Why Xiaomi smartphone does not turn on after reset and what to do
You did a setup reset on your Xiaomi, but instead of your desktop, you see the MIUI logo or the black screen? This is a situation that many users know, especially after trying to eliminate the freeze or prepare the device for sale. Hard reset (full reset) returns the smartphone to the "out of the box" state, but the first launch after this procedure often raises questions. What's the catch?
The fact that modern Xiaomi (starting with MIUI 12 and later) use a two-step protection system: hardware reset erases data, but does not cancel the binding to the Mi Account. If you forgot to untie the device before the reset, you may have FRP (Factory Reset Protection) lock. In addition, some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ or Xiaomi 13T) require a mandatory Internet connection during the setup stage β without this, the process will hang on the welcome screen.
In this article, we will discuss: How to distinguish a normal first start from a βlockedβ reset, when the smartphone is constantly rebooted in the recovery menu.
You will also learn what can lead to IMEI blocking (and how to avoid it), and why some devices lose access to internal memory after a reset.
Preparation for the first launch: what to do before the inclusion
Before you press the power button, check for a few critical moments, which can lead to additional problems, from the inability to connect to Wi-Fi to the complete locking of the device.
- π Battery charge: Make sure the charge level is at least 30%. on some models (e.g. Poco) X3 Pro) at low charge, the system can interrupt the setting and return to the logo MIUI.
- πΆ SIM card: Insert active SIM (At the setup stage, the smartphone may request confirmation of the number to unlock some features, such as Find Device.
- π Mi Account Data: Prepare the username and password from the Mi Account attached to the device. Without them, you will not be able to pass the verification stage after the reset.
- π‘ Stable Wi-Fi: Use your home network, not mobile Internet. Public places (cafes, airports) may block Xiaomi servers, which will interrupt the settings.
If you reset your device via Fastboot, there is a risk of damage to the modem partition that handles communication, in which case the smartphone will not see any network, so the solution is to reflash modem separately through the Mi Flash Tool.
β οΈ Note: If you bought Xiaomi with your hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, after resetting the device will require the input of his data. Without them, you can unlock the smartphone only through the official Xiaomi service (cost - from 1500). β½).
Step-by-step: first start after reset
The setup process after the hard reset on Xiaomi consists of 5 key steps. We will analyze each with nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14). If your device is stuck on one of the steps, skip to the section "Problem Solving".
βοΈ What to do at the first launch
- Select language and region On the welcome screen, tap the language (English by default) and select Russian. Then specify the country - Russia or Kazakhstan (for the correct operation of Xiaomi services). Some firmware (for example, global MIUI 14) after selecting the language will be requested to accept the User Agreement - be sure to agree.
- A smartphone will offer a list of available networks. Choose yours and enter a password. If Wi-Fi doesn't turn on (the grey icon), reboot the router or try another network. On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro), you may need to disable the VPN on the router - they block the connection to Xiaomi servers.
- Mi Account Checking: Most users are having a problem here. If the device was tied to Mi Account, the system will ask for a username and password. Enter the account you used before the reset. If you forget the password, restore it via account.xiaomi.com (you need to access an email or phone). If you bought your smartphone from hand and you don't know the previous owner's data, skip this step - you will need an official unlock (see "How to Bypass FRP").
- Select the lock screen type: Select the lock type:IN-We recommend setting a PIN (minimum 6 digits) is the most reliable and fastest option. Avoid simple combinations like 123456 or 000000 - they are easy to pick up.
- Data recovery The system will offer to restore data from backup.Options: π± From Mi Cloud: if synchronization was enabled before reset. π» From Google Account: Contacts, photos and some settings. π« Skip: if there is no backup or you want to set up your smartphone from scratch.
If you opt for recovery from Mi Cloud, make sure there is enough space on the account.The free fare only provides 5GB, and the backup can weigh 10+GB.
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If you are in the setup phase, the smartphone asks you to update your MIUI, refuse and complete the initial configuration. Updating the firmware immediately after reset may result in a System UI stopped error.
Frequent mistakes after resetting and how to fix them
Even if you follow the instructions correctly, Xiaomi can be unstable after a hard reset. Below is a table of the most common problems and their solutions. If your situation is not on the list, check the section "FRP-lock" or "Cycle reboot".
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The smartphone does not include beyond the MIUI logo | Boot or system partition damaged after being reset via Fastboot | Refuse the device via the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode |
| Does not connect to Wi-Fi (writes "Save" but does not connect) | Resetting the settings MAC-addresses or drivers of the Wi-Fi module | Reset network settings in Settings β Wi-Fi β Additional β Reset settings |
| Asks for an old Mi Account password, though the account is untied | Residual data in the persist section (often on Redmi 9A) | Complete reset via Fastboot with fastboot erase persist command |
| No sound after reset (the speakers do not work) | Reset resets set back audio_policy (typical POCO F3) | Install a patch through Magisk or flash the original firmware |
| Not defined SIM-card (writes "No service") | Damaged modem or IMEI after incorrect reset | Restore IMEI through the Engineer Mode or QCN-file |
If photos or contacts are missing after the reset, don't panic. Data may have been saved in the com.miui.gallery or com.android.contacts package. Try to restore them through the DiskDigger app (root rights required) or check the /sdcard/MIUI/Backup/AllBackup folder - sometimes backups are created automatically.
β οΈ Warning: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, after a reset, Anti-Rollback protection may work. It locks the smartphone if the firmware version is lower than it was before the reset. MIUI for your model.
FRP-blocking: how to unlock Xiaomi after reset without data of the previous owner
Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a theft protection that is activated after a reset if the device was tied to the Mi Account. If you bought Xiaomi from hand and can not contact the previous owner, you can bypass the lock legally only through the official service.
- π§ Recovery and Fastboot modes: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) can be reset FRP, Download to Recovery and select Wipe β Format Data. After that, the device will restart without requesting an account.
- π± Use of the SIM-Insert the cards SIM with active internet (such as MTS or Beeline) on the lock screen, click Emergency, type ##4636##, then go to Settings β Recover and reset and reset again.
- π» With the help of a PC and ADB: Connect your smartphone to your computer, open the command line and do: adb shell am start. -n com.android.settings/.Settings This will open the settings where you can disable Mi Account.
Importantly, these methods do not work on all devices. Since MIUI 13, Xiaomi has tightened protections, and bypassing FRP without account data has become almost impossible. If nothing helps, contact the Xiaomi service center with documents on the device.
What happens if you flash custom Recovery (TWRP) to bypass FRP?
The looped reboot: why Xiaomi is constantly turning on and off
If after reset, Xiaomiβs smartphone loads to the MIUI logo, then turns off and switches on again, the reason lies in one of three factors:
- Damaged firmware: Often encountered after being reset via Fastboot using the fastboot erase system command. The solution is to flash the full MIUI package through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All and Lock mode.
- Custom Recovery conflict: If a TWRP was installed before reset, it could damage the boot partition.In this case, you need to return stock Recovery: fastboot flash recovery.img fastboot reboot
- Hardware failure: On models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro) looping may be caused by detachment of the display plume. Check if the screen flickers before rebooting.
If the smartphone loads into Fastboot (black screen with a rabbit in its cap), follow the commands:
fastboot erase cache
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot rebootThis will clear the cache and user data, which often helps get out of the loop.
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If the looped reboot started after the update MIUI, The reason may be incompatibility of the firmware with the bootloader version, in which case you need to roll back to the previous version through the EDL-regime.
Recovery of data after reset: what can be returned
Many users mistakenly believe that hard reset irrevocably erases all data. In fact, when you reset your files through settings (Settings β About Phone β Reset), the files are not deleted immediately, they are labeled as βfree spaceβ and gradually overwritten with new data.
- π Post-Reset Time: The less time has passed, the more likely files are to be returned.
- π± Device models: On smartphones with UFS 3.1 (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) data is erased faster than eMMC (Redmi) 8A).
- π§ Resetting methods: Fastboot erase userdata destroys data irrevocably, and resetting through the menu leaves "traces".
For recovery, use the following programs: For photos and videos: DiskDigger (Android), Recuva (PC). For contacts and messages: Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData. For applications: Titanium Backup (requires root).
If you backed up through Mi Cloud, restore your data as follows: Settings β Accounts β Mi Cloud β Data Recovery.
Please note that the free account allows you to store only the last 3 backups. If the reset was long ago, the desired copy could be deleted automatically.
Prevention: How to avoid problems in the next reset
To avoid future data locks or loss, follow these rules:
- Untie Mi Account before reset: Go to Settings β Accounts β Mi Account β Delete account. If the option is inactive, check if sync is enabled in the cloud.
- Backup: Use the built-in MIUI: Settings β About Phone β Backup β Local Backup. Save the file to your PC or flash drive β cloud copies may not contain all the data.
- Check the firmware version: If you plan to sell a smartphone, upgrade it to the latest stable version of MIUI. This will prevent the new owner from triggering Anti-Rollback.
If you frequently reflash the device, install Magisk and the module. Disable_FRP. It disables Mi Account verification after reset, but reduces device security.
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On devices with the bootloader unlocked before reset, be sure to lock it back through the fastboot oem lock command.This will prevent Anti-Rollback from going off.