Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones is a utility tool for firmware, unlocking the bootloader or restoring the system. However, many users face a situation where the phone “stuck” in this mode after a failed update, resetting or experimenting with custom firmware. Unlike a conventional shutdown, exiting the Fastboot requires specific actions – otherwise the smartphone can cyclically reboot or refuse to start.
In this article, we’ll break down all the working ways to disable Fastboot on Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models), explain why the phone can “hang” in this mode, and give recommendations on how to avoid repeated problems. Special attention will be paid to the unique feature of Redmi 9 – locking the bootloader after 7 days without unlocking, which can complicate the process. If your smartphone shows a black screen labeled with FASTBOOT and rabbit logo, or cyclically reboots – you are in the right place.
What is Fastboot and why does Redmi 9 get into it?
Fastboot Mode (not to be confused with Recovery Mode) is a low-level protocol for interacting with the Android device bootloader.
- 🔧 Forced – through a combination of buttons (Food) + Loudness down).
- ⚡ Automatically - after a firmware failure, unsuccessful update MIUI or interrupted resetting.
- 🔓 When unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (the official Xiaomi tool).
- 🤖 When connecting to a firmware PC via the Mi Flash Tool or ADB.
On Redmi 9 (codenamed Lancelot), Fastboot often launches unexpectedly because of:
- 📱 «Curved" updates MIUI ocTA (airborne).
- 🔄 Hard reset (Wipe Data) without first disabling your Mi Account.
- 🔋 Battery discharge below 30% during firmware.
- 🛠️ Incompatible custom kernels or modified boot.img.
The main danger of Fastboot on Redmi 9 is the risk of “bricking” when you do the wrong thing, such as interrupting the firmware process or using the wrong version of MIUI. It is also worth remembering that after 7 days in Fastboot mode without unlocking, the bootloader can automatically lock up, which will require a re-wait for 168 hours to unlock.
Method 1: Exit from Fastboot with buttons (without PC)
If your Redmi 9 is stuck in the Fastboot but reacts to buttons, try a hardware reset:
- Hold the Power button for 15-20 seconds until the screen goes out.
- Once the smartphone is turned off, immediately press the combination: Power button + Volume up Hold until the Mi logo and Recovery Mode menu appear.
- In Recovery, select Reboot → Reboot to System (use volume buttons for navigation and Power for confirmation).
If you return the phone to Fastboot again:
- 🔋 Check the battery charge (should be) ≥50%).
- 🔌 Connect the original charger and try again in 10 minutes.
- 📵 Extract. SIM-card and memory card (they can block the download).
Charge your phone to 50% |
Turn off all cables (USB, headphones) |
Remove SIM and microSD|
Use the original buttons (not the case)-->
⚠️ Note: If there is a reboot error This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device, which means the firmware is corrupted. In this case, you will need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool (see Method 3).
Method 2: Use ADB and Fastboot (for power users)
If the hardware reset didn’t work, connect Redmi 9 to your PC and use ADB/Fastboot commands.
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
- 🔌 Cable. USB (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
Instructions:
- Download and unpack the platform-tools into a separate folder.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC (should be defined as Android Bootloader Interface).
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools and type: fastboot devices If the device is detected (serial number appears), enter:
- To reboot to the system: fastboot reboot
- If it doesn't work, try resetting the cache: fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot
If the commands are executed, but the phone still returns to Fastboot, the problem may be:
- 🔐 Blocked bootloader (requires unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool).
- 📦 Damaged firmware (needs to be reflashed).
- 🔋 Faulty battery (if the phone is turned off at 30-40% charge).
💡
If the fastboot device command doesn’t show your Redmi 9, install the drivers manually through the Mi PC Suite or update them through Windows Device Manager (select “Android Bootloader Interface”).
Method 3: Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (radical method)
If the previous methods didn’t work, you’ll have to completely reflash through the Mi Flash Tool, which will delete all the data, but bring the phone back to life. On Redmi 9, it’s critical to use the firmware for your model (lancelot) and region (Global/EEA/China) – otherwise you’ll run the risk of an anti-rollback error.
Step-by-step:
- Download Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s official website and firmware for Redmi 9 (for example, lancelot_global_images_...).
- Unpack the firmware (.tgz →.tar) in a folder without Cyrillic.
- Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and press Refresh (serial number should appear).
- Select the firmware method: Clean all – full reset (recommended). Clean all and lock – reset + lock the bootloader (only if you plan to sell the phone).
Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).
| Firmware error | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Flash is not done | Incompatible firmware or a corrupted file | Download the firmware again, check the model (lancelot) |
| Anti-rollback check fail | The firmware is older than the current version of MIUI | Use the same or newer version of the firmware |
| Device is locked | bootloader locked | Unlock with Mi Unlock Tool (Mi Account binding required) |
| Invalid image format | A damaged firmware file | Check the checksum (MD5) of the file |
⚠️ Warning: After running through the Mi Flash Tool, the phone can boot up to 10-15 minutes for the first time. Don't interrupt the process or turn off the PC! If the screen is black for more than 20 minutes, repeat the firmware with the choice of Clean all.
Method 4: Unlock the bootloader (if the Fastboot appears due to locking)
If your Redmi 9 is cyclically back in Fastboot, the reason could be a locked bootloader. Xiaomi blocks it by default for security, but it interferes with custom firmware installation or crash recovery.
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
- Sign in to Mi Account, which is tied to the phone (if not tied – link in advance!).
- Connect Redmi 9 in Fastboot mode to your PC and launch the Mi Unlock Tool.
- If a message appears, it means that 168 hours have passed since the last account was linked.
Remember, Xiaomi regularly tightens security policies. On newer versions of MIUI (13+), unlocking the bootloader may require additional confirmations, and custom firmware may require developer signatures. If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact specialists.