Why Xiaomi may not turn on and when a reboot will help
The situation when a smartphone or a Xiaomi TV is not turning on is familiar to many users, the screen remains black, the device does not respond to the press of the power button, and the connection to charge does not work, the reasons for this behavior can be both software (suspending system, firmware failure) and hardware (a dead battery, a damaged plume, a motherboard failure). In 70% of cases, the problem is solved by forced reboot, a procedure that simulates the extraction of the battery on old phones.
It’s important to understand that Xiaomi is not only making smartphones, but also smart TVs (Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV), tablets (Pad series), and even laptops. Reboot methods are different for them. For example, there is no physical reset button on the Mi TV, but there is a combination on the remote, and on smartphones with a non-removable battery you will have to use keystroke. This article covers all current models of 2018-2026, including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and Android TVs.
If the device doesn't show signs of life even after the forced reboot (no vibration, no charge light, the screen stays black) the problem is likely hardware, in which case you will need a diagnostic at a service center, but before you carry the equipment for repair, you should try all the available methods of resuscitation.
Method 1: Forced reboot of the Xiaomi smartphone (Hard Reset)
The most versatile method for smartphones and tablets is hardware reset (not to be confused with factory reset!) and simulates battery extraction and restarts the system at a low level. Suitable for all models including Redmi, POCO, Mi and Black Shark.
Instructions:
- 🔋 Connect the charger (even if the battery is discharged, this will help avoid a complete power outage during the procedure).
- 📱 Press the power button. + increase volume by 10-15 seconds on some models (e.g, POCO F5) It's a combination of power. + Turning down the volume.
- ⏳ Hold the keys until you feel a vibration or see the logo. Xiaomi/Redmi.
- 🔄 After the logo appears, release the buttons - the device will start loading in normal mode.
If the phone turned on after this procedure, but immediately turned off, or stuck on the logo, the problem may be in the damaged firmware, in which case you will need Fastboot mode or flashing through the Mi Flash Tool.
Make sure the charging cable is correct.|Try another charger.|Check if the power button is stuck|Turn off all accessories (earphones, memory cards)-->
⚠️ Attention: On models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60) If you have a black screen, you can mask the device that's on, and check if the back cover is warming -- if it's working, the phone doesn't show the image.
Method 2: Reboot the Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV
Xiaomi TVs on Android TV can also “hang” — for example, after a firmware update or due to an application conflict. Unlike smartphones, there is no Power button on the case, so the reboot is done via the remote or software.
Options for action:
- 📺 Soft reboot: Press the Power button on the remote for 5-7 seconds until the TV turns off and turns on again.
- 🔌 Hard reset: Turn off the TV for 1 minute, then reconnect. This method will work even if the remote does not respond.
- 🎮 Through the menu (if TV is turned on but slows down): Go to Settings → The device → Reboot.
If the TV doesn’t respond to the remote, check:
- 🔋 Batteries in the remote (replace with new ones).
- 📡 Presence of obstacles between the remote and the IR receiver (on the front TV panel).
- 🔌 Connecting to another outlet (a network filter may have worked).
| Model TV set | Reboot combination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4S / 4A | Clutch power on the remote 10 seconds | It works on firmware to Android TV 9 |
| Redmi Smart TV X | Turn off power for 1 minute | The IR panel may not work in a critical failure. |
| Mi TV Q1 / Q2 | Settings → System → Reboot | Access to the menu (not suitable for dead TV) |
| Mi TV Stick | Remove from the HDMI port for 30 seconds | Similar to Android. TV-boxing |
Method 3: Download to Fastboot and Restore with Mi Flash Tool
If a Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t turn on even after Hard Reset, but reacts to a connection to a computer (defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or the like), you can try to “reanimate” it via Fastboot mode. This method is suitable for devices on Qualcomm processors (Redmi Note 10, POCO X3) and Mediatek (Redmi 9A, POCO M3).
Step-by-step:
- Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
- Download the firmware for your model (for example, tucana_global_images_V12.5.1.0.RFKEUXM For the Redmi Note 8 Pro from Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
- Turn off the phone (if it is in the reboot cycle, wait until the screen goes out).
- Press Power + Volume down for 5-10 seconds until the image of a rabbit in a fastboot mode appears.
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB and run the Mi Flash Tool. the utility should identify the device.
- Select the downloaded firmware, press Refresh, then Flash, and it takes 5-15 minutes.
What if the Mi Flash Tool can’t see the device?
⚠️ Note: Fastboot erases all data on the device, including photos and apps. If the phone has activated the Find My Device feature, after firmware, you will need to enter your Mi Account data to unlock it.
Method 4: Reboot via Recovery Mode (if the phone is turned on but not booted)
If Xiaomi's smartphone vibrates when you press the power button but doesn't load beyond the logo, perhaps resetting via Recovery will help.This mode allows:
- 🔄 Restart the system without losing data.
- 🧹 Reset to factory settings (Wipe Data).
- 📦 Install the update with SD-card ADB.
How to log in to Recovery:
- Turn off the phone (if it is in the boot cycle, wait for the shutdown).
- Press Power + Volume Up before the menu appears (usually this is a Xiaomi image labeled Recovery).
- Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
- Select Reboot → System for a normal reboot or Wipe Data → Wipe All Data for reset (data will be deleted!).
On the newer models (Xiaomi 12, Redmi Note 11), the Recovery menu can be in Chinese.
- The first item is (Reboot).
- The second one is called Wipe Data.
- The third is MiAssistant (Connect to Mi Assistant).
adb shell twrp wipe passwordThis will only work on custom recavers (for example, TWRP).-->
Method 5: Diagnose hardware problems (if nothing helps)
If all the software reboot methods didn't work, it's probably hardware, and here are the most common malfunctions and their signs:
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone vibrates, but the screen is black. | Display plume or matrix damaged | Replacement of the screen in the service |
| The charging indicator does not burn, there is no reaction to the buttons | Failed power controller or battery | Diagnostics with a multimeter, replacement of the battery / board |
| The phone is warming up, but it won't turn on. | Short circuit on the motherboard | Component soldering or replacement of a fee |
| Hanging on the logo after falling | Memory chip dump (EMMC) | Chip heating in the service (not always helps) |
For self-diagnosis:
- Try connecting your phone to charge for 30 to 60 minutes, and if the charging indicator flashes red, the battery is dead, it takes time to recover.
- Connect the device to a PC. If the computer makes the connection sound, but it doesn't define the model, the problem is the firmware or the computer's computer. USB-port.
- Put a flashlight on the screen at an angle, and if you can barely see the image, the backlight of the display breaks.
⚠️ Note: Don't try to disassemble the phone yourself if you don't have experience! IP53 protection (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) at opening can damage sealing gums, which will lead to loss of moisture protection.
Method 6: Reboot Xiaomi smartwatches and fitness bracelets
Smart watches Mi Band, Amazfit or Xiaomi Watch can also "hang."
- 🕒 The screen doesn't respond to touch.
- 🔋 Charger not defined.
- 📱 Not synced with the Mi Fitness app.
How to reboot:
- For Mi Band 5/6/7 and Xiaomi Smart Band: Connect to Charge → Press the touch button for 10-15 seconds until the logo appears.
- For Amazfit GTR/GTS: Press the physical button for 15 seconds.
- For the Xiaomi Watch S1: Press both buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds.
If the bracelet is not activated after rebooting:
- 🔌 Check charging contacts (often oxidized).
- 📲 Reinstall the Mi Fitness app and try syncing again.
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings via the menu in the app (if the bracelet reacts at least somehow).
💡
Xiaomi smartwatches often “glut” after firmware updates. If after the reboot the problem remains – roll back to the previous version of the software through Mi Fitness (section “Firmware Update”).
Method 7: Alternative methods (for power users)
If the standard methods don't work, you can try more complex methods, which require technical skills and are not suitable for all models.
1.Reboot through ADB (if USB-debugging was included):
adb rebootIf the phone is detected in ADB but does not respond to buttons, this command will reboot it programmatically.
2. Firmware through EDL-regime (for “bricks»):
- You need an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable (EDL cable).
- Suitable for devices that are not defined in Fastboot.
- For instructions, look for 4PDA or XDA Developers forums (e.g., the EDL Unlock theme).
3. "Resuscitation" through test points (for advanced):
Some models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) have hidden contacts on the motherboard, which close the device into firmware mode, a method that is risky and requires disassembling the phone.