How to bring Xiaomi Redmi out of Fastboot mode: from simple ways to restore firmware

Why the smartphone is stuck in Fastboot and what it means

The Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a low-level tool for firmware, unlocking the bootloader and diagnostics. Normally, it only activates when manually launched via a button combination or adb reboot bootloader command. But what if the phone spontaneously loads into the Fastboot, hovers on the rabbit logo or refuses to leave this mode?

The reasons for getting into the “perpetual Fastboot” fall into two categories: software (firmware failure, system file corruption, failed update) and hardware (power button problems, USB connector damage, memory malfunction). For example, Redmi Note 10 Pro users often face this problem after an interrupted MIUI update through About Phone → System Update, and owners of Redmi 9A due to incorrect unlocking of the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool.

It's important to distinguish the Fastboot from EDL (Emergency Download Mode), which looks like a black screen without an indication. In the first case, you'll see the Mi Bunny logo with FASTBOOT and Locked/Unlocked status underneath. In the second case, the phone doesn't show any signs of life at all, except for a reaction to a PC connection (defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008). The methods of exiting these modes are fundamentally different!

Method 1: Forced reboot (for all Redmi models)

The easiest and safest method, which works in 60% of cases, is suitable for Redmi 4X, Redmi 5/5 Plus, Redmi Note 7/8/9 and later, if the cause of the freeze is a temporary system failure, not firmware damage.

Hold the power button for 15-20 seconds|Release the button and wait 30 seconds.|If the screen is gone, press the power again for 3 seconds.|Repeat the attempt 2-3 times at intervals of 1 minute-->

If the phone doesn’t respond to long power retention, try the combination:

🔋 Power button + Volume up - hold on for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.Rules on Redmi Note 11, Redmi 10 and other models with MediaTek.
🔌 Connect the charge and simultaneously pinch the power + It sometimes helps with a dead battery that blocks normal loading.
📱 Extract. SIM-card and memory card (if there is a slot). Conflict with communication modules can cause a freeze in the Fastboot.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi K50, Redmi Note 12 and other models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 Longer retention of buttons (more 30 If you see a Recovery menu on the screen, don't confirm the reset, select Reboot. → System.

Method 2: Exit through the Mi Flash Tool (for unlocked bootloader)

If the forced reboot didn’t help and your Redmi bootloader is unlocked (Unlocked status at the bottom of the Fastboot screen), you can try reflashing your phone through the official Mi Flash Tool.This method is suitable for restoring operability after a failed firmware or update failure.

You'll need:

💻 Windows PC 10/11 (on macOS/Linux Mi Flash Tool is not working).
🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set).
📁 Fastboot firmware ROM For your model (download only from the official Xiaomi website).
🛠 Mi Flash Tool (Last version - download here).

Step-by-step:

Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers (they come bundled with the program).
Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi_Note10_Pro_Fastboot).
Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC (should be defined as Android Bootloader Interface).
In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the firmware folder, then select Clean all mode (saves data) or Clean all and lock (full reset + bootloader lock).
Press Flash and wait for completion (10-15 minutes).

Firmware mode	Are the data stored?	Post-firmware loader	When to use
Clean all	✅ Yes.	It remains unlocked.	If the phone is loading but glitching
Clean all and lock	❌ No (full reset)	Locked down.	After a failed firmware or brick
Save user data	✅ Yes.	It remains unlocked.	Update without losing files

⚠️ Warning: If you choose Clean all and lock on Redmi with the bootloader unlocked, after firmware, the phone will require re-unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool (waiting 7-15 days!

📊 What is the Xiaomi Redmi model you have?

Redmi Note 10/11/12

Redmi 9/9A/9C

Redmi K40/K50

Another model

I don't know.

Method 3: ADB/Fastboot commands for power users

If you have access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and Fastboot, you can try to exit mode via commands.This method requires minimal technical skills and is suitable for Redmi models with Snapdragon or MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi 10X).

First, check if the phone is detected in Fastboot:

fastboot devices

If the serial number appears in the response (for example, 1234abcd fastboot), the device is ready for commands.

Try these commands in order:

fastboot oem reboot-recovery # Attempted reboot in Recovery


Fastboot reboot bootloader # Fastboot reboot (sometimes helps)




fastboot continue # Continue booting system (for some firmware)




fastboot reboot # Standard Reboot

If the phone doesn’t respond, try resetting the cache:

fastboot erase cache


fastboot reboot

💡

Redmi with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 9T, Redmi Note 9) may require SP Flash Tool instead of fastboot. Download it from MediaTek's official website and use a scatter file from the firmware.

Method 4: Recovery Mode (unless Fastboot blocks download)

On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi 8, Redmi Note 7), the Fastboot does not block access to Recovery Mode. If you managed to get into the recovery menu, you can try resetting or reflashing the phone via ADB Sideload.

How to log in to Recovery:

🔄 Turn off your phone (hold power for 20 seconds).
🔕 Hold the power. + Increase volume by 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
📱 Release the buttons when you see the menu in English or Chinese.

In Recovery, select:

🔧 Wipe Data → Wipe All Data – Complete reset (deletes everything, including accounts).
📥 Connect with MiAssistant – for firmware via Mi Flash Tool.
🔄 Reboot → System – attempt at normal booting.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI 13/14 Recovery menus can be in Chinese. To make no mistake, focus on icons: red exclamation point - reset, arrow up - firmware, circular arrow - reboot.

What if Recovery asks for a password?

If after resetting via Recovery, the phone requires a password from Mi-account, and you do not remember it, you will have to unlock the bootloader and flash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool with a full reset (Clean all and lock).

Method 5: Hardware methods (if the phone does not respond)

If the software didn't work, the problem could be the hardware.

🔋 Battery discharge – Fastboot requires at least 20% charge.Plug in original RAM and wait 30 minutes.
🔌 Damaged. USB-Port – Try another cable or charger.
🖱 Sticking the power/volume button – tap the buttons gently or blow them with compressed air.
💾 Memory damage (eMMC) – if the phone is not detected in either Fastboot or Fastboot EDL, I'll need a chip replacement.

For diagnosis:

Connect your phone to charge and watch the indicator, and if it's not on, it's a battery or power controller problem.
Try to clamping the power + volume reduction for 30 seconds - this can reset the power controller on some models.
If the phone heats up when connected to a PC, it is a sign of a short circuit on the board (repair is needed).

On the Redmi Note. 10 Pro and Redmi. K40 Snapdragon-powered 732G/870 There is a bug where Fastboot blocks charging, in which case, connect the phone to a PC with Qualcomm drivers installed and check if it is defined as QHUSB_BULK If so, you'll need to run a firmware through the device manager. EDL (Only for experienced users!).

Prevention: How to avoid hanging out in the Fastboot in the future

To avoid the problem again, follow these rules:

📲 Don't interrupt the update. MIUI through settings → Update system. Wait for full installation and automatic restart.
🔓 Do not unblock the bootloader unnecessarily.This deprives you of warranty and increases the risk of bricks.
🔌 Use the original firmware cables. Cheap. USB-Cables can cause data transmission errors.
📁 Before firmware, make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or Mi Cloud Backup.
🔋 Don't let the battery run completely. The Fastboot can be activated at a critical charge level.

If you’re a firmware experimenter, install custom Recovery (like TWRP) and back up the boot and system partitions, which will allow you to recover your phone 90% of the time without losing data.

💡

On Redmi with MIUI 14 and newer, Xiaomi blocks the unofficial Recovery firmware. They will require an anti-rollback patch or a rollback to an older version of MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi

❓ Phone stuck in Fastboot after update MIUI. What do you do?

Try the forced reboot first (hold power for 20 seconds). If it doesn't work, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean all mode. Download firmware strictly for your model and region (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Global).

❓ Can I log out of Fastboot without losing data?

Yes, if it's a temporary failure, try fastboot continue or fastboot reboot. If the phone boots but cycles back to Fastboot, the problem is the damaged system files, and you can't do without resetting, in which case, extract the data via ADB (if debugging is enabled) or connect the phone to the PC in MTP mode (if it's even briefly booting).

❓ Fastboot writes "Device is locked." How to unlock?

Locked status means that the bootloader is locked. To unlock: Link your phone to your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website. Connect your phone in Fastboot to your PC and follow the instructions of the program. Wait 7-15 days (if the account is new) or unlock immediately (if the account is tied to the device for more than 30 days).

❓ Phone is not defined in Fastboot on PC?

The problem could be the drivers or the cable: 🔌 Put the phone in the back. USB-PC port (front ports often don't provide enough power). 🖥 Install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers manually through Device Manager. 🔄 Restart your PC and phone, then reconnect. 🛠 If your phone is defined as Unknown Device, try Universal Device. ADB-driver.

❓ After logging out of Fastboot, the phone asks for a password from Mi-account?

This is Mi Cloud protection, which is activated after a reset or firmware: 🔑 Enter the password from the Mi Account that was linked to the phone. 📧 If you don’t remember your password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com. 🛠 If your account is not yours (phone purchased used) – contact the Xiaomi service center with a check of purchase. ⚠️ Do not use Mi-account bypassing through unofficial tools – this can lead to blocking. IMEI!