When the physical power button on a smartphone stops responding to pressing, it can take the owner of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 by surprise.This is a common mechanical malfunction that often occurs after prolonged use of the device or a fall. Owners face the fact that the screen is out and it is impossible to return the system to working condition in the standard way. However, it is early to panic, since the Android operating system and the MIUI shell provide several alternative control scenarios.
There are software and hardware methods that allow you to reboot or completely shut down your smartphone even when the physical key is broken. Some methods require you to connect to a computer, others work exclusively through the interface. It is important to understand the difference between a turned off state and a deep sleep mode to choose the right tactics. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available solutions for your model.
Before we get to the tricky stuff, it's worth noting that a temporary solution can save important data or allow us to call support. The fastest way to resuscitate a dead phone with a broken button is to connect to a charger if the battery is completely empty. If there's a charge but the screen is black, you'll need the combination of actions described below. Let's look at each method sequentially, from simple to complex.
Use of the Developer Menu and Schedule
The most affordable way to restart the Redmi Note 5 without the power button is to use the built-in task scheduler features. The MIUI shell provides the ability to automatically turn the device on and off at a given time. This is ideal if the screen is working, but the lock button is not responding. You need to set the timer in advance so that the phone itself performs the reboot cycle.
To activate this feature, go to the system settings. Find the battery and performance section. In some firmware versions, this item may be called Advanced Settings or be entered into a separate Battery and Performance menu, and that's where the process automation tool we need is hidden.
- 📱 Open Settings and find Battery and Performance.
- ⏰ Go to the menu Planner on/off (or "Planned on/off»).
- ⚙️ Set the on and off time on 1-2 minutes ahead of the current time.
- 💾 Save the changes and wait for the system to restart automatically.
This method doesn't require a computer connection or third-party software installation, but it only works if the smartphone is already on and you can interact with the screen. If the device is completely off and doesn't respond to touch, this option, alas, won't help start it from scratch.
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If you can’t find the scheduler menu, search by settings by entering the word “Planner” or “Time.”
restarting through the computer and ADB-team
The most professional and reliable method of managing a smartphone with a faulty button is the use of debugging by USB. Protocol ADB (Android Debug Bridge allows you to send system commands directly to the operating system. USB-It's important that the smartphone has been activated earlier debugging on the phone. USB, Otherwise, the computer will not be able to establish a connection.
If debugging was enabled before the problem occurred, the process goes quickly. Connect the phone to the PC, wait for the drivers to install, and open the command line in the ADB tool folder. By entering a special command, you force the signal to reboot, ignoring the physical state of the buttons on the case.
adb rebootThis command initiates a standard software reboot, and if the system is dead and doesn't respond to normal requests, you can try a more rigid restart option that emulates battery extraction.
adb reboot -pIn some cases, when the standard ADB does not see the device, it may be necessary to switch to Fastboot mode.To enter this mode usually requires a combination of buttons, but if one of them does not work, you can try software input if you have access to the interface.
☑️ Preparation for work with ADB
It's worth remembering that if USB debugging wasn't enabled in advance, this method won't work, and then Android's security system will block external commands, and this is done to protect user data from unauthorized access.
Use Recovery and Fastboot Menus
Recovery and fastboot modes are low-level interfaces that work independently of the main operating system. They are usually accessed on Redmi Note 5 by a combination of volume and power buttons. If the power button is not working, it can be difficult to log in, but it can be possible through program commands or specific connection conditions.
If you somehow managed to get into the Recovery menu (for example, the volume button works and the power sticks when pressed), you can reboot. In this menu, the navigation is done with the volume buttons, and the choice is with the power button. If the power button is physically broken, but the contact is there (for example, it slightly fades), you can try using a thin object to simulate the press.
⚠️ Note: Recovery or Fastboot is not intended for everyday use.Inexperienced actions in the Wipe Data menu can lead to the complete loss of all photos and contacts.
The table below shows the main combinations and their purpose for your device model:
| Regime. | Standard combination | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery | Volume + + Nutrition | Recovery menu |
| Fastboot | Loudness - + Nutrition | Firmware mode |
| Normal Boot | Long press power | Regular loading |
If the power button is completely absent, entry into these modes is possible only through ADB-For example, the adb reboot recovery command will send the phone directly to recovery mode.
Helper apps and virtual buttons
There are many apps in the Google Play Market that are designed specifically for users with faulty mechanical buttons, creating a virtual button on the screen or using sensors to activate the power functions, and for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, apps like Power Button to Volume Button or Assistive Touch will work.
The way these utilities work is to reassign functions, for example, a long press on the volume button can be programmed to lock the screen or call the off menu, which allows you to completely abandon the use of the physical Power key in everyday life.
- 📲 Assistive Touch: Adds a floating button to the screen that mimics menu functions.
- 🔊 Volume Power: Allows you to turn on the screen and call the off menu through volume.
- 👆 Double Tap Screen: Wakes up the device by double tapping on the display.
Installation of such applications is possible only if the phone is turned on and there is access to the store. Once installed, you must provide the application with special permissions through the special features menu (Special features → Services). Without these permissions, the program will not be able to intercept system events.
Security of Third Party Applications
Battery discharge method
If none of the software methods are available and the phone is frozen or in an uncertain state, the old-fashioned physical method is to completely discharge the battery. When the charge drops to a critical minimum, the system will forcefully shut down, and when the charger is connected, many Xiaomi models automatically turn on or go into charging mode, from where you can boot the system.
This takes time and patience. Leave the device with the screen on or the heavy app running until it goes out. Then plug in the charging. On some firmware versions, once the boot logo appears, the phone may need to be unlocked or simply continue to boot.
There is a caveat: if the phone has been turned off completely (not just discharged), it may not turn on on its own when the cable is connected, in which case it will require short-term circuit of the contacts on the board or using the method with the computer described above.
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Full discharge is an extreme measure that takes a long time, but is often the only way out when the interface fails completely.
Hardware solution and button repair
All of the above methods are temporary solutions. The mechanical power button on the Redmi Note 5 is a consumable that wears out over time. Inside the mechanism is a metal dome that loses contact or bursts. Sooner or later, the button will have to be replaced to fully use the smartphone.
The process of replacing the power button plume requires no soldering or special equipment, except for a thin screwdriver and a mediator. The plume connects to the motherboard through a connector. The cost of a new spare part is minimal, and the replacement time takes about 15-20 minutes for an experienced craftsman.
If you don't have repair skills, you should go to a service center, and if you try to open the case yourself without experience, you can damage the plumes of the display or the battery, and you should be especially careful with the adhesive frame that holds the back cover.
⚠️ Warning: Before any interference with the hardware, be sure to discharge the battery below 25% to avoid fire in case of accidental damage.
Ignoring a breakdown can cause the phone to accidentally turn off in your pocket, and turning it on without a button will be extremely difficult, especially if the battery goes to zero.