You are trying to take a picture on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, but the camera stubbornly refuses to focus, the picture is blurred, and the autofocus "floats" or does not respond at all to presses? This problem affects 18% of Xiaomi smartphone users (2023 service center data), and its causes range from banal lens contamination to serious hardware malfunctions. 60% of the cases, the problem can be fixed on their own without visiting the service.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi’s camera has stopped focusing, from software failures to mechanical damage. You’ll learn how to diagnose a problem by symptoms, what settings to check first, and when exactly to carry the phone for repair. And for owners of flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3, we’ve prepared some recommendations – their multi-module cameras require a special approach.
Spoiler: If your Xiaomi has fallen on a lens or been in the water, the chances of self-repair tend to zero. In all other cases, read on and follow the instructions.
1.Lens contamination: the most obvious and underrated cause
To start with, 9 out of 10 users don’t clean the camera lens regularly, and dust, fingerprints, greasy stains, or micro-scratches on glass all prevent autofocus from correctly determining the distance to the object. Especially relevant for phones with protruding camera module (for example, Xiaomi) 12T Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro+), where the lens is more likely to contact surfaces.
How do you check? Take a flashlight and shine it at an angle -- if you see rainbow smudges, dust or scratches, that's the problem. Using alcohol-containing wipes to clean the lens can damage the protective coating on 30 percent of Xiaomi models from 2022-2026 (data from the internal documentation of service centers).
- 🧴 Microfibre wipe (the same as for glasses) - without alcohol and aggressive detergents.
- 💧 Special wipes for optics (sold in photo shops).
- 🌀 Soft brush to remove dust from the gaps between the lenses (relevant for Xiaomi 13 Ultra with four cameras).
⚠️ Warning: Never blow your mouth on the lens - saliva contains enzymes that corrode the anti-reflective coating. Also avoid cotton cotton cotton or paper wipes: they leave microfibers behind.
If the focus is still floating after cleaning, move on to the next item. And if there are deep scratches on the lens, this is a hardware problem, and you can not do without replacing the glass (cost: 1,500 to 4000 in service). ₽ model-wise).
2. Software failures: when the software is to blame, not the hardware
Operating system MIUI (Or HyperOS on new models, sometimes it crashes, which causes the camera to stop focusing properly:
- 📱 Autofocus works only in some applications (like Google Camera, but not in the standard app).
- 🔄 Focus “curls” when switching between cameras (main / ultra-wide / telephoto).
- ⚡ After updating MIUI The camera stopped focusing at all.
The first thing you need to do is reboot your phone, which sounds trivial, but 25 percent of the time, it solves the problem (Xiaomi support data). If it doesn't work, try:
- Clear the camera app cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Find the Camera (or Mi Camera). Click Clear the cache and Clear the data (Warning: this will reset the camera settings!).
- Update the camera app: Go to Google Play → My apps and games. → If you have an update for the Mi Camera, install it.
Reset the camera settings to factory:
- Open the Camera app.
- Tap on. ⚙️ (gear) → Restore the default settings.
Clear the cache of the “Camera” app"|Reboot the phone|Update MIUI last-minute|Reset the camera settings|Try a third-party app (Google Camera)-->
If the problem occurs after the update MIUI, Try to roll back to the previous version (instruction below). and if the camera isn't focused on just one app (like Instagram or TikTok), clear that app's cache or reinstall it.
3. Camera Settings Wrong: What You May Have Missed
Sometimes the problem lies in incorrect settings that the user accidentally changed.
- 📏 Macro mode is on all the time (relevant to Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ newer).
- 🔍 Manual focus fixed on near/far plane.
- 🎯 The focus point is fixed on one part of the screen.
- 🌓 Night mode or HDR conflict with autofocus.
How to check the settings:
- Open the Camera app.
- Tap on. ⚙️ (And check it out. Focus. → It must be Auto (not Manual or Infinity). → Turn it off if you're not shooting small objects. AF → Choose the Auto or Multi-Zone.
HDR
Night mode.
AI enhancements
| Setting up | Right value | What happens if it's wrong? |
|---|---|---|
| Focus mode. | Auto or Continuous Autofocus | The camera does not refocus when the distance to the object changes. |
| Macro mode | Off. (unless you're shooting close) | Focus "whilts" at a distance of more than 10 cm. |
| Point AF | Auto or Multi-zone | The camera focuses only in the center of the frame. |
| Stabilization | On (unless you remove the tripod) | The trembling of the hand interferes with autofocus. |
If you reset the settings, it's good. If you don't, we'll move on.
💡
On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Mix Fold 3, check the Laser AF setting in the camera menu. If it is turned off, the focus on close objects will be inaccurate.
Hardware problems: when without repairs can not do
If the software methods didn't work, it's probably hardware, and here are the most common hardware malfunctions.
- 💥 Phone impact or fall – even if there are no cracks in the lens, the camera module could shift or the gyroscope could be damaged (responsible for stabilizing the lens).
- 💧 Moisture intrusion - corrosion of contacts or closure on the camera board.
- 🔧 Wear of the autofocus mechanism - over time, springs and guides are erased (relevant for phones older than 2 years).
- 🔌 Camera plume - after disassembling the phone or strong vibration.
How to diagnose:
- Light a flashlight into the lens: if you see dust, moisture or condensate inside, it is a 100% hardware problem.
- Shake the phone: if you hear a knock or rattle, most likely, the camera mount element fell off.
- Try to shoot a video: if the focus is “breathing” (constantly changing for no reason), the gyroscope or distance sensor is to blame.
⚠️ Warning: If your phone falls into water or has been in the rain, don't dry it with a hair dryer or battery, it will speed up corrosion.
The cost of repair in the official service Xiaomi:
- 🔧 Replacement of lens glass: 1,500–3,000 ₽.
- 📸 Camera module replacement: 3,000–8,000 ₽ (model-wise).
- 💧 Moisture cleansing: 2,000–4,000 ₽.
- 🔌 Peeling of the plume: 1,500–3,500 ₽.
On models with optical stabilization (for example, Xiaomi) 12S Ultra repairs will cost more - up to 12 000 ₽, as calibration of the mechanism is required.
How to check if laser autofocus is working?
5.Firmware issues: when to blame for the update MIUI
Sometimes after the update MIUI or the HyperOS camera starts to "glut:
- 🐛 Firmware bug (especially relevant for betta versions).
- 🔄 Conflict with user settings (for example, after manually changing the camera configs).
- 📱 Incompatible with modified firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
How to fix it:
- Reverse to the previous version MIUI: Download the old firmware from en.miui.com. Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system. → Select a firmware file.
- Reset your phone to factory settings: Back up your data! go to Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and Reset. Select Resetting.
Install an alternative camera app:
- Try Google Camera (GCam) with support for your model.
- Or Open Camera from Google Play.
⚠️ Note: If you have installed custom recavers (for example, TWRP) or rooted the phone, updating through the standard menu can lead to a brick (breakdown of the phone.
For models POCO F4 GT, Xiaomi 12 Pro and later have special fixes for the camera from the community of developers. XDA Developers or 4PDA.
💡
If the camera stopped focusing immediately after the update MIUI, 80% of the time, a rollback to the previous version or resetting settings helps.
6. Conflict with other applications
Sometimes the camera refuses to focus because of a conflict with other programs that use it in the background.
- 📷 Video applications (such as CapCut or InShot).
- 🔒 Antiviruses or optimizers (e.g. Clean Master or 360 Security).
- 🎮 Games with camera access (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire for Face Scanning).
- 🔍 Annexes for AR (For example, Google Lens or Snapchat).
How to check:
- Close all applications through Recent Tasks (swipe up).
- Go to Settings. → Annexes → Rights of annexes → Camera.
- Turn off camera access for all applications except the standard one.
- Reboot your phone and check the focus.
If the camera is up, turn on the other apps to find the culprit, and Chinese optimizers and antiviruses often cause problems by blocking the camera’s processes as “suspicious.”
Also check the power saving mode: if it's on, the system may limit the camera's performance. → Battery and productivity → Energy saving regime.
7. Diagnostics by phone model: what is typical for your Xiaomi
Xiaomi's different lineups have their own camera diseases, and the most common ones are:
| Model | Typical problem | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Poor focusing in macro mode | Clean the lens of the macro camera (it is separate, small). |
| POCO X3/X4/X5 | Autofocus “wilters” when shooting video | Turn off video stabilization in the camera settings. |
| Xiaomi 11/12/13 | Laser autofocus is not working. | Check the Laser settings. AF camera-room. |
| Mix Fold 2/3 | Blurrency on the main camera | Calibration of the camera in the service (can not be corrected by yourself). |
| Black Shark 4/5 | The camera doesn't focus in games | Turn off the Game mode in the notification curtain. |
For the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Mix Fold 3, there is a separate problem: the camera overheats, because of the powerful processors (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) and the multi-module system, the camera can stop focusing during long shooting.
- 📉 Close all background applications.
- 🌡️ Let the phone cool down (put it in the shade for 10-15 minutes).
- 🔋 Turn off Fast Charging during shooting.
If your model is not in the table, write in the comments - we will add information!
8.When to contact the service: checklist before the visit
If you've tried everything in this article, but the camera is still not focused, it's time to get your phone repaired.
The camera does not focus on any application|The problem occurred after physical exposure (impact, water)|Cleaning the lens and resetting the settings did not help|The phone makes an error: "I failed to connect to the camera"|Focus works, but the image is blurry even after manual adjustment-->
If you have one point in common, go to the service, and in order not to run into unscrupulous masters, remember:
- 🔧 Xiaomi’s official service gives a warranty for repairs (but more expensive by 20-30%).
Average prices for camera repairs in Moscow (2026):
- 🔌 Repair of the plume: 1,500–4,000 ₽.
⚠️ Warning: If you're asked to "swipe the camera" instead of replacing the module, it's a scam!
On Xiaomi models with liquid cooling system (for example, POCO F5 Pro or Xiaomi 13T Pro) camera repair can take longer - up to 3-5 days, as it requires a complete disassembly of the phone.