How to remove the flicker of the screen on the Xiaomi phone: causes and solutions

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones sometimes face an unpleasant problem – a flickering display. This phenomenon can manifest as a subtle jitter of the picture, and sharp jumps in brightness that are very tired of the eyes. In some cases, the screen only flashes at low brightness, and in others – the problem is permanent, making use of the device impossible.

The cause of the defect can be both software and hardware. Often the culprit is a failure in the MIUI shell or driver conflict after a system update. However, physical damage to the plume or the matrix itself cannot be ruled out, especially if the phone falls or is exposed to moisture. Understanding the nature of the malfunction is the first step to successfully fix it.

In this article, we will take a look at all the diagnostic and error correction options available, how to check the display status, adjust the image settings and reset the settings if necessary, and how to proceed consistently to avoid aggravating the situation and pinpoint the source of the problem.

Diagnostics: software failure or matrix breakdown

Before we get into action, we need to identify the type of malfunction, and if the screen flickers randomly, colored stripes or artifacts appear that don't disappear even in safe mode, there's a high probability of hardware failure, and in such a situation, software methods may be useless, and you need to intervene with a service center.

However, if flickering is only observed in certain applications or when a function is enabled DC Dimming, it's probably a software conflict. OLED-The arrays use PWM (pulse-latitudinal modulation) technology to adjust brightness, which can cause eye fatigue in sensitive users.

Run the pixel and touch screen engineering menu, and dial ##6484# in the Phone app. In the CIT menu that opens, select Display or Color. If there are defects when you switch colors or when you display a static image, the problem is hardware.

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Before you start your diagnosis, take a screenshot of the screen, if you see the stripes or flashing on another device, it's a software problem, if the screenshot is clean and the phone flickers, there's a matrix or plume problem.

Setting the refresh rate and screen resolution

One of the common reasons for the unstable work of the image is the system malfunctioning when switching refresh modes. flagship Xiaomi models are often equipped with screens with a frequency of 90 Hz, 120 Hz or even 144 Hz. Dynamic change of this parameter depending on the content sometimes leads to desynchronization.

Try fixing the refresh rate at the maximum value or, conversely, reducing it to the standard 60 Hz. This will help you understand whether the flickering depends on the load on the GPU and display controller. To change the setting, go to the Settings menu → Screen → Screen refresh rate.

Also worth paying attention to is resolution. Some firmware has a resolution reduction feature to save energy, which can cause artifacts. Make sure your model has a native resolution set. Below is a table of standard resolutions for popular series:

Changing these settings requires rebooting the device to apply the changes, and if the flicker stops after fixing the frequency, then the problem lies in the system's energy saving algorithms.

Use of DC Dimming and Anti-Flicker

Owners of smartphones with OLED-And in low brightness, these screens start to turn on and off very quickly, which is perceived as flickering. MIUI function DC Dimming, which changes the principle of brightness regulation.

You can activate this option through the Developer Menu or through the special menu hidden by default. Try to turn on Anti-flicker mode. This is especially true for people with high eye sensitivity. The path to activation is often hidden: go to Settings → Screen → Shimmer Protection.

⚠️ Attention: Initiation of the regime DC Dimming on some older models can cause color rendering changes or black background noise, which is normal for this technology, but it can be noticeable to the naked eye.

If you can't turn on the option using standard methods, you can try activating the hidden menu using the Service and Feedback app. Type "anti-flicker" or "dc-dimming" in the search. ADB-Teams, but it requires a PC connection.

Resetting settings and removing conflicting applications

Often, third-party applications that are not working properly with video drivers are the source of the problem, such as smart wallpapers, weather widgets, memory cleaners or reading apps, and to rule this out, diagnose it in safe mode.

Safe mode only loads Xiaomi system applications. If the screen stops flickering in this mode, then one of the apps you installed is to blame. Delete the recently installed programs one by one, checking the result.

Even if the defect persists in Safe Mode, it makes sense to reset your system settings to factory settings. Be sure to back up your data before doing so, as all files will be deleted. Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase all data.

After reset, take your time to install all the applications at once. Check the clean for a few hours. This will help you know exactly if there was a problem in the software.

Updating or flashing the device

Xiaomi developers regularly release security updates and patches for MIUI, which often contain patches for display errors. Check for updates in the Settings menu → About phone → MIUI version. Sometimes the problem is solved by simply updating to a stable version.

But the reverse is true: once the firmware update is updated, a flicker appears, which can help to roll back to the previous version or switch from global firmware to Chinese (or vice versa), if the region allows, a more radical method is to reflash through Fastboot with full cleaning.

• 📲 Download the latest firmware from the official website miui.com for your model.
• 💻 Use the Mi Flash Tool to install the image via PC.
• 🔄 Select the Clean All mode to completely delete old data and cache.

The flashing process requires care. Breaking the data record can make it impossible to boot the device. Make sure the battery is at least 60 percent charged and the USB cable is working.

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Flashing is an extreme measure of software, and if there is still flickering after a clean installation of the official firmware, the probability of hardware failure is 95%.

Hardware causes and repairs at home

If software methods didn't work, it's probably hardware, and the most common reason is that the display plume is moving away from the motherboard, which often happens after falls, even if there's no external damage to the body, and the vibration on impact could weaken the connector.

To do this, if you have the skills, you can gently open the back cover and reconnect the display plume, and you can also check the plume for clogs or oxidation, and sometimes it helps to clean the contacts with alcohol.

⚠️ Warning: Opening the case automatically deprives you of an official warranty. If the device is warranty, do not try to repair it yourself - take it to an authorized service center.

Another possible cause is the failure of the power controller or the matrix itself. OLED-Shimmering can be a sign of degradation of organic LEDs, especially if the phone has been in use at maximum brightness for a long time. Replacing the matrix is expensive, but often the only effective method of solving the problem.

In some cases, flickering is caused by overheating of the processor. Check if the area of the camera is warming excessively. If so, perhaps the thermal paste has dried or the gasket material has moved away, which requires qualified maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)