunction may occur.
How to make a reboot on Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions
The way you reboot depends on the condition of the phone, and the instructions below are for all scenarios, including a hung screen or a dead device that doesn't respond to buttons.
1. Soft rebut (via menu)
Suitable for a planned reboot:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Slip on the item Reboot (on some models - Reboot the system).
- Confirm the action by pressing OK.
2. Hard rebut (when getting stuck)
If the screen does not respond to touch:
- Press the power button for 10-15 seconds.
- Wait for the vibration and the appearance of the Redmi logo.
- Release the button and the phone will restart.
Charge your phone at least 20% |Save important data |Switch off charging |Make sure the power button is not stuck-->
Reboot to Recovery Mode
For diagnosis or resetting of settings:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Power + Volume up for 5-7 seconds.
- From the Recovery menu, select Reboot → Reboot to System.
Redmi models with Snapdragon processor (such as Redmi Note 12 Pro) use a Power + Volume down combination to enter the Fastboot.
⚠️ Warning: Do not select Wipe Data option in Recovery unnecessarily, this will result in the deletion of all data on your phone, including photos and contacts!
| Type of rebut | When to apply | Implementation time | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft. | Prevention, small lags | 30-60 seconds | No. |
| Hard. | Freezing, non-responsive screen | 1-2 minutes | Loss of unsaved data |
| Recovery | Deep diagnostics, reset | 2-5 minutes | Resetting settings in case of error |
| Fastboot | Firmware, unlock. | 5+ minute | The risk of "bricking" |
What happens to your phone during a reboot?
The reboot process on Xiaomi Redmi can be divided into 5 key stages, each of which solves its own tasks:
- End of operation: Android correctly closes all background processes and saves application data (if the rebuke is soft).
- Cache reset: Temporary memory is cleared, including Dalvik cache (accelerates application launch).
- Hardware modules check: The phone tests the operation of the display, camera, speakers and sensors.
- Re-initiation of the kernel: Updated drivers for the processor, graphics accelerator and communication module.
- System boot: Custom settings are restored and system services are started.
On models with MIUI 14 and later, a memory optimization step has been added that automatically closes voracious applications (such as games or social networks) when rebooted, which explains why after a Redmi reboot with 6 GB, RAM runs faster than after a conventional shutdown.
Why does the phone warm up more after a reboot?
Frequent Reboot Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even a simple procedure like a reboot can go wrong, and here are the typical Xiaomi Redmi user mistakes and their consequences:
- 🔌 Reboot during charging: May cause power controller failure on budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9A). Always turn off the cable before restarting.
- 📲 Interrupting: If you take out the battery (on the removable battery models) or hold the power button too long, the phone can boot into Fastboot instead of the usual mode.
- 🔄 Frequent reboots: More than 3-4 reboots per day accelerate the wear and tear of flash memory (especially on cheap models with eMMC memory).
- 🛑 Ignoring Errors: If an Android recovery message appears after a reboot..., don’t click Skip – wait for the check to be completed.
A tip from a Xiaomi engineer: if your phone boots after a reboot for longer than 5 minutes, don't try to turn it off. Most likely, you're recovering system files, and interrupting this process can lead to data loss.
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Before rebooting, check the available space on the phone. If the memory is less than 1 GB, the reboot can take up to 10 minutes due to file fragmentation.
Reboot vs reset to factory settings: what to choose?
Many people confuse a reset with a full reset, but these are fundamentally different procedures: a reboot is a restart of the system with all the data stored, and a reset is a return of the phone to the state “out of the box.” When to apply what?
| Problem. | Will the reboot help? | Need a reset? |
|---|---|---|
| Phone's slowing down. | Yes (80 percent of the time) | No. |
| Apps fly out | Yes. | Unless the Rebate didn't help. |
| Forgotten pattern lock | No. | Yes. |
| Viruses in the system | Temporarily | Yes (but better to use antivirus) |
| Problems with SIM-card | Yes (re-initializes modem) | No. |
Redmi models with MIUI 13+ have an intermediate option – reset settings without deleting data (Settings → About Phone → Resetting). This feature returns only system settings (Wi-Fi, sound, display) to factory settings, but saves photos, messages and applications.
⚠️ Note: On phones with an unlocked bootloader, frequent reboots can cause encryption to fail. If the phone requires a password after a reboot but does not accept it, a full reset via Fastboot will be required.
Hidden Reboot Features on Xiaomi Redmi
Few people know, but on Xiaomi smartphones, reboots can be used to activate hidden modes and diagnoses.
- 🔍 Test mode: After reboot, keep Volume up + Volume down – the diagnostic menu will open (works on Redmi Note) 10/11/12).
- 📡 Network reset: Reboot your phone three times in a row and reset your mobile internet and Wi-Fi settings (analogue #4636##).
- 🔋 Battery calibration: Discharge the phone to 0%, recharge, then charge to 100% without interruption. Repeat 2-3 times for accurate display of charge level.
- 🎯 Accelerate the game: Before starting a heavy game (for example, Genshin Impact), perform a rebut - this will free up RAM and increase the speed of the game. FPS 10-15%.
In the models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Redmi) K60) rebuff resets settings DC Dimming, which helps eliminate screen flickering at low brightness.
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Reboot is not only a way to fix errors, but also a tool to optimize the operation of the phone. Regular reboot (every 3-5 days) prolongs the life of the battery and prevents the system from clogging.