How to restart Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 without the power button: all working methods

Introduction: Why the power button doesn’t work and what to do

The broken power button on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) is one of the most common hardware problems with this smartphone. According to service centers, up to 12% of owners experience a power failure after 2-3 years of operation, the reasons are diverse, from banal mechanical wear to moisture under the key or damage to the plume after a fall.

Complicating matters, even the basic steps of turning on, restarting or stepping out of deep sleep are impossible to do without a power button. However, not all is lost, there are software and hardware workarounds to regain control of your smartphone. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods of rebooting the Redmi Note 5 without using the power button, including ways for unlocked and locked bootloaders.

Important: Before applying any instructions, make sure that the problem is in the button, not in a discharged battery or a damaged display plume. If the screen does not respond to touch, but when you connect to charging, an indicator appears, it is likely that the power button is to blame.

Method 1: Reboot via charging connection (the easiest way)

If your Redmi Note 5 is dead or dead, but the power button is not working, try initializing charging first, which works 60 to 70 percent of the time unless the problem is related to hardware damage to the board.

Here's what we need to do:

• 🔌 Connect your smartphone to an original or quality charger (current at least 2A). USB Type-C, which came with the kit.
• ⏳ Leave the device on charge for at least 15-20 minutes. Even if the indicator does not burn, there may be hidden recharging.
• 📱 After 20 minutes, try pressing and holding the volume button for 10-15 seconds, in some cases, this causes a forced reboot.
• 🔄 If the screen catches fire but the phone doesn’t load beyond the Mi logo, release the button and wait for the automatic reboot (can take up to 5 minutes).

This method works thanks to the features of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 power controller, which is installed in the Redmi Note 5. When connecting to charging, the emergency wake mechanism works if the battery level exceeds 5%. If the method does not work, move to the next one.

⚠️ Note: Do not use "left" chargers with higher current 2.4A - it can damage the power controller on the board. Xiaomi's original adapter has an output voltage 5V/2A.

Method 2: Forced reboot via ADB (for unlocked bootloader)

If your Redmi Note 5 has USB debugging enabled and the bootloader unlocked, you can restart the device via your computer using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, which requires pre-configuration but gives you full control of the system.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools (includes adb and fastboot).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
3. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is determined, move on. If not, install Xiaomi drivers or try another one. USB-port.
5. Execute the command to force reboot: adb shell reboot or to switch to fastboot mode: adb reboot bootloader

If the Redmi Note 5 doesn’t respond to commands, try waking it up via ADB:

adb shell input keyevent 26 # power button simulation


adb shell input keyevent 3 # unlock screen (if PIN is enabled)

This method only works when you are actively debugging over USB, and if you have never turned on this mode, move on to the next one.

Method 3: Reboot via Mi Account (if synchronization is enabled)

If your Redmi Note 5 has a Mi Account attached and sync enabled, you can try rebooting your device remotely via the Xiaomi Cloud web interface, which is suitable if the smartphone is on but the screen is locked.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your account.
2. In the Devices section, select your Redmi Note 5 (if it appears online).
3. Press three points (⋮) Next to the device and select Find the device.
4. In the window that opens, click Reboot (if the option is active).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not work if the smartphone is turned off or discharged.
• ❌ Requires an active Internet connection on your device (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• ❌ If sync is disabled in Mi Account settings, the option will not be available.

If the remote reboot didn’t work, but the device is visible in the Mi Cloud, try sending a call to it – sometimes it “wakes” the smartphone from sleep mode.

Method 4: Hardware reset via test points (for power users)

If the software methods didn’t help and the power button failed completely, then the hardware reset through test points is left, which requires disassembling the smartphone and is only suitable for those with experience with electronics.

Warning: Incorrectly closing the test points can cause the motherboard to fail completely, and only use this method as a last resort!

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi Note 5:

1. Turn off the smartphone (if it is turned on, wait for the battery to drain completely).
2. Remove the back cover by unscrewing 12 T3 screws (use a magnetic screwdriver!).
3. Disconnect the battery plume (gently attach the connector with a plastic blade).
4. Find two test points on the motherboard (usually signed as TP or circled in white). For the Redmi Note 5, they are located next to the charging connector.
5. Close the points with tweezers or a screwdriver for 5-7 seconds, then plug the battery back in.
6. The smartphone should go to EDL mode (emergency firmware). You can then flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ After closing the test points, the smartphone will go to 9008 mode (Qualcomm) EDL). To get out of this mode, you will need firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with an authorized Xiaomi account. Without experience, this can lead to a “brick” of the device.

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Before disassembling your smartphone, take a picture of the location of all the plumes and screws. This will help avoid errors when you build back. For the Redmi Note 5, it is especially important not to confuse screws of different lengths - short ones go under the camera, long ones - under the motherboard.

Method 5: Use USB-OTG and keyboard (alternative method)

If your Redmi Note 5 is on, but the screen is locked and the power button is not working, you can try unlocking it using a USB-OTG adapter and keyboard, a method that works thanks to Xiaomi's support for external USB input devices.

What you need:

• 🔌 USB-OTG adapter (Type-C) → USB-A).
• ⌨️ USB-keyboard (can be wireless with USB-receiver).
• 🔋 Charged smartphone (battery level not lower than 20%).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to smartphone, and to adapter – keyboard.
2. Press the Enter key – this simulates clicking on the screen to unlock.
3. If the screen is blocked PIN-code, enter it from the keyboard (numbers on the top row).
4. After unlocking, press Ctrl + Alt + Del combination – this will trigger the reboot menu (on some firmware).
5. If the combination does not work, open Settings → System → Reboot using arrow keys and Enter.

This is especially useful if you don't have a touch screen, but the smartphone is on, and it's also suitable for devices with a broken display but a working motherboard.

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USB-OTG+ keyboard is the only way to unlock the Redmi Note 5 without a running screen and power button, as long as the device is on and not locked at the bootloader level.

What to do if nothing helps: diagnosis and repair

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be more serious than just a faulty power button.

If you do not have experience in electronics repair, it is better to contact a specialized service. The average cost of replacing the power button with a Redmi Note 5 in Russia is 800-1500 rubles (depending on the region and the service center), In some cases it is cheaper to buy a used motherboard (about 2000-3,000 rubles) and replace it completely.

Before the service visit:

• 📋 Write it down. IMEI devices (on a box or under a battery).
• 🔐 Make sure you know the details of your Mi Account if it was linked.
• 💾 Make a backup of important data (if the smartphone is at least somehow turned on).

FAQ: Frequent questions about rebooting Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 without power button