Why Xiaomi smartphone is stuck in Fastboot and what to do about it?
Fastboot mode on Xiaomi devices is an engineering mode that is used to firmware, unlock the bootloader or restore the system. However, sometimes the smartphone can βhangβ in this state: the screen displays a hare in a hat-hushanka (the Mi Bunny logo) and the inscription FASTBOOT, and a conventional reboot through the power button is impossible β especially if it is broken or not responsive.
β Software failures β failed update, interrupted firmware or module conflict MIUI.
β Hardware problems β damage to the power button, power connector or charging controller.
β Lock bootloader β if you previously tried to unlock bootloader, but the process ended in error.
β Incompatible firmware β installation of custom Recovery or software from another Xiaomi model.
In this article, we will discuss all working ways to exit Fastboot to Xiaomi without using the power button, including methods from the PC, through ADB/Fastboot, as well as hardware solutions for critical cases. Importantly, some methods require preliminary preparation (for example, enabled debugging over USB), so if your device is still on the go, read the preventive measures in advance at the end of the article.
Method 1: Exit through ADB (if debugging was enabled)
If your Xiaomi before getting into Fastboot was activated debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can get out of mode with commands ADB. This method is the safest, but only works if two conditions are met:
- π The device is determined by the computer in Fastboot mode (check in Device Manager).
- π οΈ On the PC, you can install Mi Phone Manager or Google drivers USB Driver.
Instructions:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC via the original cable.
- Open the command line (Win + R β enter cmd).
- Enter alternately the commands: adb devices If the device appears in the list, follow: adb reboot If not, go to the commands fastboot: fastboot devices fastboot reboot.
β οΈ Note: If the fastboot reboot command returns an error FAILED (remote: unknown command, which means that the bootloader is locked.
βοΈ Preparation for exit through ADB
Method 2: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (for locked bootloader)
If the standard reboot fails and the bootloader is locked, the only reliable way is to flash the device with the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, a method that works for most Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO models, but requires:
- π» Computer running Windows (7/10/11).
- π₯ Official firmware for your model (download from the official website).
- π§ Mi Flash Tool (last version).
Step-by-step:
- Download and install the Mi Flash Tool. Unpack the firmware archive (.tgz or.zip format) into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
- Launch Mi Flash, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
- Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode (it should be determined how to use it). COM-port).
- At the bottom of the window, select firmware mode: Clean all β complete cleaning (data will be erased). Clean all and lock β cleaning + lock bootloader (recommended for critical failures).
Flash
| Xiaomi model | Recommended firmware regime | Firmware time |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11 | Clean all | 12-15 minutes |
| POCO X3/X4 | Clean all and lock | 10-12 minutes |
| Mi 11/12 | Clean all | 15-20 minutes |
β οΈ Note: Firmware via Mi Flash will reset all data on the device. If there were important files on the internal memory, try retrieving them first using Method 4.
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Before you run the firmware, check the MIUI version on the official website β installing an older firmware can cause additional errors.
Method 3: Using Testpoint (for devices with a collapsible body)
If the software methods didn't help and the power button didn't work, you can use the testpoint, a special contact on the motherboard that forcibly puts the device into EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which is suitable for advanced users, since it requires disassembling the smartphone.
You'll need:
- βοΈ Screwdriver. T3/T4 (model-wise).
- π Tweezers or needles for closing contacts.
- π» PC with Qualcomm QDLoader or Mi Flash installed.
How to find Testpoint:
- Remove the back cover and battery (on models with non-removable battery, turn off the plume).
- Find two contacts on the motherboard that are labeled EDL or TEST POINT (usually next to the charging connector).
- Close the contacts with tweezers, while connecting the smartphone to the PC. The device should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- Flip the device through Mi Flash in EDL mode.
π Note: The location of the testpoint varies by model.For the Redmi Note 8/9 It's right next to the camera, POCO F3 β See below for detailed diagrams for popular models.
Testpoint schemes for Xiaomi
Method 4: Extract data before firmware (if internal memory is available)
If you need to save data (photos, contacts, messages) before resetting, you can try accessing internal memory via Fastboot.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and check its definition: fastboot devices
- Unblock the userdata section (Warning: This can lead to data loss if you do the wrong thing!): fastboot oem unlock_go If the command is not supported, try: fastboot flashing unlock
- mount the userdata: fastboot mount /userdata section if successful, the data will be accessed through Windows Explorer in the Internal Storage section.
β οΈ Note: On new Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or X-ray) POCO F5) The userdata partition is encrypted by default, in which case it is impossible to extract data without a password - you will first have to flash the device, and then restore the data from the backup (if you have one).
π‘
If your smartphone is defined in Fastboot but commands arenβt executed, try using Fastboot Enhance β it supports advanced features for Xiaomi devices.
Method 5: Hardware repair (if the problem is in the button or board)
If none of the software methods worked, the reason may lie in a hardware malfunction:
- π Faulty power button (frequent problem with Redmi) 4X, Mi A1).
- π Damaged charging connector or power controller.
- π§ Short circuit on the motherboard (for example, after moisture hits).
In such cases, it will be necessary to:
- Diagnostics in the service center β the masters will check the power chain and buttons using a multimeter.
- Replace the power button β on most Xiaomi models it is soldered to the plume, so the repair will cost 800-1500 rubles.
- Flashing through the programmer β if the board does not respond even to the EDL, you will need a direct firmware record via eMMC.
π‘ Tip: Before contacting the service, try to connect the smartphone to charging for 30-60 minutes. Sometimes a discharged battery blocks the exit from the Fastboot, and after recharging, the device restarts on its own.
Prevention: How to avoid hanging out in the Fastboot in the future
To minimize the risk of getting back into Fastboot, follow these guidelines:
- π Update regularly MIUI through settings β The phone. β Updating the system.
- π Do not block the bootloader unnecessarily β this limits the recovery options.
- π± Before you open or open, turn on the scaling. USB (Settings β For developers).
- π Use original cables and power adapters β poor quality accessories can cause failures.
It is also useful to back up important data via Mi Cloud or locally (in Settings β Additional β Backup).If you often experiment with firmware, install TWRP Recovery, which will allow you to restore the system from the backup even when crashes.
π‘
On Xiaomi models with a Qualcomm processor (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi K40), the chance of successful recovery through EDL is higher than on devices with MediaTek (such as the Redmi Note 10).