How to Reboot Xiaomi Redmi 4: All Ways + Problem Solving

Xiaomi Redmi 4 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, released in 2017. Despite its considerable age, the device is still actively used due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. However, even with such a proven device, there are periodically situations when you need a forced reboot, from the banal “hang” to recover from a failed update.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of rebooting for Redmi 4 (including the versions of Redmi 4A/4X/4 Pro), their features and potential risks. Particular attention will be paid to hardware methods that work even with a completely dead screen, as well as software solutions for experienced users. If your smartphone stopped responding to clicks or stuck on the Mi logo, here you will find step-by-step instructions with all the nuances in mind.

When does Redmi 4 require a forced reboot?

Not all phone hanging requires drastic measures, and before you start a reboot, it is important to understand what kind of problem you are facing:

• 🔄 Interface freeze: the phone responds to late touches, apps don’t open or shut down spontaneously, often due to a lack of RAM (Redmi 4 only has 2-3 GB of RAM).
• 🖥️ Backlit black screen: The display doesn't display the image, but the phone vibrates when you press buttons or charge it, because the graphics driver fails or overheats.
• 🔋 Bootloop: The smartphone is constantly rebooted without reaching the desktop, typically after a failed update. MIUI or custom-recovery installations.
• 📱 Complete irresponsibility: no response to buttons, charging or connecting to a PC. may indicate a hardware failure (for example, battery plume dump).

In the first three cases, a soft or hard reboot is likely to bring the phone back to life, and in the latter, a diagnosis will be required at a service center, as the problem may be related to a PMIC or physical damage to the board.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has stopped responding after falling or getting moisture, don't try to reboot it - this may aggravate the damage.Switch off power immediately (hold on the 20 button)+ seconds) and contact the service.

Method 1: Soft reboot (via menu)

The safest method to try first is that it simulates the normal shutdown/on but forcibly shuts down all processes, and it works if the phone is responsive to touch but not stable.

Instructions:

1. Hold the power button (located on the right end) for 8-10 seconds.
2. On the screen will appear menu with options to Turn off, Reboot and Emergency mode.
3. Select Reboot and confirm the action.

If the menu doesn’t appear, try holding the power button + volume up at the same time (this will trigger the Recovery menu, where you can also select Reboot).

Close all active apps (if the phone is responding)

Connect charging (if the battery level is below 15%)

Make sure there are no important unsaved data on your phone.

Remove the case (it can block access to the buttons)-->

This method does not delete data or reset settings, but it can help with minor MIUI failures. If the problem recurs after the reboot, try clearing the application cache in Settings → Applications.

Method 2: Hard reset (buttons)

If the phone is completely frozen and does not respond to touch, you will need a hardware reboot, which works even with a black screen, but has a nuance: on Redmi 4 (unlike the newer models), the button combination depends on the firmware version.

The standard combination for most versions of MIUI is:

1. Press and hold the power button + increase the volume at the same time.
2. Hold for 10-15 seconds until the phone vibrates and the screen goes out.
3. Release the buttons and the device will start restarting.

If this doesn’t work, try alternative combinations:

• 🔄 Power button + Reduce volume (for some custom firmware).
• 🔋 Power button + Both volume buttons (calls Fastboot, from where you can select Reboot).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4A (Long-term button retention can lead to a hard brick (complete failure) if the battery is discharged below 5%. Before manipulation, make sure that the phone is at least slightly charged (plug it into the network for 10-15 minutes).

Method 3: Reboot with Recovery Mode

Recovery is a service mode built into Xiaomi Redmi 4 that allows you to perform diagnostics and restore the system, through which you can not only restart the phone, but also reset settings or install an update.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10+ seconds).
2. Press the power button + increase volume and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the menu in English or Chinese (depending on the MIUI version).

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

• 🔄 Reboot - a normal reboot.
• 🧹 Wipe Data – reset to factory settings (deletes all data!).
• 📦 Install Update – Install firmware with SD-map.

If you choose Wipe Data, the phone will reboot to its original state after reset (resetting MIUI is required), which helps with cyclical booting or if the system is damaged by viruses.

Soft reboot via the menu

Hard button reset

Recovery Mode

Through ADB/Fastboot

Never reloaded forcefully.-->

Method 4: Reboot via Fastboot (for power users)

If the phone boots up to the Mi logo but then freezes, or you want to reboot to Fastboot for firmware, this method will be useful.It requires a connection to a PC and installed ADB drivers.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools on PC (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Turn off Redmi 4 and press the power + volume button to enter the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and do:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), enter:

fastboot reboot

This will lead to a normal reboot. If you want to reset, use:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot erase commands permanently delete data from the userdata section (photos, messages, applications).Be sure to have a backup before executing it or it is really necessary.

If Fastboot does not recognize the device:

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (Try another connector on the PC).
• 🖥️ Install Xiaomi drivers manually through the official website.
• 🔄 Restart your PC and try again.

Method 5: Reboot over ADB (if the phone is on but not responding)

If Redmi 4 is on but the screen is not responding to touch, you can try rebooting it via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which only works if USB debugging was previously enabled in the developer settings.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line and check the connection:

adb devices

If the device is displayed, do:

adb shell reboot

For forced reboot in Recovery:

adb reboot recovery

If ADB does not see the device:

• 🔧 Put the debugging on. USB (If the phone is responding at all: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• 🔄 Reinstall the drivers ADB PC-only.
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (some cables are only for charging purposes).

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If the ADB issues a device unauthorized error, a window should appear on the phone screen requesting trust on that PC. If the screen is not responsive, connect the phone to another computer where the debugging was previously confirmed.

Table: Comparison of Redmi 4 reboot methods

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after a successful reboot, Redmi 4 can be unstable, and let’s look at the typical problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Phone freezes again after reboot: Reason: memory shortage or application conflict Solution: clear cache in Settings → Memory or delete newly installed programs.If the problem recurs, reset via Recovery.
• 🔋 After the reboot does not turn on: Reason: battery is discharged or loader failure Solution: connect to charging at 30+ Just a minute, then repeat the hard reset. If it doesn't work, run your phone through the Fastboot.
• 📱 The Mi logo appears, but it's been uploading for over 10 minutes: The reason: it's corrupting system files. Solution: log in to Recovery and select Wipe Cache. If it doesn't work, you can re-flash your phone.
• 🔌 PC doesn't see the phone Fastboot/ADB: Reason: no drivers or faulty cable.Solution: install official Xiaomi drivers and try another port USB 2.0 (not USB 3.0).

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If after several attempts to reboot the phone still does not work, do not continue the experiment — this can lead to a hard brick.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions