Xiaomi does not turn on: how to reset to factory settings

When your Xiaomi stops responding to the power button and the screen stays black, it can be taken by surprise at any time. Most often, a critical software failure, system partition overflow, or a failed update that blocks the normal operating system boot. In such cases, the standard settings menu is not available, and the only way to bring the device back to life is a forced reset, known as Hard Reset.

Completely resetting the device through recovery mode allows you to clear the memory of the smartphone from all user data and return the system files to the original state. This is not just deleting applications, but deep cleaning of /data and /cache partitions, which often eliminates software conflicts that prevent Android from launching. However, before you start manipulating, it is important to understand the risks: all personal photos, contacts and correspondence will be irretrievably deleted.

There are several proven methods of resuscitation, depending on the degree of "bricking" of the gadget. If the device reacts to a vibration or shows the logo, but does not load further, combinations of buttons will help. In more complex cases, when the screen is completely inactive, you may need to connect to the computer and use specialized software from the manufacturer.

Preparation for emergency system recovery

Before embarking on radical measures to reset MIUI, a number of preparatory steps must be taken to improve the chances of successful recovery. First of all, make sure that the smartphone battery is at least 50-60% charged. The process of formatting memory and reinstalling system files requires a stable power supply, and a sudden power outage at this point can lead to complete damage to the bootloader.

You will also need quality. USB-A cable, preferably original, that transmits data accurately, not just the current to charge, and damaged or cheap cables often cause computer connection interruptions during firmware. If you have the option to retrieve a MicroSD card, do so to eliminate its impact on the boot process and protect the data stored on it.

⚠️ Note: If the device has two-factor authorization of the Mi Account, after resetting the phone will require login and password. Make sure you remember the login details, otherwise it will be impossible to activate the smartphone.

Some recovery methods may require a Windows computer. Install the ADB and Fastboot drivers in advance to ensure that the system correctly recognizes the connected device in engineering mode. Lack of drivers is a common bug that prevents users from starting the firmware process.

📊 What problem are you facing?
The phone shows the logo and hangs.
The screen is black, but there is vibration.
It does not respond to the buttons completely.
Cyclical reboot

Recovery Mode Method: Resetting buttons

The most affordable way to do this, even when it's partially broken, is to log in to Recovery mode, which is built into the phone's memory regardless of the state of the main operating system. Most Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco models need to be able to log in to both the volume button and the power button, hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release power, but keep the volume up.

Once the Main Menu is available, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up-down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select Wipe All Data. The system will request confirmation where to select Confirm. The cleaning process will start, the progress of which will be displayed as a percentage.

☑️ Checklist before reset

Done: 0 / 4

Once the cleanup is complete, the screen will display the message Data wiped successfully. Select Back to Main Menu, then Reboot → Reboot to System. The first start after the reset can take 5 to 15 minutes, as the system takes time to create new system files and cache.

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If the Recovery menu doesn’t appear or throws it into the system right away, try pressing buttons 15-20 seconds before the vibration, then quickly switching to the Recovery combination.

Use of Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool

If the recovery menu is unavailable or resetting through it does not help, Fastboot mode comes to the rescue. It is a low-level protocol that allows you to interact with the device directly through the computer. To enter this mode, press the volume down and power down button at the same time. The Fastboot logo should appear on the screen with the image of a rabbit repairing an android.

To work with this method, you will need the Mi Flash Tool utility and the official firmware for your particular model in.tgz format. You should only download firmware from proven resources, such as the official miui.com website or authorized mirrors. It is important that the firmware version is appropriate for the region of the device or global if you plan to change region.

⚠️ Note: Selecting the "Clean All" option in the Mi Flash Tool will completely delete all data. The "Save user data" option may not work if the cause of the freeze is a critical file system error.

Connect your Fastboot phone to your PC, launch the Mi Flash Tool, and press refresh. If the drivers are installed correctly, the device serial number will appear in the list. Specify the path to the unpacked firmware folder, select Clean All mode, and press Flash. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will automatically restart.

Reset via service codes and ADB

In the rare cases where the phone turns on but the touchscreen doesn't work or the system is severely inhibited, you can try to initiate the reset remotely. USB-debugging and the computer recognizes the device, you can use the console ADB. Enter the adb reboot recovery command to get straight to the recovery menu bypassing the broken buttons.

There is also an engineering menu called by ##7780##, but on modern versions of MIUI, this code is often blocked or requires special permission. If the code is active, it will suggest resetting to factory settings without deleting personal files, but if there are serious download failures, this method is useless.

adb shell recovery --wipe_data

This command, which is entered in the terminal when the device is connected to ADB, compels the process of data vaping, and only use it if you are sure of the action, since there will be no confirmation in the graphical interface.

What if your computer doesn’t see your phone in Fastboot?
Install Qualcomm or Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers manually through Device Manager. Often Windows automatically puts a generic driver that doesn't work with the firmware utility. Try another one. USB-port, preferably USB 2.0, and the original cable. The method of comparison depends on the current state of your gadget. Below is a table that will help determine the tactics of actions depending on the symptoms. Symptom Recommended Data Security Complexity Phone is turned on but hangs on the Recovery Mode logo (Wipe Data) Data deleted Low Black screen, button response is Fastboot + Mi Flash Tool Complete removal Average System loads but not working ADB Commands Touch Depends on the command High Cyclical Recovery (Bootloop) or Fastboot Data removed Average The most secure and easy way for the average user is to use the Recovery menu. It does not require computer and special knowledge. However, if the use of the Flash tool does not even more difficult to use the partition, the system will not work with the deep reset and the resetting tool, the use of the system will not allow more complex. This is "heavy artillery" that helps with 95% of software malfunctions, but requires carefulness when choosing a firmware file. Typical errors and solutions One of the common problems is the error Can't verify update or Zip signature verification failed when trying to upgrade or reset through Recovery. This happens if the firmware file is damaged during download or is not intended for this model. Always check the integrity of the archive and the compliance of the model code (for example, guagua for the Redmi Note 9 Pro, another common situation - the phone goes into an endless reboot cycle after resetting the Fboot, this can also mean that the hardware malfunctions, and the battery is not installed in the battery, for example, but the software. Remember, Recovery usually shows a broom phone or an Android logo with an exclamation mark, and Fastboot shows a hare in an ooschank, and it's hard to confuse them visually, but it's important to understand their purpose: Recovery for reset, Fastboot for firmware. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Will the phone reset if it has a password? Yes, running Hard Reset through Recovery or Fastboot will delete the password along with all the data. FRP, When you turn on, the phone will require you to enter the username and password from these accounts to prove ownership. Can you reset the phone without losing a photo? No, the concept of "factory reset" implies a complete cleaning of the user partition. /data. You can save photos only if they were synced with the Mi Cloud or Google Photos cloud before the breakage. What if the phone isn't in Recovery mode? Try connecting the phone to the charger or computer before you press the buttons. Triple reboot also helps: quickly press the power button 7-10 times until the menu appears, then select Recovery mode (available on newer versions of MIUI). Is it safe to interrupt the reset process? Absolutely not. Interrupting the formatting or firmware process (cable disconnection, battery discharge) is almost guaranteed to damage the bootloader, and the phone will turn into a "Recovery mode" (available on the newer) that can only be restored through the service center.