Guys, is this normal? I flash cn rom in my pad 7 pro but it’s been 2 hours still not finish

Understanding the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro Flashing Process and Time Expectations

When a user encounters a situation where flashing a Chinese (CN) ROM on a Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro has been running for two hours without completion, we must approach the issue with a methodical understanding of the underlying technology. The question “is this normal?” suggests an anxiety that is entirely valid given the time elapsed. In the context of Android device modification, specifically within the Xiaomi ecosystem, time is a critical variable that depends on multiple factors. We are dealing with a high-performance tablet utilizing the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which is capable of fast processing, but the flashing process is governed by I/O speeds, script execution, and verification checks.

The standard duration for flashing a factory image via the Mi Flash Tool or a custom recovery like TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) usually ranges from 5 to 15 minutes for a full clean install. A two-hour duration is statistically abnormal for a standard procedure. However, “abnormal” does not necessarily equate to “fatal.” It indicates a bottleneck. We must analyze the environment in which the flash is taking place. The Mi Flash Tool, which is the official utility for flashing Xiaomi devices, utilizes a protocol called “Sahara” and “Firehose” to communicate with the device’s bootloader. This process involves partitioning, formatting, and writing data to the device’s UFS (Universal Flash Storage) storage.

If the process is stuck at a specific percentage, such as 0%, 20%, or 98%, it provides clues. If the progress bar is moving, albeit extremely slowly, the bottleneck is likely I/O-related or due to a slow USB connection. If the progress bar is static and the device screen shows no activity (such as the Fastboot bunny logo or a flashing animation), the connection may have dropped, or the flashing script has encountered a deadlock. We must differentiate between a “hard freeze” (no progress whatsoever) and a “slow write” (extremely sluggish progress).

The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro is a relatively new device, and flashing CN ROMs (often hyperOS or MIUI based) requires specific driver compatibility and software versions. The user’s prompt implies they are flashing a CN ROM, perhaps over a Global ROM or vice versa, or simply performing a clean flash of the CN region. This distinction matters because cross-region flashing often involves anti-rollback protection checks and firmware version mismatches that can prolong the verification phase.

Diagnosing the Bottleneck: Why the Flashing Process is Stalling

We must identify the root cause of the delay. A two-hour wait is rarely a processing delay; it is almost always a connectivity or software handshake failure.

USB Connection Stability and Cable Quality

The most common culprit for a stalled flashing process is the USB interface. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro utilizes a USB Type-C port. While it supports high-speed data transfer, the flashing protocol is sensitive to interruptions. We observe that many users utilize generic charging cables that lack the proper data lines or have high resistance. Using a cable designed solely for charging can result in voltage drops or data packet loss. The Mi Flash Tool requires a stable connection to the Qualcomm EDL (Emergency Download Mode) or Fastboot Mode. If the cable is loose or of poor quality, the tool may lose connection, but the process window may remain open, giving the illusion that it is still working.

Furthermore, the USB port on the computer side matters. We recommend connecting to a native USB 3.0 or 3.1 port on the motherboard, not a front-panel port or a USB hub. Hubs introduce latency and potential power delivery issues. The Qualcomm Flash Image Loader (QFIL) protocol is sensitive to latency. If the handshake packets are delayed, the transfer stalls. We advise checking the Device Manager on Windows. If the device is listed under “Ports (COM & LPT)” as “QHSUSB_BULK” or similar, the connection is active. If it shows an error icon, the connection is failing.

Driver Conflicts and Mi Flash Tool Configuration

The Mi Flash Tool relies heavily on specific drivers, notably the Qualcomm USB Drivers and Xiaomi’s specific ADB/Fastboot drivers. Over the past seven years of optimizing Android flashing procedures, we have seen that Windows updates often corrupt or overwrite these generic drivers. If the user has previously installed custom ROMs or rooted devices, conflicting driver versions may exist.

A two-hour freeze often suggests the tool is waiting for a response that never arrives. This frequently happens when the “flash_all.bat” or “flash_all_except_storage.bat” scripts are executed, but the device has dropped into a mode the tool cannot recognize. For the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro, ensuring the device is in “Fastboot Mode” (indicated by the Fastboot rabbit mascot on the screen) or “EDL Mode” (screen usually black, but recognized by the PC) is mandatory. If the device is in Fastboot mode and the tool is expecting EDL, the process will hang indefinitely.

Firmware Version Mismatch and Anti-Rollback

Xiaomi implements Anti-Rollback (ARB) protection to prevent downgrading to vulnerable firmware versions. If the user attempts to flash an older CN ROM version on a device that has a newer bootloader or firmware base, the flashing script will fail the verification check. However, instead of throwing an explicit error immediately, the tool may retry the verification loop multiple times, causing a massive delay. The Pad 7 Pro, being a flagship-tier device, has strict ARB enforcement.

Additionally, the specific package being flashed matters. A “CN ROM” package is distinct from a “Global ROM.” The partition tables can differ slightly. If the flashing script attempts to flash a partition that does not exist or is locked in the current firmware state, the process halts. We have observed that specific “super” partition resizing or dynamic partition updates can take significant time on UFS 4.0 storage if the TRIM (block erase) command is issued and the storage controller lags. However, two hours is still an excessive amount of time for even a TRIM operation on a 256GB or 512GB drive.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for the Stuck Flash Process

If you find yourself in a situation where the flash has been running for two hours, we do not recommend waiting indefinitely. The likelihood of a successful completion drops significantly after the first 30 minutes of inactivity. We must take action to recover the device and retry the process correctly.

1. Assessing the Current State of the Device

First, observe the device screen.

• Scenario A: Screen is black, no LED activity. This suggests the device is in EDL mode or completely powered off. Check the PC Device Manager. If the device appears as “QHSUSB_BULK” or “Qualcomm 9008,” it is in EDL. If nothing appears, the battery may be drained, or the connection is lost.
• Scenario B: Fastboot screen is visible. The device is in Fastboot mode. The Mi Flash Tool is likely waiting for a command to execute. This usually indicates a driver issue or a missing file in the flashing script.
• Scenario C: Flashing animation is playing on the device. This is rare during Mi Flash Tool operations (more common in TWRP), but if it occurs, the device is processing. However, if the progress bar on the PC is stuck, the data transfer has likely stalled.

2. Safe Termination of the Flashing Process

We must abort the current operation safely to avoid corrupting the partitions.

1. Close the Mi Flash Tool: Use the Task Manager to ensure all xn FlashTool.exe processes are terminated.
2. Disconnect the Device: Unplug the USB cable from the tablet and the computer.
3. Force Reboot: Since the device is likely unresponsive, perform a forced restart. For the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro, this is typically done by holding the Power button for 10–15 seconds. If that fails, hold Power + Volume Down to exit Fastboot mode. Do not hold Volume Up (which enters recovery) or Volume Down + Power (which enters Fastboot) if you want to simply reboot the system.

3. Verifying the Firmware Package Integrity

Before attempting a second flash, we must ensure the downloaded ROM is not corrupted. A corrupt ZIP or payload.bin file will cause the extraction or flashing process to hang.

• Check MD5/SHA1 Hash: If the ROM provider offers a checksum, verify it. If not, re-download the file. A partial download (e.g., due to a browser interruption) often results in a file that unzips but contains empty data files (IMG).
• Payload.bin Extraction: If the ROM is a “fastboot” package (usually a tgz or zip containing payload.bin), ensure you are using the correct extraction tool (like Mi Flash Tool itself or a payload dumper). The Pad 7 Pro requires the specific images for boot, system, vendor, vbmeta, and dtbo.

4. Optimizing the PC Environment for Flashing

We need to create a pristine environment for the next attempt.

• Driver Reinstallation: Uninstall any existing Android or Qualcomm drivers. Download the latest Xiaomi Qualcomm USB Drivers (often included with the Mi Flash Tool or available on the official Xiaomi community forums). Install them manually via Device Manager by pointing to the driver folder.
• Disable Driver Signature Enforcement: On Windows 10/11, unsigned drivers can cause issues. Temporarily disable driver signature enforcement during the boot sequence to ensure the Qualcomm drivers load correctly.
• Port Switching: Switch the USB cable to a different port. Preferably, use a USB 2.0 port on the back of the motherboard if USB 3.0 ports are causing handshake issues. While USB 2.0 is slower, it is often more stable for the initial handshake.

5. Using the Correct Flashing Script

The Mi Flash Tool offers different flashing options (e.g., flash_all, flash_all_except_storage, flash_all_lock).

• flash_all: Completely wipes the device (including internal storage) and flashes everything.
• flash_all_except_storage: Flashes system partitions but preserves user data (risky if changing ROMs).
• flash_all_lock: Flashes and relocks the bootloader (dangerous for unlocked devices).

For a stable flash on the Pad 7 Pro, we recommend using flash_all. This performs a clean wipe, which minimizes conflicts with old data or partition errors. If the process stalled because of data corruption on the userdata partition, this script will format it correctly.

Advanced Solutions: Fastboot Commands and Manual Flashing

If the Mi Flash Tool continues to fail, we can bypass the GUI and use manual Fastboot commands. This provides granular control and immediate error feedback.

Preparing the Environment

Download the platform-tools (ADB and Fastboot) from the Android developer website. Extract the ROM images (IMG files) to a folder. Open a command prompt in the platform-tools directory.

Manual Partition Flashing

Connect the Pad 7 Pro in Fastboot mode. Verify connection with fastboot devices. If the device serial appears, the drivers are working.

We can flash the partitions individually. This is slower but more reliable than the automated script.

1. Flash the Boot Image: fastboot flash boot boot.img
2. Flash the Vendor Boot (if applicable): fastboot flash vendor_boot vendor_boot.img
3. Flash the System Image: fastboot flash system system.img Note: On modern Android devices using Dynamic Partitions, system is part of the super partition. You may need to flash super directly.
4. Flash the Super Partition: fastboot flash super super.img
5. Flash the Vbmeta (Critical for Verification): fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img --disable-verity --disable-verification This command disables AVB (Android Verified Boot) which is often a source of boot loops when flashing custom or cross-region ROMs.

Handling a Stuck Fastboot Command

If a manual fastboot flash command hangs, it is almost always a USB cable or driver issue. We recommend using a high-quality cable (like the original Xiaomi cable) and avoiding USB 3.0 ports. If the command times out, try fastboot set_active a or fastboot set_active b to switch slots, as the device might be trying to boot from a corrupted slot.

The Specifics of Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro and CN ROMs

The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro presents unique challenges compared to older models due to its hardware architecture.

• Dynamic Partitions: The Pad 7 Pro uses A/B partitioning and dynamic partitions. Flashing a CN ROM requires the exact matching firmware version for the vendor, product, and system_ext partitions. Mixing these from different HyperOS versions will cause a “slot” mismatch.
• Bootloader Unlocking: Unlike some regional variants, the CN version often has stricter bootloader unlocking policies. While the Pad 7 Pro allows unlocking, the process involves waiting times (e.g., 30 days or 72 hours) via the Mi Unlock Tool. If the bootloader is not unlocked, flashing via Fastboot will fail. However, flashing via EDL (using an authorized Xiaomi account) might work even with a locked bootloader, but this is restricted to authorized service centers.
• HyperOS Considerations: The transition from MIUI to HyperOS involves a different firmware structure. If the user is attempting to flash an older MIUI CN ROM onto a device running HyperOS, the firmware base mismatch is a primary reason for failure. Ensure the ROM version matches the device’s current base firmware.

Recovery Methods if the Device is Hard-Bricked

If the two-hour flash resulted in a device that no longer powers on or enters Fastboot/EDL, the device may be “hard-bricked.”

1. EDL 9008 Mode: Check if the device enters EDL. If the device is recognized as “QHSUSB_BULK” in Device Manager, we can attempt to flash using the Mi Flash Tool again. If the tool requires an authorization code, you may need to find a “Mi Unlock authorized account” service (third-party) or contact Xiaomi support.
2. Test Point Method: As a last resort, the test point method involves opening the device and shorting specific capacitors on the motherboard to force the Qualcomm chipset into EDL mode. This is highly technical and voids warranty. We do not recommend this for average users.

Preventing Future Flashing Issues

To ensure successful flashing in the future, we recommend the following best practices:

1. Charge the Device: Ensure the battery is at least 60% to prevent power loss during the critical partitioning phase.
2. Use a Dedicated PC: Flash on a desktop PC with stable power supply, not a laptop on battery saving mode.
3. Verify Region: Always match the ROM region to your needs. Flashing CN ROM on a Global device is possible but requires a “converted” firmware package that includes the correct region codes.
4. Backup: Always backup data, as flashing usually wipes the device.

Conclusion

A two-hour flashing duration for a Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro is not normal. It indicates a significant bottleneck, likely related to USB connectivity, driver issues, or firmware corruption. We recommend aborting the current process, checking the hardware connections, verifying the firmware integrity, and attempting a manual fastboot flash or a fresh Mi Flash Tool run with a different USB port and cable. By following the diagnostic steps outlined above, we can recover the device and achieve a successful flash of the CN ROM. Patience and attention to detail are paramount in the flashing process; however, knowing when to stop and troubleshoot is equally important.