When you see a hare repairing an android instead of the usual Xiaomi smartphone boot screen, or a Fastboot on a black background, you can panic an inexperienced user. However, there is no rush: it is not a malfunction or a virus, but a special low-level diagnostic mode built into the Android operating system. It is designed for developers and service engineers to firmware the device through a computer, but often activated accidentally due to sticking buttons or a software glitch.
In most cases, it takes only a few seconds to get out of this state and doesn't require a computer or special skills. Fastboot mode allows you to control the bootloader and transfer data directly to the phone's memory, bypassing the standard operating system, which is why the phone in this mode does not respond to touching the screen and normal pressing of volume buttons.
Below we will discuss in detail all known ways to force this mode to be disabled on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices.We will look at both standard methods and more complex options using software if a conventional reboot does not help. It is important to understand that your data will not be affected, since the process does not affect the user partition of memory.
Why the phone is going to Fastboot mode
Before you start "treatment", you need to understand the causes of the problem. Most often, the activation of the loader mode is due to mechanical action. In the pocket of jeans or bags, the buttons can be pinched in a certain sequence, which the system perceives as a command to enter the service menu, this is especially true for models with protruding keys.
Another common cause is a software failure or failed MIUI or HyperOS update. If a critical error occurs during the installation of updates, the phone may go into protective mode, waiting for action from the user or computer, and the culprit may be a faulty volume button that stuck inside the case.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone enters Fastboot mode continuously after each reboot, the problem is likely to be a physical sticking of the Down Volume button, in which case software techniques may not help, and repairs will be required.
Sometimes, third-party applications that have been granted Root rights or attempts to install custom recavators can cause the bootloader to be damaged or modified, resulting in a cyclical entry into diagnostic mode every time the operating system is routinely booted.
The myth of the dead battery
The fastest way: a combination of buttons
The first and easiest thing to do is to try to force a reboot, which works 95% of the time and doesn't require any additional tools, and you'll just need the smartphone itself and a little patience, because the system might not react instantly.
Press the Power button and hold it for a long time. The standard retention time for a forced restart on Xiaomi is 10 to 15 seconds. In some cases, if the system is "hang" deeper, the procedure has to be repeated or hold the button for up to 20-30 seconds.
- 🔘 Press and hold the Power button until vibration occurs.
- 🔘 If it doesn’t work, press both Power and Volume Up at the same time.
- 🔘 Hold the buttons for about 15 seconds until the screen goes out.
- 🔘 Wait for the Mi or Redmi logo to appear.
It's important to keep the buttons on as soon as the screen goes out. You have to wait until the brand logo appears. If you release the buttons too early, the phone can go back to Fastboot mode, because the reboot command won't be complete, and it's safe and doesn't delete your files.
☑️ Exit algorithm with buttons
Access to the computer and the Mi Flash Tool
If the push-button method didn't work, maybe the software failure is more serious than it seems, or the power button is faulty, and in this case, you can use official tools from the developers. The Mi Flash Tool is designed for firmware, but it also knows how to control the state of the device connected in Fastboot mode.
For this method, you will need a Windows computer that is working properly. USB-cable (preferably original) and installed Xiaomi drivers. Download the utility from the official website, unpack the archive and run the executable file. Connect the phone to your PC while in Fastboot mode.
If the drivers are installed correctly, the program window will display your device's serial number. In the top menu bar, find the Flash or Unlock button, but we don't need firmware, we just need a state reset. Often, simply connecting and identifying the device by the system causes it to exit command standby and reboot. If that doesn't happen, you can try the cleanup command, but that will delete the data.
| Action. | The result | Data retention |
|---|---|---|
| Rebooting with buttons | System entry | Yes. |
| The team fastboot reboot | Reboot. | Yes. |
| Firmware through Mi Flash | Complete reinstallation | No (usually) |
| Battery discharge | Shutdown | Yes. |
Using specialized software is a more reliable way to prevent hardware buttons from responding, but be careful: only choose actions that do not involve full memory clearing (Wipe Data) if you want to save photos and contacts.
Use of ADB and Command Line
For advanced users who aren’t afraid of the command line, there’s a one-stop method through Android Debug Bridge (ADB) that’s part of Google’s SDK Platform-Tools package, which allows you to send direct commands to the device.
First, you need to download and install Platform-Tools on your computer. Unpack the archive to the root of the disk (for example, in the folder C:\platform-tools), so that the path is short. Open the command prompt (CMD) on behalf of the administrator in this folder. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode.
Enter a command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf you see the serial number of the device in response, it means that the connection is established.
fastboot reboot⚠️ Attention: The fastboot reboot-bootloader team will return the phone back to Fastboot mode rather than restarting it to the system.Be careful when entering arguments to avoid getting into a cyclic reboot.
The good thing about this is that it ignores the state of the buttons on the body. Even if the volume button is physically closed, the reboot program command sent through the box is a little bit more than a little bit more than a little bit. USB-Port, can often outrun hardware priority and run Android normally.
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Install drivers in advance: In order not to look for drivers in the moment of panic when the phone is stuck, download the Xiaomi USB Drivers package in advance and save it on your computer.
Method of full discharge of the battery
If no buttons or a computer help, the most primitive, but sometimes the only way to work is to wait until the battery is completely discharged. Because in Fastboot mode the screen is on all the time and the internal controllers are running, the battery will be consumed.
Leave the phone on the table for a few hours or even a day. When the charge drops to a critical minimum, the device will turn off itself. Then put it on charge. Turn the phone on in the usual way. It will most likely boot normally, as the power cycle will be interrupted completely.
This method is not recommended to be used often, as the deep discharge of lithium polymer batteries is harmful to their chemical structure and reduces the overall capacity. However, in an emergency situation, when other options are exhausted, it is a safe way to "zero" the state of the power controller.
- 🔋 Leave your phone alone until it is completely turned off.
- 🔋 Do not try to turn it on during the discharge process.
- 🔋 After turning off, put on the original ZU.
- 🔋 Include and check the result.
It is worth noting that on modern models with fast charging, this process can take less time than on older devices. However, do not leave a discharged phone for storage, immediately after turning on, put it on a full charge.
What to do if the Fastboot is constantly turned on
When a phone comes back to Fastboot again and again every time it tries to turn on, it indicates a system problem, most often due to damage to the bootloader’s system files or the MIUI operating system.
In this case, you may need to completely flash the device. This will use Recovery mode (you can get by holding Power and Volume Up). From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (data reset), which will delete all information, but can eliminate the software conflict.
Even if the data reset doesn't help, the problem could be hardware. As mentioned earlier, a stuck Down volume button sends a constant signal to the processor at start, causing it to ignore normal boot and go to Fastboot, in which case only disassembling the phone and cleaning the button plume or replacing it at the service center will help.
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Cyclic login to Fastboot is most often caused by either system files corruption or a physical failure of the volume button.
Prevention and useful recommendations
To avoid such situations in the future, monitor the condition of the protective case. Too tight or deformed case can press the buttons, creating a false press. Also avoid getting moisture and dust into the sockets and openings of the buttons.
Update the software regularly. Xiaomi engineers are constantly releasing patches that fix bugs in the bootloader and power management system. The current version of Android and MIUI reduces the risk of software failures leading to diagnostic modes.
Be careful when cleaning your phone.Using high-pressure compressed air or aggressive liquids can damage the membranes of the buttons, causing them to stick.Use soft cloth and special electronics wipes to clean.