Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a popular budget smartphone that is still widely used due to its reliability and good performance. However, even with such a device, you can have problems: the phone does not respond to the on button, hangs on the logo or is discharged to zero. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn on the Redmi 8, from basic to advanced, and give recommendations for diagnosing faults.
If your smartphone is no longer on, don't panic -- 80 percent of the time, it's solved without going to the service center. We'll detail each method, point out common errors, and provide checklists for self-checking, and focus on the hardware and software failures that most often cause a dead screen.
Standard inclusion of Xiaomi Redmi 8: basic actions
So, let's start with the simplest, the standard smartphone powering on, and if the battery is charged and the phone has been running smoothly before, you can do the following:
- Hold the Power button (located on the right end of the case) for 5-7 seconds until the Redmi logo appears.
- If the screen remains black, plug the charger and try again in 10-15 minutes (even if the charging indicator is not on).
- When vibration or sound signal appears, release the button – the smartphone should start loading.
Important: on Redmi 8, the power button is paired with a fingerprint sensor, so if the sensor is contaminated or damaged, the button may not work well, in which case you can press it with a lot of force or clean the surface with a dry wipe.
Check the battery charge (connect charging for 15+ minutes) |
Check the power button for physical injuries |
Make sure that SIM-The card and memory card are inserted correctly|
Try to turn on the smartphone without connected accessories (earphones, cables)-->
If the standard on-line didn't work, move on to the next section, and it's possible that the problem is a dead battery or a software failure.
What to do if Redmi 8 doesn’t respond to the power button
The situation when the smartphone does not fully respond to the pressing, can be caused by several reasons:
- 🔋 Deep battery discharge – if the phone is discharged to 0% and has been in this state for several days, the battery controller can block charging.
- 🔌 Faulty charger or cable – even if the indicator is on, the current may not be enough to start.
- 📱 Hardware failure – damage to the motherboard, power button or screen plume.
- 🤖 Software crash – a firmware error leading to an “eternal” black screen.
The first thing you need to do is check the charging. Use the original cable and power supply (or certified Quick Charge 3.0 equivalent). Connect the smartphone to charging and leave it for 30 to 60 minutes. If the indicator doesn't catch fire after an hour, try:
- 🔄 Connect to another power source (computer, power bank, other charger).
- 🔌 Remove and re-insert the battery (if it is removable - the Redmi 8 battery is not removable, but you can slightly press on the back cover in the battery area).
- 🔋 Check charging on another device – if it doesn’t work, the problem is in the cable or block.
How to check if the screen is not on?
If after these manipulations the phone does not show signs of life, proceed to a forced reboot.
Hard Reset (Fulfilled) on Redmi 8
Forced reboot (also known as hard reset) helps when the smartphone is stuck on the logo, not responding to buttons or malfunctioning. On Xiaomi Redmi 8, this procedure is performed with a keyboard combination:
- Hold the Power + Volume button at the same time.
- Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out (or the Mi logo appears).
- Release the buttons and the phone needs to restart.
If after a forced reboot the smartphone turned on, but it works unstable (spontaneously restarts, brakes), we recommend resetting to factory settings through the Recovery menu.
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If the Volume Up button doesn't work, try Power + Volume Down. On some firmware, this works too.
⚠️ Warning: Forced reboot doesn't delete data, but if the phone has been encrypted, you may need to enter a password after it.
Starting in Recovery Mode and Resetting Settings
If Redmi 8 is turned on but hangs on the logo or cyclically reboots, logging into the Recovery menu and resetting to factory settings will help.This method is also relevant if you have forgotten your pattern lock or password.
To enter Recovery:
- Turn off the phone (if it is turned on, perform a forced reboot as described above).
- Hold Power + Volume Up until a menu with the Mi logo and robot appears.
- Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
From the Recovery menu, select:
- Wipe Data → Wipe All Data – Complete reset (deletes all data!).
- Reboot → Reboot to System – Reboot after reset.
| Item | Description | Effects of consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe Data | Remove all user data, applications and settings | The phone will return to the "out of the box" state. |
| Wipe Cache | Clears the cache of the system (does not affect personal data) | Can eliminate bugs and bugs without losing files |
| Reboot to Bootloader | Reboot to firmware mode (for experienced users) | Required for the installation of custom firmware |
⚠️ Note: After resetting via Wipe Data, all data will be deleted, including photos, contacts and messages. If you have synced with Mi Account, some of the data (contacts, notes) can be restored after you log in to your account.
Battery problems: how to "reanimate" the discharged Redmi 8
One of the most common reasons Redmi 8 doesn't turn on is because it's a deep battery drain, so if the phone is down to 0% and has been out of charge for a few days, the battery controller can block it from charging for safety, in which case a standard charger connection won't help.
To “wake up” the battery, try the following methods:
- 🔌 Power source charging: Use a power supply with 2A or higher current (e.g., from a laptop or the original RAM from the Redmi Note series). Connect for 1-2 hours, even if the indicator does not burn.
- 🔋 «Push through another battery: If you have access to another Redmi 8, connect its battery to your phone for 5-10 minutes (disassembly required!).
- 🔄 Hot Replacement Method: Connect charging, then press Power button for 1-2 seconds. Repeat 3-4 times at 10 seconds intervals.
If after an hour of charging with a powerful power supply (2A/5V) the phone does not show signs of life, most likely, a battery replacement or repair of the power controller is required, in which case it is better to contact the service center.
Charged with another cable | Pressed the power button for longer than 10 seconds |Tryed forced reboot |Reset settings via Recovery |None of the listed-->
Diagnostics of hardware faults
If none of the software methods worked, the problem may be in the hardware, and here are the signs that the hardware is not working.
- 🔥 The phone heats up when connected to a charger, but does not turn on.
- 💧 On the screen or inside the case, traces of moisture or corrosion are visible.
- 🔊 When you press the power button, clicks are heard, but there is no reaction.
- 📱 The screen remains black, but when connected to a PC, it is defined as an unknown device.
The most common hardware breakdowns of Redmi 8:
| Malfunction | Signs. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Faulty power button | The button fails, doesn't click, the phone doesn't respond. | Replace the button (10-15 minutes of service) |
| Damaged screen plume | The screen flashes, part of the image is missing, there is no backlight | Replacement of the plume or the entire display module |
| Failure of the power controller | The phone is not charged, does not turn on, but is determined by the PC | Controller soldering or motherboard replacement |
| Battery bloating | The back cover is moving away, the screen is "raised", the phone does not hold the charge. | Replacement of the battery (hazardous to health!) |
⚠️ Warning: If you suspect battery bloating (back cover is coming away, phone is bloated), don't try to turn it on - it could cause fire! Immediately remove the battery (if possible) or take the device to service.
For self-diagnosis, you can use a multimeter to check the voltage on the battery. The normal voltage of the charged Redmi 8 battery is 3.7-4.2V. If it is below 3.0V, the controller blocks charging.
Firmware through Fastboot: extreme measures
If the phone turns on but doesn’t load beyond the Mi logo, or you see a No command error in Recovery, you may need to flash through Fastboot mode.This method is suitable for power users, as it requires a computer and special tools.
You'll need firmware.
- 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).
- 🔗 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
- 📁 Firmware for Redmi 8 (download from Xiaomi Firmware website).
- 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Hold Power + Volume Down 10 seconds.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
- Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
- Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh (your Redmi 8 should be defined).
- Press Flash and wait for the process to end (5-10 minutes).
⚠️ Warning: Wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick. Use only the official firmware for the Redmi 8 (codenamed olive!
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Fastboot removes all data, including the Mi Account lock. If the phone was linked to a Xiaomi account, you will need to enter your login and password after the firmware.