If your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone shows Fastboot instead of the normal lock screen, it has started in a maintenance mode. Entering this mode by itself does not erase your photos or messages. Begin with the buttons and a restart before considering any repair that changes the phone’s software.
Try a normal restart first
- Disconnect the USB cable and remove a case that could press the buttons.
- Check that Volume Down is not being held or stuck. Do not force a damaged button.
- Hold the Power button for more than ten seconds to force a restart, then release it when the phone restarts.
- Let the device complete its startup without pressing the volume keys.
Xiaomi explains that Power and Volume Down can bring up Fastboot. Its power-on troubleshooting guide also documents a long Power-button press for a forced restart. Button behavior can vary by model, so check your device’s manual if this does not work.
Know which screen you are seeing
| Screen or symptom | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Fastboot text or graphic | Check the buttons and try a forced restart. |
| Recovery menu | Select the reboot option if available; avoid Wipe Data. |
| Repeated logo and restart | Follow boot-loop checks rather than repeatedly holding buttons. |
| No display or very low charge | Check charging and the manufacturer’s power-on guidance. |
If you reach Recovery, read the selected menu item before confirming it. Reboot and Wipe Data are different actions. Do not choose an erase option simply because a guide shows a similar-looking menu.
If Fastboot returns every time
A stuck volume button, a recent failed update or another hardware or software fault may be involved. Note what happened immediately before the problem. If the phone starts once, back up your data before testing further.
For repeated restarts, use our Xiaomi boot-loop troubleshooting guide. If this followed an update, our Xiaomi update checks help separate an installation issue from a button fault.
Do you need a computer?
Usually not for the first restart attempt. A bootloader unlock, flashing tool or downloaded firmware is not needed just to try leaving Fastboot. Those operations have different requirements and can erase data or create new problems when the model or software package is wrong.
If the phone repeatedly returns to Fastboot, the buttons are damaged, or a simple restart does not help, give Xiaomi support the exact model and the symptoms. Ask about data preservation before agreeing to a reset or software reinstall.
Frequently asked questions
Does entering Fastboot erase my data?
No. Entering the mode alone does not erase user data. Unlocking, wiping or some flashing operations can.
Which buttons normally start Fastboot?
On many Xiaomi devices, Power and Volume Down start Fastboot. Check that Volume Down is not stuck.
Should I select Wipe Data in Recovery?
Not as a first fix. It erases user data and is different from the reboot option.
Why does Fastboot keep returning?
Possible causes include a held volume button, a failed update or a device fault. A repeated return needs diagnosis, not repeated blind flashing.