How to Get Out of Fastboot Mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 Working Ways

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it is not immune to failures, especially when it comes to the Fastboot mode. This engineering mode, designed for firmware and restore the device, sometimes becomes a trap: the phone is getting stuck on a black screen with the words FASTBOOT and rabbits logo, does not respond to buttons or connect to the PC. 80% of the problem is solved without contacting the service center – the main thing is to know the correct sequence of actions.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can get out of Fastboot on Redmi 9 (including the Redmi 9A/9C/9T models), from basic to advanced, taking into account typical user errors. You’ll learn why your smartphone is stuck in this mode, how to avoid repeated crashes, and what to do if standard methods don’t work.

Why is Redmi 9 stuck in Fastboot mode?

Fastboot (not to be confused with Recovery Mode!) is activated on Xiaomi when:

• 🔧 Unsuccessful firmware via Mi Flash Tool (interrupted process, incorrect version of the software).
• 🔄 Attempt to unlock the bootloader with errors.
• 📱 Hard Reset via button combination if the system is damaged.
• 🔋 Critical battery discharge during OS update.
• 🤖 Failure to work EDL-mode (emergency mode for firmware).

Most often, users encounter a problem after independently manipulating the firmware, such as trying to install custom software (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool. 30% of cases, the fault is an incompatible version of the firmware, for example, trying to flash Redmi 9 files from Redmi 9A.

Curious fact: on Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot), Fastboot can be activated even when the system freezes, if you hold the power button clamped for more than 20 seconds, a feature of the MIUI 12+ firmware that many people take for a breakdown.

Method 1: Standard button exit (without PC)

If Redmi 9 responds to physical buttons, try a soft output without a computer connection.This method works in 60% of cases, unless the failure is due to damage to the bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. If the phone vibrates and the screen goes off, release the button and wait for the normal boot (it can take up to 2 minutes).
3. If the screen is back on with the FASTBOOT label, repeat step 1, but hold the button for 20–25 seconds.

Importantly, the Redmi 9 (unlike Xiaomi’s flagships) doesn’t have a separate Bixby or Assistant button, so combinations like Power + Volume Up work differently here, so if the phone vibrates after holding the power button, but the screen remains black, it’s a sign of a damaged bootloader, and you’ll need a PC.

Method 2: Reboot with Recovery Mode

If the standard output doesn’t work, the next step is to switch to Recovery Mode, which is safer than manipulating the Fastboot, as it allows you to reset without the risk of bricking the device.

How to log in to Recovery from Fastboot:

1. Turn off the phone with a long hold on the power button (if it doesn’t turn off, remove the battery for 30 seconds if it’s removable).
2. Press the Power + Volume Up combination and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be in the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).

On the Recovery menu:

• 🔄 Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System (Reboot to System).
• 🧹 If the system is not booting, try Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data Warning: This will delete all data on the phone!
• 📱 If after resetting the phone again goes to Fastboot, the problem is the firmware – you will need to flash through the PC.

Warning: If you see a "No command" error with an Android lying on Recovery, it means that the recovery partition is corrupted, in which case only the firmware through Fastboot or EDL will help.

Method 3: Exit through the Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

If the phone does not respond to buttons or returns to Fastboot after reset, you will need a PC connection and the official Mi Flash Tool.

• 📱 The phone does not boot into the system even after resetting.
• 🔧 You tried to flash the device before and the process stopped.
• 🔄 Fastboot: Error: Failed to boot into fastbootd".

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (version 2023 or later).
2. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9 (codenamed Lancelot) from Xiaomi (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery!).
3. Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\ROM\redmi9).
4. Connect your phone to your PC through the original USB-cable (importantly, cheap cables may not transmit data).
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh – the program must detect the device in the list (if not, install Qualcomm drivers).
7. Select firmware mode: Clean all (recommended when crashes occur); Clean all and lock (clean + lock the bootloader (if unlocked); Save user data (risky in case of serious failures).

Flash

Critical error: If the Mi Flash Tool gives you Flash is not done or Invalid image during the firmware process, it means that:

• 🔌 Inappropriate version of the firmware (downloaded for another model).
• 🔌 Damaged firmware files (pump archive).
• 🔌 Driver conflict (try another PC or virtual machine with Windows 10).

💡

Before you run through the Mi Flash Tool, disable the antivirus, which can block firmware files as “suspicious.” Also check that the Device Manager defines the phone as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (EDL mode) or Android Bootloader Interface (Fastboot).

Method 4: Fastboot commands via ADB (alternative method)

If the Mi Flash Tool doesn’t help or you prefer manual control, you can use ADB commands to exit Fastboot.This method requires installing Android SDK Platform Tools and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it into the C:\platform-tools folder.
2. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC in Fastboot mode.
3. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with platform-tools: cd C:\platform-tools
4. Check the device connection: fastboot devices If the phone is identified (a serial number appears), continue. If not, install Google USB Driver drivers.
5. Run the reboot command: fastboot reboot If the phone boots, the problem is solved. If not, try cache reset: fastboot erase cache
6. If previous commands didn’t help, try reflashing the boot boot: fastboot flash boot.img fastboot flash recovery.img (boot.img and recovery.img files must be in the firmware folder).

Important: the fastboot erase userdata or fastboot-w commands will destroy all data on the phone! Use them only if you are ready to lose information.

💡

The fastboot continue command sometimes helps you exit the Fastboot without losing data, but only works if the bootloader is not damaged. Try it before drastic measures.

Method 5: Emergency EDL (last chance)

If all previous methods have failed, the regime remains. EDL (Emergency Download Mode. This is a hidden mode for firmware through Qualcomm ports that activates even on fully bricked devices. EDL They can permanently disable the phone!

How to log in to EDL on Redmi 9:

1. Turn off the phone (if it doesn’t turn off, remove the battery for 30 seconds).
2. Hold Volume Up + Volume Down at the same time and, without letting go, connect USB-plug-in.
3. Hold the buttons for another 10-15 seconds. The screen will remain black, but the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 will appear in the Device Manager.

For firmware in EDL you will need:

• 📥 Special firmware in.mbn format (for example, EDL Firmware for lancelot).
• 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm devices).
• 🔌 Qualcomm drivers (manually installed via Device Manager).

Firmware process in EDL It is identical to the Mi Flash Tool, but instead of Fastboot mode, choose the EDL. The main rule: don't turn it off. USB-cable until the process is complete (even if the program is "hang" by 99%). EDL It can cause irreparable memory damage.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users make mistakes when working with Fastboot. TOP-5 Failures that lead to repeated failures:

Pay special attention to drivers. Windows 11 often has problems with defining Xiaomi in Fastboot.

1. Turn off the driver digital signature check (Shift + Reboot → Diagnostics → Download settings → Disable mandatory check).
2. Install Google USB Driver drivers via SDK Manager in Android Studio.
3. Use USB 2.0 ports (Blue USB 3.0 ports may not work).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions