Signing into the BIOS on Xiaomi devices is a procedure that may be necessary to set up hardware, change the boot order, enable virtualization or solve problems with starting a system. Unlike traditional PCs, Xiaomi equipment (especially Mi Notebook laptops and Mi Box mini PCs) often uses UEFI instead of the classic BIOS, which brings nuances to the login process. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from standard hotkeys to alternative methods through Windows or bootable media.
It is important to understand that the interface and available options in the BIOS depend on the device model. For example, on Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro and RedmiBook laptops, AMI UEFI with a graphical menu is used, and on the Xiaomi Mi Box S mini PC, a simplified version with limited settings. We will look at universal methods, but also point out the features of specific lines. If you have never worked with the BIOS, do not worry: modern versions of Xiaomi UEFI support a mouse and have an intuitive interface in English or Chinese (with the possibility of changing the language).
Before you start, make sure your device is fully charged (or connected to the network) and also prepare for the charge. USB-Keyboard – on some Xiaomi models, the touchpad may not work until the OS boots. BIOS To install another operating system (such as Linux), disable Secure Boot in Windows settings in advance – this will save time.
Method 1: Standard Hot Keys for Entering the BIOS
The most common method is to use hotkeys when you turn on your device. Xiaomi devices most often use the F2 key, but there are exceptions. Here is a full list of combinations depending on the model:
- 💻 Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air/Pro/14/15/16, RedmiBook 14/15/16: F2 (occasionally)
- 🖥️ Xiaomi Mi Desktop Mini, Mi Box (mini-PC): Esc → F2 or F7 (boot-menu)
- 📺 Xiaomi Mi TV Stick, Mi Box S: Menu combination + Back on the remote (hold 5 seconds)
- 🔧 Xiaomi Pad 6 Max (keyboard tablets): Fn + F2 power + Volume Up
Algorithm of action:
- Turn off the device completely (not restart!).
- Press and hold the desired key (for example, F2).
- Without releasing the key, press the power button.
- Hold the key until the Xiaomi logo or BIOS menu appears.
If the key doesn’t work, try an alternative: press F2 quickly (1-2 times per second) immediately after pressing the power button. On some RedmiBook models, you may need to pre-disable Fast Boot in Windows settings.
Method 2: Log in via the boot menu (Boot Menu)
If the hotkeys don’t work, you can try logging into the BIOS via the Boot Menu, which works on most Xiaomi laptops and allows you to select a boot device or go to UEFI settings.
Instructions:
- Turn off the device.
- Turn it on and press F12 (or Esc on some models) right away.
- In the menu that appears, select Enter Setup (or similar item).
On the Xiaomi Mi Box mini PC, the download menu may not be available. In this case, use the Esc + F7 combination when you turn on. If the menu does not appear, check if Boot Menu is disabled in the BIOS settings (this is rare, but occurs on some firmware).
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On Xiaomi laptops with Windows 11, the download menu can be called through the Restore options: Settings → System → Restore → Reboot Now (holding Shift).
Method 3: Sign in to the BIOS via Windows (without rebooting)
Modern versions of Windows 10/11 allow you to log into the BIOS without using hotkeys, which is especially useful if the keyboard is not working during the boot phase or you do not have time to press the desired button.
Step-by-step:
- Open Windows Settings (Win + I)
- Go to Update and Security → Recovery.
- In the Special Download Options section, click Reboot Now.
- After restarting, select Diagnostic → Additional settings → UEFI embedded software settings.
- Click Reboot – the device will automatically open the BIOS.
This method works on all Xiaomi laptops with Windows preinstalled, but may not be available on Linux or custom firmware devices. If the UEFI Embedded Software Settings option is missing, then your system does not support this method (for example, on some versions of Windows 10 LTSC).
Disable BitLocker (if enabled)
Keep all open documents
Connect the charger
Check the keyboard.
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Method 4: Using a bootable flash drive or disk
If standard methods do not work (for example, due to damaged firmware or password lock), you can log in to the BIOS It's going to take a bootable medium. USB-a storage device with a written image of Windows, Linux or special software like Hiren’s BootCD.
Algorithm of action:
- Create a bootable flash drive with any OS (for example, through Rufus or Media Creation Tool).
- Connect the flash drive to the switched off Xiaomi device.
- Turn on the device and immediately press the boot menu call key (F12, Esc, or F7).
- In the menu, select your flash drive, but instead of loading the OS, press Shift + F10 (the command line will open).
- Enter the command to reboot to BIOS: shutdown /r /fw /f /t 0
This method works even on locked devices, but requires preliminary preparation of the bootable media. On the mini-PC Xiaomi Mi Box instead of a flash drive you can use the flash drive. SD-map with recorded Android image TV or libreelec.
What to do if the boot menu does not open?
Features of the BIOS on different devices Xiaomi
The interface and available BIOS settings depend on the model and type of device, and the following is a comparison table with key differences:
| The device | Type BIOS | Entry key | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Notebook Pro 15/16 | AMI UEFI | F2 | Support for mouse, Russian language (after update), Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 settings. |
| RedmiBook 14/15 | InsydeH2O UEFI | Del or F2 | Simplified menu, limited overclocking settings, no support for Legacy Mode. |
| Mi Desktop Mini | Phoenix UEFI | Esc → F2 | Settings for M.2 SSD, fan control, support for Wake-on-LAN. |
| Mi Box S | Amlogic U-Boot | Menu + Back (remote) | Minimalist interface, only basic download and network settings. |
| Mi TV Stick | Custom Bootloader | No access. | The BIOS is locked, only settings are available via Android TV. |
Xiaomi laptops with InsydeH2O UEFI (e.g. RedmiBook 16) may not support Legacy Mode, making it difficult to install older versions of Windows or Linux, which requires disabling Secure Boot and using UEFI-compatible boot media.
On the Xiaomi Mi Box, the BIOS interface is severely stripped down, where you can only change the order of boot and turn on/off network interfaces. These devices are not designed to overclock or fine-tune the equipment.
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On InsydeH2O UEFI devices (e.g., RedmiBook), resetting the BIOS to factory settings may require input of a code that can be generated on the Insyde site by the device's serial number.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When trying to log into the BIOS on Xiaomi devices, users often encounter typical errors, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.
⚠️ Note: If after entering the BIOS You see an Enter Password message, which means that the password is set at the firmware level, and you can only reset it through a memory chip. BIOS (Self-attempts to zero the password by software methods (for example, through CmosPwd) on modern Xiaomi devices do not work due to hardware protection.
- 🔄 The key does not work: Check if Fast Boot is enabled on Windows or BIOS. Turn it off in the power settings.
- 🖥️ Black screen after login: Connect the device to an external monitor – the problem may be in the driver of the built-in graphics.
- 🔒 BIOS Locked: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi Notebook Air) BIOS It's blocked after you fail to enter your password. CLR_CMOS (need to be disassembled).
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot: If the device is constantly restarted when trying to log in BIOS, This could indicate a broken firmware, and you can repair it with the help of CH341A programmer.
If the BIOS update has stopped turning on (black screen, flashing indicator), it may be due to a failed firmware.
- Turn off the power and remove the battery (on laptops).
- Hold the power button for 30 seconds (discharge of capacitors).
- Connect the charger and try to turn on the device with the F2 key pressed.
On Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro 2022 and later, the reset of the BIOS through the CMOS battery retraction does not work - instead, eFuse protection is used.
Safety and recommendations when working with BIOS
Incorrect BIOS settings can cause your device to malfunction or even fail. Follow these guidelines to avoid problems:
- 🔧 Save current settings: Before changing settings, take photos of all tabs BIOS or save the settings profile (if you have such an option).
- 🔄 Update. BIOS Careful: Use only official firmware from Xiaomi's site. interruption of the upgrade process can render the device inoperable.
- 🔒 Password to BIOS: If you set a password, write it down in a safe place. On Xiaomi devices, it is almost impossible to reset it without disassembly.
- ⚡ Power settings: Turn off Fast Boot in BIOS, If you plan to use Wake-on-LAN or dualboot with Linux.
If you're setting up BIOS To install Linux, disable Secure Boot and turn it on AHCI-regime SATA/SSD. On Xiaomi laptops with discrete graphics (NVIDIA MX) You may need to turn off Optimus in BIOS for the correct operation of drivers in Linux.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with InsydeH2O UEFI (For example, RedmiBook 16) changes settings TPM Virtualization can result in BitLocker being blocked in Windows 11.Before such changes, disable BitLocker or save the recovery key.