How to Reboot Xiaomi Redmi 5: Everything from a Soft Restart to an Emergency Reset

The Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and maintainability, but even with such a device users face freezes, slow operation or the need to reboot after updates. Unlike modern models, the Redmi 5 has specific power management features that are important to consider, so as not to aggravate the problem.

This article covers all possible reboot scenarios, from standard shutdowns to emergency methods where the phone doesn't respond to buttons. We'll also look at why the Redmi 5 might not restart correctly, and what to do if the device behaves unstable after restart. Instructions are adapted for MIUI 9/10/11, the main firmware versions for this model.

1. Soft reboot: the standard method

If your Xiaomi Redmi 5 is working fine but needs to be rebooted (for example, after installing apps or updating the system), use a soft restart.

To implement:

• 📱 Hold the Power button (on the right side of the smartphone) for 2-3 seconds until the menu appears.
• 🔄 From the menu, select Reboot (or Restart in English). MIUI).
• ⏳ Wait 20 to 40 seconds – the phone will turn off and automatically switch on again.

If the menu doesn't appear, it's possible that the Power button is contaminated or damaged, in which case try an alternative way through Settings:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click Reboot (some versions of MIUI may not have this option).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is loading longer than 5 minutes after a soft reboot, this may indicate damage to system files).

2.When a soft reboot doesn't work: Signs of trouble

Sometimes Redmi 5 can ignore the standard reboot commands.

• 🐢 Strong CPU load (for example, due to background app or game).
• 🔋 Critical battery charge level (less than 5%) at which the system blocks operations.
• 🛠️ Firmware damage after a failed update or rooting.
• 📱 Hardware malfunctions: the plume of the power button or problems with the motherboard.

If the phone doesn’t respond to the power button, but the screen is on or flashing, try the following:

1. Connect the charger and wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes locking is associated with low charge.
2. If the screen is black, but the phone vibrates when charging, it may indicate problems with the display rather than the system.

In cases where the device does not give any signs of life (no vibration, charging indication, sounds), a forced reboot or diagnosis at the service center is required.

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If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after a reboot, wait up to 10 minutes – sometimes the system takes a long time to optimize applications after an update.

3. Forced reset (Hard Reset)

If the Redmi 5 is completely frozen and does not respond to buttons, use hardware reset, which simulates battery extraction (although it is not removable in Redmi 5) and resets all temporary processes.

Instructions:

1. Hold the Power + Volume button at the same time.
2. Hold for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out and the phone vibrates.
3. Release the buttons and the device will start restarting.

If this method does not work, try the combination:

• 🔋 Nutrition + Reduce volume (hold 20 seconds).

⚠️ Attention: Frequent use of forced reboots can cause damage to the file system, especially if the internal memory was recorded at the time of the reset.

Make sure your phone is not connected to the charger.|Check that the buttons are not stuck|Remember which apps were opened (for restart recovery)|If your phone is warming, let it cool for 5-10 minutes.-->

4.Reboot via Recovery Mode

If the phone is powered on but not loaded beyond the Mi logo, or rebooted cyclically, Recovery mode can help, which is also useful if you want to reset your settings to factory settings.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (if it is turned on, use the forced reboot from Section 3).
2. Hold Power + Volume Up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).

From the Recovery menu, select:

• 🔄 Reboot → Reboot to System – Regular Reboot.
• 🧹 Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data – Complete reset (deletes all data!).
• 📦 Install Update – Install firmware from a memory card (if there is a pre-downloaded file).

If you chose Wipe All Data, the phone will return to factory settings after the reset. It will be impossible to restore data without a backup!

5.Reboot via ADB (for advanced users)

If you have access to USB-Debugging and PC, you can restart Redmi 5 via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is useful if the buttons don’t work, but the phone is determined by the PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on your computer.
2. Connect Redmi 5 to your PC via USB-cable (use the original cable!).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type:

adb devices

(If the device is not displayed, check if it is turned on USB-debugging in Settings → For developers.)

adb reboot

This command will perform a soft reboot. For a forced reboot, use:

adb reboot bootloader

If your phone doesn’t even respond to ADB, try switching it to Fastboot mode:

adb reboot fastboot

You can then flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It requires a bootloader that is unlocked, and if you haven't unlocked it before, the commands may not work. Unlocking erases all data!

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ADB — The most reliable way to reboot if the buttons do not work, but USB-debugging is enabled, but it requires pre-setting and is not suitable for inexperienced users.

6. What should I do if nothing helps?

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be hardware, and here are the possible causes and solutions.

• 🔋 Battery discharge: Connect charging for 30 to 60 minutes, even if the indicator is not on.
• 🔌 Power connector damaged: Check if there's any debris or oxidation inside. Clean with alcohol carefully.
• 📱 Motherboard malfunction: If the phone isn't warming, vibrating, and being detected by a computer, it could be a memory chip dump or power controller issues.
• 💧 Liquid Influence: If the device has come into contact with water, do not turn it on! Immediately remove the battery (in the service) and dry.

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, don’t try to disassemble the phone yourself – Redmi 5 has a brittle display plume and easily damages the board.

Cost of repairing Redmi 5 (2026):

• Battery replacement: 1,200–1,800 ₽.
• Repair of the charging connector: 800-1 500 ₽.
• Diagnosis of the motherboard: 500–1000 ₽.

7.How to avoid frequent hangings in the future?

To ensure that Redmi 5 is stable and doesn’t require constant reboots, follow these tips:

• 🧹 Clean the cache once a month: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Update your firmware, but only through official channels (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🚫 Do not install apps from unknown sources – they may contain viruses that cause hangings.
• 🔋 Watch the battery: If the phone turns off at 20-30% charge, replace the battery.
• 📉 Turn off animation to speed up work: Settings → For developers → The scale of animation (off).

If you use Redmi 5 as a second phone or for work, consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).This can significantly improve performance, but will require unlocking the bootloader and resetting data.

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To check the status of the battery, type ##4636## in the dialer, then select Battery Information. If the health status is displayed as unknown or dead, the battery should be replaced.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 5 reboot