Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4X often face a situation where the phone instead of the usual Android download suddenly shows a black screen with a green robot and the inscription Fastboot. This mode is not a breakdown, but a utility tool for low-level work with firmware. However, for the average user, it can become a real headache, especially if the smartphone hung in the Fastboot after a failed update or reset.
Why does Redmi 4X (codename santoni) get stuck so often in this mode? It's because of the architecture of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 435 processor and the implementation of the bootloader in older versions of MIUI. Even a minor update failure or incorrect power outage can lead to the system not being able to complete initialization and "fall" in the Fastboot. The good news is that 90% of the time the problem is solved without visiting the service center - just know the right sequence of actions.
In this article, we will discuss:
- 🔍 What is Fastboot and Why You Need It in Xiaomi
- ⚡ The main reasons Redmi 4X got into this mode
- 🛠️ 5 proven ways to exit (from simple to complex)
- 🚨 How to avoid sticking again in the future
What is Fastboot and why does it appear on Xiaomi Redmi 4X?
Fastboot is a protocol for interacting with an Android device bootloader via USB. Unlike Recovery mode, which works at the operating system level, Fastboot allows you to control the hardware directly even if Android is not booting. On the Redmi 4X screen, it looks like a black background with the Mi Bunny logo (green robot) and the inscription FASTBOOT at the bottom.
On Xiaomi Redmi 4X, this mode is activated in three cases:
- Forced – if the user holds the button combination Volume down + Power when turned on.
- Automatically – when the system detects a critical boot error (damaged boot-partition, lack of firmware).
- After a failure – if the MIUI update was interrupted or was passed with errors.
It's important to understand that Fastboot isn't a bug in itself. It's an emergency exit that protects your device from bricking. For example, if you tried to flash a custom Recovery (like TWRP) and something went wrong, the phone will go to Fastboot to prevent data corruption.
Top-5 Reasons Why Redmi 4X Sticks to Fastboot
Analysis of the 4PDA and Mi Community forums shows that Redmi 4X is particularly vulnerable to this problem.
| Reason. | Frequency of occurrence | Can I correct myself? |
|---|---|---|
| Misfitting MIUI update via OTA | 40% | Yeah (flashing) |
| Interrupted firmware through the Mi Flash Tool | 25% | Yeah (re-firmware) |
| Failure to install custom Recovery (TWRP) | 15% | Yes (stock recovery recovery) |
| Hardware failure (damaged eMMC memory) | 10% | No (repair required) |
| Battery discharge during critical operations | 10% | Yes (charging + reset) |
A critical feature of the Redmi 4X is that this smartphone uses the 5.1 eMMC memory chip, which is sensitive to sudden power outages. If the battery runs down to 0% while writing to a boot or system partition, there is a high risk of damage to the partition table - and then leaving the Fastboot will require a complete flashing through the EDL- mode.
Another common reason is the conflict between bootloader and firmware versions, for example, if you flashed Redmi 4X through the Mi Flash Tool and chose the wrong MIUI (for example, global over Chinese), the phone may freeze in Fastboot due to vendor partition incompatibility.
⚠️ Warning: If your Redmi 4X got into the Fastboot after trying to root through Magisk or SuperSU, never try to stitch a kernel over it, which can lead to a hard brick where the phone isn't even computer-defined.
Method 1: Simple restart (if the smartphone responds to buttons)
If Redmi 4X hit the Fastboot by accident (for example, after pressing a button combination), try the standard exit method:
Hold the power button. 10-15 seconds|If it doesn't help, press the volume up. + Meals for food 20 seconds|Connect the charger and try again through 5 minute|Try to extract SIM-card and memory card (sometimes they block the download)-->
Redmi 4X often has a hard reset: press Volume up + Volume down + Power for 15-20 seconds at the same time. The screen should go out, and then the phone will restart in normal mode. If this does not happen, move to the next method.
Why does this work? The fact is that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 has a hardware reset that resets the bootloader's state, but this method won't help if the problem lies in damaged partitions of memory.
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If the phone vibrates when you press the buttons, but the screen is still black, that's a good sign, so the hardware is good, and the problem is software.
Method 2: Exit via Mi Assistant (Official Xiaomi Tool)
If a simple reboot doesn’t work, use the Mi Assistant utility (formerly Mi PC Suite), which is suitable if:
- 🔄 The phone is determined by the computer in Fastboot (the device manager appears Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or Android Bootloader Interface).
- 📥 You have the original USB- cable (not a cheap replacement!).
- 💻 The PC has Qualcomm and ADB drivers installed.
Step-by-step:
- Download Mi Assistant from Xiaomi’s official website and install it.
- Connect Redmi 4X to your PC via USB (USB 2.0 port is more reliable than 3.0).
- Run Mi Assistant and wait until the program determines the device in Fastboot mode.
- Click System Repair and follow the prompts.
- Select the latest stable version of MIUI for Redmi 4X (e.g. V12.5.1.0 for global firmware).
It takes 10-20 minutes to process, and when it's done, the phone should automatically reboot to normal mode. If the Mi Assistant gives you a Couldn't repair error, try:
- 🔌 Connect the phone to another USB- port.
- 🔄 Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager.
- 📡 Disable the antivirus (it can block access to the bootloader).
⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Assistant offers to flash the MIUI version older than the one that was installed earlier, refuse! Downgrade on Redmi 4X without unlocking the boot boot bootloader can lead to a kloop (infinite reboot).
Method 3: Manual control via ADB and Fastboot (for advanced)
If the previous methods didn't work, you'd have to use the command line, which requires the ADB and Fastboot tools installed on your PC.
1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the C:\ drive root (e.g., C:\platform-tools\).
2. Connect Redmi 4X to your PC and open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Go to the folder with ADB:
cd C:\platform-tools\4. Check if the PC sees the device:
fastboot devicesIf you see a serial number (e.g., 1234abcd fastboot) in response, you can continue. If not, manually install the drivers.
5. execute the command to reboot to normal mode:
fastboot rebootIf the phone is back in Fastboot again, try resetting the cache:
fastboot erase cache
fastboot rebootRedmi 4X also has a userdata reset command (Warning, this will delete all data!):
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot rebootIf the phone doesn't boot after these commands, the boot partition is damaged, and then you'll need to flash it completely (see Method 4).
What if the fastboot can’t see the device?
Method 4: Complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (extremely)
If all previous methods failed, the last option is to flash the Redmi 4X from scratch through the Mi Flash Tool, which will erase all the data on the phone, but bring it back to life.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer running Windows 7/10/11 (on Mac/Linux Mi Flash Tool is not working).
- 📥 Firmware for Redmi 4X (santoni) – download from the official website MIUI (select the Fastboot version, not Recovery!).
- 🔧 The Mi Flash Tool.
- 🔑 Unlocked bootloader (if you are flashing the unofficial version MIUI).
Step-by-step:
- Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
- Install the Mi Flash Tool and run on behalf of the administrator.
- Connect Redmi 4X in Fastboot mode to your PC.
- In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
- Select firmware mode: Clean all – clean (recommended); Clean all and lock – clean + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data – data storage (not always stable).
Flash
Warnings:
- 🚫 Don't turn off your phone while you're firmware, it'll lead to a hard brick!
- 🔄 If the process is 99% frozen, wait 10 minutes, then reconnect USB.
- 📵 After the firmware, the first run can take up to 15 minutes - don't panic.
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If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, then you have blocked the bootloader. Unlock it through the official Xiaomi website (requires an association of the Mi Account).
Method 5: Hardware reset via testpoints (if phone is not detected)
If the Redmi 4X doesn’t respond to any commands and isn’t determined by the computer, the last chance is to put it into EDL mode (Emergency Download Mode) through test points, a method that requires disassembling the phone and is only suitable for advanced users.
What are test points?
These are special contacts on the Redmi 4X motherboard, the closure of which forcibly transfers the device to EDL mode. In this mode, the phone is defined as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, and it can be flashed even with a damaged bootloader.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone (if it doesn’t turn off, wait for the battery to drain completely).
- Remove the back cover and disconnect the battery plume.
- Find the test points on the board (for the Redmi 4X, these are two pins next to the charging connector, labeled EDL or TP).
- Close the contacts with tweezers or screwdrivers, simultaneously connecting USB-plug-in.
- If the drivers are installed correctly, Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 will appear in the Device Manager.
- Swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm).
⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly closing test points can damage the motherboard! If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service center. The cost of such repairs for Redmi 4X in 2026 year is about 1500-2500 rubles.
Where to find a testpoint scheme for Redmi 4X?
There is no official documentation from Xiaomi, but the schemes are published by enthusiasts on the forums:
- 4PDA (theme on Redmi 4X)
- XDA Developers
Look for a photo of the board marked EDL or Test Point.
How to avoid getting into Fastboot in the future: 7 rules for Redmi 4X
To prevent your Redmi 4X from sticking to Fastboot, follow these guidelines:
- 🔋 Don't upgrade on low battery charge. Minimum level is 50%. If during the upgrade MIUI the phone turns off, the risk of hitting the Fastboot is 80%.
- 📥 Use only official firmware. Custom ROM (e.g. LineageOS) often conflicts with the Redmi bootloader 4X.
- 🔄 Don't interrupt the firmware process. Even if the Mi Flash Tool is stuck at 99%, wait 10-15 minutes.
- 🛠️ Do not install TWRP without unlocking the bootloader. On Redmi 4X this is a common cause of bootloop.
- 🔌 Use the original cable. Cheap cables can cause voltage surges, causing eMMC memory failures.
- 📵 Do not remove the SIM- card or SD- card during boot time. This may cause partition mounting error.
- 🔒 Backup regularly through Mi Cloud, and if you fail, you can recover your data after flashing it.
Additional tip: If you often experiment with firmware, install the Quick Boot app from Google Play.It lets you reboot to Fastboot or Recovery straight from Android, without the risk of accidentally sticking.
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Before any MIUI update, check the reviews on forums (e.g. 4PDA).If users complain about bugs in the new version, wait 1-2 weeks until Xiaomi releases a patch.