The Xiaomi Redmi smartphone, which is suspended, is a problem that almost every owner has faced: the screen does not respond to touch, the buttons do not work, and the device is frozen in one image or even black. The reasons can vary from overload to critical firmware errors. The main rule is not to panic and not to try to immediately remove the battery (on modern models this is impossible without disassembling the case); 90% of the time, the phone can be “reanimated” without losing data if you act according to the instructions.
In this article, we will look at all possible ways to reset, from soft reset to forced power outages, describe the nuances for different Redmi models (including the Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10, Redmi 9A and others), and warn about typical errors that can make things worse. If your device does not just freeze, but cyclically restarts or emits a Fastboot error, here too you will find a solution.
If the freeze occurs regularly, it signals a deeper problem, from memory shortages to hardware malfunctions, in which case the reboot will only help temporarily, and a complete fix will require diagnostics.
1. Soft reboot: when the phone responds to buttons
If the Redmi screen doesn't respond to touch, but the power and volume buttons are working, try a soft reset, a method that is data-safe and suitable for most situations where the system is simply "hung" due to overload.
How to do this:
- Press the power button for 10-15 seconds.
- Wait for the turn off menu to appear (if the screen is turned on).
- Select Restart and confirm the action.
If the menu doesn't appear but the phone vibrates or makes sounds when holding the button, release it and try again in 30 seconds. Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11) require the power button + volume increase to call the menu at the same time.
- ✅ Suitable for: Redmi 9/10/11/12 series, Redmi Note 8/9/10/11/12, POCO X3/X4.
- ❌ It doesn’t help if the screen is completely black, the phone doesn’t vibrate or respond to charging.
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If the soft reboot worked but the phone is slowing down, clear the cache to Settings → Memory → Cleanup. This will delete temporary files that may have caused the freeze.
2. Forced reset (Hard Reset) without data loss
When soft reset doesn’t help and the phone doesn’t respond to anything (the screen is black or “frozen”), a forced power outage is required, a technique that simulates battery extraction and doesn’t delete data, but can interrupt background processes (e.g., system upgrades).
Instructions for all Redmi models (2018-2026):
- Press the power button + increase the volume at the same time.
On some devices (e.g. Redmi 9A or Redmi 8), the combination may differ:
⚠️ Note: Do not use this method more than 1 time per day. Regular forced reboots can damage the file system and lead to loss of data in internal memory (especially if the freeze occurred while writing files).
Check the charging (plug in another RMS)|Wait 5-10 minutes (sometimes the system will repair itself)|Try another button combination (power) + volume)|If the screen flashes, it could be Fastboot mode (see section 4)-->
3.Reboot via Recovery Mode: When the phone turns on but doesn't boot
If Redmi turns on after a forced shutdown, but gets stuck on the MI logo or restarts indefinitely, access to the Recovery menu will be required.This mode allows you to restart the system without resetting the settings.
How to log in to Recovery:
- Turn off the phone (if it is on, use the method in Section 2).
- Press the power button + increase the volume.
- Release the buttons when the Mi logo and menu appear in English/Chinese.
In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons for selection.
- 🔄 Reboot → Reboot to System – Regular Reboot.
- 🛠️ Wipe cache partition – cache cleanup (does not delete data, but can eliminate freezes).
If your phone freezes again after you select Reboot to System, re-enter Recovery and select Wipe cache partition.This often helps with crashes after updates.
| Action in Recovery | Effects of consequences | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Reboot to System | A simple reboot. | The phone is turned on but not fully loaded |
| Wipe cache partition | Clearing the cache (data is saved) | Hanging after updating or installing applications |
| Wipe data/factory reset | Full reset (removes everything) | Unless other methods have helped! |
⚠️ Warning: Don't choose Wipe data/factory Reset without emergency! This will delete all data, including photos, contacts and apps. If the phone is encrypted, after reset, you may need a Mi Account to unlock it.
4.Out of Fastboot mode: if the screen shows a screensaver with a rabbit
Sometimes, after a failed reboot, Xiaomi Redmi gets into Fastboot mode, a black screen with a rabbit in a hat and the words FASTBOOT. It's not a breakdown, but a service mode for firmware. You can exit it without losing data.
Ways out:
- 🔄 Press the power button for 20-30 seconds until the screen goes out. Then turn on the phone as usual.
- 🖱️ Connect your phone to your PC, install the Mi Flash Tool, and select Reboot to System (drivers required) ADB).
- 🔌 If the phone doesn’t respond, disconnect it from charging/PC and try again in 5 minutes.
If the rabbit appears after each reboot, it may indicate damage to the bootloader, in which case you will need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available on the official forum Xiaomi).
Why is Redmi moving to Fastboot?
5 What to do if the phone does not respond to buttons and does not turn on
If Xiaomi Redmi is completely dead (it doesn’t vibrate, warm, or respond to charging), the reasons may be hardware:
- 🔋 Battery discharged (even if charging is connected).
- 🔌 Faulty charging socket or cable.
- 💥 Short circuit after falling or getting moisture.
Diagnostics and solutions:
- Connect the original charger and leave it for 30 to 60 minutes. Try turning it on.
- Check the charging response: If the indicator doesn’t flash, try another RAM or USB-Type-C cable.
- If the phone fell or got wet, do not turn it on - contact the service center.
If the phone vibrates after charging, but the screen remains black, it could be a malfunction of the display or plume, in which case, try connecting Redmi to the TV via HDMI (via a USB-C to HDMI adapter) or check if it responds to voice commands (if Google Assistant is enabled).
⚠️ Warning: Don't disassemble your phone yourself, it will take away your warranty. If the Redmi doesn't turn on after a fall and the screen cracks, it's likely that the display or motherboard is damaged.
6 How to avoid hanging out in the future
Regular freezes Xiaomi Redmi is a sign of systemic problems. To minimize risks, follow these tips:
- 📱 Update the firmware: go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest version MIUI.
- 🧹 Clean the cache: use the built-in Cleanup utility (Settings) → Memory) or applications like CCleaner.
- 🔄 Reboot your phone every 2-3 days: This frees up RAM.
- 🚫 Remove unnecessary apps: especially those that work in the background (messaging apps, games).
If the freezes started after installing a particular app, uninstall it and check the reviews on Google Play, which may be a massive problem.
- Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the animation scale and set the value without animation.
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If Redmi is stuck after the update, wait for the official patch from Xiaomi or roll back to the previous firmware version through Recovery (section 3).