Fix Bootloop After Flashing Custom ROM
Your phone won't boot. It's stuck on the logo, endlessly restarting. Don't panic - bootloops are common and almost always fixable.
This guide covers every bootloop scenario and how to recover from it.
Understanding Bootloops
What is a Bootloop?
A bootloop is when your device:
- Gets stuck on the manufacturer logo
- Keeps restarting automatically
- Shows boot animation but never completes
- Reboots after reaching a certain point
Common Causes
| Cause | Likelihood | Fix Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty flash when clean flash needed | Very High | Easy |
| Wrong ROM for device variant | High | Medium |
| Incompatible GApps | High | Easy |
| Missing firmware/vendor | Medium | Medium |
| Corrupted download | Medium | Easy |
| Storage full | Low | Easy |
| Hardware issue | Rare | Depends |
Before Trying Anything
Wait 10-15 Minutes
First boots after flashing can take a LONG time. Before assuming bootloop:
- First boot: May take 5-15 minutes
- After major update: 3-5 minutes
- After GApps installation: Extra 2-3 minutes
Don't:
- Force reboot during first boot
- Assume it's stuck before 15 min
- Pull the battery (if removable)
Method 1: Boot to Recovery and Wipe Cache
The simplest fix that works surprisingly often.
Access Recovery
While bootlooping:
- Hold Power button for 30 seconds (force power off)
- Hold Power + Volume Up (varies by device)
- Release when recovery appears
Alternative combinations:
- Samsung: Power + Volume Up + Bixby
- Xiaomi: Power + Volume Up
- OnePlus: Power + Volume Down
- Pixel: Power + Volume Down → Select recovery
In TWRP Recovery
1. Tap "Wipe"
2. Tap "Advanced Wipe"
3. Select:
- Dalvik/ART Cache ✓
- Cache ✓
(DO NOT select Data or System)
4. Swipe to wipe
5. Go back → Reboot → System
Did It Work?
If your phone boots normally - congratulations! The cache was corrupted.
If still bootlooping - continue to Method 2.
Method 2: Reflash the ROM
Often the installation was corrupted or incomplete.
In TWRP Recovery
1. Tap "Install"
2. Navigate to your ROM file
3. Swipe to flash
4. Wait for completion
5. DON'T reboot yet!
6. Flash GApps again (if applicable)
7. Wipe → Advanced → Dalvik/Cache
8. Reboot → System
Important: Make sure the ROM file isn't corrupted. If in doubt, re-download it.
Method 3: Clean Flash
When dirty flash fails, clean flash is your friend.
What Gets Wiped
A clean flash erases:
- All apps
- All app data
- Settings
- Internal storage files (if you format data)
Your photos, downloads, and files on internal storage WILL BE DELETED if you format data.
Steps
1. Boot to TWRP
2. Tap "Wipe"
3. Tap "Advanced Wipe"
4. Select:
- Dalvik/ART Cache ✓
- System ✓
- Data ✓
- Cache ✓
5. Swipe to wipe
6. Go back → Install
7. Select ROM → Flash
8. Select GApps → Flash (if needed)
9. Reboot → System
Method 4: Format Data (Nuclear Option)
If clean flash still bootloops, encryption might be the issue.
Warning ⚠️
This erases EVERYTHING including:
- Internal storage
- All files, photos, downloads
- Encryption keys
Steps
1. Boot to TWRP
2. Tap "Wipe"
3. Tap "Format Data"
4. Type "yes" (literally)
5. Confirm
6. Go back → Install → Flash ROM
7. Flash GApps
8. Reboot
This gives you a completely fresh start.
Method 5: Fix Firmware Mismatch
Many ROMs require specific firmware versions.
Symptoms of Firmware Issues
- No SIM card detected
- No WiFi/Bluetooth
- Camera doesn't work
- Touch issues
- Audio problems
Solution
- Find firmware requirements in ROM's XDA thread
- Download correct firmware
- Flash firmware BEFORE the ROM
Where to find firmware:
- SamMobile - Samsung
- Xiaomi Firmware Updater - Xiaomi
- XDA Forums - Most devices
- ROM developer's links
Flashing Order
1. Flash Firmware
2. Flash ROM
3. Flash GApps
4. Wipe Dalvik/Cache
5. Reboot
Method 6: Use ADB Sideload
If your TWRP can't read internal storage:
On Computer
adb devices # Verify connection
adb sideload rom-file.zip
In TWRP
1. Advanced → ADB Sideload
2. Swipe to start sideload
3. When done, flash GApps same way
4. Reboot
Method 7: Restore TWRP Backup
Did you make a backup before flashing? (You should always!)
Steps
1. Boot to TWRP
2. Tap "Restore"
3. Select your backup
4. Select partitions to restore:
- Boot ✓
- System ✓
- Data ✓ (if you want apps back)
5. Swipe to restore
6. Reboot
Device-Specific Fixes
Samsung
If nothing works:
- Download stock firmware from SamMobile
- Install Odin on PC
- Boot to Download Mode (Power + Volume Down)
- Flash stock ROM with Odin
- Start fresh with bootloader unlock
Xiaomi
Try MiFlash:
- Download MiFlash Tool
- Download Fastboot ROM from MIUI website
- Boot to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down)
- Flash using MiFlash
- Re-unlock and start fresh
OnePlus
Use MSM Download Tool:
- Get MSM tool from OnePlus
- Makes your device completely stock
- Re-unlock bootloader afterward
Pixel
Use Factory Images:
# Download factory image from Google
# Extract and run flash-all.bat (Windows)
# Or flash-all.sh (Mac/Linux)
Prevention: Avoid Future Bootloops
Before Flashing
✅ Read ROM changelog/requirements ✅ Check your device variant (some have multiple variants) ✅ Download from official sources ✅ Verify file integrity (check MD5/SHA if provided) ✅ Backup current ROM in TWRP
During Flashing
✅ Follow installation order exactly ✅ Flash GApps before first boot ✅ Wipe Dalvik/Cache after installation ✅ Wait for process to complete fully
Know Your Device
Understand these about your device:
- Exact model number
- Device codename
- Current firmware version
- Partition type (A/B or A-only)
When to Seek Help
It's Okay to Ask
If you've tried everything and still stuck:
- XDA Forums: Post in your device's subforum
- ROM's Telegram group: Developers often help
- Reddit: r/Android or device-specific subreddit
Information to Provide
When asking for help, include:
- Device model and codename
- ROM you tried to flash
- Previous ROM you were using
- Exact steps you took
- Error messages (take photos of screen)
- What recovery shows
Bootloop Recovery Flowchart
Phone won't boot
│
├─► Wait 15 minutes
│ │
│ Still stuck?
│ │
├─► Wipe Cache/Dalvik
│ │
│ Still stuck?
│ │
├─► Reflash ROM
│ │
│ Still stuck?
│ │
├─► Clean Flash
│ │
│ Still stuck?
│ │
├─► Check Firmware
│ │
│ Still stuck?
│ │
├─► Format Data
│ │
│ Still stuck?
│ │
└─► Flash Stock ROM
(or seek help)
FAQ
Q: Did I brick my phone?
A: Unlikely. "Brick" means completely unrecoverable. If you can access recovery or fastboot, it's NOT bricked.
Q: Can I recover my data?
A: If you have a TWRP backup, yes. Otherwise, data may be lost if clean flash is needed.
Q: Why does same ROM work for others but not me?
A: Different device variants, firmware versions, or installation steps.
Q: How long should first boot take?
A: Up to 15 minutes. Some ROMs with heavy optimization take even longer.
You've Got This
Bootloops are frustrating but rarely permanent. In my years of custom ROM experience, I've only seen true bricks from:
- Flashing wrong bootloader
- Power loss during critical flash
- Hardware failure
Everything else is recoverable. Take a breath, follow the steps, and you'll be back to flashing in no time.
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