Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a special state of the device designed to firmware, unlock the bootloader or restore the system via the PC. However, many users face a situation where the phone “hangs” on a black screen with the inscription FASTBOOT and the logo of the rabbit in the hat-eared, the reasons can be different, from accidental pressing of the combination of buttons to failure when updating the software.
Unlike Recovery, where you can still control the device through the sensor, in Fastboot, the screen is dead, and the phone does not respond to standard shutdowns. It is important not to panic: in 90% of cases, the problem is solved without losing data, but the wrong actions — for example, forced extraction of the battery or interruption of the firmware process — can turn a smartphone into a brick.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to exit Fastboot mode on Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and other Xiaomi devices based on Qualcomm and Mediatek, and explain why the phone can spontaneously go into this mode and how to avoid this.
What is Fastboot Mode and Why It Is Turned On
Fastboot (or bootloader mode) is a low-level interface between the hardware of a smartphone and a PC that is activated before Android boots.
- 🔧 Firmware custom or official ROM via Mi Flash Tool
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (bootloader unlock)
- 🛠️ System Recovery After Failure
- 📱 Installations of modified kernels or receptacles (TWRP)
On the Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, the mode is activated:
- 🔘 Simultaneously pressing the power buttons + Volume down when the phone is off
- 💻 Using the adb reboot bootloader command when connecting to a PC
- 🔄 Automatically, if the system detects a critical boot error
If you didn’t plan on flashing your phone but saw the Fastboot screen, the possible reasons are:
- 🔋 Battery discharge (less than 30%) – the system can go into emergency mode.
- 📲 Update failure – if the firmware is interrupted at the boot partition recording stage.
- 🖥️ PC conflict – when connected to a computer with Mi Flash drivers installed or ADB.
- 🎯 Damaged volume button – if contacts are closed, the phone “thinks” you’re holding the combination.
⚠️ Note: If the Fastboot screen appears after a phone drop or moisture hits, do not try to leave the mode software.This may be a sign of damage to the motherboard - contact the service center.
Method 1: Standard output via button combination
The easiest method is to use hardware buttons. It works if:
- 🔋 Battery level above 10%.
- 🛠️ No physical damage to the power buttons or volume.
- 📱 The phone is not locked by the manufacturer (No message This device is locked).
Instructions:
- Hold the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
- If the phone is not turned off, press Power + Volume up for 20-30 seconds (before vibration).
- After turning off, wait 30 seconds and turn on the phone with the Power button.
☑️ Check before leaving Fastboot
If after these actions the phone is loaded again in Fastboot, then the problem is deeper - perhaps damaged boot-partition or need to flash.
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Note 8 Pro on Mediatek) have a power combination + Volume up can start Recovery, not turn the device off. In this case, use method 2.
Method 2: Exit via PC connection (ADB/Fastboot)
If the hardware buttons don't work, you can exit Fastboot mode using your computer.
- 💻 PC Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
- 📥 Installed drivers ADB/Fastboot (You can download from Xiaomi or Mi Flash Tool).
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (the screen should display the FASTBOOT label).
- Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
- Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is recognized, you will see its serial number.
- Run the reboot command: fastboot reboot
If the fastboot reboot command doesn’t work, try an alternative:
fastboot oem rebootSome Redmi models (e.g. POCO F3) may require unlocking the bootloader. If you see a Device is locked message after the command, use the official Mi Unlock Tool utility (but this will result in a data reset!).
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If the fastboot device command doesn’t show your phone, try reinstalling drivers or using another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
| Team team. | Description | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| fastboot reboot | Standard reset. | If the phone is recognized but does not go out of mode |
| fastboot oem reboot | Alternative reset | If the first team didn't work out |
| fastboot continue | Continued loading | If the phone is frozen during the initialization stage |
| fastboot reboot recovery | Transition to Recovery | If you need to reset or sew ZIP-file |
Method 3: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the buttons don't work)
If the phone doesn’t respond to Fastboot commands and button combinations, you can try recovering and resetting, which will delete all the data on the device, but is often the only way to bring the phone back to life.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone (hold power for 15+ seconds).
- Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu (manage volume buttons, select - Power button):
On new Redmi models (like the Note 12 Pro+), the Recovery menu can be in Chinese.
- 🔍 Look for an icon with a trash can image (this is Wipe Data).
- 🔄 The icon with the arrow in a circle is a reboot.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (EU ROM, Wipe All Data can be called Format Data, in which case, after reset, the phone will require re-assignment of the Mi Account!
Method 4: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (for experienced)
If the previous methods didn't work, the last resort is to completely flash the phone, and that's true if:
- 📵 The phone doesn't leave the Fastboot even after the reset.
- 🔧 The screen displays errors such as Invalid partition table or No. OS installed.
- 🔓 You have previously tried to unlock the bootloader or install custom firmware.
You'll need firmware.
- 💻 Windows PC (Mi Flash Tool is not officially supported) macOS/Linux).
- 📥 Firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (required original!).
- 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if you are stitching an informal bootloader) ROM).
Step-by-step:
- Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the latest version).
- Unpack the firmware (.tgz or.zip) in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC.
- In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
- Select firmware mode: Clean all - full reset (recommended); Clean all and lock - reset + lock bootloader (official ROM only); Save user data - an attempt to save data (not always working).
Flash
What to do if the Mi Flash Tool is in error?
Once the firmware is successful, the phone will reboot to standard mode. The first turn on can take up to 10 minutes - don't interrupt the process!
Method 5: Hardware reset (if nothing helps)
If the software methods don't work, you get a hardware reset, a forced power outage, which is risky because it can damage the file system, but sometimes it's the only way.
How to make a hardware reset:
- Extract. SIM-card and memory card (if installed).
- Hold the Power button for 30 to 40 seconds until the screen goes out.
- If the phone doesn't turn off, try the combination: For Qualcomm: Power + Loudness down + Volume up (hold 20 seconds). For Mediatek: Power + Loudness up (hold until vibrating).
After turning off, wait 1-2 minutes and turn on the phone.
If after the hardware reset the phone:
- 🔄 Downloads to Fastboot again → Firmware is required (method 4).
- 📵 Not turned on at all (black screen, no vibration) → Possible problem with iron (battery, motherboard).
- 🔧 It is loaded, but constantly rebooted. → Boot section damaged, need to reflash.
⚠️ Warning: On Redmi models with a non-removable battery (such as the Note 11 Pro), don't try to turn off power when disassembling your phone! This can damage the battery plume. Use only the buttons.
How to avoid accidentally turning on Fastboot in the future
To prevent Fastboot mode from spontaneously activating, follow these tips:
- 🔋 Keep an eye on the battery level – do not let the discharge below 20%.
- 🔄 Do not interrupt software updates (even if the process is too long).
- 🖥️ Turn off the debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB), if you don't use ADB.
- 🔧 Check the volume buttons – if they stick, clean the dust or replace it.
- 📱 Do not install custom firmware without unlocking the bootloader.
If you frequently use Fastboot (such as flashing your phones), use these precautions:
- 🔌 Always connect your phone to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) during firmware.
- 📋 Backup data before any partition manipulation.
- 🔍 Check the hash sums (MD5) squirrel-driven.
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If the phone spontaneously leaves the Fastboot after falling or getting moisture, it can be a sign of damage to the motherboard, in which case the software methods will not help - you need repairs in the service center.