Forced shutdown of Xiaomi devices: when the power button does not work

When does a forced shutdown need to be required?

Xiaomi devices — whether they’re Redmi smartphones, POCO, Pad tablets or Mi TVs — sometimes freeze so much that they don’t even respond to prolonged power button retention, ranging from software failures after a MIUI upgrade to hardware problems (such as a bloated battery or a damaged motherboard). In 80% of cases, a forced reboot solves the problem, but it’s important to do it right so as not to make things worse.

The most common scenarios where a “hard” reset is required are:

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone screen does not respond to touch, but backlights are on.
• 🔄 The device hung on the logo. MI or download animation MIUI.
• 🔋 The battery is discharged “to zero”, and after connecting the charging phone does not turn on.
• 📺 Mi TV's a TV. TV Does not leave the update mode or shows a black screen.
• 🤖 Xiaomi Pad tablet overheated and stopped responding to commands.

Before you start forced shutdown, check the simple solutions:

1. Connect the device to charge for 10-15 minutes (even if the cable seems to be working, try another one).
2. If the screen reacts but slowly, wait until the background process is complete (e.g., indexing files after updating).
3. For Mi TVs, check the remote: replace the batteries or use the power button on the case.

Method 1: Classical hold of the power button

The most versatile method, running on 95% of Xiaomi devices (except models with a faulty power button), is suitable for smartphones, tablets and even some Mi Watch smartwatches.

Instructions:

1. Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds (on some models - up to 20 seconds).
2. Release the button when the device vibrates or the screen goes out (this is a forced shutdown signal).
3. Wait 30 seconds, then turn the device on with a short press on the power button.

Turn off all cables (charging, headphones, OTG)

Make sure there are no important unsaved data on the device.

Check if the device is overheated (if yes, let it cool for 10 minutes)

Remember the button holding time (for your model)-->

Features for different devices:

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi device does not turn off even after 30 seconds of holding the power button, DO NOT try it endlessly. This may indicate a hardware malfunction (for example, the KZ on the motherboard.

Method 2: Hard Reset (Hard Reset)

If simply holding the power button doesn't work, use key combinations, which works even in severe firmware failures, but requires precise consistency.

For smartphones and tablets:

• 🔄 Power button + Volume up – Hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears (Fastboot mode).
• 🔧 Power button + Reduced volume – on some models (POCO F3, Redmi K40) Recovery menu (Recovery).
• 📱 Power button + Both volume buttons – forced reboot on Xiaomi 12/13 series.

For Mi TVs:

• 📺 On the body simultaneously hold the power button + The "Menu" button (usually located on the side or bottom panel).
• 🔌 If the TV doesn’t respond, disconnect it from the network for 1 minute, then repeat the combination.

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, a forced reset with a combination of buttons can result in data loss (if the option is enabled). OEM Unlock in developer settings.Be sure that important files are synced with Mi Cloud before using this method.

Method 3: Removal of the battery (for removable batteries)

This method is only suitable for older Xiaomi models with removable batteries (for example, Redmi 3S, Redmi 4A, Mi Max). On modern smartphones (starting with Redmi Note 5), the battery is not removable, and trying to remove it will damage the plumes.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the device (if it responds to the power button).
2. Remove the back cover with a plastic shoulder blade or mediator (do not use metal objects!).
3. Carefully disconnect the battery plume (if it is connected to the motherboard).
4. Wait 1-2 minutes, then reconnect the battery.
5. Put the device together and turn it on.

If after the battery is removed the device does not start:

• 🔋 Check the battery contacts for oxidation (clean with alcohol if necessary).
• 🔌 Connect the charger and wait 10 minutes - sometimes a "push" of voltage is required.
• 🔧 If the screen remains black, the power controller may be damaged - diagnostics in the service is required.

💡

If you have a model with a non-removable battery (such as a POCO X5 or Redmi Note 12), DO NOT try to remove it yourself. instead, use the button-holding method or wait until the battery is completely discharged (if the device does not respond to charging).

Method 4: Forced shutdown via ADB (for advanced users)

If a Xiaomi device responds to a PC connection (e.g., defined as MediaTek Preloader or Qualcomm 9008), you can turn it off via a PC connection. ADB-This method requires pre-tuning. USB-Debugging, so it is not suitable for all cases.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-TypeC cable (original, as cheap cables may not transmit data).
• 📱 The device should be enabled to debug by USB (developer-setting).

Instructions:

1. Connect the device to the PC.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is determined, perform a forced shutdown: adb shell reboot -p
4. If the device doesn’t respond, try the command for a hard reboot: adb shell “echo 1 > /sys/power/state”

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB It may not work if the device is in a bootloop or is completely frozen. In such cases, use physical methods (holding buttons or removing the battery).

💡

ADB-commands are the safest way to force shutdowns, because they don't affect the hardware components, but they require pre-configuration and only work when they're actively debugged. USB.

Method 5: Battery discharge (extreme case)

If no methods work, and Xiaomi’s device doesn’t turn off and respond to charging, the only option left is to completely drain the battery, which takes a long time (from a few hours to a day), but in 90% of cases allows you to “reanimate” the frozen device.

How to speed up the discharge:

• 🔋 Connect the device to a powerful consumer (for example, a portable speaker or powerbank with a discharge function).
• 📱 If the screen is turned on, increase the brightness as much as possible and turn on the Developer Mode. → Keep the screen down.
• 🎮 Run a resource-intensive application (such as Genshin Impact or a performance test) 3DMark).
• 🔥 Place the device in a cool place (but not in the refrigerator!) – at low temperatures, the battery discharges faster.

After full discharge:

1. Connect the original charger.
2. Wait 10-15 minutes (even if the light is not on).
3. Try turning the device on with a short press on the power button.

What NOT to do when forced to shut down

Some actions can make the problem worse or even make the device go down, and this is strictly forbidden.

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center. For example, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, official repairs cost from 1,500 rubles (diagnostics) to 5,000 rubles (replacement of the board).

FAQ: Frequent questions about forced shutdown of Xiaomi