How to restart the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone: from reset to flashing

When you need to restart your smartphone and how it differs from a normal restart

Rebooting Xiaomi Redmi is not just about pressing the power button. By this term, users often mean completely resetting, flashing or restoring functionality after a crash. Unlike a normal reboot (which simply updates system processes), restarting can involve deleting all data, installing a new version of MIUI, or even unlocking the bootloader.

The main reasons why owners of Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 or other models have to resort to this method:

• 🔄 System freeze after update MIUI (Especially relevant for betta versions).
• 📱 Slowing down due to overcrowded memory or viruses.
• 🔓 Forgotten pattern lock or password (unless unlocked via Mi Account is triggered).
• 🛠️ Unremedyable app errors (e.g., Google Play Services persistent crashes).
• 📲 Preparing the phone for sale or transfer to another user.

It's important to understand that rebooting deletion is a last resort. If the problem is solved through Settings → Apps → Cache cleaning or software reinstallation, it's better to start with them. But if the smartphone has turned into a brick (it doesn't turn on, it's stuck on the Mi logo), radical methods are necessary.

Reset to factory settings via phone menu

The easiest way to restart Xiaomi Redmi is to use the built-in reset feature, which works if the phone turns on and responds to touch. Instructions are suitable for all models on MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Resetting settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter the password from Mi Account (if tied) or the pattern lock.
5. Confirm the action with the Reset button.

It takes 5-10 minutes. Once you reboot, you’ll get your phone out of the box. All photos, contacts, and apps will be deleted, so back up beforehand through Settings → Additional → Backup or Mi Cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the data from Mi Account, the reset may block the phone due to the Find Device function.

Save photos and videos to your PC or cloud|Record logins/passwords from accounts|Delete SIM-card and memory card if not necessary)|Check the battery level (minimum 50%)-->

Hard reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

When Redmi doesn’t respond to the power button, hovers on the logo or reboots cyclically, a hardware reset via Recovery will help.This mode is available on all Xiaomi smartphones, but the interface may vary depending on the version of MIUI.

To enter Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see a menu with the words MIUI Recovery.

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

• 📱 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete reset).
• 🔄 Confirm the action (Confirmation).
• 🔙 After completion, select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi) 9T) After resetting via Recovery, you may need to re-assign Mi Account. If you don't remember the data, the phone will remain locked!

Fastboot flashing: when resetting doesn't help

If the smartphone still does not work after reset (for example, there is a Fastboot mode or No command error), you will need to flash through Fastboot.

• 📲 Removing Critical Glitches After Failed Update.
• 🔄 Installations of official firmware (for example, with MIUI Globally MIUI EU).
• 🛠️ Recovery of the phone after a failed rooting.

You'll need firmware.

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (download here).
• 📎 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📄 Firmware in.tgz format for your model (download only from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a picture of a rabbit in a hat-eared will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All mode (complete clean) or Save user data (save data, but not recommended in case of crashes).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 11 for the Russian market) before the firmware must unlock Bootloader through the official application Mi Unlock Tool.

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If the phone doesn't turn on after firmware, try repeating the process with another version of MIUI (for example, install Developer instead of Stable).

Unlocking the loader before the firmware

Xiaomi smartphones with factory firmware have a locked Bootloader, a measure of protection against unauthorized changes. If you want to install custom firmware (like LineageOS) or root your phone, you first need to unlock the bootloader.

Official method:

1. Link your phone to Mi Account in settings (Settings → Xiaomi Account).
2. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
3. Enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB).
4. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode and launch the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Sign in to your Mi Account and follow the instructions (usually you need to wait 7-15 days to unlock).

Informal methods (e.g. via EDL) can lead to IMEI blocking or "bricking" the phone, and we don't recommend using them without experience.

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Unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty. If the phone is warranty, contact the service center first.

Frequent errors after restart and how to fix them

Even after a successful reset or firmware, problems can occur, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🔋 Phone discharges quickly: After reset, the system indexes files, which increases the battery load.Let the phone run for 1-2 days or perform battery calibration (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions).
• 📶 No Network: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network settings and select mode 4G/3G/2G (If it doesn't work, check if the modem firmware has crashed (flash the phone with Clean all and lock in Mi Flash).
• 🔑 Requires password after reset: This is activation FRP (Factory Reset Protection: Enter the previously linked Mi Account. If you don't remember, re-access via account.xiaomi.com.
• 🎵 No sound: Check if Do Not Disturb or if the speakers are turned off in Settings → Sound. If it's hardware, maybe the speaker plume has gone.

If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo or shows a Bootloop error after flashing it, try:

1. Repeat the firmware with another version of MIUI (e.g. Stable on Developer).
2. Use Fastboot firmware instead of Recovery.
3. Check if the flash memory is damaged (ADB test: adb shell dmesg | grep -i error).

Alternative restart methods: EDL and TestPoint

When neither the reset nor the Fastboot helps (e.g., the phone is not computer-defined or shows a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008), the hardware recovery method remains via EDL (Emergency Download Mode).

This mode allows you to flash the phone at a low level, but requires:

• 💻 Special cable. EDL (or closing the TestPoint contacts on the board).
• 📄 Firmware in.mbn format for your model.
• 🛠️ QFil or Mi Flash programs with support EDL.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right EDL It can permanently damage your phone (for example, damage your phone). IMEI or NVRAM). This method is recommended only to experienced users or service centers.

If you decide to go for EDL, follow the algorithm:

1. Download firmware for EDL (for example, with XDA Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC in QDLoader 9008 mode (this may require disassembling your phone and closing TestPoint).
3. Start Mi Flash, select firmware and press Flash.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions