Xiaomi Camera Clicks: 7 Reasons and What to Do About Them

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi camera has started to emit strange clicks when starting, focusing or shooting?This sound can range from barely noticeable ticking to loud mechanical beats - and it's a concern anyway. In most cases, clicks aren't a critical break, but they're not worth ignoring: they can signal both software failures and incipient hardware problems.

In this article, we will examine all possible causes of clicks, from the banal contamination of the module to the wear of the stabilization mechanism, as well as give step-by-step instructions for diagnosing and fixing the problem. Particular attention will be paid to models with a retractable camera (Mi 9T, Mi 10T, Redmi K20 Pro), where clicks are often associated with the operation of the mechanism, and flagships with optical stabilization (Xiaomi 12 Pro, 13 Ultra).

We warn you right away: if clicks are accompanied by a camera error, a black screen or an application freeze, this is an urgent reason to visit the service center.

1. Mechanical operation of autofocus: the norm or the problem?

Many users are frightened by clicks, unaware that some of them are part of the normal operation of the camera. For example, in models with laser autofocus (Mi 10, Mi 11), when you hover on the object, you can hear a slight click of the distance sensor. This is normal and does not require intervention.

Another example is optical image stabilization (OIS), where in Xiaomi 12S Ultra or 13 Pro cameras, OIS uses microscopic gyroscopes and movable elements that can make quiet sounds when activated to see if the click is related to OIS:

• 📱 Open the camera and switch to Video Mode.
• 🎥 Start recording and sway the phone slightly – if clicks are amplified as you move, it’s the job of a stabilizer.
• 🔍 Go to Camera Settings → Stabilize and shut down. OIS. If the sound is gone, the reason is in the mechanism.

But there are also some absolutely abnormal sounds that indicate malfunction: loud metal bangs, grinding or repetitive clicks even when the camera is not active, in which case it is a physical wear and tear of the machinery, which requires diagnosis.

2. Retractable camera: why the mechanism clicks

Xiaomi smartphones with a retractable front camera (Mi 9T, Redmi K20 Pro, Mi 10T) are particularly prone to problems with the mechanism.

1. Pollution of the guides, dust and small debris get into the slots, which makes the mechanism move with difficulty and make sounds.
2. Wearing of springs or plastic parts, and over time, plastic loses its elasticity and the springs stretch, which leads to backlash and clicks.
3. Software failure: If the camera doesn't extend to the end or does it in jerks, it's the software, not the hardware.

To diagnose the problem:

Launch the front camera and listen to the sound when pulling/retracting |

Try to press the module with your finger slightly - if it "walks", it is a backlash |

Check if the camera is stuck in the intermediate position.|

Make sure there are no error messages (e.g., “Camera locked”)

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If the mechanism only gets stuck or clicks when you're pushed out, try cleaning the slots with compressed air (a canister for engineering). Don't use cotton swabs or alcohol-containing liquids - they can damage the plastic. If the problem is wear, only replacing the mechanism in the service will help.

3. Software failures: when the software is to blame

In 30% of cases, Xiaomi’s camera clicks are caused by software problems, not hardware.

• 🐞 Firmware bug (especially after update) MIUI).
• 📱 Conflict with third-party apps (e.g. Google camera or modified versions) MIUI Camera).
• 🗑️ Clogging the camera cache.

The first thing to do is reset the camera settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Camera and select the Warehouse.
3. Click Clear the cache and Reset the settings.

If that doesn’t work, try rolling back the MIUI Camera update (if clicks have appeared after the update):

1. Remove updates for the Camera app in Settings → Apps.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Turn off automatic camera updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Auto-update of applications.

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If clicks appear after installing custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), check the kernel compatibility with your model. Incorrect camera drivers often cause similar artifacts.

4. Physical damage: when repairs are not necessary

Some clicks are a symptom of serious hardware problems, and note these signs:

If you suspect a physical breakdown, don't try to disassemble the phone yourself. Xiaomi's modern cameras have brittle plumes and microscopic details - one wrong move can make the problem worse. Contact Xiaomi's official service center or a trusted repair center with good reviews.

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Clicks accompanied by error 0xA00F4244 (or similar codes) almost always indicate a hardware malfunction.

External factors: moisture, falls, overheating

Clicks in the chamber can occur after external exposure.

• 💦 Even if the phone is not sinking, high humidity or condensation can cause the camera contacts to corrosion. Check the moisture indicator (usually a red or white circle under the tray). SIM-map).
• 📉 Fall or impact. Even a minor mechanical action can displace the lenses or damage the mechanism. OIS.
• 🔥 Overheating. If the phone is heated above 45°C (e.g. while playing or charging), plastic parts of the camera can warp, causing clicks when cooling.

If the cause is contact with water:

1. Turn off your phone immediately.
2. Get it. SIM-card and flash drive (if available).
3. Place the device in a silica gel (or rice) bag for 24 to 48 hours.
4. Do not turn on your phone until it is completely dry.

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To check if the camera is overheating, install the AIDA64 app and check the temperature of the sensor during the shooting. Normal - up to 40-45 ° C. If higher, let the phone cool down.

After a fall or a blow, be sure to check:

• 📸 Photo quality (whether there is blurring or distortion).
• 🔦 The work of the flashlight (does it flicker).
• 🛠️ The presence of cracks in the glass of the camera.

6.How to prevent clicks in the future

To minimize the risk of clicks, follow these guidelines:

• 🛡️ Use a camera-protected case, even a small blow to the glass of the module can displace the lenses.
• 🧹 Clean the camera regularly. Dust and dirt accelerate wear and tear. Use a soft brush or compressed air.
• 🔄 Don't update. MIUI Camera in the first days after release. Wait for feedback from other users - often new versions contain bugs.
• 🚫 Avoid extreme temperatures. Don't leave your phone in the sun or in the cold (below) -10°C).

For models with retractable camera:

• ⚠️ Don't push the module with your hands. It can damage the mechanism.
• 🧲 Avoid magnetic covers. They can interfere with the sensors.
• 🔋 Don't discharge your phone to 0%. With a low charge, the mechanism can get underpowered and malfunction.

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If you often shoot video with optical stabilization, let the camera "rest" every 15-20 minutes. OIS speed up.

7. When to contact the service: checklist for the user

Not all clicks require a visit to the workshop, but there are situations when repairs are inevitable:

⚠️ Attention! If the camera clicks even when the application is closed, it is a sign of a short circuit or a board malfunction!

Please contact the service if:

• 🔊 Clicks are accompanied by camera error or black screen.
• 📵 The camera stopped focusing or took blurry pictures.
• 🔄 The mechanism of the retractable chamber is jammed in the intermediate position.
• 💥 The phone fell or came into contact with water.

The cost of repairing Xiaomi camera depends on the model and type of breakdown:

Before visiting the service, make a backup of the data – sometimes a complete phone reset is required for repairs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about clicks in Xiaomi's camera