Rebooting a Xiaomi smartphone is a standard procedure that helps solve most software failures, from interface hanging to network connection problems. However, not all users know that there are several ways to reboot, and each of them is suitable for different situations, for example, a soft reboot through the menu will not help if the screen is completely frozen, and a hard reboot can lead to the loss of unsaved data.
In this article, we will discuss all the current reboot methods for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones – from standard to emergency, including hidden MIUI functions. You will learn how to properly reboot the device depending on its state, what errors users most often make, and what to do if the phone does not respond to any commands. We will also look at the unique button combinations for models with a physical “Bixby” button (for example, Mi 11 Ultra) and explain why some methods may not work on custom firmware.
1. Soft reboot via the settings menu
The safest and most recommended way is to reboot through the system menu, which is suitable if the phone responds to touch, but is unstable (for example, slows down or does not open applications), this method saves all data and does not interrupt the background processes.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open Settings (cog icon on the main screen).
- 🔄 Scroll down and select About Phone.
- 🔧 Click on Reboot (or Reboot the system in new versions) MIUI).
- ✅ Confirm the action by pressing OK.
If your version of MIUI doesn’t have a “Reboot” item in the About Phone section, try an alternative path:
- Hold the Power button on the sidebar.
- In the menu that appears, select Reboot (not to be confused with Turn Off!).
💡
If your phone brakes so that you can't open the settings, try calling the power menu through Google's voice assistant and say, "OK, Google, restart the phone" (on MIUI 12+).
2. Hard Reboot (Hard Reboot) when getting stuck
If the screen is frozen, doesn't respond to touch, or the phone doesn't turn on at all, a forced reboot will be required, a technique that simulates battery extraction (which is not possible on modern smartphones) and resets all current processes. Attention: a hard rebuke can lead to the loss of unsaved data in open applications.
The standard combination for most Xiaomi models:
- 🔋 Hold the power button. + Increase the volume simultaneously.
- ⏳ Hold for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out and the logo appears. MI.
- 📵 Release the buttons – the phone will start loading in normal mode.
Some models (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require a different combination:
- 🔋 Power button + Reduce volume (hold 12)+ seconds).
What to do if the combination does not work?
3. Restart to Safe Mode (Safe Mode)
If the phone starts to brake after installing a new app or update, Safe Mode will help, which only downloads system applications, which allows you to identify the cause of the failure. For example, if in Safe Mode the phone is working normally, the problem lies in one of the third-party applications.
How to get into Safe Mode:
- Turn off the phone (hold the power button → turn off).
- After completely switching off, hold the Power button until the MI logo appears.
- Once the logo appears, release the power button and hold Volume Down immediately.
- Hold on until the phone boots with the Safe Mode label at the bottom of the screen.
In safe mode:
- 🔍 Check your phone’s performance – if the lags are gone, uninstall the newly installed apps.
- 📦 Go to Settings. → Applications and sort programs by installation date.
- 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode (just press Reboot).
💡
Safe Mode doesn't delete data, but it temporarily disables all third-party applications, which is the best way to diagnose software conflicts.
4. Reboot via Fastboot (for power users)
If the phone is stuck on the MI logo or does not boot further, you may need to reboot via Fastboot mode.This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires a connection to a PC and using the command line. Wrong actions in Fastboot can lead to data loss or “bricking” the phone!
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone (hold power + Volume up 10 seconds).
- Hold Power + Volume Down until the screen with the hare in the hat appears (Fastboot logo).
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
- On your computer, open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the command: fastboot reboot
If the team is not working, check:
- 🔌 Cable and port USB (Try another cable).
- 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool drivers installed (you can download on the official Xiaomi website).
- 🔄 Try another command: fastboot reboot-bootloader
Install the drivers ADB/Fastboot PC-only|Download the Mi Flash Tool (for firmware)|Check the battery charge (minimum) 30%)|Use the original USB-cable-->
5. Automatic reboot on schedule
MIUI has a hidden auto-reboot feature that allows you to set up the phone's reboot at a predetermined time (e.g., at night) that is useful for cleaning the cache and preventing system error buildup. The feature isn't available on all models, but works on most devices with MIUI 12 and later.
How to turn on:
- Open Settings → Additional (or Special Options)
- Select Automatic Reboot (if no item, use Settings Search).
- Set the time (recommended 3-4 hours in the morning) and frequency (for example, once a week).
- Activate the switch.
Advantages of automatic reboot:
| Plus. | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🧹 Cleaning RAM | Background processes are closed, memory is released. |
| 🔄 Updating system files | MIUI applies delayed updates after reboot. |
| 📉 Prevention of lags | Regular rebuke reduces the risk of hanging. |
| 🔋 Battery savings | Closed "hungry" processes that consume energy. |
💡
If you don’t have an automatic reboot feature in your version of MIUI, use third-party apps like Auto Reboot (administrator rights are required).
6 What to do if the phone does not restart
If none of these things worked, and the phone stays frozen or doesn't turn on, the reasons could be hardware.
Scenario 1: The phone vibrates, but the screen is black
- 🔋 Problem: malfunction of the display plume or backlight.
- 🛠️ Solution: Connect your phone to your PC – if it’s defined as a device, the screen needs repairs.
Scenario 2: The phone is hot and off
- 🔥 Problem: overheating of the processor (possibly due to damaged battery).
- ❄️ Solution: Put your phone in a cool place for 30 minutes, then try charging.
Scenario 3: The phone is stuck on startup the MI logo
- 🔄 Problem: damage to system files (for example, after a failed update).
- 📥 Solution: Fastboot or Recovery (instructions on Xiaomi official website).
💡
If the phone does not respond to charging and does not turn on for more than a day, do not try to disassemble it yourself - this can lead to a short circuit.
⚠️ Note: If the phone has been unlocked through Bootloader and custom firmware is installed, a hard reboot can cause all data to be reset. In this case, it is recommended to use the fastboot reboot recovery command to log in. TWRP and backup.
7. Frequent errors in Xiaomi reboot
Many users make the same mistakes that can make the problem worse.
- 🚫 Extract SIM-card or memory card during reboot – this can damage slots.
- 🚫 Pressing buttons chaotically (e.g. holding all three buttons at the same time) – this can trigger mode EDL, which requires special software for recovery.
- 🚫 Interrupting the upgrade process (if the phone reboots with the words Updating...) will lead to “bricking".
- 🚫 Use non-original chargers forced reboot – this can cause a voltage surge.
Also avoid:
- 🔋 Reboots at a charge level below 10% – the phone may turn off and not turn on without recharging.
- 📱 Install applications to “accelerate” the reboot (for example, Reboot Manager) – they often contain malicious code.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with infrared port (e.g. Mi) 10T) Do not press the reboot buttons if the phone is used as a remote – this can reset the IR transmitter settings.