How to restart Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 without the lock button: all working ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but even it is not immune to breakdowns. The most common problem: failure of the power button (lock), which is responsible for turning on, off and restarting the device. If your phone freezes, does not respond to touch or just need to restart the system, but the mechanical button does not work, do not rush to carry the gadget to the service. In 80% of cases, the reboot can be done software.

In this article, we’ve collected all the current ways to reboot the Redmi Note 7 without a physical button, including methods through the recovery menu, ADB-commands, charger and even gestures (if the screen reacts) each method has been tested on firmware. MIUI 10-14 and suitable for models with unlocked/locked bootloader. Important: some methods require pre-tuning, which we also described.

1. Reboot via the power menu (if the screen is running)

If the Redmi Note 7 display is touch-responsive but the lock button is not pressed, use the virtual reboot button in the system menu, which works on all versions of MIUI, including global and Chinese firmware.

Instructions:

• 📱 Hold the Volume Up button (Volume Up) + Volume Down button for 8-10 seconds at the same time.
• 🔄 In the window that appears, select Reboot and confirm the action.
• ⚡ If the menu doesn’t appear, try to pinch only Volume Down for 15 seconds – this will cause a forced reboot on some firmware.

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If the screen doesn’t respond to touch, but the image is displayed, connect the phone to your PC via USB and use the mouse in OTG mode (you need a USB-C → USB-A adapter).

This method will not work if:

• 🚫 The phone is completely discharged (less than 5% charge).
• 🚫 The screen is locked with a password/pattern lock and the sensor is not working.
• 🚫 The device hung on the logo of Xiaomi (bootloop).

Make sure the screen responds to touch | Check the charge level (minimum 10%) | Turn off all peripherals (headphones, OTG) |Try the key combination 2-3 times in a row

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Forced reboot through the charger

If the Redmi Note 7 does not respond to any buttons, but reacts to the charging connection (the indicator lights up or the charging animation appears), you can use the hardware reset via power, which works thanks to the features of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 power controller installed in this model.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to the original charger (preferably with Quick Charge 3.0 support).
2. Wait for the charging indicator to appear on the screen (if the screen does not turn on, wait 5-7 minutes).
3. As soon as the charging animation appears, disconnect the cable and immediately connect it back 3 times in a row with an interval of 1 second.
4. On the 4th attempt, keep the cable connected for 15-20 seconds – the phone should restart.

This works 60 to 70 percent of the time, but it requires a precise timing, so if you don't work the first time, repeat the procedure.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use non-original chargers - this can damage the power controller or even fire. PD/QC 3.0 power 18 Watt.

3.Reboot via Recovery Mode (Recovery Menu)

If the phone turns on but doesn't respond to the buttons, the most reliable way is to go into Recovery Mode and reboot from there, which works even when the screen is locked, but requires a good display.

How to Sign In to Recovery Mode on Redmi Note 7:

1. Turn off your phone (if it doesn’t turn off, wait for the battery to drain completely).
2. Press the Volume Up button + the power button at the same time.
3. Hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and recovery menu appear.

On the Recovery menu:

• 🔧 Use Volume. Up/Down navigation.
• 🔄 Select the item "Reboot» → «Reboot to System».
• 🖱️ If the sensor is working, you can tap on the menu item.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the third item on the top – this is the reboot.

Through the power menu | Through charging | Through Recovery Mode | Through ADB| Nothing worked

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4.Reboot via ADB (for advanced users)

If your Redmi Note 7 is enabled to debug USB (USB Debugging) and access to the computer, you can restart the phone via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for cases where the screen is running, but the power button does not respond.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through the original USB-cable (preferably from the set).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), follow the reboot command:

adb reboot

If Adb devices don’t show your Redmi Note 7:

• 🔌 Check if the debugging is included USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🖥️ Install the drivers. ADB For Xiaomi (you can download it on the official website).
• 🔄 Try another one. USB-port.

⚠️ Note: If you have not previously included debugging USB, This method won't work. In that case, move on to the methods without. ADB.

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ADB is the most versatile method, but requires pre-tuning. If debugging is not enabled, use physical methods (charging, Recovery).

5. Alternative methods: gestures and third-party applications

If the lock button on the Redmi Note 7 fails, but the screen is working, you can set up alternative reboot methods in advance, which won't help if the phone is already getting stuck, but are helpful for prevention.

Method 1: Reboot gesture in MIUI

MIUI 12+ has a hidden reboot gesture feature:

1. Activate the developer mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version in the settings).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Special features → Reboot gesture.
3. Turn on the option and remember the combination (usually triple tapping on the lock screen).

Method 2: Reboot applications

Install one of these applications (root rights or ADB required):

• 📱 Quick Reboot - Reboot to 1 tap (root needed).
• 🔧 Button Mapper – Reassigning volume buttons to reboot.
• 🖥️ Tasker – automatic reboot on schedule.

If the power button is broken permanently, the only long-term solution is to replace the flex cable or micro-switch at the service center.

6. What should I do if nothing helps?

If none of these things worked, perhaps the problem goes deeper than just a broken lock button.

If the phone does not show signs of life at all (it does not warm, vibrate, or charge), the cause may be:

• 🔋 Full battery discharge (you need to leave on charging 1-2 hours).
• 🔌 Connector malfunction USB-C (Try wireless charging if supported).
• 💥 Short circuit on the board (requires repair in the service).

In the most severe cases (for example, after a fall or moisture), you may need to replace the motherboard. The cost of such repairs for the Redmi Note 7 is 3000-5000 rubles, which is often unprofitable - it is cheaper to buy a used analogue.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 7 reboot