How to restart Xiaomi smartphone via PC: all ways + error solving

Introduction: when you need Xiaomi reboot through the computer

A suspended Xiaomi smartphone is a familiar situation for many brand users: If the device does not respond to power buttons, does not go out of boot mode or is locked after a failed update, standard reboot methods become useless, in which case rebooting via the PC remains the only working solution.

This method is especially relevant for Redmi, POCO and Mi 10/11/12/13, where hardware failures are often associated with MIUI firmware or Android kernel conflicts. For example, after installing custom firmware via TWRP or an incorrect rollback to the factory version. It is important to understand that a reboot through a computer is not just a turn-off / turn-on, but a forced reboot at the fastboot or EDL level.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, from simple ADB commands to working with the Mi Flash Tool for bricks, and also describe how to avoid the typical errors that turn a temporary glitch into a complete loss of data without the possibility of recovery.

Computer Preparation: What to Install

Before you start rebooting, make sure your PC is ready to work with Xiaomi.Without properly installed drivers and tools, even the simplest adb reboot command won’t work.

Here is the minimum set for Windows 10/11:

🔧 Xiaomi drivers: official Mi USB Driver (version 2023 and later) Older drivers can cause device not found error.
🖥️ ADB Fastboot: Google’s Platform Tools package (updated no later than 6 months ago).
🔄 Mi Flash Tool: Devices Only EDL (download from the official website).
🔒 Disable driver signatures: Windows 11 requires you to disable forced verification via gpedit.msc (instruction below).

For macOS/Linux, it is enough to install adb and fastboot via package managers:

# For Ubuntu/Debian


sudo apt install adb fastboot




For macOS (via Homebrew)



brew install android-platform-tools

⚠️ Note: If you are using a laptop with USB-C, Connect your smartphone via the original Xiaomi cable. Cheap cables often don't transmit data in fastboot mode, leading to the waiting for device error.

📊 What kind of smartphone you Xiaomi?

Redmi Note 10/11/12

POCO F3/F4/F5

Mi 11/12/13

Another Xiaomi

Not Xiaomi.

Method 1: Reboot over ADB (if the phone is turned on)

If the Xiaomi smartphone is turned on but hangs on the MI logo or works with lags, the safest method is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Step-by-step:

Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the build number.
Activate Debugging by USB in the Settings menu → Additional → For developers.
Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission (a pop-up window will appear on the smartphone screen).
Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list (e.g., 1234abcd device), run the reboot command:

adb reboot

For forced reboot in fastboot (if you need to flash recovery):

adb reboot bootloader

⚠️ Note: If the adb reboot command leaves the phone in an endless load, this is a sign of a damaged boot partition. In this case, you will need to flash it through fastboot (see Method 3).

☑️ Preparation for ADB-restart

Enable the developer modeActivate debugging over USBConnect the original cableCheck the output of the adb device command

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Forced reboot via Fastboot (for locked devices)

If your Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t turn on but reacts to the power + volume button down (his fastboot), use this method.It works even on devices with a locked bootloader, but requires drivers installed.

Algorithm of action:

Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
Press Power + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.
Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
Check the connection:

fastboot devices

If the device is detected (e.g., 1234fastboot), follow the command:

fastboot reboot

To reset the cache (if the phone hangs on the logo):

fastboot erase cache


fastboot reboot

Team team.	Action.	When to use
fastboot reboot	A normal reboot.	If your phone is fastboot but not damaged
fastboot erase cache	Clearing the cache	When hanging on the MI logo
fastboot reboot recovery	Transition to recovery	To reset settings or install updates
fastboot oem edl	Transition to EDL mode	Only for the unlocked bootloader!

What if the fastboot can’t see the device?

1. Check the cable - try another one USB-port (preferably) USB 2. Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select "Mi Flash" or "Android Bootloader Interface"). 3. Disable the antivirus - it can block fastboot. 4. Try another computer (some Lenovo laptops have conflicts with fastboot).

Method 3: Reboot via Mi Flash Tool (for "bricks")

If the Xiaomi smartphone has turned into a “brick” (does not respond to buttons, is not determined in fastboot), the only way out is through the firmware. EDL-Emergency Download Mode: This method requires an unlocked bootloader or an authorized Mi Account.

Instructions:

Download the Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model (for example, tissot_global_images_V12.5.1.0.RDLMIXM_20210302.0000.00_10.0_global For the Redmi Note 7).
Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic (for example, C:\MIUI\rom).
Press on the phone turned off Volume up + Volume down + Power for 10 seconds – the device should go to EDL (the screen will remain black).
Connect your phone to your PC and start MiFlash.exe.
In the program, click Select, specify the folder with the firmware, then Refresh - the COMX device should appear.
Select Clean All or Clean All and Lock and press Flash.

It takes 5-15 minutes, and when it's done, the phone automatically restarts.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL With the Clean all and lock option, you can block the bootloader. After that, you can't install custom firmware without officially unlocking it through the Mi Unlock Tool.

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a "Couldn't find device" error, try connecting your phone to the device. USB-externally powered hubs, some models (e.g, POCO F3) They require additional stress for stable operation in EDL.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

🚫 Error “waiting for device": ADB Or fastboot can't see the phone. Solution: Check the cable and port. USB (try USB Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select "Android" ADB Interface.Reboot your PC and phone.
🔄 Phone goes to bootloop after reboot: endless logo load MI. Solution: Run fastboot erase cache. If it doesn't work, run it. boot.img firmware:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot reboot

Error "device is locked"

fastboot

Decision:

Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and wait 72-360 hours).
Or run the firmware through EDL (see Method 3).

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

The backup.ab file will be saved to the PC and can be restored via:

adb restore backup.ab

🔄 Use it. TWRP: If you have custom recovery installed, backup all partitions (Boot, System, Data) before restarting.
🚫 Avoid “Clean All” in Mi Flash: If you’re not sure about your actions, choose Clean all except storage – this will save your files in the device’s memory.