Xiaomi's smartphone screen stopped responding to touch, and the phone got stuck or malfunctioned? The situation is unpleasant, but not hopeless. Even if the sensor completely refuses to function, there are several alternative methods to restart the device without the risk of losing data or damaging the device. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, including forced rebooting with buttons, connecting to a PC via ADB, and even emergency measures for devices with a fixed battery.
It's important to understand that the causes of a sensor that is not working can vary from software failure after a MIUI update to physical damage to the plume, but 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved by a reboot, and we'll describe each method in detail, specify which Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models it's suitable for, and warn against common errors that can make things worse.
If you're worried that your phone will freeze again after a reboot, there's a section at the end of this article on how to diagnose the cause of a sensor malfunction and prevent it from crashing again, and we'll answer the common questions: can you recover data if the screen isn't responding, and what to do if none of these things work?
1. Forced button reset (Hard Reset)
The most versatile and secure method is hardware reboot with physical buttons. It works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12 and older devices. The main advantage is that it does not require a connection to a PC or additional tools.
Instructions:
- 🔄 Press the power button (usually located on the right) and hold for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out and the phone starts vibrating (reset signal).
- ⚡ If the device doesn’t respond, try the combination: Power button + Volume increase (hold 10-20 seconds) This will force the phone to turn off even if it freezes.
- 📱 On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) You may need to press the power button. + volume-reducing.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is discharged (charge level below 5%), the hardware reboot may not work. In this case, first plug the charger in and wait 10-15 minutes, even if the charge indication is not on the screen.
Press the power button for 10+ seconds | Check vibration/reset sound | If it didn't work, try the volume combination | Connect charging when the battery is discharged-->
2.Reboot via charging connection
If the sensor doesn't work, but the phone is on and reacts to the charger's connection (for example, a charge indicator appears), you can take advantage of this feature, which is suitable for devices with a fixed battery and works thanks to the built-in MIUI mechanisms.
How to do this:
- Connect your phone to an original or certified charger (preferably with Quick Charge support).
- Wait for the charging icon to appear on the screen (if the screen is completely black, wait 5-10 minutes).
- On some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3), when you connect the charge, a menu with the option to reboot automatically appears. If the menu does not appear, try pressing the power button 1 time (without holding!).
- If the phone starts charging but the menu doesn’t appear, use the button combination from the previous section.
🔋 If the charging indicator doesn't appear, try another charger or cable. Sometimes the problem lies in a damaged connector. USB-C.
Yes, Quick Charge 3.0/4.0| Yes, but only 18W|No, normal charge |I don't know-->
3.Reboot via ADB (for advanced users)
If your Xiaomi has previously been enabled debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can restart your device via your computer using a tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge is suitable for users who have connected their phone to a PC at least once to develop or modify the system.
Step-by-step:
- Install Platform Tools on PC (includes ADB).
- Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
- Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and type:
adb devicesIf the device is determined (the serial number will appear), enter the reboot command:
adb reboot⚠️ Attention: If ADB The device cannot be seen, so the debugging is USB It was not enabled in advance. In this case, the method will not work! Do not try to enable debugging through fastboot without experience - this can lead to complete data loss.
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
4. Battery recovery (for older models)
If you have an outdated Xiaomi model with a removable battery (such as the Redmi 3S, Redmi 4A or Mi 4i), the most radical way to reboot is to physically shut down the power, a method guaranteed to work, but requires care not to damage the plumes.
How to properly remove the battery:
- 🛠️ Turn off your phone (if possible) or wait until it is completely discharged.
- 🔧 Carefully tuck the back cover with a plastic card or mediator (do not use metal objects!).
- 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume (usually it is attached to a sticky tape or latch).
- ⏱️ Wait 30 seconds, then plug the battery back in and collect the phone.
⚠️ Note: On new Xiaomi models (released after 2018), the battery is non-removable, and trying to remove it without special tools and skills will lead to loss of warranty and risk of damage to the board!
| Xiaomi model | Type of battery | Can I extract it myself? |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi 3S/4/4A | Removable | Yes (with caution) |
| Mi 4i/5/5S | Removable | Yes (requires mediator) |
| Redmi Note 5/6/7 | Immovable | No (risk of damage) |
| POCO F1/X3 | Immovable | No. |
| Xiaomi 11/12/13 | Immovable | No (service required) |
5.Reboot via Recovery Mode (if phone turns on)
If the Xiaomi screen is light, but the sensor is not responding and the phone is turning on, you can try to enter Recovery Mode and reboot through it, a method suitable for devices that run volume buttons.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10+ seconds).
- Press the power button + increase volume and hold until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu (manage volume buttons, choose the power button) select Reboot or Restart.
🔄 Key takeaway: If Recovery doesn't have a sensor that works, but the volume buttons are functioning, it's a way to save you. It's safe and doesn't cause data loss.
💡
If there is no reboot point in Recovery Mode, select Wipe cache partition, then reboot.This often solves freeze problems without deleting personal data.
6. What to do if none of the methods worked?
If all of these methods fail, the problem may be deeper than just a software failure, and here are the possible causes and actions:
- 💥 Sensor plume damage (frequent problem after falls or moisture) Solution: Contact a diagnostic service center.
- 🔌 Motherboard malfunction (for example, after a failed upgrade or overheating). Solution: Fastboot flashing (requires experience) or board replacement.
- 🔋 Full battery discharge (phone not responding to charging) Solution: Try lighting another battery or using a USB-jig.
Critical information: If the phone doesn't turn on at all (no vibration, no sound, no charge indication), don't try to disassemble it yourself. 90% of the time, this leads to irreversible damage to the data on the internal memory.