Why screenshot on Xiaomi phone doesn’t work: a full analysis of the causes and solutions

It should be easy to take a screenshot on Xiaomi: you pinch the button combination, and you're done. But what if the screen doesn't save, there's a "Can't take a screenshot" error or the phone doesn't respond at all? The problem is found on models from the Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and there are dozens of reasons for it, from a banal lack of memory to serious failures in the MIUI firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why the screenshot on Xiaomi doesn’t work, from hardware malfunctions to hidden system settings. You’ll learn how to diagnose the problem, which settings to check first, and what to do if standard methods don’t work. And for owners of older models (such as the Redmi 4X or Mi A1), we’ll separately look at the nuances associated with outdated versions of Android.

Important: Some solutions require superuser rights (root) or firmware rollbacks — these are the methods marked with warnings. If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the Xiaomi service center.

1. Checking the underlying causes: buttons, memory, modes

Start with the simplest. Often the problem is not a system failure, but a mechanical or software detail that users overlook.

• 🔑 Are the buttons pinched correctly? On most Xiaomi, the screenshot is taken by a combination of Volume Down. + Power: Hold them at once for 1-2 seconds, no longer, otherwise the phone may reboot, POCO F5) An alternative combination of volume up is working. + Nutrition.
• 📱 Does the touch screen work? If the display doesn't respond to touch, a screenshot through gestures (three-finger swipe) won't work either. Check if the phone responds to other touches.
• 🗑️ I'm out of memory? MIUI It requires a minimum of 50 to 100 MB of free space to save the screenshot. → Storage and clear the app cache.
• 🔇 Is Do Not Disturb Mode Activated? In some versions MIUI This mode blocks the creation of screenshots. Open the notification curtain and check if it's on.

If none of these things work, move on to the next section, but first make sure that the problem is not physical damage to the buttons — try to take a screenshot through the power menu (click on the power button, select Screenshot in the window that appears).

MIUI failures: system errors and updates

MIUI is Xiaomi's proprietary shell, and it's known for its "surprises." Often screenshots stop working after a firmware update or because of a conflict with installed apps.

• 🔄 Update. MIUI to the latest version. Go to Settings → The phone. → Update. If you have an update, install it. New versions often fix bugs with screenshots.
• 🧹 Clear the system cache. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Show system-based → System system MIUI, Then click "Clear the cache».
• 🛠️ Reset the Special Opportunities settings. Sometimes gestures or accessibility services conflict. Go to Settings → Special facilities → Setting up special capabilities → Reset.
• 📱 Check Safe Mode. Press the power button, hold down Turn off, then select Safe Mode. If the screenshots work, it's the third-party app's fault.

Critical error in MIUI 14.0.3–14.0.5 (2023–2026): on some models (Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T) after the update, the screenshot function disappears due to a failure in the com.miui.screenrecorder service.

3. Application conflict: who prevents screenshots from being taken?

Some programs actively block the creation of screenshots, such as banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff), secure messengers (WhatsApp in incognito mode), or anti-cheat games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact), but sometimes harmless utilities are also to blame.

How to find the culprit:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by installation date (the newest ones on top).
3. Remove suspicious programs (especially optimizers, antiviruses, launchers).
4. Check the screenshots after deleting each.

Top.-5 The apps that most often block screenshots:

⚠️ Note: If you use root rights or custom firmware (like LineageOS), the problem may be in kernel incompatibility. Check logs through adb logcat - look for errors with the ScreenshotManager tag.

Hardware problems: buttons, display, battery

If the software methods didn't work, maybe it's the hardware.

• 🔧 Faulty power or volume buttons, check if they respond to other actions (such as adjusting volume or turning off the phone), if the buttons are stuck or run over and over, repair is required.
• 🔋 Battery discharged or bloated at low charge (less than 5%) MIUI It can block resource-intensive operations, including screenshots, and a bloated battery can push the button plume.
• 📱 A damaged plume of the display. If the screen flashes, artifacts appear, or a part of the display does not respond to touch, the problem may be in the plume.
• 🔌 If the phone was in water (even briefly), the contacts could oxidize, in which case the screenshots can work "once in a row».

How to check the hardware without disassembling the phone:

1. Connect your phone to charge and try to take a screenshot. If it works, it's a battery problem.
2. Use alternative methods (gesture or power menu) if they work, it's the buttons that are to blame.
3. Try taking a screenshot in recovery mode (press Power + Volume up when the phone is off). If it doesn't work there, the problem is definitely the hardware.

⚠️ Note: If the phone fell or got wet, do not try to disassemble it yourself - the risk of damage to the fee. In the service center Xiaomi diagnostics costs 500-1000 rubles, and repair buttons - from 1500 rubles.

5. Hidden MIUI settings: What turns off screenshots?

MIUI hides some settings that may affect screenshots, such as the default Chinese firmware (China ROM) activates screen saving restrictions.

• 🔒 Permissions for Screenshot. Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → System system → Take a screenshot and make sure it has Warehouse and Display rights over other windows.
• 📝 If you use a swipe with three fingers, check if it conflicts with other gestures. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Screenshot gesture.
• 🌐 Regional restrictions: in firmware for China (China) ROM) Screenshots can be blocked because of privacy policy, so you can reflash your phone on Global. ROM.
• 🔄 Background optimization. MIUI aggressively closes the background. Add screenshot to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select applications → Screenshot. → No restrictions.

Some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K40) have a hidden option called Force GPU Rendering, which can break screenshots to turn it off:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option Forced GPU processing and turn it off.
4. Reboot the phone.

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If you have POCO or Black Shark, check your game mode settings (Settings → Special Features → Game Turbo Mode). Sometimes it blocks screenshots in games, but the bug spreads to other apps as well.

6. Alternative ways to take a screenshot if nothing works

If standard methods don't work, use workarounds, some of which require a PC connection, but are guaranteed to work even on dead phones.

• 🖥️ Through ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Connect your phone to your computer, enable Debugging by USB (Settings → For developers) and execute the command: adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png The file will be saved in the root folder of the phone.
• 📱 Google Assistant: Say, "OK, Google, take a screenshot." Works on phones with Google Assistant preinstalled.
• 🔄 Using the Vysor, ApowerMirror app, connect your phone to your PC and take a screenshot from your computer screen.
• 📷 Camera or second phone: The last method is to take a picture of the screen with another device (but the quality will be worse).

For owners of Xiaomi root-rights there is another way – manual copying of the screen buffer:

1. Install Termux or another terminal.
2. Enter commands: su screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
3. Screenshot will be preserved in the gallery.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB If the phone is warranty, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center.

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If screenshots don't work only in a particular application (like a banking or game), the problem isn't with the phone, it's with the security policy of that app. You can't get around the lock without root rights.

7. When to contact the service center?

If you've tried all the methods, but the screenshots still don't work, it's probably more serious than it seems.

• 🔧 The phone fell, got wet or was subjected to mechanical stress.
• 🔋 Battery swollen or phone shuts down when low charge.
• 📱 Screenshots do not work even in recovery mode or through ADB.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI other glitches appeared (hangs, overheating, application errors).
• 🛠️ You suspect problems with the motherboard (the phone does not turn on, does not charge, overheats).

The cost of repairs in official Xiaomi service centers (Moscow, 2026):

Before the service visit:

1. Make a backup copy of the data (if the phone is turned on).
2. Write down the phone model and the MIUI version (Settings → About Phone).
3. Check if the warranty is still valid (it is valid for 12 months on most Xiaomi).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi