How to unlock a bootloader on Xiaomi if the phone doesn’t turn on: the full guide

Have you encountered a situation where Xiaomi stopped turning on after a failed firmware, reset or attempt to unlock the bootloader? This problem is familiar to many owners of Mi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, where a locked bootloader can turn a device into a “brick.” Unlike the standard procedure of unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, it requires a workaround – because the phone does not even boot into the system.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for unlocking a bootloader on a dead Xiaomi, including using Fastboot, EDL-Mode mode and alternative tools like Mi Flash Pro. Particular attention will be paid to models with chips Qualcomm and Mediatek, as the algorithms for them are different. 0x80070057 Or Couldn’t unlock, which often occurs when working with faulty devices.

If you have never worked with ADB/Fastboot or are not sure about your actions, you should contact the service center.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t turn on after locking the bootloader?

The bootloader on Xiaomi is blocked by the manufacturer to protect against unauthorized firmware changes. If you tried to install custom software, get root rights or upgrade through TWRP without first unlocking, the system could "block"

• 🔄 Failed update via Mi Flash Tool with blocked bootloader.
• 🔧 Installation of inappropriate firmware (e.g. Global) ROM Chinese-style).
• 🛠️ Reset to factory settings via Recovery on a device with a locked bootloader.
• ⚡ Interrupting the firmware (power cut, error) USB-connection).

As a result, the phone can:

• 📵 Do not respond to the power button.
• 🔄 Hang on the Mi or Fastboot logo.
• 💀 Showing a black screen with backlight.
• 🔌 Defined by a computer as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (mode) EDL).

The key point is that if the phone is somehow responsive to the PC connection (defined as a device in Task Manager), there is a chance of recovery. If the smartphone is completely dead (not warming, vibrating, undetected), the problem may be in the hardware, such as the power controller.

Preparation for Unblocking: What You Need

Before you start, you can collect everything you need, and without these tools, you can't unlock the bootloader.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, which means it's in mode EDL (Emergency Download Mode requires an authorized Xiaomi account with a tied device or a special one. EDL-cable (if the phone is not automatically recognized).

Also check:

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 30%. If the phone doesn't turn on, keep it charging for 15 to 20 minutes.
• 🔌 USB-Port – Try another port on your PC (preferably) USB 2.0, as 3.0 can cause errors).
• 🛡️ Antivirus – Disable it while you’re working, as it can block Xiaomi utilities.

Method 1: Unlock via Fastboot (if the phone is detected)

If your Xiaomi reacts to a button combination and goes into Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat appears on the screen), you can try the standard unlock procedure. This method is suitable for most models, except those where the bootloader is locked at the hardware level (for example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro with a Mediatek Helio G90T chip).

Steps:

1. Turn off the phone (if it is stuck on the logo, press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press Volume Down + Power before Fastboot mode appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool (requires authorization in the Mi-account tied to the device).
4. If you have a Couldn't unlock error, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect. USB-cable.
• 🔧 Reinstall Fastboot drivers.
• ⏳ Wait 72–168 hours (if the account is new, Xiaomi will temporarily block the account).

⚠️ Note: On models with a Mediatek chip (e.g. Redmi Note 9, POCO M3) The standard Mi Unlock Tool may not work, and you'll need to switch to mode. BROM (analogue EDL for Mediatek) or use of third-party tools such as SP Flash Tool.

Method 2: Unlocking through EDL-regimen (Qualcomm)

If the phone is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, it means that it is in emergency mode EDL. This method is suitable for most models on Qualcomm Snapdragon chips (for example, Xiaomi Mi 9, Redmi K20 Pro, POCO F1).

1. Download firmware in.mbn or.elf format for your model.
2. Install Qualcomm drivers (if the phone is not identified, use Zadig to manually install the libusb driver).
3. Run Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for firmware in EDL).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in mode EDL (If it does not automatically go, use a button combination or a special one. EDL-cable).
2. In Mi Flash Pro, select the downloaded firmware and specify the path to the file. prog_emmc_firehose.mbn.
3. Press Refresh – the program must define the device as COM-port.
4. Choose Clean All and Lock (if you just need to restore your phone) or Clean All (if you plan to unlock further).
5. Press Flash and wait for the process to end (5-10 minutes).

Important: Firmware via EDL will reset all data on the phone, including the partition with IMEI. If after the procedure, the network signal is lost, you will need to restore IMEI through the engineering menu or service center.

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If the Mi Flash Pro issues an error "SLA Auth Error", it means that your account is not authorized for firmware in EDL. Solution: use an official account associated with the device, or contact the service center for authorized access.

Method 3: Unlocking for Mediatek chips (BROM-regime)

Models on Mediatek (for example, Redmi Note 8T, POCO M2) do not support EDL, but have an analogue - BROM mode. To work with it, you will need the SP Flash Tool utility and firmware in scatter format.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website (look for files with the.scatter extension).
2. Install Mediatek drivers (use MTK Driver Auto Installer).
3. Launch the SP Flash Tool, download the scatter file and press Download.
4. Connect the phone to the PC (no buttons!) and the program must identify it.
5. Wait for the firmware to finish (the progress indicator will turn green).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 9) after firmware is run through BROM You may need to unlock the bootloader via Fastboot. If the phone has booted but is stuck on the logo, repeat the unlocking procedure using the Mi Unlock Tool.

Also consider:

• 🔧 SP Flash Tool may not work on Windows 11 without compatibility mode.
• 📥 The firmware should be strictly for your model - an error will lead to a full brik.
• 🔄 If the process is stalling, try another one. USB-port.

Method 4: Test Point (for experienced users)

If the phone is not detected in either Fastboot or EDL, the last chance is to activate Test Point, which is a physical contact on the motherboard, the closure of which forcibly puts the device in firmware mode.

How it works:

1. Take your phone apart (see YouTube or iFixit for instructions for your model).
2. Find Test Point (usually two metal dots labeled EDL or TP next to the battery).
3. Close the contacts with tweezers or wire while connecting the phone to the PC.
4. If done correctly, Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 will appear in Device Manager.
5. Next, run your phone through Mi Flash Pro or QFil, as in Method 2.

📌 Warning: Incorrectly closing contacts can cause a short circuit and permanently disable the phone.If you are not sure of your skills, you should contact the service.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods did not work, the last option is to contact the official Xiaomi service.

• 🔧 Hardware failure (e.g., burnt power controller).
• 🔒 The bootloader is locked at the chip level (for example, on some models). POCO Mediatek).
• 📱 The phone is not detected in any mode (Fastboot, EDL, BROM).

What the service will offer:

• 🔧 Diagnosis (free or for a nominal fee).
• 🔄 Firmware through authorized EDL (if the problem is software).
• 💰 Repair or replacement of the board (if hardware problem, cost 3,000 to 15,000) ₽).

⚠️ In unofficial services can offer “unlock” through substitution IMEI This violates the warranty conditions and can lead to network problems (for example, blocking) IMEI Official Xiaomi services work only with original firmware.

Cost of services in official services (for 2026):

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If the phone is warranty, do not try to unlock the bootloader yourself - this will cancel the warranty obligations. In the official service, the restoration under warranty will cost free (provided that the breakdown is not caused by the user's actions).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When unlocking a bootloader on a faulty Xiaomi, users often encounter typical errors.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔋 Battery Charge – Connect your phone to charge at 30+ minute.
• 🔌 USB-port - try the port USB 2.0 (on some PCs) USB 3.0 unstable).
• 🖥️ Operating System – Mi Flash Tool may not work on Windows 11 without compatibility mode.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions