How to restart Xiaomi if the sensor is not working: all the ways from hardware to software

The touchscreen on Xiaomi’s smartphone can stop responding to touch for a variety of reasons, from software failures to physical damage. If you’re faced with a display that’s on but not responsive to touch, the first thought is to reboot the device. But how do you do that if the standard hold of the power button requires confirmation on the screen? In this article, we’ll look at all possible ways to force a reboot, including hidden button combinations, connecting to a PC, and even alternative methods for devices with an unlocked bootloader.

It's important to understand that a broken sensor doesn't always mean a broken display. In 60 percent of cases, the problem is solved software-basedly, it's enough to restart the system correctly. But if the screen is completely black or only responds to a part of the touch, the reasons may be deeper: a plume detachment, damage to the controller or even a factory defect, in which case a reboot will only help temporarily, and a full repair will require diagnostics at the service center.

Before proceeding with the instructions, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (if the screen displays even a little information) When the discharge is below 5%, the smartphone may not respond to the buttons.
• 🔌 Is the charging cable connected, sometimes the sensor gets blocked because it overheats while charging.
• 📱 Are there any physical damage (cracks, dents) - they can disrupt the work of the touch screen.

1. Forced reboot through hardware buttons

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models, from Redmi 4A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. It does not require a connection to a PC or special programs. It is enough to pinch the button combination for 10 to 30 seconds until the device turns off and starts to boot again.

Depending on the model, the combinations may differ:

• 📱 Power button + Volume increase is the standard way for most smartphones (including the Redmi Note). 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5).
• 📱 Power button + Volume reduction is an alternative option for some devices (e.g. Mi 11 Lite).
• 📱 Power button + Both volume buttons – used on flagships (Xiaomi) 13T, Mix Fold 2 and some models POCO.

If after holding the buttons, the smartphone vibrates, but does not reboot, try the following:

1. Release the buttons after the vibration.
2. Wait 10 seconds.
3. Press the power button for 10-15 seconds – this simulates battery extraction on older devices.

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⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Civi 3), long-term button retention can activate Fastboot mode. If a robot with the label Fastboot mode appears on the screen, release the buttons and try again in 30 seconds.

2.Reboot via charging connection

If the hardware buttons fail (for example, due to mechanical damage), try to initiate a reboot through the charger, which works thanks to the built-in battery protection mechanisms in the MIUI firmware.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to the original charger (or a quality analogue with Quick Charge support).
2. Leave it to charge for 5-10 minutes, and sometimes the system automatically restarts when power is detected.
3. If the screen is still on but not responding, turn off the cable and reconnect it immediately, and a sudden change in power status can trigger a rebuke.

This method is especially effective if the sensor has stopped working because of:

• 🔋 Critical battery discharge (less than 3%).
• 📉 A sharp drop in voltage (for example, after using an uncertified cable).
• 🔄 Power controller failure (often occurring after firmware).

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If you have wireless charging, try putting Xiaomi on it – sometimes it works better than a wired connection.

3.Using Fastboot Mode to Reboot

If standard methods didn’t work, you can try rebooting your smartphone via Fastboot, a low-level mode available on all Xiaomi devices, and you’ll need a computer with ADB and Fastboot drivers installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the smartphone (if it does not respond to the buttons – wait for the battery to discharge completely).
2. Press the power + volume button for 10-15 seconds until the screen with the Fastboot robot appears.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the command: fastboot reboot

If the command doesn’t work, try an alternative:

fastboot -w


fastboot reboot

This combination will reset the cache and reboot the device.

⚠️ If after the command fastboot reboot smartphone stuck on the logo MI, This may indicate that the boot partition is damaged, and you'll need to flash it through the Mi Flash Tool.

4.Reboot via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If your Xiaomi has previously activated USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock the developer options), you can reboot it through ADB even with a broken sensor.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC.
2. Open the command line and check the connection: Adb devices If the device appears in the list, proceed to the next step.
3. Run the reboot command: adb reboot

If ADB does not see the device:

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🖥️ Reinstall Xiaomi drivers ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔄 Restart your PC and try again.

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Critical information: If USB debugging wasn't enabled in advance, it won't work, and then only hardware reboots or service calls are left.

5. Alternative methods: Mi Assistant and cloud services

For Xiaomi smartphone owners with a tied Mi Account, there are two more ways to reboot:

1. via Mi Cloud (remote reboot)

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
• 📱 Select your device in the list.
• 🔄 Click "Find the device» → «Reboot».

This method only works if:

• 📶 Smartphone connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔋 Charge level above 15%.
• 🔒 The device is not in Lost Mode mode.

2. via Mi Assistant (for PC)

Download the official Mi Assistant utility from Xiaomi’s website, connect your smartphone to your PC, and follow the program’s instructions, which in some cases allows you to restart your device even without a sensor response.

6.If nothing helps: diagnostics and service center

If none of these methods worked, the problem is probably hardware, and the most common ones are:

• 🛠️ Display plume damage is a common problem after falls or impacts.Symptoms: the screen is working, but the sensor does not respond or partially reacts.
• 🔧 Touchscreen controller malfunction – can occur due to overheating, moisture ingestion or factory defect.
• 🔋 Battery bloating – presses on internal components, disrupting the sensor.
• 📱 Software failure at the firmware level - requires flashing through EDL-mode (only in service).

Before you carry your smartphone for repair, try to diagnose the problem yourself:

1. Connect Xiaomi to an external display via USB-C → HDMI (if supported).If the external screen sensor is working, the problem is the display module.
2. Call your smartphone from another device, and if the call passes, but the screen does not respond, it confirms a hardware malfunction.
3. Check if the smartphone responds to gestures (like double tapping to wake up) and if so, the problem could be in the glass or digitizer layer.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to disassemble your smartphone to check the plumes, remember: most Xiaomi models (starting with the Redmi Note 7) use glue instead of screws to mount the display. Incorrect opening can damage the battery or break antenna contacts.

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If the smartphone is warranty, DO NOT try to disassemble it yourself - this will void the warranty obligations of Xiaomi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the broken sensor on Xiaomi