How to reboot Xiaomi smartphone: from basic reboot to forced reset

Whether it’s the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Pro or the flagship Xiaomi 14 series, even the most productive gadgets sometimes fail: the screen does not respond to touch, applications suddenly close, and the system “hangs” on the MIUI logo. In 80% of cases, a simple reboot solves the problem, but not all users know how to do it correctly – especially if the touch screen does not work.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to reboot Xiaomi devices, including hidden crash reboot button combinations when the system is locked, and explain when to use a soft reboot and when to force reset via Recovery Mode or Fastboot. We will also discuss the nuances of the models with AMOLED-screens (where prolonged button retention can cause burn-in effects) and devices with a physical Bixby button (such as Black Shark 5).

1. Soft reboot: the standard method

If your smartphone is responsive to touch, but it's not stable (brakes, overheats, apps fly out), the first thing you should do is try software reboot, which is data-safe and doesn't reset settings.

How to do this:

• 📱 Hold the power button (usually located on the right) for 2-3 seconds until the menu appears.
• 🔄 In the menu, select Reboot (or Restart in English firmware).
• ⏳ Wait 30 to 60 seconds – the device will terminate the application and restart.

On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi K60), the power menu can be opened differently:

⚠️ Warning: If after a soft reboot, the smartphone again hangs on the logo MIUI longer than 5 minutes, this may indicate that system files are damaged, and this will require a reboot to Recovery Mode (see Section 4).

Forced reboot: when the screen does not respond

If the touch screen is completely locked and the smartphone does not respond to touch, use hardware reboot, a technique that simulates battery extraction (which is not possible on modern monolithic devices) and works even in critical crashes.

Instructions for most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models:

1. Hold the power button + volume down button at the same time.
2. Keep them clamped for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out and the device vibrates.
3. Release the buttons – the smartphone will start restarting automatically.

For devices with a physical Bixby button (e.g., Black Shark 4/5):

• 🎮 Press the power button. + Bixby button for 12-15 seconds.
• 🔋 If the device is discharged (blinks a red indicator), connect the charger and repeat the combination.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-displays (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K50 Pro Pro long-term button retention can cause temporary post-formation on the screen. To avoid this, use the combination for no longer than 20 seconds and let the display “rest” after rebooting.

3.Reboot via Recovery Mode Menu

If the smartphone is turned on but not loaded beyond the MIUI logo (or there is a No Command error), you will need to reboot through Restore mode, which is also useful if you need to reset to factory settings or install the update manually.

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

Turn off your smartphone (if it’s on, use Forced Reboot from Section 2)

Connect the charger (charge ≥30%)

Make sure that there are no important unsaved data on the device (you can reset it in Recovery!)

Prepare. OTG-cable (if you plan to install the firmware from the flash drive)-->

1. Turn off your smartphone (if it doesn’t respond, use the method in Section 2).
2. Press the power button + volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Mi Bunny logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
4. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery Mode menu (may be in Chinese or English).

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons for confirmation.

⚠️ Note: Selecting Wipe Data will result in complete deletion of data, including photos, contacts and installed applications. If the device was enabled sync with Mi Account, some data (contacts, notes) can be restored after authorization.

4.Reboot via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot mode is designed for low-level operations, such as unlocking a bootloader, running a custom recavator (TWRP) firmware, or restoring a brick.This method requires a PC connection and knowledge of ADB/Fastboot commands.

How to log in to Fastboot:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the power button + volume reduction button for 5-7 seconds.
3. Release the buttons when the image of the hare in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo) appears.

To reboot from Fastboot, connect the device to your PC and use the command:

fastboot reboot

If you need to reboot to Recovery or System from Fastboot, use:

Fastboot Reboot Recovery // to move to Recovery Mode


fastboot reboot bootloader // to re-enter Fastboot




fastboot reboot system // to boot into the system (if it is operational)

💡

If your PC doesn’t recognize your device in Fastboot mode, install the Mi Flash Tool drivers and check for USB 2.0 connectivity (some models don’t work with USB 3.0 ports).

5.Reboot via ADB (without data loss)

If the smartphone is turned on but the screen is not responsive to touch (for example, due to a sensor failure), you can initiate a reboot via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires pre-activation of debugging over USB in the developer settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and check the connection:

adb devices

If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), follow the reboot command:

adb reboot

For forced reboot (analogue of battery extraction):

adb shell reboot -p

If USB debugging was not enabled in advance, this method will not work, in which case only hardware reboot (section 2) or Fastboot (section 4) remains.

💡

ADB-Rebooting is the only way to reboot without physical access to the buttons, but requires pre-setting. USB not activated, the method is useless.

6. Features of the reboot for different Xiaomi series

Not all Xiaomi devices reboot the same way, but here are the key differences for the popular series:

• 📱 Redmi Note 10/11/12: For forced reboot use the power + Turning down the volume by 10 On some firmware, the Recovery menu only opens after 3-X brief press on the logo MIUI loading.
• 🎮 Black Shark 3/4/5: Bixby button replaces volume reduction button in combinations. For Fastboot, use Power + Bixby.
• 📸 Xiaomi 13/14 Series: Long-term button retention on these models (>20 It can cause overheating of the processor. Use the combinations no longer 15 seconds.
• 🔋 POCO M/X/F Series: On budget models (e.g., on budget models, POCO M5) After a forced reboot, you may lose your power saving mode.

For supportive devices 5G (Like Redmi. K50 Gaming or Xiaomi 12T) After restarting, network activation may be required. 5G customized SIM-maps and mobile networks.

7.What to do if the smartphone does not restart

If none of the methods worked and the device remains locked, the following problems may occur:

• 🔌 Battery discharge: Connect the original charger for 15-20 minutes, then try again. on some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) In a deep discharge, 30 may be required.+ minutes of charging before reacting to buttons.
• 💧 Liquid intake: If your smartphone has been in contact with water, don’t try to reset it – it can cause a short circuit.Switch off the power and dry the device in rice or silica gel for 24 to 48 hours.
• 🛠️ Hardware failure: If the screen is black but the device vibrates when charging, it may indicate damage to the display plume or motherboard.

If your smartphone is vibrating but not turning on, try the following:

1. Connect to your PC and check if the device is detected in Device Manager (as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or MediaTek Preloader).
2. If the PC recognizes the device, you can try flashing it through the Mi Flash Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).
3. If there is no reaction at all, the power controller may be damaged - this requires repair in the service.

💡

If the smartphone does not respond to buttons and is not determined by the PC, self-repair is impossible – contact the authorized Xiaomi service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reboot