How to turn on Xiaomi phone via Main Menu: all working ways

Have you encountered a situation where Xiaomi smartphone does not turn on in the standard way, and only the Mi logo or black screen is displayed on the screen? Perhaps the solution lies in a hidden engineering menu – Main Menu (aka Fastboot Mode or EDL Mode), which allows you to restore the device to work even in case of serious firmware failures, a discharged battery or hardware problems.

In this article, we will discuss how to log into Main Menu on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, what options are available to turn the device on, and what to do if the menu does not open, and also discuss alternative methods for launching a smartphone, from forced reboot to using a computer. All instructions are relevant for models from 2018 to 2026, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11 lines.

Main Menu (or Fastboot Mode) is a low-level diagnostic mode built into Xiaomi smartphones based on Qualcomm processors. It allows:

🔧 Restore the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (mode) EDL).
🔄 Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset).
🔋 Check the status of the battery and charging.
📱 Test hardware components (display, camera, speakers).

Unlike the usual Recovery Mode: Main Menu, it works at the bootloader level, so it’s available even if Android doesn’t boot.This is the last chance to “reanimate” the phone before going to the service center.

⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models support Main Menu as usual.MediaTek-based devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) use an alternative mode BROM Mode that requires special tools to work with.

📊 Your Xiaomi smartphone on which processor?

Qualcomm

MediaTek

I don't know.

Other

To open the hidden menu, follow the following steps:

Turn off the phone (if it freezes – hold the power button for 10-15 seconds before turning off).
Press the button combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness down (for most models). 🔘 Power button + Volume up (for older devices, such as the Mi 5).

5-10 seconds

Mi Bunny

Fastboot

If you see the words "No Command" instead of "Main Menu," or "Slouching Robot," you're in Recovery Mode.

🔄 Press Power. + Volume up 3 seconds to reboot.
🔄 Repeat the combination to log into Fastboot.

Screen with a sign "FASTBOOT"|Mi Bunny logo in a hat|Connecting to a PC defines a device as “Qualcomm” HS-USB"|Volume buttons work for navigation-->

The following key options are available in the Fastboot Mode menu (navigation – volume buttons, choice – power button):

Option.	Description	When to use
Start	Standard Android booting	If the phone hangs on the logo, but the firmware is intact
Restart	Forced reset	When the system freezes or the black screen
Recovery Mode	Switching to the recovery menu	To reset settings or install updates
Fastboot	Firmware mode via PC	If you need to reflash your phone using the Mi Flash Tool
Power Off	Shutting down the device	For complete disconnection before diagnosis

If the phone doesn’t turn on even after you choose Start, try:

Select Recovery Mode → Wipe Data (Settings Reset).
Connect the charger and try again in 10 minutes (possibly the battery is dead).
Use Fastboot for firmware via PC (instruction below).

What to do if the volume buttons do not work?

If the physical buttons are damaged, try connecting the phone to your PC and use the command: fastboot reboot This will restart the device in normal mode. If the command does not work, you need to repair the buttons or use test points to log into the EDL Mode.

Enable your phone via PC (Fastboot/EDL)

If Main Menu is available but the phone doesn't start, you can use a computer.

🖥️ PC with Qualcomm drivers installed (download on the official Xiaomi website).
🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or QFil for firmware.

Step-by-step:

Connect the phone to the PC, holding Volume down (to log in to Fastboot).
Open the command line and check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined - you can flash the stock firmware.
To move into EDL Mode (if Fastboot is not available) use the command: fastboot oem edl ⚠️ Attention: Regime EDL can block the bootloader on new models (for example, Xiaomi) 12/13). Use only if you are confident in the action!

If the PC does not see the device:

🔄 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
🔌 Turn off all others. USB-device.
🔄 Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager.

💡

If the phone is discharged and does not respond to charging, try holding it on charging for 30 to 60 minutes. Sometimes the power controller blocks charging until the minimum voltage level is reached.

Alternative ways to include Xiaomi

If Main Menu is not available or does not help, try these methods:

1. Forced reset

Hold the power button for 20 to 30 seconds. Some models (e.g., POCO F4) require the power + volume up/down at the same time.

2 Charging from another source

Use this:

⚡ Charger with Quick Charge Support 3.0/4.0 (quick-charging).
🔋 Power Bank with Exit 9V/2A.
🖥️ Connecting to the PC through USB (Slowly, but sometimes it works).

3. Test points for EDL entry

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) you can activate EDL Mode without running buttons:

Remove the back cover (need a mediator or suction cup).
Find a point on the board that says EDL or TEST.
Lock them with tweezers and plug them in. USB-cable.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembling the phone voids the warranty. Use this method only if other methods have not worked and you are confident in your skills.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Let’s look at the typical problems with Main Menu:

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
The phone doesn't respond to the buttons.	Discharged battery or damaged buttons	Charge the device for 1-2 hours, try to connect the keyboard over OTG
On the "No Command" screen.	Getting into Recovery instead of Fastboot	Hold Power + Volume Up for Reboot
PC doesn't see phone in Fastboot	Lack of drivers or damaged cable	Install Qualcomm drivers, try another cable
After resetting, the phone will not turn on again.	Firmware or hardware malfunction damaged	Swipe your device through the Mi Flash Tool or contact the service

If none of the methods worked, hardware problems are possible:

🔋 Failure of the battery or power controller.
🔌 Damage to the charging connector or motherboard.
📱 Memory chip dump (a common problem after falls).

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on even after it's been flashed through EDL, there's a 90 percent chance that it's hardware, and that requires a diagnostic at the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

My Xiaomi is stuck on the Mi logo and it doesn't load.

1. Try to go to Main Menu (Power + Volume down buttons). 2. Select Recovery Mode → Wipe Data. 3. If it doesn't help, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.

The phone doesn't respond to charging and doesn't turn on.

1. Use another charger (preferably original). 2. Check the cable for damage. 3. Connect to the PC - if defined as Qualcomm HS-USB, the battery is discharged (you need to wait 30–60 minutes). 4. If there is no reaction, there may be a malfunction of the power controller.

How to turn on Xiaomi if the power and volume buttons do not work?

1. Connect to charging and wait for the indicator to appear (if the battery is not completely discharged). 2. Use ADB (if previously debugging over USB was enabled): adb reboot 3. New models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12) may require disassembly and closure of test points.

Can I turn my phone on via Main Menu if it is locked (FRP)?

Yes, but with reservations: - In Fastboot mode, you can flash stock firmware (remove FRP-locking). - New models (Xiaomi 12T and newer) may require an authorized Mi Account to unlock the bootloader. - If Anti-Rollback protection is enabled, firmware of the old version of the software will lead to brick (breakdown).

After the firmware is running through EDL, the phone doesn't turn on. What do you do?

1. Check if you have used the correct firmware (should match the model and region). 2. Repeat the firmware with the clean all mark in the Mi Flash Tool. 3. If the phone is identified as Port: COMXX - the memory chip may have been damaged (repair required).