Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a utility tool for firmware, unlocking the bootloader or restoring the system. However, many users face a situation where the device “hangs” in this mode after a failed update, resetting or experimenting with custom firmware. If your Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or other model displays the FASTBOOT logo with a flashing LED and does not respond to buttons, do not panic. In 90% of cases, the problem can be solved without going to the service center.
In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to exit Fastboot, including software and hardware methods, and explain why a smartphone can get stuck in this mode. We will focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI (including HyperOS) and Redmi models. If you are not sure about your actions, use safe methods (sections 2 and 3), and resort to radical measures (section 5) only as a last resort.
Why Xiaomi Redmi is stuck in Fastboot mode: 5 main reasons
Before you try to exit Fastboot, it is important to understand what caused the crash, which will help you choose the right recovery method and avoid recurring problems.
- 🔄 Interrupted Software Update: If During Update Installation MIUI a failure occurred through Recovery or Fastboot (the battery was discharged, disconnected) USB-cable, the system can "hang" during the initialization stage.
- 🔓 Improper unlocking of the bootloader: Using informal tools (such as Mi Unlock Tool with errors) or interrupting the process often results in a lock in the Fastboot.
- 📱 Installation of custom firmware: incompatible versions TWRP, LineageOS or other firmware may conflict with the original Xiaomi bootloader.
- ⚡ Critical battery discharge: If the charge level has dropped below 5% while running in Fastboot, the power controller can block normal loading.
- 🛠️ Hardware malfunctions: damage to the power button, battery contacts or memory chips (eMMC/UF) Sometimes it simulates “hang” in firmware mode.
Fun fact: On Redmi models with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+), Fastboot mode can activate automatically when 3 failed download attempts in a row, a security mechanism that is often confused with “breakdown.”
⚠️ Warning: If you have connected your smartphone to your computer before the problem and used fastboot oem unlock or fastboot flash commands, do not try to re-run these commands without diagnosis - this can lead to complete data loss or "bricking" of the device.
Method 1: Forced reset (the safest method)
In most cases, leaving Fastboot on Xiaomi Redmi is reduced to a forced reboot, which requires no connection to a PC and works even when the bootloader is unlocked.
- Hold the power button for 15-20 seconds until the screen goes out.
- If the smartphone vibrated, but the screen turned on again in Fastboot mode – repeat the action by holding the power button + increase the volume at the same time.
- On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A) you may need to press the power + volume down for 10 seconds.
If the MI logo appears after the reboot, but it doesn't load any further, it's a sign of damage to the system partition, then go to method 3 (Recovery through Recovery).
Make sure the battery is at least 10% charged.
Turn off all cables (USB, headphones)
Try to press the buttons on the device turned off (if the screen is black)
If you have a case, remove it (can block the buttons)-->
On HyperOS models (like the Redmi Note 13 Pro), it can take up to 30 seconds to force a reboot, which is normal. If your smartphone doesn't respond after 5 attempts, move on to the next one.
Method 2: Exit through the Mi Flash Tool (for unlocked bootloader)
If the forced reboot does not help, and the bootloader on your Redmi is unlocked (checked by the fastboot oem device-info command), you can use the official Mi Flash Tool. This method is suitable for restoring the original firmware without losing data (if the system partition is not damaged).
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers depending on the processor).
- 📋 Fastboot firmware for your model (download only from the official Xiaomi website).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
Step-by-step:
- Install the Mi Flash Tool and unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g, C:\ROM\redmi_note12_pro).
- Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode to your PC (the screen should display FASTBOOT).
- In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
- Select Clean All mode (saves data) or Clean All and Lock mode (full reset + bootloader lock).
- Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).
| Firmware mode | Is the data preserved? | Time of the process | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean all | ✅ Yes. | 5-8 minutes | Recovery without resetting |
| Clean all and lock | ❌ No. | 8-12 minutes | Removing serious failures, blocking the loader |
| Save user data | ✅ Yes. | 3-5 minutes | Update the firmware without losing files |
⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool gives a critical partition flashing error is not allowed, it means that the firmware is incompatible with your Redmi model.
Mi Flash Tool|TWRP|SP Flash Tool|Fastboot teams manually|Other-->
Method 3: Recovery Mode (without PC)
If the Fastboot came after a failed upgrade or reset, you can try to restore the system through the built-in Recovery Mode.This method does not require a computer and is suitable for most Redmi models, including the Redmi 10C, Redmi A2 and others.
How to log in to Recovery:
- Turn off your smartphone (if it’s in Fastboot mode, hold the power button for 20 seconds).
- Press the power + increase the volume and hold until the MI logo appears.
- Release the buttons – in a few seconds the Recovery menu will open (in English or Chinese).
Further action:
- 🔄 Choose Reboot. → System (if the system is not damaged, the smartphone will boot normally).
- 🗃️ If downloading is not possible, select Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data (full reset, data will be deleted!).
- 📥 If you have a backup, use Backup. → Restore (not available on all models).
On new HyperOS models (like the Redmi Note 13), the Recovery menu may look different. If you only see Fastboot and Recovery without additional items, this is a sign of a damaged recovery partition, in which case only firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (mode 2) will help.
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If the touchscreen doesn’t work in Recovery Mode, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to confirm the choice.
Method 4: Fastboot commands via ADB (for power users)
If you have access to a computer and you have an ADB/Fastboot driver installed, you can try to exit Fastboot mode using commands, which is suitable for advanced users, since it requires knowledge of the basics of working with the console.
Tools required:
- 🖥️ Google Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
- 🔌 Cable USB data-supported.
Step-by-step teams:
fastboot devices # Connection check (serial number should be displayed)
fastboot reboot # Simple reboot
fastboot continue # Continue downloading (if the system is not damaged)
fastboot oem edl # Go to EDL mode (for firmware only via Mi Flash)If the fastboot reboot command doesn’t work, try:
fastboot reboot recovery #Reboot in Recovery Mode
fastboot flash recovery.img # Recovery (requires recovery.img)⚠️ Attention: the team fastboot oem edl translates the device to Emergency Download mode (EDL), Do not interrupt the process in this mode, it can lead to irreversible damage to the bootloader.
What if the fastboot can’t see the device?
Method 5: Hardware reset (extreme case)
If none of the above methods worked and the smartphone is still stuck in Fastboot mode, it may be a hardware failure, in which case you can try a full hardware reset, but be prepared to lose all data.
How to perform a hardware reset:
- Disconnect the smartphone from charging and PC.
- Press the power button + increase volume + decrease volume for 30 seconds at the same time.
- If the screen goes out and there's a vibration, release the buttons. The device should reboot as standard.
On some models (for example, Redmi 9T) hardware reset is performed through a special test menu:
- Enter the command in Fastboot mode: fastboot oem test
- In the menu that opens, select Factory Reset (use volume buttons for navigation).
If the hardware reset did not help, it is a sign of a serious malfunction, for example:
- 🔋 Damage to the power controller (smartphone does not hold charge).
- 💾 Failure of memory chips (eMMC or UFS).
- 🔧 Damage to the motherboard (for example, after falling or getting moisture).
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A hardware reset is the last chance to bring a smartphone back to life without repair, and if it doesn't work, you'll probably need a diagnosis at a service center.
How to avoid hanging out in Fastboot in the future: 7 rules
To avoid the problem of “hanging” in Fastboot mode, follow these recommendations:
- 🔋 Always check the battery level before upgrading or firmware (minimum 50%).
- 🔌 Use the original cable USB port USB 2.0 (USB 3.0 may cause malfunctions when running).
- 📥 Download firmware only from the official Xiaomi website or verified sources (for example, XDA Developers).
- 🔓 Do not interrupt the process of unlocking the bootloader (on average, it takes 72-168 hours of waiting on new models).
- 🛠️ Before installing custom firmware, make a backup copy through TWRP or Mi PC Suite.
- 📱 Update regularly MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- ⚡ Avoid experimenting with fastboot oem unlock or fastboot flash commands without understanding the consequences.
On HyperOS models (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G), the firmware process is more stringent: now the system checks the integrity of the boot partitions. If you use informal tools, the risk of “hanging” in the Fastboot increases by 3 times.