A broken or stuck power button on Xiaomi is one of the most unpleasant breakdowns that makes the phone virtually useless. Without the ability to physically turn on the device, many users are lost: how now to restart a smartphone if it freezes, discharges or requires a forced reboot? Fortunately, there are alternative methods that can help get around this problem without repair.
In this article, we’ll break down all the working ways to restart Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark) without using the power button. From standard Android features to hidden engineering modes to PC connectivity, you’ll find a solution for even the most difficult cases. Importantly, some methods require pre-tuning, so if your phone is still on, prepare it in advance.
1. Reboot via the Android menu (if the phone is on)
If Xiaomi’s smartphone is working but the power button is not responding, the easiest way is to use a software reboot, a method that is suitable for most models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/F4 and Mi 11/12.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- 🔄 Go to the About Phone section. → Reboot (or System Update) → Three dots in the upper right corner → Reboot).
- ⚡ Click Reboot and confirm the action.
If your firmware does not have a direct item "Reboot", use an alternative path:
- Hold the Volume Up + Volume Down button at the same time for 5-7 seconds (in some models this triggers a reboot menu).
- In the window that appears, select Restart.
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On models with MIUI 14+, you can add the Reboot widget to the main screen: long tap on the screen → Widgets → Tools → Reboot.
Forced reboot through the charger
If Xiaomi’s smartphone is completely dead or frozen and the power button is not working, you can try to wake it up with a charger, which works on 60-70% of devices, but requires patience.
Step-by-step:
- 🔌 Connect your phone to the original charger (preferably with Quick Charge support).
- ⏳ Leave it to charge for 15 to 30 minutes – even if the screen doesn’t respond.
- 🔄 At this time, try to keep the volume up. + Loudness down 10-15 seconds.
- 📱 If you see a Mi logo or a vibration, release the buttons.
Why does this method work?
⚠️ Note: Do not use cheap chargers without protection from voltage drops. On models with a damaged power controller (for example, after a drop or moisture) this can lead to a complete failure of the battery.
3.Reboot via ADB (for advanced users)
If your Xiaomi has USB debugging enabled, you can reboot it using your computer and Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for models running MIUI or Android One (such as Mi A2/A3).
What you need:
- 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔗 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
Instructions:
- Connect the phone to the PC.
- Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is determined, go further.
- Run the reboot command: adb reboot
If the phone doesn’t respond, try the forced reboot in fastboot:
adb reboot bootloaderMake sure USB debugging is enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times) → Additional → Developers → USB debugging)
Install Xiaomi drivers from the official website
Download ADB Tools (e.g. Minimal ADB and Fastboot)
Use quality. USB-cable (preferably original)
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⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB This can cause data loss if the phone has been unlocked or stitched with unofficial software. Do not use fastboot on locked bootloaders (Xiaomi blocks them by default) – this will lead to “brick” (complete inoperability).
Removal of the battery (for models with removable battery)
On older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 3S, Redmi 4A, Mi Max), the battery can be removed manually, guaranteed to turn off the phone, simulating a “hard reset”.
How to do this safely:
- 🛠️ Turn off the phone from charging.
- 🔧 Carefully tuck the back cover with a plastic spatula (start with the corners).
- 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume (if it is soldered - do not try to tear it off!).
- ⏳ Wait 1-2 minutes, then plug the battery back in and collect the phone.
| Xiaomi model | Type of battery | Can I get it out? | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi 3S/3X | Removable | Yes. | Damage to the display plume |
| Redmi 4A/4X | Removable | Yes. | The slack on the board with careless extraction |
| Mi Max 1/2 | Semi-removable | Partially. | Damage to antenna contacts |
| POCO F1 | Immovable | No. | Breakdown of the body when attempting to open |
| Redmi Note 5 and newer | Immovable | No. | Loss of leakage |
Attempt to remove it without special tools can lead to irreversible damage to the battery or motherboard. In such cases, it is better to use other methods or contact a service center.
Yes, the model to 2017
Yeah, but the battery's soldered.
No, not removable.
I don't know.
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5. Use of the engineering menu (code ##4636##)
Android’s hidden engineering menu allows you to restart your phone without a power button, which works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires the screen to be active.
How to open the menu:
- Open the Phone app.
- Enter the combination: ##4636###.
- In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
- Scroll down and click Turn Off or Reboot (some firmware may not have this item).
Alternative engineering codes for Xiaomi:
- 🔢 ##7594## – button test (can help diagnose power button problem).
- 🔢 ##284## - Sensor test (touch response test).
- 🔢 ##36446337## - Firmware information and resetting capability.
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The engineering menu may vary depending on the version of MIUI. Some firmware (such as MIUI Global) have limited access to it. If the code doesn't work, try entering it through the Secret Codes app from Google Play.
6.Reboot via Mi Assistant (for locked phones)
If your Xiaomi is locked (for example, after repeatedly incorrectly entering the password), but the power button does not work, you can use the official Mi Assistant utility for Windows. It allows you to restart the phone in Fastboot mode even without physical access to the buttons.
Instructions:
- Download Mi Assistant from Xiaomi’s official website.
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
- Start the utility and select Unlock (unlock).
- In the window that appears, click Reboot to Fastboot.
- After rebooting to Fastboot mode, select Reboot System.
⚠️ Warning: Mi Assistant requires you to link your Mi Account to your phone, and if you don't remember the login details or the phone wasn't tied, this method won't work. In addition, on models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro), the utility can request unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 72 hours.
7. Hardware reset (if nothing helps)
If all the previous methods didn't work, the last option is hardware reset, which will return the phone to the factory settings, but delete all the data, and use this method only as a last resort.
How to make a hard reset without a power button:
- 🔌 Connect your phone to charge and wait until it charges a little (at least 10-15 minutes).
- 🔄 Keep the Volume up. + Volume down 10-20 seconds until the Recovery menu appears.
- 📱 In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation – if it works even slightly).
- 🔄 After reset, select Reboot System Now.
If the power button is completely inoperable and the recovery menu is not opened, then the only service center left is the workshop.
- 🔧 Close the contacts of the power button on the board manually.
- 🔋 Connect the phone to the programmer for forced firmware.
- 🛠️ Replace the power button (repair cost: from 800 to 2500 rubles depending on the model).
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Hard reset deletes all data, including photos, contacts and apps. If the phone has been enabled to sync with Mi Cloud or Google Account, some of the data can be restored after the reset.