Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) sometimes require a forced restart — whether it’s a banal freeze interface, bugs after an update or preparation for sale. But not all users know that the term “reboot” can mean different procedures, from a simple reboot to a complete reset to factory settings with the removal of all data. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways, from the safest to the radical, and explain when to apply.
It's important to understand that if the phone is just slowing down or not responding to touch, a gentle reboot is enough, and if the device doesn't turn on, reboots cyclically, or gives up errors when booting, you'll need a hard reset or even a Fastboot flash, and we'll describe each scenario in detail so you can choose the best option without risking losing important data.
1.Soft reboot: when the phone is getting stuck but reacts to buttons
The most gentle way to restart is software reboot, which helps if the smartphone slows down, apps start to fly out or the screen does not respond to touch, but the device is still “live” (lights on, vibrates when you press buttons).
For this:
- 🔄 Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the off menu appears.
- 🔁 Select "Reboot" (or "Restart" in English firmware).
- ⏳ Wait until the process is complete (usually 30-60 seconds).
If the screen is completely black, but the phone vibrates when you press the buttons, try the combination:
Power button + Volume up (hold 10-20 seconds)⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO F3) Long-term retention of the power button may cause you to turn off, not restart. In this case, after turning off, press the power button again to turn on.
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If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after a reboot, wait 5-10 minutes, sometimes the system itself recovers after a long boot.
2. Forced reboot: if the phone does not respond to buttons
When the smartphone is completely silent — it doesn't react to touch, it doesn't vibrate, it doesn't show signs of life — it requires a hardware reboot, which simulates battery extraction (even on non-removable batteries) and resets all the time processes.
Instructions for most Xiaomi models:
- Hold the power button + volume down simultaneously for 15-30 seconds.
- Release the buttons when the screen goes out (or the Mi logo appears).
- Wait 1-2 minutes – the phone should turn on automatically.
Older models (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi A1) may require a combination of:
Power button + Volume up + Volume down (hold 10-15 seconds)| Xiaomi model | Combination for forced reboot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4 | Power + Volume Down (20s) | Some firmwares need to be held until vibration |
| Mi 11, Mi 12, Mi 13 | Food + Volume up (15 seconds) | After releasing the buttons, wait for the logo |
| Redmi 9A/9C, POCO M3 | Power + both volume buttons (10 seconds) | It may take several attempts. |
| Xiaomi Pad 5/6 | Power + Volume up (25 seconds) | On tablets, the process takes longer. |
⚠️ Warning: If the phone turns on after a forced reboot but shuts off immediately (cyclic reboot), this may indicate firmware damage.
3.Reset to factory settings via Recovery menu
If the phone turns on but is unstable (constantly slowing down, displaying app errors, or not saving settings), resetting via Recovery will help, which removes all user data but saves the original firmware.
How to start Recovery:
- Turn off the phone (if it freezes, use the forced reboot from the previous section).
- Hold the power button + volume up until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
- Select the language (usually English or Chinese) from the menu.
- Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or → in Chinese firmware).
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion (5-10 minutes).
Once reset, the phone will reboot to its original state. Importantly, this method does not remove system updates, but erases all apps, photos, contacts and accounts. If you had a Mi Account attached, you will need to enter it after the reset to unlock (FRP protection).
Backup important data (photos, contacts, messages)
Remember the username and password from the Mi Account (if linked)
Charge your phone at least 50%
Disable Google Account (if you plan to sell your device)-->
4 Hard Reset (Hard Reset) via Fastboot
When the phone doesn’t boot even to Recovery or reboots cyclically, it’s reset via Fastboot mode, a method that requires you to connect to your computer and use the Mi Flash Tool (for Windows).
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Mi Flash Tool and ADB/Fastboot drivers.
- Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Power button + Volume down (hold until the hare appears in the hat-eared)
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
- In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware (file with the.tgz extension) for your model.
- Press Refresh to detect the device, then select Clean All and press Flash.
It takes 5-15 minutes to complete, the phone will automatically restart to the clean system, and all data will be deleted, including the firmware (the version you chose will be installed).
What if the Mi Flash Tool can't see the phone?
5. Recovery through EDL-regime (for “bricks»)
If the phone has turned into a brick (it doesn’t turn on, doesn’t respond to buttons, doesn’t detect in Fastboot), the last chance is EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which allows you to flash the device at a low level, but requires special equipment or services from a service center.
Self-recovery through EDL will require:
- 🔌 Authorized Xiaomi account (to unlock the bootloader).
- 💻 Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm smartphones).
- 📄 Firmware in.mbn format (special version for the EDL).
- 🔧 Cable EDL (or).
The process is extremely risky: if you make a mistake, you can permanently damage the device. If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service center. The cost of recovery through EDL in official Xiaomi centers starts from 1500 rubles.
⚠️ Note: Use of unofficial firmware or unlocking tools EDL It may lead to a blockage. IMEI. In this case, the phone will lose the network, and it will be possible to restore it only through the replacement of the motherboard.
6. Restart after the update: what to do if the phone does not turn on
Sometimes Xiaomi smartphones freeze after the MIUI update, symptoms such as a black screen, endless boot or cyclic reboot, and 90% of the time, the problem is solved without resetting.
Algorithm of action:
- Hold the power button for 30 seconds to turn the device off completely.
- Connect your phone to charge for 15-20 minutes (even if the battery is charged).
- Try turning it on in Safe Mode: Hold the power button when the Mi logo appears, immediately press and hold the volume button down until the system boots.
- In Safe Mode, remove the latest updated app (if there is a problem with it) or reset the cache to Recovery (Wipe Cache Partition).
If these steps do not help, you will have to do a reset via Recovery or flash through Fastboot.
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After a failed upgrade, never try to flash your phone right through Fastboot. First, try charging the battery and running Safe Mode - this saves data 70% of the time.
7. Features of the restart on different Xiaomi models
Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique nuances when restarting.
- 📱 POCO F1/F2/F3: To enter Recovery, you need to hold the power button + volume up to the second vibration signal (first signal – on, second – input to Recovery).
On Xiaomi Pad tablets, the restart process is similar to smartphones, but due to the large screen, the Recovery menu may not display correctly. HDMI-Adapter or use the mouse on the USB-OTG.