How to completely reboot Xiaomi Redmi: from soft restart to complete reset

When you need a full reboot of the smartphone

Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones run on Android with a proprietary MIUI shell, which can accumulate errors over time. If your device starts to slow down, spontaneously reboot or issue messages about a memory shortage, this is a signal to action. A full reboot (or “hard reset”) returns the device to factory settings, removing all user data, applications and settings.

But it doesn't always require a radical solution. In 80 percent of cases, a soft reboot (just turn off/on) or a cache reset via Recovery helps. But a full reset via Fastboot using MiFlash is the only way to bring the brick back to life after a failed firmware. Next, we'll look at all the methods from the simplest to the most complex, taking into account the specific symptoms of the malfunction.

Before you start, answer two questions: 1. Does the phone turn on and react to clicks? → Try a soft reset. 2. Does the device not respond to buttons or is it stuck on the logo? → Need a hard reset via Recovery or Fastboot.

Method 1: Soft reboot (if the phone is running)

This is the safest way to do this, and it doesn't affect user data, which is suitable if Redmi is just braking or glitching, but it turns on and reacts to touch, and in most cases it helps with:

• 🐢 Slow-motion interface
• 🔄 Spontaneous reboots
• 📱 Apps hanging
• 🔋 Quick battery discharge (if the reason is software)

Instructions:

1. Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the off menu appears.
2. Select Reboot (or Restart in English firmware).
3. If the menu does not appear, hold the power button for 20-30 seconds until the screen goes out and the phone starts to reboot forcibly.

If you have problems after a soft reboot, move on to the next method. Importantly, before any reset, check the battery level - it must be at least 50%, otherwise you risk getting a brick.

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If the phone brakes again after rebooting, check the memory space. Storage over 90% is a common cause of MIUI lags.

Method 2: Resetting cache via Recovery (without data loss)

If a soft reboot didn't help but you don't want to lose data, try clearing the cache partition.This will delete temporary system and application files that may have been corrupted.The method works even if the phone doesn't boot to the desktop but responds to buttons.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the power button + volume button at the same time.
3. Keep them clamped until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

Recovery menu (it can be in Chinese or English):

• 🔧 Select Wipe & Reset (or Chinese firmware).
• 🧹 Then press Wipe Cache (cleaning the cache).
• 🔄 Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (usually takes 1-2 minutes).
• 📱 Select Reboot to Reboot.

Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! the first method is secure, the second will delete all your files.

Method 3: Complete reset via Recovery (Hard Reset)

If the previous methods didn't work, or the phone was stuck on the Mi logo, a hard reset is required.

• 📁 All user files (photos, videos, music)
• 📱 Installed applications and their data
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accounts)
• 🔒 Passwords and fingerprints

How to make a Hard Reset:

1. Enter Recovery (Power button + Volume increase).
2. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (or Wipe All Data ).
3. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter a password if it was set).
4. Wait for completion (5-10 minutes) and select Reboot.

⚠️ Warning: After a hard reset, the phone will require you to enter the Mi Account details that were tied before the reset. If you forget your login/password, restore them in advance on account.xiaomi.com, otherwise you risk staying with the locked device!

If after reset the phone still does not turn on or gives errors, go to the next method - firmware through Fastboot.

Method 4: Fastboot Flashing (for power users)

This is a last resort when the phone:

• 💀 Not included at all (black screen)
• 🔄 Hangs on the Mi logo or download animation
• 🚫 Issues a Fastboot error when trying to turn on
• 🔧 It was a bad fit with custom firmware.

This method will require:

• 💻 Windows computer
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 📦 Firmware for your Redmi model (download from the official website)
• 🛠️ MiFlash program (download from xiaomiflashtool.com)

Step-by-step:

1. Install MiFlash and Xiaomi drivers on PC.
2. Unpack the downloaded firmware (file with extension.tgz) in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Turn off the phone. Press the power button + volume down to enter Fastboot mode (the image of a hare in a hat-eared).
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
5. In MiFlash, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh – the program must determine the device (appears) COM-port).
7. Select firmware mode: Clean All – complete cleaning (recommended for critical errors) Clean All and Lock – cleaning + bootloader lock (if you need to return the official firmware)

Flash

⚠️ Note: If an anti-rollback error appears during firmware, you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, In this case, download the newer firmware and repeat the process.

After successful firmware, the phone will restart and prompt you to set it up as new, and if that didn’t work, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., a motherboard is damaged).

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Fastboot firmware is the only way to restore the Xiaomi Redmi that doesn’t turn on or respond to buttons, but requires strict adherence to the instructions and official firmware for your model.

Method 5: Reset via settings (if the phone is working)

If the phone is turning on and you can go to the settings menu, use the built-in reset feature.This is the easiest way to return factory settings without using Recovery or a PC.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset All Settings (or Erase All Data).
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
4. Wait until the phone is finished (the phone will reboot automatically).
5. Software Blocker: If the phone asks for a Mi Account after a reset but you don't remember the data, try it: 🔑 Restore password through the official website. 📧 Check the email linked to your account – there may be an email with instructions to unlock. 📞 Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box).

Cost of official unlocking through the service center: 1000 – 2000 ₽.

If you suspect a hardware breakdown, don’t try to disassemble the phone yourself – modern Xiaomi Redmis have fragile plumes and are easily damaged when unprofessional repairs are carried out.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi reboot