How to Fix Redmi Note 3 (Snapdragon) : Bootloop and Mi Logo Stuck

Many Redmi Note 3 users got panic when their devices were getting into bootloop or stuck at Mi Logo – shortly it just couldn’t boot normally. Many said that as bricked device. Yet, they were even frustrated because their devices have bootloader locked whereas flashing Fastboot MIUI ROM – which in most cases being the easiest solution of bricked device – needs unlocked bootloader to proceed. There are few possible methods already to handle with such situation. However, when there is still a possible solution in case when any other methods simply won’t work.

Read also :

• How to fix bricked Redmi Note 3 Snapdragon.
• How to flash TWRP on Redmi Note 3 without cooking boot.img
• How to hard reset Redmi Note 3.
• How to fix bricked Redmi Note 3 with locked bootloader.
• How to fix bricked Redmi Note 3 via Mi PC Suite.

This article shows you some steps – with pictures- on how to fix Redmi Note 3 Qualcomm Snapdragon, with locked bootloader, stuck at Mi Logo or kept in bootloop without having chance to boot normally. This method has been discovered by feds64, a popular moderator of MIUI Forum. Thus, all credits belong to him. Nevertheless, this method should only work on softbrick device: broken device caused with anything related to software whereas hardbrick means something wrongs on its hardware.

Why can softbrick happens? In general, this could happen due to wrong flashing procedure either ROM flashing or Custom Recovery flashing. If you have any experience with this situation, you’ll most-likely end up at either bootloop or stuck at Mi Logo. However, in this state you’ll still be able to get into Fastboot mode, Recovery Mode, and Emergency Download Mode (EDL). Unluckily, both Fastbooot and Recovery mode are no use if your device is locked (the bootloader).

How to fix it? Simply follow these steps below :

WARNING : Please read the whole steps thoroughly first before doing it. In addition, either Feds64 or I is responsible for any risks and damage caused by following this guide. Proceed with care.

Prerequisites

You’ll need these :

1. A Redmi Note 3 Qualcomm Snapdragon device (RN3SD) with bootloader locked;
2. A computer either PC or laptop running Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10;
3. A USB cable – just use the one shipped with your phone;
4. Download and install ADB and Fastboot drivers on your PC;
5. Download and install MiPhone v20160401 on your PC;
6. Download and install Intel Android Drivers Setup onto your PC and extract its content;
7. Download Qualcomm QDLoader 64-bit Driver into your PC;
8. Download latest MIUI Fastboot ROM (.tgz) file into your PC (links are below) – You can use either Global Stable or China Stable.

MIUI Fastboot ROM for RN3SD:

• Official download page on MIUI – latest version.
• MIUI v7.2.5.0 Global Stable build.
• MIUI v7.2.3.0 Global Stable build.

1. Get Your PC PC Ready

Install all necessary software on your PC so it can recognize your device correctly. Furthermore, you have to also disable Driver Signature Enforcement and Digital Signature Check. You can do that by pressing Windows button + i on keyboard to reveal the Settings page. From there you can choose Update & Security >> Recovery >> Advanced startup >> Restart now. Wait a moment for your computer to restart. Next, go to Troubleshoot >>Advanced options >> Startup settings >> Restart. Once your computer restarts, now choose Disable driver signature enforcement which is option number 7.

Here’s a nice video to help you with that :

2. Putting your phone into EDL Mode

There are two methods to achieve this : the fast but little bit difficult or the slow but little bit easy.

The easy method

Ok, I’ll start with the easier first. This method is easy because you don’t have to bother with opening your phone’s hard case / back cover and disconnecting the battery. However, this way is longer because you need to leave your phone till it runs out of battery power which can be time consuming if you have much power left in it. I’ve explained it in my previous post so please read : method to boot Rednote 3 into EDL mode.

The quick method

Don’t have enough patience in you to wait till the battery drained off? Or may be you’ve tried the first method but failed? Then try the faster method by disconnecting the power between the circuit board and battery as explained in these steps below.

Step 1 – Remove the SIM-card try from your phone.

Step 2 – Use your finger nail to get in between the slit of the screen and back cover, and then run along the slit around the phone. On top of that, make sure you gently lift up from the power or volume rocker side because you don’t want to accidentally put apart the fingerprint ribbon cable. Make sure you place all the parts as in the picture below. Again, please be very careful.

Step 3 – Next, please slowly lift up the metal cum ribbon cable using your finger nail at an angle where the red arrows are, as shown below.

Step 4 – Just disconnect it and leave it unconnected for approximately 5 seconds. The below picture shows you how the battery looks like after being dismantled from the phone.

Step 5 – You should now reconnect the connector back as well as placing the battery to its proper place. Make sure the connector is “click” in its place. Your phone should now in OFF state.

Step 6 – Now connect your phone to the USB cable but just don’t connect it to the computer yet.

Step 7 – Open up Windows Explorer in your computer and go to either drive C:\ or C:\adb folder.

Step 8 – Hold down the Shift button on your keyboard and right-click on your mouse then select “Open command window here“.

Step 9 – Now connect your phone using its USB cable to the computer and type this command in command prompt window :

adb version
adb devices
adb reboot edl

It should looks similar like :

3. Updating Drivers

At this point, your phone should should show a steady flashing red light from its LED. Now launch up Device Manager.

2 cents tip : How to open Windows Device Manager? Right-click on the Computer icon >> choose Properties >> choose Device Manager.

At this point, your computer should detect your phone and install needed driver driver. However, you should use the Qualcomm 64-bit Driver you’ve download. Just double-click on the “Relink HS-USB QDLOADER 9008 (COM3)” and update the driver with Qualcomm HS-USB QDLOADER 9008 instead. Just go through as what the pictures below describes.

Do not forget to restart your computer.

4. Flashing MIUI Fastboot ROM

Step 1 – Extract the .tgz file you have downloaded. Just use either Winrar or 7zip for this task and make sure you extract until you get a folder called images.

Step 2 – Make sure you have downloaded and installed MiFlash tool on your computer. Now launch it up.

Step 3 – On MiFlash tool, click on Refresh button then Browse. Now locate where’s the location of where the extracted files are.

Step 4 – Now click on the little arrow next to the Browse button then choose Advanced. Next, just make sure you have the same settings as what shown below:

Step 5 – Once everything has been set up as it should be, now click on the Flash button.

Step 6 – The tool will begin the flashing process. Just wait till it completely finished.

Step 7 – That’s it. Once you reboot your phone, it may take longer than usual but it’s normal since it’s the first time your phone is booting the newly installed system.

Voila! Your phone has been recovered.

Do not hesitate to share your experience in the comment section below. Also, do check all other MIUI tips and tricks.