Why Xiaomi’s smartphone is getting stuck in Fastboot mode and what to do about it
Fastboot mode on Xiaomi devices is a special engineering mode that is used to firmware, unlock the bootloader or restore the system. However, sometimes the smartphone can get stuck in this state after a failed update, resetting settings or even accidentally pressing a combination of buttons. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi screen is marked with the FASTBOOT image of a hare in a hat (mode logo), do not panic - there is a way out.
The main reasons for getting into this mode: Xiaomi automatically switches to Fastboot in case of critical software failures if the system can not boot normally. This can happen after an interrupted MIUI update, incorrect firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, or if you tried to get root rights and something went wrong. 90% of the time the problem is solved without contacting the service center - just follow the instructions below.
It is important to understand the difference between Fastboot and Recovery:
In the first case, you see a black screen with a white sign and a hare logo, in the second case, a menu with a blue background and the ability to reset, and if your device loads into Recovery instead of Fastboot, you need a different instruction.
Method 1: Forced reset is the easiest way out
If your smartphone accidentally hits a Fastboot (for example, after pressing a button combination), the first thing you should do is try a hard reboot, which works on 70% of Xiaomi devices and does not require a PC connection.
Instructions:
- 🔋 Press the power button for 15-20 seconds. On some models (for example, for example, POCO F3 Redmi Note 10 Pro may need to hold it for up to 30 seconds.
- 🔄 If the screen goes out and the logo appears MI, Release the button – the device should boot in normal mode.
- 📱 If it appears again after the reboot FASTBOOT, proceed to the next method.
On non-removable battery models (such as the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi K50), a forced reboot works 95% of the time, as a hardware power outage simulates battery extraction.
⚠️ Note: If the device returns to Fastboot cyclically after a forced reboot, this indicates damage to the system partition. In this case, you will need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool (method 4).
Method 2: Exit via button combination (for unlocked bootloader)
If a hard reboot didn’t work, try using a hardware button combination, which only works on devices with an unlocked bootloader (if you’ve previously gotten root or flashed custom software).
Step-by-step:
- Hold the power button + volume button at the same time for 10-15 seconds.
- If the screen blinks and the Recovery menu appears, select Reboot → Reboot to System.
- If nothing happens, try the Power button + Volume Cut combination (on some models, such as the POCO X3 Pro, this triggers the boot menu).
If the combinations do not work, it can mean:
- 🔒 bootloader locked (standard state for new Xiaomi devices).
- 🔧 The firmware is damaged and the system cannot determine the correct boot mode.
Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged.
Turn off the USB cable (if connected to the PC)
Try combinations on the device turned off (hold the buttons for 20+ seconds)
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Method 3: Exit through ADB and Fastboot (for power users)
If the hardware methods don’t work, you’ll need to connect to a computer and use ADB and Fastboot utilities, a method that’s suitable for users who have previously worked with firmware or have experience with command line.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (part of Google’s Platform Tools).
Instructions:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools.
- Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (serial number will appear), type: fastboot reboot
- If the command didn’t work, try: fastboot continue (this will make the device continue to boot from the current firmware).
If the smartphone returns to Fastboot after you enter the commands, it means that the system partition is damaged, in which case only complete flashing (method 4) will help.
⚠️ Note: The commands fastboot oem unlock or fastboot flashing unlock in this context will not help - they are designed to unlock the bootloader, not to exit the Fastboot mode.
What if the PC doesn’t see the device in Fastboot?
Method 4: Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (extremely)
If all previous methods have failed, the last option is a complete flashing through the official Mi Flash Tool utility.This is a radical solution that will bring the smartphone back to life, but delete all data (if there was no backup).
What will be required:
| Component | Where to find it. | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Flash Tool | Official Xiaomi website | Choose a version for your model |
| Fastboot firmware | Xiaomi Firmware Updater | Download the latest stable version |
| Qualcomm or Mediatek drivers | Depending on the processor of your device | For Snapdragon – QDLoader, for Mediatek – MTK VCOM |
| USB cable (original) | It comes complete with a smartphone | Unoriginal cables may not transmit data |
Step-by-step:
- Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\rom).
- Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
- Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode to your PC.
- In the utility, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
- Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended for critical failures); Clean all and lock - cleaning + lock the bootloader (if it was unlocked); Save user data - an attempt to save data (does not always work).
Flash
On devices with a Mediatek processor (such as Redmi 9A or POCO C31), the SP Flash Tool may be required for firmware instead of the Mi Flash Tool.
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Before firmware, check your device model in Fastboot using the fastboot getvar product command. This will help avoid installing incompatible firmware.
Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center (Guarantee Cases)
If none of the methods worked, or you are afraid to flash the device yourself, contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.
- 📱 Device for warranty (self-supported firmware can cancel the warranty).
- 🔧 You are not sure about your skills with Fastboot and ADB.
- 💥 After a failed firmware, the smartphone stopped responding to buttons or connection to the PC.
What will you do in the service:
- 🔍 Diagnostics of hardware faults (if the problem is not in the software).
- 🛠️ Firmware recovery through service utilities (not always available to users).
- 🔄 Replacement of the fee (in extreme cases, if the memory chips are damaged).
The cost of repair depends on the model and the cause of the breakdown:
on Xiaomi devices older than 2 years, firmware recovery usually costs 1,500–3,000 rubles.
On new models (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70) the price can reach 5 000 rubles due to the complexity of the diagnosis.
⚠️ Note: If you have previously unlocked a bootloader or installed custom firmware, the service center may refuse warranty repairs.
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Before visiting the service, take a screenshot of the Fastboot screen (if possible) - this will help the wizard to identify the problem faster.
How to avoid getting into Fastboot in the future: prevention
To avoid any more hanging out in Fastboot, follow these guidelines:
- 🔄 Don't interrupt the updates. MIUI — Wait for the full installation and reboot.
- 📱 Avoid random button combinations (especially when the device is off).
- 🔧 Do not install custom firmware without a backup of data.
- 🔋 Watch the battery charge – if the battery runs out during firmware, the device can “brick».
- 🛡️ Use official utilities (Mi Flash Tool, Xiaomi) PC Suite) for work with firmware.
If you're actively experimenting with firmware, install TWRP Recovery, which will allow you to restore the system from the backup even if the main firmware is damaged, but remember that unlocking the bootloader and installing custom Recovery takes the device off the warranty.