How to restart Xiaomi smartphone if the sensor does not work: all working methods

Xiaomi's screen stopped responding to touch, and the phone is stuck or malfunctioning? The situation is unpleasant, but solvable. In most cases, the problem lies in the software failure, not in the physical breakdown of the display. The main thing is to properly restart the device to bring it back to life. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to force the reboot, including button combinations, connecting to a PC and using Xiaomi's proprietary utilities.

It is important to understand that the reboot method depends on the model of the smartphone and the cause of the malfunction. For example, on older devices (until 2020) the classic power button retention often works, and on new ones (Redmi Note 11/12 series, POCO F4/F5) you may need a combination with a volume key.

If the sensor is not working partially (reacts only to part of the screen), try software reboot first. If the screen is completely dead, move to hardware methods. EDL-regime.

Why the sensor on Xiaomi stopped working: the main reasons

Before you reboot your smartphone, you need to figure out what might have caused the problem, and 80 percent of the time, it's the software, not the hardware, and here are the most common reasons:

• 🔄 System freeze after update MIUI It's often happening in Redmi models. 9/10 and POCO X3 owing to unstable firmware.
• 📱 CPU overheating (e.g. after gaming or charging) The sensor may be turned off as a protective measure.
• 🔋 Critical battery discharge (below 5%) Some Xiaomi models lock the screen at deep discharge.
• 🛠️ Damage to the plume after falling or repairing.Relevant to Redmi Note 8/9 Pro - they have weak display connectors.
• 🦠 Viral software that interferes with sensor drivers, found on root-right or third-party devices.

If the sensor stops working after a fall or moisture, there is a high probability of physical failure, in which case the reboot may not help - you will need a diagnosis at the service center. But first try the methods from this article: sometimes even after mechanical damage, software failures are disguised as hardware.

Method 1: Software reboot (if the screen is partially running)

If the sensor responds to touch, but with delays or only in certain areas, try restarting the device through the menu, which is the safest way and does not require a PC connection.

1.Unlock the screen (if possible) with a fingerprint or facial recognition

2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification panel

3. Find the icon. ⚙️ «Settings" and tap on it

4. Go to About Phone → Reboot (or Additional → Reboot)

5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion-->

If the notification bar doesn’t open, try calling Google’s voice assistant (if it’s enabled):

1. Say “OK Google” or hold the Home button (on models with a physical key).
2. You can dictate the command: “Reboot the phone.”
3. Confirm the action with your voice.

Some MIUI firmware (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro) has a hidden function of forced reboot via the power button:

1. Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds.
2. If the off menu appears, select Reboot (use volume keys for navigation).
3. If the menu doesn’t appear, release the button and try again in 30 seconds.

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On Xiaomi models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Mi 11 or POCO F3) Sometimes it helps to turn on Always On Display mode via voice assistant.

Method 2: Forced button reboot (Hard Reboot)

If the screen doesn’t respond fully and the phone is on (lights, vibrates), try hardware reset, which works on 99% of Xiaomi models, but the button combinations may differ.

Algorithm of action:

1. Press and hold the combination specified for your model.
2. Wait until the screen goes out (or the Mi logo appears).
3. Release the buttons and wait 1-2 minutes – the phone should restart.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) long-term button retention can cause resets to factory settings. If after 20 seconds nothing happens, release the buttons and try another method.

If the phone doesn't respond to the buttons, the battery may have run out. Connect it to charge for 10-15 minutes, then try again. On fast-charging models (33W/67W/120W), it sometimes helps to connect to another power supply - the original Xiaomi charges can "wake up" the device even at a deep discharge.

Method 3: Reboot via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If the hardware reboot didn't help, and the phone is turning on (vibrates, lights are on), you can try restarting it via Fastboot mode. USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 20 to 30 seconds if it doesn't respond).
2. Press Power + Volume Down and hold for 5-10 seconds until the image of a rabbit in a hat appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
5. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and type: fastboot reboot
6. The phone should restart in normal mode.

If the fastboot reboot command doesn’t work, try:

fastboot oem reboot-edl

This will translate the device into EDL-mode (emergency firmware), but use it only if you are confident in your actions - the wrong commands can lead to a breeze (complete inoperability) of the phone.

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 11 and later), fastboot commands may not be executed.

Method 4: Reboot via Mi Assistant (official method)

If previous methods have not worked, use the proprietary utility Mi Assistant, which allows you to reboot and restore Xiaomi smartphones even with a broken screen.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi PC Suite (official website) and install it on your computer.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (preferably the original cable).
3. Run Mi Assistant and wait for the program to identify the device.
4. If the phone is not recognized, click Can't connect and select System Restore.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen – the utility will suggest restarting the device or flashing it again.

Important: Mi Assistant may require authorization to the Mi-account that was linked to the phone. If you do not remember your account details, use the password recovery feature on Xiaomi's website.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔧 It works even on blocked loaders.
• 📥 Can restore firmware without data loss (if the problem is in the software).
• 🛡️ Official tool – minimal risk of damage to the device.

If Mi Assistant only offers a full reset and you need to save your data, try other methods first or contact the service center.

Method 5: Battery manipulation (extreme case)

If the phone doesn't respond to buttons at all and isn't determined by the computer, the last option is to turn off the power, which is risky and only suitable for models with removable batteries (e.g. Redmi 4X, Redmi 5A) or if you're ready to disassemble the case.

Instructions for removable battery:

1. Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 30 seconds).
2. Remove the back cover (a plastic shoulder blade or mediator will be required).
3. Carefully disconnect the battery plume for 10-15 seconds.
4. Connect the battery back and try to turn on the phone.

For non-removable batteries (most modern models):

1. Completely discharge the phone (leave for 12-24 hours without charging).
2. Connect to the 1 hour charge.
3. Try to hold the power + Volume increase for 20-30 seconds.

⚠️ Attention: Disassembling the phone is warranty-free and can damage the plumes. If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service. On frameless models (for example, the Mi 11 Ultra), self-disassembly can damage the display.

What to do after the reboot?

If your phone has successfully restarted, follow the following steps to avoid repeated crashes:

• 🔍 Check the sensor in the Settings menu → The phone. → Diagnostics → Screen test.
• 📲 Update the firmware to the latest version (Settings) → Updating the system).
• 🧹 Clear the application cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache).
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Mi Security) and check your system for malware.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruption.

If the sensor stops working again, the problem may be:

• 🔧 Display Driver – Try to flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔌 Screen plume - need replacement (cost of repair: 1,500-4000) ₽ model-wise).
• 📱 Sensor controller – chip failure (repair is possible only in the service).

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If the sensor is unstable after the reboot (missing touches, double taps), the problem is likely in the hardware, and the temporary solution is to connect the mouse via USB-OTG and use the phone as a mini PC.

Frequent questions