When the smartphone display stops responding to touch or goes out completely while the device continues to work, it is a nightmare for the owner, at which point the phone turns from a powerful tool into a useless piece of plastic and glass, especially if there is important information or active sessions in banking applications inside. Often users panic, believing that the only way out is expensive repairs in the service center, but this is not always the case.
There are several proven ways to perform a forced reboot or even a full reset without using a touchscreen, and these methods are relevant for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models running on the MIUI or HyperOS shell. Understanding the physics of the buttons and the hidden capabilities of the Android operating system will help you regain control of the device.
In this article, we will go into detail on algorithms for actions ranging from simple mechanical combinations to complex software methods through a computer. If the screen is completely black, but the phone vibrates or makes sounds, this means that the system is functioning, and the chances of saving data are extremely high, the main thing is to act consistently and not interrupt the process halfway.
Using hardware buttons to reboot
The first and most obvious method to use when a system freezes or a sensor fails is to use physical control buttons. Xiaomi’s smartphone design allows for a forced restart even when the shell is not responding, and requires you to hold and hold the Power button for a long time, usually 10 to 20 seconds.
If the device doesn't respond to a single pinch, try a key combination. On many models, holding the Up and Power buttons simultaneously can cause a Recovery Mode or forced reboot. In some cases, especially on older versions of MIUI, long-term clamping of the volume down button along with power puts the gadget into Fastboot mode, from which you can also initiate a restart, although this often requires a connection to a PC.
⚠️ Warning: Don't panic if you have a menu with English text (Recovery or Fastboot) on the screen after you press the buttons. This is a regular situation.
It's important to consider battery status. If the device's charge is critically low, the system can block the on or reboot even if you press the buttons correctly. Connect the charger and wait at least 10-15 minutes, then repeat the button procedure. Sometimes a hardware reset takes longer to respond than a software one.
☑️ Checking before rebooting
Reboot via computer and Mi PC Suite
If the mechanical buttons don't work or the phone's screen is black, but the system works, the official software from the manufacturer comes to the rescue. Mi PC Suite (or its current modifications) allows you to control the device from a computer. Even if you can't unlock the screen to confirm the connection, in some cases the system can recognize the connected device in debugging or trusted device mode.
To use this method, you need to install ADB drivers and the utility on your PC in advance (while the screen is running), and once you connect the USB cable, the connection installation process can go through automatically if you have previously installed File Transfer or USB Debugging. The program interface often has a button called Reboot or Reboot that sends the corresponding signal to the smartphone.
There are also third-party utilities, such as Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, that provide more advanced functionality, not only to reboot the device, but also to remove system debris or unlock the bootloader. However, to work with such tools, it is critical that the phone is activated debugging over USB. If this feature is turned off, the method will not work without access to the screen.
What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
Use of USB debugging and ADB commands
For advanced users who have had the option enabled in advance USB Debugging (Debugging by Debugging) USB), The most reliable way to control is the command line. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, which allows you to send system commands directly to the Android shell, ignoring a broken touchscreen.
To reboot, you need to connect the phone to your computer, open the command line in the ADB tool folder, and type a special command. The system will send a signal to restart, and the phone will perform it automatically. If the device requests debugging permission (which is unlikely with already configured access, but possible with changing the PC), this method, unfortunately, will not help without touching the screen.
The command to restart is as follows:
adb rebootIf forced reboot to recovery mode is required, adb reboot recovery is used, which is good because it is software-based and does not pose any risk of damaging physical buttons, but requires pre-regulation, which users often forget before a critical situation occurs.
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USB debugging should be enabled ASAP. Without this setting activated before the screen breaks, the ADB method won't work.
Connecting the external periphery through OTG
One of the most effective and often ignored ways is to use an adapter. USB OTG (On-The-Go. Today's Xiaomi smartphones support the connection of the outer periphery, including computer mice and keyboards. If the touchscreen is broken, but the image on the matrix is (or you act at random), the connection of the usual USB-The mouse will allow you to control the cursor on the screen.
To implement this method, you will need:
- 🖱️ adapter USB OTG (Type-C or Micro-USB depending on the phone model).
- 🖥️ A normal computer USB-mouse (wired or with its own receiver).
- 🔌 Charger (optional if you need a tee for simultaneous charging).
Once you plug in the mouse, a cursor will appear on the screen (if it's a little light), the left mouse button emulates finger touch, and the right one often invokes a context menu or works as a back button. With the cursor, you can unlock the phone (by entering a pattern lock or pin code if you remember where it's located), back up the data to the cloud, or perform a regular reboot through the menu.
If the screen is completely black, this method can still help if you know the approximate location of the interface elements. By connecting a mouse, you can try to touch the area of the switch button or swipe to unlock. When combined with the voice assistant Google Assistant, which can be called with a long home button or power, control becomes even more real.
Comparison of methods of restoration of control
The choice of the specific method depends on what exactly happened to your device: whether the screen is completely turned off, whether the vibration is working, and whether a pre-tuning was performed. Below is a table that will help you quickly navigate the available options and their effectiveness in various situations.
| Method | Preparation is required | It works on a black screen. | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware buttons | No. | Yes (partially) | No. |
| USB OTG + Mouse | Presence of an adapter | No (to see the cursor) | No. |
| ADB teams | Yeah (turn on debugging) | Yes. | No. |
| Mi PC Suite | Yeah (drivers, PO) | Yes. | No. |
As you can see from the table, mechanical buttons are a universal solution that requires no additional conditions, but they only allow you to perform basic actions. The mouse method is ideal for saving data if the matrix is intact and the touch screen is dead. Software methods require foresight, but give you complete control.
Remember that in some cases, the freeze can be caused by overflowing memory or conflicting system processes. Regular cleaning of the cache and updating the firmware can prevent similar situations in the future.
Frequent questions and possible problems
Users often encounter nuances that are not described in the standard instructions, and here are the answers to the most popular questions related to rebooting Xiaomi devices when a faulty display is presented.
Can I reset my phone to factory settings without a screen?
The phone vibrates, but the screen is black.
Why can’t the computer see the phone when it’s connected?
Is it safe to use third-party reset programs?
⚠️ Warning: Before performing any actions related to flashing or resetting through Recovery, make sure you understand the consequences.Reset via the Recovery Menu (Wipe Data) will permanently delete all photos, contacts and apps.
In conclusion, modern Xiaomi smartphones have a sufficient set of tools to restore performance even in critical situations, knowledge of these methods saves time and money, avoiding unnecessary trips to the service to solve software problems.
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Save your contacts and important files to your Google or Mi Cloud account, which will allow you to recover information on your new device or after a reset, even if your screen is completely broken.