Xiaomi Redmi 4 phone freezes and does not react – all ways to restart

Xiaomi Redmi 4 is a reliable device, but even it can fail at the most inopportune moment. A hung screen, no reaction to touch or looped download animations are the problems many users face. The reasons are diverse, from overheating of the processor to conflict of applications after an update. The main thing is not to panic: in 90% of cases, the phone can be brought back to life without going to the service center.

In this article, we will look at all the possible methods of rebooting Redmi 4, from the simplest to the most radical. You will learn how to distinguish soft reset from hard reset, when you use button combinations and when you wait for the system to cope with the problem.

Before you start the instructions, check that your Redmi 4 may have just run out. Connect it to the charger for 10-15 minutes — sometimes the battery runs to a level where the phone shows no signs of life, but after recharging it turns on. If the charging indicator does not light up, move on to the next steps.

1. Software Reset: When the phone responds to touch

If the Redmi 4 screen is working but the system is slowing down or individual apps are not responding, try the standard reboot.This method is safe and does not cause data loss.

For this:

• 🔄 Hold the power button (located on the right end) for 8-10 seconds until the off menu appears.
• 📱 In the menu, select Reboot and confirm the action.
• ⏳ If the menu does not appear, hold the power button for 15-20 seconds - the phone will be forced to turn off and turn on again.

This works if the freeze is caused by an overload of RAM or an error in the application, for example, after prolonged use of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact). If the problem recurs after the reboot, check the free space in memory or updates for problematic applications.

2. Forced reset (Hard Reset): the screen does not respond

When the Redmi 4 is completely frozen — it doesn't react to touch, it doesn't turn off through the menu, and the screen is either black or shows a static image — it requires hardware reboot. This method simulates battery extraction (although it's not removable in Redmi 4) and resets all the temporary data into RAM.

Follow the following steps:

1. 🔋 Hold the power button. + volume-boost.
2. ⏱️ Keep them clamped for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out and the phone vibrates.
3. 📱 Release the buttons – the device should automatically turn on in 30-60 seconds.

If the phone doesn't turn on afterward, try repeating the procedure, but hold the buttons for up to 20 seconds.Sometimes it takes several attempts, especially if the freeze is associated with damage to system files after a failed update.

3.Reboot in Recovery Mode: If the phone is turned on but not booted

When Redmi 4 is turned on, the Xiaomi or MI logo shows, but it does not load (or loops) further, it will help to log in to Recovery Mode. This is a service menu that allows you to reset settings, clear the cache or reflash the device.

To enter Recovery:

1. 🔄 Turn off your phone (if it doesn’t turn off, use Hard Reset from the previous section).
2. 🔧 Hold the power button. + The volume button will be increased until the Mi logo appears.
3. 📱 Release the power button, but keep the volume down.+, You will not see the Recovery menu (usually in English or Chinese).

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons for selection.

• 🔄 Reboot - a normal reboot.
• 🧹 Wipe Cache – Cache cleanup (safe, data is not deleted).
• ⚠️ Wipe Data – Full reset to factory settings (deletes all data!).

If the phone boots after cleaning the cache (Wipe Cache) but the problem recurs, the cause may be a damaged update or firmware conflict, in which case flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (instruction in section 6) will help.

4.Overheating as a cause of getting stuck: what to do

The Redmi 4 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor that can overheat when under intense load. If the phone gets hot to the touch and then freezes, the cause is most likely thermal throttling, a protective shutdown to prevent chip damage.

Signs of overheating:

• 🌡️ The phone body is hot (especially in the camera or bottom area).
• ⚡ Fast battery discharge (from 50% to 0% in 10-15 minutes).
• 🐢 Strong braking before getting stuck.

Overheating activities:

1. ❄️ Turn off your phone immediately (forced if you don’t respond).
2. 📴 Remove the cover and place the device on a flat surface (not on a pillow or blanket!).
3. ⏳ Wait 20 to 30 minutes until the temperature returns to normal.
4. 🔌 Do not connect to the charger until the phone cools down.

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If overheating occurs regularly, check the background processes in Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Often the culprits are cryptocurrency mining apps or unoptimized games.

Turn on the phone after cooling. If the freezes are repeated, install a temperature monitoring app (such as AIDA64) and check if the processor temperature is 60–65°C in idle. The maximum temperature for the Snapdragon 430 is 85°C, but running regularly at 70°C+ shortens the chip's life.

5.Black screen: phone does not turn on or respond to charging

The situation when Redmi 4 does not show signs of life – the screen is black, there is no vibration, the charging indicator does not burn – can be caused by several reasons:

• 🔋 Complete battery discharge (up to power controller shutdown).
• 🔌 Failure of the charger or cable.
• 💥 Hardware failure (damage to the motherboard, the collapse of the screen plume).

Algorithm of action:

1. 🔌 Connect your phone to the original charger (or Quick Charge 3.0) and leave it for 30 to 60 minutes.
2. 🔄 Try a forced reboot (power button) + volume+ 20 seconds).
3. 🔋 If the charging indicator is not on, try another charger or cable (better with support). USB Type-C).
4. 📱 Connect your phone to your computer through USB — If the computer makes a connection sound, the problem may be in the screen or plume.

If after an hour of charging the phone is not showing signs of life, there may be a failure of the power controller or a deep battery discharge, in which case only connecting to the charger with increased current (2A/5V) or contacting a service center to “reanimate” the battery will help.

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If the phone does not respond to charging, but when connected to the computer is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, this is a sign of a brick. EDL-mode (section 6).

6.Extreme measures: Firmware via Fastboot or EDL

If all previous methods have failed and the phone is either stuck with the logo or not turned on at all, there are two options left:

1. 📥 Fastboot firmware (if the phone reacts to the buttons at least somehow).
2. 🔧 Firmware through EDL-mode (if the phone is in the "brick" state").

For firmware via Fastboot:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 4 (codename prada) from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Unpack the archive and install the Mi Flash Tool drivers.
3. Press the power button + volume to enter Fastboot mode (the image of a hare in a hat-outhank will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and run the firmware via the command: fastboot flash all [name file firmware].zip

For Firmware via EDL (only for power users!):

• 🔌 Special cable is required (EDL cable) or circuit of the circuit board.
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool with Clean All mode selection.
• ⚠️ All data will be deleted! This method is used when other methods have been exhausted.

Firmware in EDL-The mode is the last chance to bring Redmi 4 back to life without replacing hardware components.If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the Xiaomi service center.

Table: Causes of hanging and decisions

Frequent errors in the Redmi 4 reboot

Many users make the problem worse by doing the wrong thing.

• ❌ Remove the battery – in Redmi 4 it is not removable, and attempts to open will damage the plumes.
• ❌ Press buttons randomly in Recovery mode – you can accidentally erase all data.
• ❌ Use non-original chargers with current >2A – This can damage the power controller.
• ❌ Interrupt the firmware through Fastboot/EDL — The phone can turn into a brick".

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If after rebooting the phone requires a password but you don’t remember it, try entering the last PIN or pattern lock you use. After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will lock for 30 seconds, but the data will not be deleted.

Another common mistake is ignoring overheating signals, and if the phone is regularly heated to 70°C+, it can lead to battery degradation or chip detachment from the board, in which case only a replacement of the thermopast or a diagnostic in the service will help.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

If your problem is not described in the FAQ, try looking for a solution in the official Xiaomi forum (Mi Community) or in thematic groups (for example, 4PDA). Specify the exact model (Redmi 4 Pro, Redmi 4X, Redmi 4A) and the firmware version (you can find in Settings → About Phone) for more accurate help.