The situation when the display of the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 7A ceases to respond to touch or completely goes out, but the device makes sounds or vibrates, is one of the most unpleasant for the user. At this point, the phone can hang in an endless reboot, require a password after turning on or simply do not respond to the commands of the interface. The standard way to turn off through the software menu becomes inaccessible, which creates a feeling of hopelessness, especially if the battery is discharged.
However, there are several proven methods to force a system reboot even when the touch layer is broken. In this article, we will discuss in detail the hardware key combinations, the use of computer utilities and specific instructions for engineers. It is important to understand that your actions will depend on the current state of the gadget: it is on, off or in a cyclic restart.
Before we get to the radical measures, it’s worth trying basic solutions that don’t require a PC connection. Often the problem is static electricity or a temporary power controller failure that can be fixed by simply manipulating a physical button. We’ll look at all the nuances so you can bring your Redmi 7A back to life without a visit to the service center.
Hardware method of forced reboot
The most reliable and safest way to restart a device with a broken touchscreen is to use a physical power button. The Android operating system that runs the MIUI shell has a hardware reset mechanism that ignores the state of the software part. To implement this method, you need to find the on button, which on the Redmi 7A model is located on the right side of the case.
Press the power button and hold it for a long time, usually 10 to 20 seconds. The screen can go out, the device vibrates, and you'll see the Mi logo. If the phone is on, it will turn off, and you'll need to press the button again to start. If it freezes, it will instantly reboot. This method is effective in 90% of the system freezes.
⚠️ Warning: If nothing happens after 20 seconds of holding the button, connect the device to the charger and repeat the procedure without turning off the power cable.
There's also a combination of buttons to log into a special recovery menu that you might need if a normal reboot doesn't work. Press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the logo or Recovery menu appears. In this menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons and the power button is chosen, allowing you to control the phone without a touchscreen.
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Holding the power button for more than 10 seconds is a regular mechanism for resetting the power controller, safe for user files.
Using Mi PC Suite to control from a computer
If the hardware buttons don't work, or the phone turns on but the touchscreen doesn't work, you can try the software method of controlling via a PC. The official Mi PC Suite (or its international counterparts) allows you to connect to a smartphone and perform basic operations. However, it's worth noting that the first connection often requires a resolution on the phone screen that you can't give.
However, if the debugging regime is USB (USB Debugging) was previously activated in the developer menu, you have a high chance of success. 7A to the computer through a high-quality USB-The computer needs to identify the device. In the program interface, try to find the function "Reset" or "Switch off".
- 🔌 Make sure that the Mi drivers USB Driver is correctly installed in Windows Device Manager.
- 💻 Use an original cable or certified analogue capable of transmitting data, not just current.
- 🔋 Make sure your phone is at least charged. 30-40% before the start of the procedure.
In some cases, creating an emulation of clicks through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) helps if the drivers are standing correctly. Open the command prompt on your computer and enter the command to reboot:
adb rebootEnter Recovery and Fastboot Mode
Recovery mode is a separate partition on the phone designed to service the system, and you can access it on the Xiaomi Redmi 7A even with a broken screen using only physical buttons. This menu allows you to reset to factory settings (Wipe Data), which is often the only way out if the system is damaged and does not load.
To enter Recovery mode, turn off the phone completely (if it's on, press the power button for 10-15 seconds). Then simultaneously press the power button and the volume button (+). Hold both buttons until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume high. In a few seconds, the main menu will open.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, the touch screen will not work. Navigation up/down is done with volume buttons, and the selection of the item (Enter) with a short press of the power button.
Fastboot mode is used to flash the device or unlock the bootloader. To get into it, press the power button and the volume down button (-) on the device turned off. On the screen (if it shows a little image) an image of a hare repairing an android will appear, exiting this mode by holding the power button for a long time.
☑️ Preparation for Recovery Mode
Connecting the external periphery through OTG
One of the most effective, but often forgotten ways to control a smartphone with a broken touchscreen is to use an adapter. OTG (On-The-Go. - Redmi model 7A Supports this technology through the Micro-USB connector. The essence of the method is to connect a conventional computer USB-mouse to phone, which allows you to control the cursor on the screen.
To implement it, you'll need a Micro-USB to USB-A (female) adapter. Connect a wired computer mouse to the adapter. If the phone's screen displays even a partial image (even with cracks or black spots), you'll see a cursor. With your mouse, you'll be able to unlock the phone, enter a pattern lock or pin, and back up the data.
| Type of connection | Equipment required | Does it work without the screen on? | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical buttons | No. | Yes. | Low. |
| OTG Adapter | Mouse + adapter | No (to see the cursor) | Medium |
| ADB Teams | PC + Cable | Yes (if debugging is on) | Tall. |
| Mi PC Suite | PC + Cable | Partially. | Medium |
If the screen doesn't show the image at all, but the phone is working (you hear the sounds of connection, vibration), the mouse method can still help if you act "to the touch" or from the memory of the location of the interface elements. This requires patience, but allows you to save data before sending it for repair.
Where to buy an OTG adapter?
Remote control and voice commands
In situations where the touchscreen is not working, but the phone is connected to the Internet and has a Google or Mi Account activated on it, you can try to use cloud services. Google's Find Device service allows you not only to track the location, but also to lock or completely clean the data, which is actually a reset.
Also worth considering is the Google Assistant voice assistant, which is that if you have "Ok Google" activated in your settings, you can try calling the assistant with a voice, say "OK, Google, restart your phone" or "Switch off your phone." The system can execute a command, although modern versions of Android often require on-screen confirmation for such actions for security purposes.
- 🗣️ Activate voice control if the phone responds to sound.
- ☁️ Use the site. android.com/find remotely.
- 🔐 Remember that cloud functions require active internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
This method is less reliable than hardware, because it depends on a lot of presets. However, if you have taken care of the voice search in advance, this can be a salvation at a critical moment. For the Redmi 7A with its not the most powerful hardware, voice commands can be processed with a delay.
Diagnosis and Actions After Rebooting
After a successful reboot, it's important to know if the problem was a one-off or if it indicates a serious malfunction. If the phone is on but the touchscreen is still not working, try to warm the screen carefully with a hairdryer (without overheating!) or, conversely, cool it. Sometimes the temperature effect helps to restore contact of the plume if the problem is physical damage.
If the screen is completely black, but the phone vibrates when you make calls or makes notification sounds, most likely the display module itself or the plume is damaged. In this case, the software methods of rebooting will no longer help - you need to replace the components. SIM-card and memory card if possible.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the phone yourself if you don't have experience.At Redmi 7A The battery is glued to the body, and a careless opening can cause battery damage and fire.
You can use the engineering menu codes that are typed through the dialer (if the screen is even partially working). Code ##6484## opens the CIT test menu, where you can check the response of the touchscreen, vibration and other modules, which will help to accurately formulate the problem for the master in the service center.
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Save important data to the cloud immediately after switching on if the touchscreen has started to work intermittently.