How to make Hard Reset on Xiaomi through your computer: 3 proven ways

Introduction: When Hard Reset is needed via PC and how it differs from a regular reset

If your Xiaomi smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches or is locked after a failed firmware, a standard reset via Settings → Restore and Reset may not be available. In such cases, Hard Reset comes to the rescue through the computer - forced flashing of the device with complete erasure of data. This method works even if the screen does not turn on or the phone is in a bootloop state (cyclic reboot).

Unlike soft reset (via the Recovery menu), Hard Reset via PC involves connecting the smartphone to the computer and using special utilities: Mi Flash Tool (for Fastboot mode), Qualcomm QDLoader (EDL mode) or ADB command line. Each of these methods has its own nuances: for example, Fastboot requires an unlocked bootloader, and EDL can bypass the lock, but requires an authorized Xiaomi account.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to reset Xiaomi through your computer, including preparing drivers, selecting firmware and solving typical errors. Importantly, after Hard Reset, all data will be deleted, including photos, contacts and applications – if the phone is still responsive to your PC connection, try first saving important files via ADB pull.

Preparing for Hard Reset: What You Need

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need, and without proper preparation, you run the risk of getting a brick, a phone that doesn't turn on even after flashing it, and here's the minimum set:

• 🖥️ Computer on Windows 7/10/11 (64-bit On MacOS or Linux, the process is possible, but requires additional driver manipulation.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with a battery charge of at least 50%. If the phone is discharged, connect it to charging for 15-20 minutes before starting.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C/MicroUSB (Original or certified cables can cause connection errors.
• 🔧 Drivers: Mi USB Driver (for Fastboot) or Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (for the EDL).
• 📁 Fastboot firmware ROM Download only from official sources: en.miui.com or Xiaomi Firmware Updater.

Also check your device model: go to Settings → About Phone → Model (if the phone turns on) or look at the sticker under the lid/battery. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro may have the designation sweet or sweetin – this is important for choosing the right firmware.

Method 1: Hard Reset via Fastboot (unlocked bootloader)

This method is suitable if you already have a bootloader unlocked. If not, skip this section and go to EDL. The Fastboot procedure is the most reliable and recommended by Xiaomi for official recovery.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool (you can download from the official website).
2. Unpack the downloaded Fastboot ROM firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\rom).
3. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
5. Run the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder, and press Refresh. The device must be determined.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 5-10 minutes. When it's done, the phone automatically restarts. If critical partition flashing is not allowed, the bootloader is locked, use the EDL method.

Method 2: Hard Reset with EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

EDL (or 9008) is a “emergency” firmware mode that works even on locked phones. It is activated by closing contacts on the board or via adb reboot edl (if ADB is available).

Instructions for manual entry into EDL:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Remove the back cover (if it is removable) and find test points (usually signed EDL or TP). For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, these are contacts near the battery connector.
3. Close the contacts with tweezers or wire and connect USB-In the Device Manager should appear the device Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Install the QDLoader driver (you can download it on XDA Developers).
5. Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil to Fastboot ROM firmware in Clean All mode.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect closure of contacts can damage the fee. If you are not sure about your actions, contact the service center. EDL Xiaomi’s protection may work and the phone will require entering a password from the associated Mi Account.

Method 3: Hard Reset via ADB (if the phone is switched on but does not respond to the sensor)

If your Xiaomi is turned on but the sensor is not working or the system is frozen, you can reset via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method does not require unlocking the bootloader, but you need activated debugging over USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools (e.g. Google’s Platform Tools).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging over USB (if the screen is running).
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type: Adb devices The device should appear in the list.
4. Reset command: Adb shell recovery --wipe_data Or for a complete reset (including internal memory): adb shell fastboot -w

If the command doesn’t work, try rebooting to Recovery via ADB:

adb reboot recovery

Then, from the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

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If ADB doesn’t see the device, try reinstalling the drivers manually through Device Manager by selecting “Update Driver” → “Follow Driver Search on This Computer” → “Select from List” → “ADB Interface”.

Table: Comparison of Hard Reset Methods for Xiaomi

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and here are the most common ways to correct them:

• 🚫 "Couldn't find fastboot" error: Make sure the phone is in Fastboot mode. If not, reboot manually (Loudness down). + Nutrition).
• 🚫 "Device is locked": bootloader is locked. Unblock it through the official Xiaomi website or use it EDL.
• 🚫 "Flash is not done" in Mi Flash Tool: Check the firmware version (should match the phone model) and try another one USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🚫 The phone is not determined in EDL: Install the QDLoader driver manually or try another cable. on some PCs, disabling driver signatures helps (Shift) + Reboot. → Diagnostics → Loading parameters → Disable mandatory driver signature verification).

⚠️ Note: If after the scaling of the EDL The phone requires a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, you can restore access only through the official Xiaomi website (linked to the website). email/Otherwise, the device will remain locked.

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Always check firmware compatibility with the phone model before firmware is installed. Installing the wrong version can result in a broken communication module, camera or complete loss of functionality.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions