Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners notice that a barely noticeable pulse or flicker appears on the locked screen of the device, a heartbeat-like effect most often associated with an ultrasonic or optical fingerprint scanner that tries to wake the display when it detects a touch. Although the feature is designed to improve the user experience by providing instant unlocking, in practice it can be annoying, especially in the dark, or cause increased battery consumption.
The solution to this problem depends on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, as well as on the specific model of your Redmi Note. In some cases, the pulsation is the normal behavior of the system, in others - the result of specific interface settings. To restore comfort when using the gadget and save the screen from unnecessary visual effects, you need to consistently check several menu sections. Below we will discuss in detail all possible ways to eliminate this anomaly.
The nature of the pulsation on a locked screen
Before you start settings, it is important to understand the technical side of the issue. A pulsating glowing circle or flicker at the bottom of the screen is an indicator of the readiness of the fingerprint scanner. In Xiaomi smartphones, where the sensor is built directly into the display, the system constantly polls the scanning area for the presence of a finger. When activated, the screen is always on (AOD) or “Wake up” function, this effect becomes more noticeable.
The frequency and intensity of the pulsation can vary depending on the energy-saving algorithms. If you see a circle appearing, then disappearing, this means that the smartphone processor puts the biometric module into sleep mode and wakes it up by a timer or proximity sensor. On Redmi Note models with AMOLED matrices, this looks especially bright because of the high contrast of black.
Sometimes, the ripples can be caused not only by regular features, but also by third-party applications. Some launchers or weather widgets may request access to the lock screen, causing it to turn on periodically, and it is worth considering that older versions of MIUI firmware have encountered software bugs in which the sensor incorrectly reacted to static electricity in the pocket.
Technical details of the scanner
Disabling the fingerprint scanner indicator through settings
The most obvious and effective way to remove the intrusive glow is to turn off the scanner icon on the screen that is off, and this won't turn off the unlock function itself, but it will remove the visual marker that is often confused with the pulse, and you'll need access to the biometric protection section to do this.
Go to the main settings menu of your device. Find the security and passwords item. Depending on the shell version, the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same for all Xiaomi models. You need to find the settings associated with fingerprint unlock.
Perform the following actions consistently:
- 👉 Open Settings and select Passwords and Security.
- 👉 Go to the Unlock by fingerprint menu and enter your pin code.
- 👉 Find the switch Show the icon on the lock screen and deactivate it.
- 👉 If there is an Unlock animation item, also try to disable it for complete elimination of effects.
Once these actions are done, the visual circle that was pulsating in anticipation of touch should disappear. The lock screen will become static, which is especially important for users who appreciate minimalism. However, if the pulsation remains, it may be due to other system functions, such as notifications or Always On Display.
☑️ Verification of biometric settings
Manage Always On Display and Notifications
Often users take the Always On Display (AOD) function as a “pulse,” which does not go out completely, but displays the time, date, and icons of notifications, and on some design themes, these elements can be animated to create a breath or ripple effect, especially when a new message arrives.
To check if AOD is the source of the problem, go to the screen settings, where you can turn off the function completely or adjust the schedule, for example, you can set the display only for 10 seconds after touching, which will eliminate constant pulsation in your pocket or on the table.
Also worth paying attention to is the notification settings: Light display or flashing of the screen when incoming calls can simulate the beat.
- 🔔 Go to Settings. → Lock screen.
- 🔔 Find Time Format or Watch Style – Some Styles Have Live Animation.
- 🔔 Check the Notifications and Status Line section for flashing events.
💡
Use black wallpaper for the lock screen. On AMOLED screens, black means the pixels are off, making any pulsation less noticeable and saving battery life.
Comparison of methods of disabling visual effects
So to make it easier to choose the best solution, we've developed a comparison table that will help you understand which method is best for your situation, whether it's to save battery or just remove visual noise.
| Method | Impact on the battery | Difficulty setting up | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabling the scanner icon | Low. | Minimum | Tall (clears the circle) |
| Setting up the AOD | Average. | Medium | High (removes background) |
| Dark subject matter | High (savings) | Minimum | Medium (masking effect) |
| Resetting settings | No. | Tall. | Maximum (if bug) |
As you can see from the table, the most effective and safe method is to pinpoint the scanner icon, which does not require deep intervention and is reversible at any time. More radical measures, such as reset, should only be applied if a software failure causes uncontrollable screen behavior.
💡
Combining disabling the scanner icon and setting the AOD schedule gives 100% results in eliminating ripples on 95% of Xiaomi devices.
Additional interface and themes settings
Sometimes the problem is not with the system settings, but with the set theme. Third-party themes downloaded from the MIUI Themes store may contain their own lock screen scripts that conflict with the standard system functions, in which case the ripples may be part of the theme’s design idea.
Try temporarily switching to a standard Classic or Default theme, and if the ripples have disappeared after the change, it means it was a third-party theme code, and you can look for alternative themes marked "No AOD" or "Minimal" that do not use active elements on the locked screen.
Also check the special settings. Advanced Settings → Special Options can activate features for the visually impaired that highlight interface elements. Make sure items like Color Inversion or Touch Allocation are turned off if you are not using them.
⚠️ Warning: Installing themes from unknown sources can lead not only to visual bugs, but also to unstable system operation. If after installing the theme, the phone starts to warm or discharge quickly, delete it immediately.
Diagnostics of hardware problems and resetting settings
If the software didn't work and the pulsation remained, it could be a hardware problem, with some Redmi Note models having a defect in the display plume that caused the pixels at the bottom of the screen to glow chaoticly, often accompanied by colored stripes or artifacts.
To avoid software conflicts, you can reset your screen settings. Please note that this action will return all display, brightness and timeout settings to factory values, but will not affect your personal data (photos, contacts).
The procedure for resetting screen parameters:
- 🛠 Go to Settings. → Advanced settings.
- 🛠 Choose Recovery and Reset.
- 🛠 Find Reset all settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
- 🛠 Confirm the operation and wait for the device to restart.
If the pulse persists after reset and has the character of an uneven glow ("clouding" or lights), it is recommended to contact an authorized service center. This may be a sign of an incipient detachment of the matrix or a problem with the screen power controller.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble your smartphone yourself to check plumes unless you have experience.The screens in the Redmi Note are glued and a sloppy autopsy is guaranteed to damage the matrix.
How to check the screen for broken pixels?
Prevention and optimization of the display
To avoid such situations in the future and extend the life of your Xiaomi display, it is recommended to adhere to simple rules of operation. Regular system updates allow developers to fix bugs associated with screen control and sensors.
Try not to leave your phone on for long periods of time unless you need to. Using static images on the screensaver also reduces the risk of pixel burnout, which is especially true for AMOLED arrays used in most Redmi Note models.
Check the list of running applications regularly. Background processes that constantly wake up the screen can not only cause pulsation, but also significantly reduce battery life. Use the built-in Security tool to clean up memory and optimize the system.