Fastboot error on Xiaomi: what to do if the phone is getting stuck on the screen with a rabbit

You turned on a Xiaomi smartphone, and instead of your desktop, you saw a black screen that says FASTBOOT and a picture of a rabbit in a hat-eared? It's not a malfunction, the phone went into engineering mode, which is used to run the firmware, unlock the bootloader or restore the system. But if the device is getting stuck in the Fastboot and does not respond to buttons, this is already a problem that requires intervention.

In 80% of cases, the Fastboot error on Xiaomi occurs due to an interrupted update, incorrect firmware or conflict with a custom recavator (for example, TWRP). Less often, hardware failures are caused by hardware failures - damaged memory, a discharged battery or oxidized board contacts. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes and give step-by-step instructions on how to exit the Fastboot mode without losing data - from simple methods (reboot) to complex ones (flashing through Mi Flash Tool).

Why Xiaomi is stuck in Fastboot mode: 7 main reasons

Fastboot mode is a low-level interface for interacting with the Android bootloader. It is activated when:

• 🔧 Install custom firmware via fastboot flash (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (a mandatory step for firmware unofficial software).
• 📱 Interrupted system updates (for example, if the battery is pulled out or power is turned off during the OTA-update).
• 🔄 Failed reset to factory settings via Wipe Data in TWRP.
• 🔋 Critical battery discharge (below 5%) while working with the loader.
• 🛠️ Hardware problems: damaged flash memory (eMMC), battery plume gone or faulty power controller.
• 🐞 Software bugs in stock firmware (relevant to Redmi Note) 8/9 Pro and POCO X3 on MIUI 12.5–14).

If the phone has got stuck in the Fastboot after the upgrade, there is likely a conflict between the new version of MIUI and the modified system files (for example, if you previously removed embedded applications via ADB).In the event of hardware malfunctions (for example, after a drop or moisture), exiting the Fastboot can be temporary - the problem will recur before repair.

⚠️ Warning: If you installed Magisk or other root rights modules before the Fastboot error, do not try to stitch stockware over it - this can lead to a blink (complete inoperability) of the device.

How to Get Out of Fastboot on Xiaomi: 5 Safe Ways to Get Out

Start with the simplest methods – they don’t require a PC connection and work 60% of the time.

1. Forced reset

If the phone is responsive to buttons, try the standard reboot:

1. Press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds.
2. If the screen is gone, release the buttons and wait 30 seconds.
3. Press Power to turn on.

On some models (Redmi 9A, POCO M3) the combination may be different - try Power + Volume down.

Battery recovery (for models with removable battery)

If the smartphone does not respond to buttons, and the battery is removable (relevant for Redmi 4A, Redmi 5A and older):

• 🔋 Carefully remove the back cover (use a plastic shoulder blade).
• 🛠️ Disconnect the battery plume for 1-2 minutes.
• 🔄 Connect the battery back and turn on the phone.

⚠️ Note: On models with non-removable battery (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3) Self-removal of the battery can damage the plume. In this case, it is better to use the method with Test Point (see section below).

3. Booting into Recovery Mode

If Fastboot appears after a failed update, try booting into stock recavator:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 20 seconds).
2. Keep Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Reboot → System.

If you have a TWRP installed instead of a stock recovery, select Advanced → Fix Recovery Bootloop.

4.Reset to factory settings via Mi Assistant

For this method, you will need a PC with the installed Xiaomi Mi Assistant:

1. Download Mi Assistant and install it.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode.
3. Select Unbrick → Clean All and Lock (Erase all data!).
4. Wait until the process is completed (10-15 minutes).

5. Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (advanced method)

If the previous methods didn't work, we'll have to refashion the device.

Download Fastboot firmware for your model |Install Qualcomm/MTK Drivers |Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic |Disable the driver digital signature check (for Windows)

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Instructions:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model (e.g. Redmi Note) 11 Pro+ 5G → veux_global_images...).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder. C:\fastboot_rom.
3. Open the Mi Flash Tool, connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. Select the firmware folder and click Refresh → Flash.
5. After completion (green tick) turn off the device and turn it on with the power button.

If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a bug can't find fastboot, check the drivers or try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

Updates MIUI|Custom firmware installations|Unlock the loader|Resetting to factory settings|The other.-->

What to do if Xiaomi is not leaving Fastboot: 3 radical methods

If the standard methods did not work, the problem may be:

• 🔐 Locked bootloader (after reset via Mi Assistant).
• 💾 Damaged memory (bad blocks in the eMMC/UFS).
• 🔌 Faulty power controller (the phone does not receive enough voltage to load).

1 Unlock the bootloader through Test Point

If the bootloader is locked and the Mi Unlock Tool is not helping, use Test Point, a special point on the board for forced unlocking.This method is suitable for the Redmi 9C, POCO M2 Pro and other models on the Qualcomm Snapdragon.

Instructions:

1. Take the phone apart and find Test Point (usually next to the charging connector).
2. Close the contacts with tweezers or a needle.
3. Connect. USB-cable to PC – the phone is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Swipe your device through QFil or Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Warning: Test Point failure may cause the power controller to fail. If you're not sure, contact the service center.

2. flashing through EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

EDL allows you to flash your phone even with a damaged bootloader.

1. Download firmware in.mbn format (for example, for Redmi Note) 8 Pro — begonia_images...).
2. Install the Qualcomm QDLoader driver.
3. Connect the phone in EDL mode (clip Volume Up + Volume Down and plug in USB).
4. Sweat through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All and Lock option.

If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error SLA Auth, use a patched version of the utility or the author's firehose script.

Replacement of flash memory (if a bad block is diagnosed)

If the phone loads cyclically into the Fastboot or gives an EMMCDL error, the problem is the damaged memory.

• 🔧 Diagnose memory through Fastboot team:

fastboot devices


fastboot getvar all

• If there are lines in the log mmc_read Fail or partition not found, memory is faulty.
• 🛠️ Contact the service to replace the chip eMMC/UFS (cost 3 000 ₽).

Table: Frequent Fastboot Errors and Their Solutions

How to avoid the Fastboot error in the future: 5 rules

To avoid getting stuck in Fastboot, follow these guidelines:

• 📱 Do not interrupt the update – wait for the full installation and automatic restart.
• 🔌 Use the original cable and power supply (especially when firmware is being installed).
• 🔒 Check the model’s compliance before firmware (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10 Pro Max are different devices!).
• 🔋 Do not discharge your phone below 30% before manipulating the bootloader.
• 🛡️ Make a NANDroid backup in TWRP pre-installing.

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If you work with Fastboot often, add the ADB and Fastboot folder to the Windows environment variables, and you can execute commands from any directory without specifying the full path.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Fastboot bug on Xiaomi

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If Xiaomi is stuck in Fastboot, try the forced reboot and boot in Recovery first. Only if that doesn't help - start the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool or EDL.