How to restart Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 without the power button: all working methods

The broken power button on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a problem that many smartphone owners know. Even with careful use, the mechanical buttons wear out over time: the contacts oxidize, the spring mechanism loses elasticity, and the plastic locks break. But what if the phone freezes, doesn't respond to touch, and the physical power button doesn't work? Throw away the device? Of course not.

Rebooting without a power button is possible, and there are at least 5 proven methods for this. Some of them work even on a fully discharged or brick machine, others require prior preparation (for example, USB debugging enabled). The main thing is not to panic and follow the instructions strictly by steps. In this article, we will analyze all the methods, from the simplest to the technically complex, taking into account the nuances of the Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo).

⚠️ Important: If the phone is not responding to charging and shows no signs of life (no vibration, indication, sounds), first check the cable and power supply. Connect another charger for 10-15 minutes - perhaps the problem is with the battery dead, not the button.

1. Software reboot via menu (if phone is on)

If the Redmi Note 8 screen is working but the power button is not pressed, the most obvious way is to use software features, a method that is suitable for cases where the phone is getting stuck but still responds to touch.

Depending on the version of MIUI, the path to the reboot menu may vary, with new firmware (MIUI 12 and above) making it easier to access key features:

• 📱 Open Settings (cog icon on the main screen).
• 🔍 Scroll down and select About Phone.
• 🔄 Tap on Reboot (or Reboot the system in some localizations).
• ✅ Confirm the action by pressing OK in the dialog window.

If the settings menu is not available due to the freeze, try calling the notification bar:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the curtain.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Settings (or the user icon in the upper right corner).
3. In the menu that opens, find the Reboot button.

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If the phone is stuck and doesn’t respond to touch, try plugging it into charging for 5 to 10 minutes, sometimes temporarily reviving the screen, allowing you to reboot through the menu.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware may not have a reboot point, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

2.Reboot via Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode)

Recovery Mode is a service mode built into any Android smartphone. It allows you to perform critical operations, including rebooting, even when the power button is broken. For the Redmi Note 8, you log in to Recovery via a keyboard combination, but what if the power button is broken?

There are two workarounds:

• 🔌 Through the charger: Connect the phone to the charger, then press Volume up + Loudness down for 10 to 15 seconds. MIUI This will trigger the Recovery menu.
• 🖥️ Through ADB: If debugging is on USB was enabled earlier, you can send a reboot command to Recovery from your computer (more in the section about the ADB).

After entering Recovery:

1. Use volume buttons to navigate the menu.
2. Select Reboot System Now (Reboot System Now).
3. Confirm the choice with the Power button (but since it is broken, use the charger: connect/disable the cable to emulate the press).

⚠️ Warning: Recovery Mode doesn't have a touch screen, only volume buttons. If they're also faulty, this method won't work.

3.Reboot via Fastboot Mode (for power users)

Fastboot is a firmware mode that allows you to control your phone from your computer via commands. For the Redmi Note 8, logging into the Fastboot without a power button is possible, but requires pre-configuration:

• 🔧 The phone should be on debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 💻 Drivers must be installed on the computer ADB Fastboot (you can download from the site) XDA Developers).

Instructions:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 to your PC via USB-cable.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone is recognized, you will see its serial number.
4. Reboot your device in Fastboot: adb reboot bootloader
5. After logging in to Fastboot, reboot: fastboot reboot

Install the drivers ADB|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Connect the original USB-cable|Check the device recognition by the team `adb devices`-->

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB If it wasn't activated in advance, it won't work.

4.Reboot through connection of charger

One little-known way is to use a charger to emulate the power button, which works thanks to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 circuitry: when you plug in/disconnect the power, the battery controller sends a signal to turn on.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the charger (preferably the original 18W).
2. Wait for the charging indication (red or orange LED).
3. Turn off the cable from the phone, then immediately plug it back in.
4. Repeat the action 3-5 times with an interval of 1-2 seconds.

In some cases, this leads to a forced reboot, a method not guaranteed, but often works on "hungry" machines.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use uncertified chargers – they can damage the power controller, making the problem worse.

5. Hardware reset (if other methods did not help)

If the phone doesn't respond to any manipulation, the last resort is to reset hardware through test points on the motherboard, which requires disassembling the device and is only suitable for users with experience in electronics repair.

On the Redmi Note 8, the forced reboot test points are located next to the battery connector, and their closure simulates the pressing of the power button at the circuit level.

Instructions (for experienced people only!):

1. Turn the phone off the power.
2. Remove the back cover (need a mediator or plastic shoulder blade).
3. Disconnect the battery plume.
4. Find two test points (usually signed as CLK and GND).
5. Close them carefully with tweezers or a screwdriver for 2-3 seconds.
6. Connect the battery and collect the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Closed test points without knowledge of electronics can short circuit and cause the phone to fail.

6. Alternative solutions: repair or replacement of buttons

If the reboot is successful but the power button still doesn’t work, consider repair options:

• 🔧 Contact cleaning: Sometimes the button doesn't work due to oxidation. take the phone apart and clear the contacts with alcohol.
• 🔄 Replacement button: The new power button for the Redmi Note 8 is worth it ~300-500 rubles. Replacement takes 15-20 minutes.
• 📱 Use of a virtual button: C Settings → Special features can be enabled virtual power button on the screen (required) MIUI 12+).

If repairs are not feasible (e.g., an old phone), consider selling for parts or scrapping through Xiaomi’s trade-in programs.

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The most reliable way to avoid problems with the power button is to use a case with protection from mechanical damage and avoid moisture.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 8 reboot without a power button