How to turn on Xiaomi Mi 8: 5 proven ways to launch a smartphone

Xiaomi Mi 8 is the flagship smartphone of 2018, which is still popular among users due to the powerful hardware and the ability to install custom firmware. However, even reliable technology sometimes fails: the phone may not respond to the on button, hang on the logo or not show signs of life. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to enable the Mi 8, from basic to advanced, taking into account the typical causes of malfunctions.

If your Xiaomi Mi 8 doesn’t turn on, don’t panic: 80% of the time, the problem is solved without visiting a service center.We’ll look at both software methods (for example, forced reboot or reset via Recovery) and hardware (check charging, battery). Particular attention will be paid to situations when the phone hangs on the screensaver MIUI Or does not respond to charging – these are the most common scenarios among owners of the Mi 8.

1. Standard inclusion: checking basic things

Before you start complex manipulations, make sure that the problem is not the trivial things, and users often skip this step, spending time looking for “profound” causes.

Here's what you need to do first:

• 🔋 Battery Charging: Connect your smartphone to the original charger (or Quick Charge 3.0) and leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. Even if the indicator doesn't burn, the battery may have run out. Try using another cable or power supply.
• 🔌 Port inspection USB-C: Check the connector for debris, oxidation, or damage. Clean it carefully with a toothpick (not a metal object!).
• 🔄 Power button: Press and hold it for 10-15 seconds. Sometimes the contacts of the button stick, and a long press helps the mechanism to work.
• 📱 Status indicator: If the charger turns on a red or orange LED, the battery will charge. Wait 30 minutes and try turning the phone on again.

If the Mi 8 doesn't show signs of life after this, move on to the next section, but remember, 30 percent of the time, it's at this point where users don't wait for full charging or use faulty accessories.

2. Forced reset (Hard Reset)

If the smartphone is stuck on the MIUI logo, the screen is black, but the device vibrates when you connect the charge, or there is no reaction at all, forced reboot will help, this method resets temporary data in RAM and often solves problems with the "hang" of the system.

Instructions for Xiaomi Mi 8:

1. Press and hold the Power + Volume button at the same time.
2. Hold them for at least 10 seconds until the screen goes out (or the Mi logo appears).
3. Release the buttons and wait 1-2 minutes. The phone should restart.

If the Mi 8 is then turned on but is not running smoothly (e.g., spontaneously restarts), this may indicate damage to system files, in which case you will need to reset or flash.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse forced reboot with Wipe reset.The first method is secure and does not delete data, and the second erases all files on the device.

3. Enable via Recovery Mode (if the phone vibrates but doesn't turn on)

If the Xiaomi Mi 8 reacts to charging (vibrates, the indicator burns), but does not load beyond the logo, it is possible that the firmware is damaged or installed modules conflict (for example, after root rights or custom Recovery) In this case, logging into Recovery Mode will help.

How to get in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (if it is on, hold the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume Up and hold until the Recovery menu appears.
3. Select Reboot → System (if your phone is just getting stuck) or Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (if you need a reset).

If the Recovery menu does not have touch controls, use volume buttons for navigation and power button to confirm the selection.

If the phone is turned on after the data reset, but requested a Mi Account that you do not remember, you will need to bypass the lock – this is a separate procedure that we have discussed in the FAQ.

4. Enable via Fastboot Mode (for advanced users)

If the Xiaomi Mi 8 is not enabled but is determined by the computer in Fastboot mode, you can try rebooting it via ADB commands or reflashing it.

• 🔧 Phone hangs on the screensaver Fastboot (robot with open stomach).
• 📱 The screen is black, but when you connect to the PC, the device detects a sound.
• 🔄 We need to install a custom recavery (TWRP) firmware.

Instructions for inclusion through Fastboot:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot (or Mi Flash Tool for firmware) on PC.
2. Connect the Mi 8 switched off to your computer, holding Power + Volume Down.
3. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and type: fastboot devices If the device is determined, reboot: fastboot reboot

If the phone doesn’t respond to the command, try flashing the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (the instruction is in the FAQ).

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If your computer doesn’t see the Xiaomi Mi 8 in Fastboot mode, try using another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) or disable driver signatures in Windows. Also check if Qualcomm drivers are installed for your model.

5. Checking hardware faults

If none of the software methods worked, the problem could be hardware.Here are the most common reasons why the Xiaomi Mi 8 doesn't turn on:

• 🔋 Faulty battery: Even if the phone shows charging, the battery could fail (swell, lose capacity). Check it visually - if the case is deformed, immediately take the device to the service.
• 🔌 Damaged power plume or buttons: after falling or getting moisture, the contacts may oxidize.
• 🔥 Burned power controller: if the phone does not respond to charging and does not warm up, the motherboard may break.
• 💧 Short circuit after liquid hit: even if the phone was dry, corrosion could damage the components, in which case only professional cleaning will help.

How to check hardware problems yourself:

1. Connect the charger and touch the body in the area of the camera – if it heats up, this may indicate a circuit.
2. Light a flashlight on the screen at an angle: if the image is barely noticeable, the problem is in the backlight or plume of the display.
3. Try turning your phone on by connecting it to another power source (like a power bank).

⚠️ Warning: If you suspect battery bloating (body bloated, screen "rised"), don't try to turn on your phone - this can lead to fire.

6. When to contact the service center

If you’ve tried all the techniques in this article, but the Xiaomi Mi 8 still doesn’t turn on, chances are the problem requires professional intervention.

• 🔧 The phone does not respond to charging, does not warm or vibrate.
• 💥 On the body visible traces of oxidation, bloating or mechanical damage.
• 🔄 After the firmware is installed via Fastboot or EDL device shows no signs of life.
• 📵 Diagnostics via PC show errors like Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, but firmware doesn't help.

The average cost of repair Xiaomi Mi 8 in 2026:

Before you give the phone to the service, make sure that the wizard has experience with Xiaomi – some models (including the Mi 8) require special firmware files and hardware.

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If the Xiaomi Mi 8 doesn’t turn on after falling or getting moisture, self-repair can exacerbate the problem, and in such cases, it’s better to contact the service immediately – this will save time and money.

FAQ: Frequent questions about including Xiaomi Mi 8