How to reboot Xiaomi if the screen is hanging: 5 working methods

The hung screen on Xiaomi is one of the most common problems users face, and the phone may stop responding to touch, freeze on the logo, or refuse to shut down altogether in the standard way, ranging from MIUI firmware bugs to hardware failures, and the key is not to panic or try to disassemble the device right away.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to reboot Xiaomi when the screen is not responding, including soft and hard restarts, login to Recovery Mode, and what to do if the phone is frozen on the boot. We will separately focus on the nuances for popular models – Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and flagship Xiaomi 13/14. All instructions are tested on the current versions of MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS.

Why the screen hung on Xiaomi: the main reasons

Before we get to the bottom of this problem, it's important to understand the source of the problem, because 80 percent of the time, the screen freezes are caused by software failures, but sometimes the hardware is the fault. Here are the key reasons:

• 🔄 Application Conflict: Especially After Updating MIUI or third-party installations APK.
• 📱 CPU overheating: more common on models with Snapdragon 7xx/8xx under intense loads (games, video rendering).
• 🔋 Critical battery discharge: if the phone is turned off at 0% and cannot boot properly.
• 🛠️ Damage to system files: after a failed update or manual intervention /system.
• 💥 Hardware malfunctions: detachment of the display plume, damage to the motherboard (less often).

If Xiaomi's screen is stuck after a fall, moisture or physical impact, there is a high probability of mechanical failure, in which case the software reboot methods may not work, and you will need a diagnosis in the service center.

Method 1: Forced Reset (Hard Reset)

The fastest and most versatile way is a forced restart, which works even if the screen is completely dead and does not respond to touch, and the combination of buttons depends on the model:

Once the buttons are pulled, the phone should vibrate and reboot.

1. Check that the buttons are not stuck (especially relevant for POCO after moisture is hit).
2. Connect the charger – sometimes the battery is discharged to a level where the phone can’t even reboot.
3. Try another combination (e.g. Power + Volume Down for Xiaomi 13 Pro).

Turn off the phone from charging (if connected)

Make sure the buttons are not locked with a cover

Try to hold the combination of 20+ seconds.

If it doesn’t work, go to Method 2.-->

⚠️ Warning: Forced reboot does not delete data, but it can interrupt background processes. MIUI, This method can not be used - the risk of "bricking" the device!

Method 2: Reboot with Recovery Mode

If a hard restart doesn't work, the next step is to log in to Recovery Mode, which allows you to restart your phone even if you have a serious system failure.

1. Turn off the phone (if it is still on, hold the power until vibration).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Power + Volume up. For Redmi 9A/10A: Power + Volume up + Volume down.

Mi

Recovery

Nutrition

Reboot → Reboot to System

MIUI Recovery also has options:

• 🔄 Wipe Data – Complete reset (deletes all data!).
• 📥 Apply update – installing firmware with SD-map.
• 🛠️ Mount – Connecting to a PC for Diagnostics.

If the Recovery phone is also getting stuck, it's a sign of a major firmware failure, and only flashing through Fastboot (see Method 4) will help.

Method 3: Reboot through ADB (for advanced users)

If you have access to a computer and have previously been enabled to debug over USB, you can reboot Xiaomi via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable if the screen responds to touch, but the phone is “braking” or does not reboot in the standard way.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list – go further.
4. Reboot: adb reboot For forced reboot (similar to Hard Reset): adb shell reboot -p

If the adb device command returns an empty list:

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB.
• 🔄 Reinstall Mi drivers USB Driver (download from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ Turn on Debugging. USB Developer settings (if the phone is responsive at least a little).

💡

If USB debugging hasn’t been enabled before, but the phone is still defined by the PC as an “unknown device,” try using the Mi Flash Tool for emergency flashing.

Method 4: Fastboot Flashing (extreme case)

If all the previous methods didn't work, and the phone is stuck on the Mi logo or rebooted cyclically, you just have to flash it through Fastboot, which will delete all the data, but bring the device back to life.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (Windows recommended) 10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-Cable (Do not use cheap Chinese cables!).
• 📁 Firmware for your model (download from the official website or Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (hold power for 20+ seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume down to enter Fastboot Mode (the image of a hare in a hat-eared).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. In the program, click Select and select the folder with the unpacked firmware (.tgz format).
5. Press Refresh – the device must be determined as COM-port.
6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot Flash-through deletes all data, including photos, messages and apps. If your phone had important files, try extracting them first. ADB pull (if device is determined).

💡

Fastboot flashing is the only way to bring back to life Xiaomi, which is stuck on the logo or cyclically rebooted. Use only official firmware to avoid blocking your Mi Account!

Method 5: Hardware reset (if nothing helps)

In the rare cases where the phone doesn't respond even to the button combinations, there's hardware reset, battery extraction, which is only suitable for models with removable batteries (like the Redmi 3S/4X) or if you're ready to disassemble the device.

How to do this:

1. Turn off the phone (hold power for 30+ seconds).
2. Remove the back cover (a plastic shoulder blade or mediator will be required).
3. Unplug the battery plume for 10-15 seconds, then plug it back in.
4. Collect your phone and try to turn it on.

For non-removable batteries, most of the current models, this method is not suitable, you have to contact the service center.

• 🚫 Phone Disassembly Deprives Guarantee (if It is Still in Effect).
• ⚡ Risk of damage to plumes or contacts in case of negligent actions.
• 🔋 After removing the battery, the phone may not turn on without recharging.

What to do after reboot: diagnosis and prevention

If you have managed to reboot Xiaomi, don’t be too excited — it’s important to understand the cause of the crash and prevent it from hanging again.

Check the space in memory (less than 1 GB is the cause of the lags)

Update MIUI to the latest version

Remove newly installed applications

Clean the cache in Settings → Memory → Cleanup

Check the temperature of the processor (use it). CPU Monitor)-->

If the freezes are repeated:

• 📉 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
• 🛡️ Turn off optimization. MIUI: Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Remove animations (reduce the processor load).
• 🔄 Go back to the old version. MIUI, If the problem started after the update (use Recovery Mode).

For owners of POCO and Redmi with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 12 5G), it is recommended to disable the Game Turbo function - it often causes overheating and freezing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi hanging