Your Xiaomi smartphone is stuck in an endless reboot cycle, and you can’t wait to boot the system to turn it off in the standard way? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi devices — especially after failed updates, firmware failures or hardware malfunctions. The main difficulty is that with constant reboots, the phone does not have time to respond to the press of the power button, and forced battery shutdown (if it is non-removable) can lead to even more serious consequences.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to turn off Xiaomi in a cyclic reboot, from the simplest (button combination) to radical (case analysis). Particular attention will be paid to data security: which methods are minimally risky for files on internal memory, and which can lead to loss of information. You will also learn how to recognize the cause of a failure by the behavior of the device and when to contact the service center instead of self-manipulation.
Warning: If the phone reboots with a black screen or Mi/Redmi logo, but does not boot further, this can be a symptom of both a software failure (remediable) and damage to the motherboard or memory module (requires repair), in the latter case, all attempts to turn off the device are temporary.
1. Forced reboot: button combination
The fastest and safest method is a hard reset via hardware buttons, which simulates battery extraction and restarts the system from scratch without affecting user data, and is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12 and older devices.
Instructions:
- 🔘 Press the power button and the volume button at the same time.
- 🕒 Hold them for 10-15 seconds (even if the screen is gone or the logo appears).
- 📵 Release the buttons when the device vibrates or the screen goes completely off.
- ⚡ Wait for a full shutdown (the charging indicator, if any, should go out).
If the combination does not work, try an alternative:
- 🔘 Press the power button and the volume down button for 10-20 seconds.
- 🔄 On some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) You may need to hold all three buttons: power + volume-both.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone turns on again after a hard reset and loops on the logo, this is a sign of damage to the firmware, in which case turning off the device will not solve the problem: you will need to flash it through Fastboot or EDL.
Battery recovery (for models with removable battery)
If your Xiaomi is from older models with removable batteries (e.g. Redmi 3S, Redmi 4A, Mi Max first generation), the most reliable way to turn it off is to physically disconnect the power. This method is guaranteed to stop the reboot cycle, but requires care not to damage the plumes or contacts.
Step-by-step:
- 🛠️ Remove the back of the phone, and then you can use a plastic card or a mediator, starting at the corners (usually there are small gaps).
- 🔋 Carefully remove the battery by pulling a special tape-tie or putting it on the side!
- ⏱️ Wait 30 to 60 seconds – that’s enough to drain the capacitors on the board.
- 🔄 Install the battery back and try turning on the phone.
If after the battery is removed, the phone turns on and loops again, this may indicate:
- 🔄 Firmware damage (reflashing required).
- 💾 Memory module failure (eMMC or UFS).
- 🔥 Short circuit on the motherboard (repair required).
⚠️ Note: On new Xiaomi models (released after the launch) 2018 The battery is not removable, and attempts to remove it without special tools and skills lead to a break in the display plume or damage to the antenna contacts! ☑️ Preparation for battery extraction Turn off phone (if possible)Use plastic mediatorWork on a flat surfaceDo not make excessive efforts Check the integrity of plumes after assembly: 0 / 5 3. If the phone has time to boot even briefly in Fastboot mode (black screen with a white rabbit and the inscription Fastboot), it can be turned off via the command ADB. This method is suitable for users who have access to a computer and installed Xiaomi drivers: 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux. 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or qualitative analogue). 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (can be downloaded as part of Android) SDK Platform-Tools. Instructions: 🔗 Connect your phone to your computer by holding down the volume button (to log into Fastboot). 🖥️ Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with ADB. 📋 Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. ⏻ Enter the shutdown command: fastboot oem off-mode-charge 0 or (for some models): fastboot reboot poweroff Command Description Suitable fastboot oem off-mode-charge models 0 Turns off the phone with the Redmi Note charging off 8/9/10, POCO X3 Fastboot Reboot Poweroff Software Shutdown via Fastboot Mi 9/10/11, Redmi K20/K30 Fastboot oem poweroff Alternative command for older Mi devices A1/A2, Redmi 5/6 If the commands did not work, and the phone still turns on after disconnecting from the phone. USB, Try to disconnect the cable and hold the power button. 20–30 Seconds – sometimes it helps to wake up the power controller. 💡If you have a fastboot oem off-mode charge 0 The phone doesn't turn off, but it stops charging when you connect to the network -- that's OK. To get it back, use the fastboot oem off-mode-charge command. 1. 4. Battery discharge to zero (ultimate method) If none of the previous methods worked, and the battery is not removable, the only option is complete discharge. This method works always, but it takes a long time (from a few hours to a day) and can adversely affect the health of the battery. Use it only in desperate situations! How to discharge the phone forcibly: 🔌 Turn off the charger (if connected). 📵 Make sure your phone is not connected to Power Bank or wireless charging. ⏳ Leave the device alone for 12 to 24 hours, periodically check if the screen is turned off. 🔋 If after a day the phone still shows signs of life (vibration, button lighting), try again hard reset (see section 1: ⚡ Connect your phone to charge and wait 10-15 minutes before turning on. 🔄 If the device is looped again, this confirms a hardware fault (for example, damage to the power controller). ⚠️ Warning: Complete discharge of lithium-ion batteries to 0% reduces their lifespan, and if the battery then quickly becomes discharged or swelled, it must be replaced. When completely discharged, the battery controller blocks the power supply to the motherboard, which is equivalent to physically shutting down the battery. However, some Xiaomi models (for example, with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors) can go into a “deep sleep” and not completely discharge even after a day. 5. Disassembly of the case and battery disconnection (for experienced users) If you are ready to take a risk and have experience disassembling equipment, you can physically disconnect the battery from the motherboard. This method is guaranteed to turn off the phone, but requires care and the right tools. on models with adhesive battery mounts (e.g. Redmi Note). 11 Pro or Xiaomi 12T) High risk of damage to plumes or screens if you unguardedly open them: 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (Torx) T3/T4, Phillips PH00). 📏 Plastic mediators or shoulder blades. 🔥 Fryer (to soften the glue on the battery). 🧤 Gloves (static electricity protection) Step-by-step: 🔧 Turn off the phone (if possible) and remove it. SIM-memory-card. 🔥 Heat the back cover around the perimeter (temperature) with a hair dryer. ~60°C) during 1–2 minutes to soften the glue. 📱 Carefully tuck the cover with the mediator, starting at the bottom edge (where the charging connector is usually located). 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard (usually covered with black insulation tape). ⏱️ Wait. 1–2 Just a minute, then plug the plume back in and collect the phone: 🚨 Do not touch the metal parts of the board with your bare hands – static electricity can damage components. 🔥 Do not overheat the battery – it can cause swelling or fire. 🔧 If the phone doesn’t turn on after assembly, check if all the plumes are connected correctly (especially the display and buttons). 💡If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to a service center. If you don't build the body properly, you can lose water resistance (on protected models). IP53/IP68). 6. Diagnosing the cause of cyclic reboots is only half the solution, and to keep the problem from recurring, you need to understand the cause. Below is a list of the most common causes and their signs: Cause Signs Solutions Failed updates MIUI The cycle begins after installation OTA-Update, a System error may appear on the screen UI Stopped. Fastboot or Recovery. Partition damage. /system The phone is loaded to the logo Mi/Redmi Restore via the Mi Flash Tool (fastboot firmware) Memory module malfunction (eMMC/UFS) Frequent "outs" in Fastboot, read/write errors, phone not detected by the computer. Replacement of the memory module (requires rations); Short circuit on the board The phone warms up, discharges quickly, there may be traces of oxidation on the board; Diagnostics in service, repair or replacement of the board. Bootloop: A reboot cycle without booting, sometimes with a flashing red light. boot.img via Fastboot. Recovery mode can be used for diagnosis: 🔘 Press the power button. + Increase the volume to enter Recovery. 📱 If the menu is loaded, select Wipe data. → Wipe All Data (Reset to factory settings). 🔄 If the reset didn't work, try to reflash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool. If the phone doesn't load even in Recovery, it's probably hardware. In this case, self-repair is not recommended - you should contact an authorized Xiaomi service center. Frequently asked questions ❓ Can you turn off Xiaomi through your computer if it is not detected in Fastboot? If the phone is not displayed in the list of devices (fastboot devices), then the drivers are not installed or damaged USB-port on your phone: 🔌 Connect the phone to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0). 🖥️ Install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on the processor). 🔄 Reboot the computer and try again. If nothing works, only mechanical methods (discharge or disassembly) remain). ❓ What if the phone doesn't turn on after it's turned off? If the device doesn't show signs of life after it's forced to turn off: ⚡ Connect it to the charger and wait. 15–30 minutes (the battery may have completely drained). 🔘 Try to hold the power button. 30–60 Sometimes it’s the power controller that wakes up. 🔌 Check the cable and power supply (better use the original Quick Charge). 🛠️ If the charging indicator is not lit, it may be damaged. USB-power-port. ❓ How do you avoid data loss in a cyclic reboot? If your phone is looped, but you need to save data: 📱 Try connecting it to your computer in Fastboot mode and use the utility ADB pull to copy files (if partition) /data unencrypted). 🔧 Some models can be removed memory card (if the data was on it). 🛠️ The service center can remove the memory dump using a UFi Box or EasyJTAG, but it's expensive and not always possible. ❓ Why does Xiaomi reboot after replacing the battery? This is a typical problem after replacing the battery with a sub-original or sub-standard: 🔋 Low battery quality – cheap analogues may have incorrect voltage settings. 📉 Capacity mismatch – if the new battery has a smaller capacity, the power controller may fail. 🔧 Bad contact - check if the battery is glued well and the plume is connected. Solution: buy an original battery or a quality analog (for example, from Baseus or Remax) and repeat the installation. ❓ Can cyclical reboot damage your phone? Yes, long-term bootloop work has a negative impact on your phone: 🔥 Battery – Constant discharge/charge cycles reduce its lifespan. 💾 Memories – Frequent entries in the section /system They can cause wear and tear of the cells. eMMC/UFS. 🔥 Processor: overheating due to high loads at boot time, so the faster you turn off your phone and diagnose the problem, the less risk you have of additional damage.