How to properly reboot Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all the ways from soft restart to forced reset

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but even it isn’t immune to freezes, interface glitches, or sudden crashes.Rebooting the device is often the first step to solving most software problems. However, not everyone knows that there are several ways to reboot, from a standard soft restart to a forced reset via an engineering menu.

In this article, we will go through all the current methods of rebooting the Redmi Note 8, including hidden MIUI features, working with Recovery Mode and even ADB commands for power users. We will focus on common errors (for example, when the phone does not respond to buttons) and explain why some methods may not work on custom firmware. If your device is getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo or the screen has gone black, here you will find a solution.

Before you start the instructions, make sure that the problem is not related to a discharged battery. Connect your smartphone to charge for 10-15 minutes - sometimes this is enough to restore efficiency. If the charging indicator is not on, check the cable and power supply.

1. Standard reboot (soft restart)

The safest and most recommended method is a soft reboot through the smartphone menu, which is suitable if the phone responds to touch, but is unstable (brakes, overheats, apps do not open).

How to do this:

• 📱 Press and hold the Power button (located on the right end of the body) for 2-3 seconds.
• 🔄 In the menu that appears, select Reboot (or Restart in English). MIUI).
• ⏳ Confirm the action and wait until the process is complete (usually takes 30–60 seconds).

If you don't have Reboot, try holding the Power button for longer (up to 10 seconds) - on some versions of MIUI, the menu appears with a delay.

💡

If the smartphone is slowing so much that it does not respond to the press of the power button, try connecting it to charging and try again after 5 minutes.

2. Forced reset (hard reset)

When the Redmi Note 8 is completely frozen (no touch, black screen, endless boot), a forced reboot is required, which simulates battery extraction and works even in critical system failures.

Instructions:

• 🔋 Hold the Power button and Volume Up button at the same time.
• ⏱️ Keep them pressed for at least 10-15 seconds (before the Xiaomi logo or vibration appears).
• 🚀 Release the buttons – the smartphone will start restarting in normal mode.

This method does not delete data, but it can interrupt background processes (such as downloading files or updating applications) and only use it in extreme cases when other methods do not help.

3.Reboot via Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode is a service mode that lets you reboot your smartphone, reset settings, or install updates manually.It is useful if the Redmi Note 8 is cyclically restarted or does not load beyond the logo.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone (if it doesn’t respond, use the forced reboot from the previous section).
2. Press the Power button and the Volume Up button at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo appears and vibrations (usually 5-7 seconds).
4. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
5. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select Reboot (or in the Chinese version).

Recovery also has Wipe Data and Apply update options, and don’t choose Wipe Data unnecessarily, which will delete all user files, photos and apps.

4.Reboot via Fastboot Mode (for power users)

Fastboot is a firmware mode used for low-level operations, including reboots, and comes in handy if the Redmi Note 8 doesn’t even load into Recovery or requires hardware component diagnostics.

How to log in to Fastboot:

• 🔌 Turn off your smartphone (forced if necessary).
• 🔊 Press the Power button and the Volume Down button at the same time.
• 🖥️ Hold until the screen with the image of a rabbit in a hat-eared (Fastboot logo) appears).

To reboot from this mode:

• Connect your smartphone to your PC and use the command:

fastboot reboot

Or select Reboot with volume buttons (if menus are available).

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Download ADB and Fastboot|Enable USB debugging in developer settings |Have a backup of data

-->

5.Reboot via ADB (no physical access to buttons)

If the power or volume buttons on the Redmi Note 8 are faulty, but the smartphone is turned on and determined by the PC, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a preliminary debugging setting for USB.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-cable.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the ADB folder.
3. Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

1. If the device is detected, reboot:

adb shell reboot

If USB debugging wasn't enabled in advance, it won't work, so you just have to physically reboot (through buttons) or call a service center.

💡

ADB-Teams only work when the debugging is enabled USB. If you haven’t activated it before, use other methods.

6.Reboot when getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo

If the Redmi Note 8 is stuck on the Mi or Redmi logo and does not load any further, the problem may be due to corrupt system files, a failed update, or an application conflict.

1. Forced reboot (Power + Volume Up for 15 seconds)
2. If it didn't help, cache reset via Recovery: Log in Recovery Mode (Power + Volume buttons). Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

flashing through Fastboot

Resetting the cache does not delete user data, but it clears temporary files that may have caused conflict, and flashing it is a last resort to bring the smartphone back to factory status.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even with the right reboot, Redmi Note 8 users may face typical problems.

If none of the methods worked and the smartphone still doesn’t turn on, the problem may be hardware: a malfunction of the motherboard, battery or charging connector, in which case we recommend contacting an authorized service center Xiaomi.

💡

Before visiting the service, back up your data via Mi Cloud (if the phone is turned on sometimes). To do this, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 8 is warranty, avoid using Fastboot and ADB Unauthorized firmware manipulations can cause denial of warranty service.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the button combinations for login to Recovery or Fastboot may differ, XDA Developers).