How to safely exit Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all working methods

Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a special engineering mode that is used to firmware, unlock the bootloader or restore the system. However, many users face a situation when the smartphone “hangs” in this mode: the screen is lit with the inscription FASTBOOT with the image of a hare in a hat-earch, and a conventional reboot does not help. The reasons can be different from accidental pressing the combination of buttons to failure when updating the software.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to exit from Fastboot to Redmi. 9 (including Redmi models 9A/9C/9T), We'll explain why the phone might get stuck in this mode, and give you some tips on how to avoid repeated crashes. USB-cable and computer with Mi Flash Tool drivers installed or ADB.

Why is Redmi 9 stuck in Fastboot mode?

Before we get to the problem, we need to understand why.

• 🔧 Forced – if you held the combination Loudness down + Powering for more than 10 seconds.
• 📱 Automatically – after a failure during the update MIUI through recovery or OTA.
• 🔓 When unlocking the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (if the process is interrupted).
• 🛠️ After a failed firmware through fastboot flash or Mi Flash.
• 🔋 Critically low battery charge (less than 5%) during system operations.

On Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot), the problem is most often due to an interrupted update or incompatible firmware. For example, if you tried to install custom software (like LineageOS) without unlocking the bootloader, the phone may "hang" in Fastboot with an error Invalid sparse format at header.

⚠️ Warning: If you unlocked the bootloader before crashing, don’t try to flash the device through Mi Flash right away – this can lead to a “brick” (complete failure.

Method 1: Forced reset (the easiest way)

In 60 percent of cases, the problem is solved by a banal reboot. On Redmi 9, for this:

1. Hold the Power button for 20-30 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. Release the button and wait 10 seconds.
3. Press Power again to turn the phone on in normal mode.

If the Fastboot screen appears again after that, try an alternative combination:

• 🔄 Keep the Volume up. + Food for 15 seconds (until it vibrates).
• 🔋 Connect the charger and repeat step 1 (sometimes helps with low charge).

If the forced reboot doesn't work, move on to the next method, and it's possible that the problem is corrupted system files, and you'll need to recover it through Recovery or PC.

Method 2: Log in to Recovery Mode and reset settings

If your phone doesn’t leave the Fastboot with a standard reboot, try running Recovery mode.

1. Turn off the device (hold power for 20 seconds).
2. Keep Volume Up + Power until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).

From the Recovery menu, select:

• 🔄 Reboot → System (Try a Regular Reboot).
• 🧹 Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (full reset if phone doesn't boot).
• 📁 Mount → System (if you need to manually delete damaged files).

⚠️ Warning: Wipe All Data will delete all data on your phone, including photos, contacts and apps.If you didn't have a backup, try other methods first.

If the phone is still back in Fastboot after the reset, then the problem is deeper — perhaps the firmware or the bootloader is damaged, in which case only the firmware through the PC will help.

Method 3: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

If the soft methods don't work, you'll have to reflash your phone using the official Mi Flash Tool, which is suitable if:

• 📱 Phone does not respond to reset via Recovery.
• 🔓 You have previously unlocked the bootloader (if not, first unlock!).
• 🖥️ You have a Windows PC and USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9 (select the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi9_Fastboot).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm drivers.
4. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
5. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
6. In the program, click Select, specify the path to the firmware folder, then Refresh (the COMX device should appear).
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

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If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, try manually disabling the signature check in the program settings (Skip signature check).

It takes 5-10 minutes to run the firmware, and when it's done, it should automatically restart normally, and if it's 99 percent dead, don't turn off the cable, wait 10-15 minutes.

Method 4: ADB and Fastboot (alternative to Mi Flash)

If the Mi Flash Tool doesn't work or you prefer manual control, you can use ADB/Fastboot commands via the command line, which requires drivers installed and basic knowledge of how to work with the console.

Steps:

1. Install Platform Tools (includes adb and fastboot).
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC.
3. Open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools and do:

fastboot devices

(Your device should be displayed, for example 1234567890abcdef fastboot)

fastboot reboot

(attempting a normal reboot)

If a simple reboot doesn’t help, try reflashing the bootloader:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot reboot

Files. boot.img and recovery.img You can extract from the official firmware (they are in the image folder after unpacking the archive).

Method 5: Hardware reset (if nothing helps)

If the software methods didn't work, maybe the problem is the hardware failure. On Redmi 9, it could be:

• 🔋 Battery malfunction (if the phone turns off at 20–30% charge).
• 🔌 Damage to the charging connector or USB-Port (poor contact when firmware is used).
• 🛠️ Oxidation of contacts on the motherboard (after moisture enters).

In such cases, only a service center will help, but before you carry the phone for repair, try:

• 🔌 Connect to another power supply unit (preferably original on the 18W).
• 🔋 Leave on charging 1-2 hours, then try to exit from Fastboot.
• 🛠️ Carefully tapping on the body of the phone (sometimes helps with departed contacts).

⚠️ Note: If the phone has previously fallen or got wet, do not try to sew it through the PC - this can aggravate the damage to the board.

How to avoid getting back into Fastboot?

To avoid the problem again, follow these guidelines:

• 📱 Do not accidentally press the volume down + Power on-set.
• 🔄 Always wait for the updates to be completed. MIUI (Do not turn off your phone during installation).
• 🔓 If you unlock the bootloader, do so according to Xiaomi’s official instructions.
• 📡 Before firmware check the compatibility of the software with the Redmi 9 model (codename lancelot).
• 🔋 Do not allow battery discharge below 20% during operation with the system.

It is also useful to back up important data via Mi Cloud or Google Account so that you don’t lose information when you reset. In Redmi 9 settings, this is done via Settings → About Phone → Backup.

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If you often experiment with firmware, install custom Recovery (such as TWRP) – it will allow you to restore the system from the backup without the risk of getting stuck in the Fastboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Fastboot on Redmi 9