A screen labeled “reboot system now” on Xiaomi devices is not a bug, but a regular recovery mode that appears after a failed update, reset or manually login via a keyboard combination. Many users panic when they see a black screen with blue text and limited functionality, but it is actually a tool to restore the gadget to work. 90% of the time, it takes no more than 5 minutes to exit this mode if you know the correct sequence of actions.
The difficulty is that the Mi Recovery interface (as Xiaomi’s branded recovery menu is called) is different from the standard Android Recovery and can contain additional items, for example, to unlock the bootloader or install firmware via fastboot. In addition, on different devices – Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11 – the exit methods can vary slightly. In this article, we will discuss all current methods, including those that work even with a locked bootloader or damaged firmware.
If your device is stuck on the reboot system now screen after trying to flash custom software, upgrade through OTA or reset settings, do not rush to carry it to the service center. In most cases, the problem can be solved by following our instructions. The main thing is not to take random actions (for example, repeatedly press buttons or remove the battery) so as not to aggravate the situation.
What is a “reboot system now” and why does it appear?
Reboot system now is the main item in the recovery menu that suggests restarting the device as normal, but if you see this screen, it means the system can't boot properly for one of the following reasons:
On Xiaomi devices, there are two types of recovery menu: Stock Recovery (branded, with the Mi logo) and Custom Recovery (for example, the first one is the one that is used in the system, TWRP, If you installed it, the first one will be in English or Chinese, and the second one will have additional functions, such as backup or installation. ZIP-firmware.
If your device is booted into recovery mode after each reboot, it is a sign that the boot.img file is damaged or missing. In such cases, a simple reboot system now will not help, and more radical measures will be required, which we will discuss below.
Method 1: Standard Reboot through the Recovery Menu
If your Xiaomi device (such as Redmi 10, POCO F4 or Mi 11 Lite) just boots into recovery mode after pressing the button combination, and the system is working, just select the item “reboot system now”** and confirm the action.
If the device then returns to recovery mode, the problem is deeper, perhaps the firmware is damaged or critical system files are missing, and then move on to the following.
☑️ Preparing for the exit from recovery
On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi A3 or Redmi 9), the recovery menu may be in Chinese. In this case, look for the characters "" (which means "reboot system now"). If the menu language is English, but the items do not meet the standard, you may have custom recovery (TWRP) installed, and the exit procedure will be different.
⚠️ Note: If after selecting "reboot system now"** the device turns off and re-energizes in recovery mode, do not try to repeat the action repeatedly. This can cause wear of flash memory.
Method 2: Reset to factory settings (Wipe Data)
If a standard reboot doesn’t work, the next step is hard reset, which will delete all user data but return the device to working order. On Xiaomi devices, the reset via recovery mode is called “Wipe Data” (or “Clear Data”).
Resetting instructions:
On some models (such as the POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 11), instead of “Wipe Data”, it can be “Wipe & Reset” or “Factory Reset”.If you see several reset options (such as “Wipe Cache” and “Wipe All Data”**), choose the latter – it completely cleans the device.
| Xiaomi model | Resetting point in recovery | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11 | Wipe Data → Confirm | You may need to enter a Mi-account password after resetting. |
| POCO F3/F4 | Factory Reset → Yes | Some firmwares have a name for the item “Erase All Data.” |
| Mi 11/12 Series | Clear Data → Format Data | It requires confirmation through physical buttons. |
| Mi TV (all models) | Wipe Data/Factory Reset | On TVs, the reset takes up to 10 minutes. |
Once reset, the device should boot as normal as it did after purchase, and if it didn't, it might be damaged, and it might need to be reinstalled via fastboot or Mi Flash Tool.
What if the device asks for a Mi-account password after resetting?
Method 3: Fastboot Flashing (for power users)
If the reset didn’t work and the device is still loading into recovery mode, the system firmware is damaged, and fastboot flashing will help, a technique that works for all Xiaomi devices, including Redmi, POCO and Mi, but requires a computer and minimal technical skills.
What you'll need:
- 💻 Windows computer (or Mac/Linux driverless ADB).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 📦 Firmware for your model (you can download on the official website of Xiaomi).
- 🛠 Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot commands.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
- Unpack the firmware archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiFlash\rom).
- Turn off the device, then press Power + Volume down to enter fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
- Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
- In the program, select a folder with unpacked firmware and press “Refresh”** – the device must be determined.
- Press Flash** and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).
If the Mi Flash Tool does not detect the device, check:
- Have you installed ADB drivers (can be downloaded through Android Studio)?
- Whether the original cable is used (some cheap cables do not support data transmission).
- Is USB debugging enabled (if the device has ever booted normally)
⚠️ Note: Flashing through fastboot deletes all data, including photos, contacts and apps. If your device had important files, try extracting them first through the app. ADB (If the system is loading somehow, also make sure you download the firmware for your model - installing incompatible software can turn the device into a brick».
💡
If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a “couldn’t load device” error, try running the program on behalf of the administrator or using an alternative tool called XiaoMiTool (available on GitHub).
Method 4: Recovery via Mi Assistant (for a locked bootloader)
If your device has a bootloader blocked and the firmware through fastboot doesn’t help, you can use Xiaomi’s official Mi Assistant (formerly Mi PC Suite) tool.
Instructions for recovery through Mi Assistant:
- Download and install Mi Assistant from the official website.
- Connect the device in fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
- In the program, select System Repair (or System Repair).
Important: If the device is not tied to your Xiaomi account, or you have forgotten the login details, this method will not work, in which case you only have to unlock the bootloader through the official website (the procedure takes up to 72 hours) or contact the service center.
The advantage of the Mi Assistant is that it automatically tailored firmware to your model and region, eliminating the risk of installing incompatible software, but the process can take up to 30-40 minutes, especially if the Internet speed is low.
Method 5: Alternative methods for Mi TV and other devices
If the problem is not on a smartphone, but on a Mi TV or other Xiaomi device (such as a Mi Pad tablet), the procedure for exiting the recovery mode will be slightly different.
For Mi TV (all models including Mi TV 4S/5X/6):
For Mi Pad tablets:
For smart watches Mi Watch or fitness bracelets Mi Band:
- ⌚ Recovery mode on wearables is extremely rare. If it happens, try: Connect the device to charge and wait for automatic reboot. Reset settings via the Mi Fit or Zepp app. Update the firmware through official software.
Mi TVs and tablets are usually easier to repair than smartphones, as there is no binding to Mi Account, but if the firmware is critically damaged, a service center may be needed.
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On Mi TVs, factory reset via recovery mode removes all installed apps, but does not affect embedded services (such as Netflix or YouTube) as they are part of the system firmware.
What to do if nothing helps: contact the service
If you've tried all of these, but the device is still loading into recovery mode or not responding to commands at all, it may be a hardware problem.
- 🔋 The device does not turn on even in fastboot mode (black screen, no reaction to charging).
- 💾 Errors like “Invalid sparse file” or “Partition not found” appear after firmware".
- 🔥 The device overheats or turns off a few seconds after switching on.
- 🔌 The computer does not detect the device in any mode (fastboot, recovery, EDL).