Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality and availability, but even they sometimes have situations when the screen goes out prematurely or stops responding to touch. Device owners often face the need to quickly activate the display, but standard methods may not work due to a failure of settings or hardware features of the model. Understanding all the available ways to wake the device will help save time and nerves at a critical moment.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the mechanical, software and hidden methods of display activation. You will learn how to configure Always On Display to constantly display time, how to calibrate the proximity sensor and what to do if the phone “hangs” with a black screen. We will look at solutions for both new flagships and budget models of the Redmi and Poco series.
There are many nuances that affect the operation of backlighting, from the version of the MIUI or HyperOS firmware to the glued protective glass. The main reason for ignoring touches in 80% of cases is an incompatible protective glass that blocks the light sensor. Below are proven algorithms of action that will help restore the normal operation of the interface.
Standard methods of display activation
The most obvious and common way to unlock a smartphone is to use physical control buttons. On most Xiaomi models, the power button is located on the right side of the case. A short tap moves the device from sleep to active mode. If the screen does not light up, the battery may have gone down or a system failure has occurred that requires a forced reboot.
The second popular method is to use a fingerprint scanner, which is built directly into the on button in modern models, which speeds up the unlocking process. On older devices, the scanner can be located on the back. This method requires that the unlock function be pre-configured in the Settings menu → Passwords and Security → Unlock by fingerprint.
The third option is to use the Double Tap feature, which allows you to turn on the screen by tapping your finger twice quickly on the locked display anywhere, which is convenient when the phone is on the table, and you want to quickly check notifications without looking for a button, but it is worth considering that the constant operation of the sensor in the background can slightly increase battery consumption.
- 🔘 Short press of the power button (mechanical method).
- 👆 Fingerprint scanning (biometric method).
- 👆👆 Double tapping on the screen (program method).
- 🗣️ Voice activation command (via Google Assistant).
And don't forget voice control. If you have Google Assistant or Xiao AI set up (for Chinese firmware versions), you can just say "OK, Google" or "Hey Xiao" to activate the screen, which is especially useful when your hands are busy or your phone is at arm's length.
Always on Display and Always-on Retina
The feature is Always on Display (AOD) It allows you to display the time, date and notifications on the screen off without fully activating the matrix. It's not only convenient, it's visually beautiful. AMOLED-screens burn only individual pixels, which practically does not affect autonomy, while on the screens IPS-In matrices, this function may not be available or may work in a limited mode.
To activate this mode, go to the Settings → Lock screen menu (or “Always on screen and lock screen”). Here you can choose the style of the watch, add a signature or adjust the function’s schedule, for example, you can set the display only during the day or 10 seconds after picking up the phone.
⚠️ Always on Display can cause pixels to burn out on old ones AMOLED-It is recommended to use the function on a schedule or activate it only when the device is lifted.
And then there's the "Lock Screen when lifted," which is a smartphone that uses an accelerometer and a gyroscope to detect motion. When you pick up your phone, the sensors send a signal to the system and the screen lights up automatically, and it's one of the most convenient features in the MIUI ecosystem, eliminating the need to look for buttons.
Why is AOD not working on my Xiaomi?
Sensors and their impact on the screen
The top of the smartphone screen is equipped with a set of sensors, including an approach sensor and a light sensor. The proximity sensor is responsible for quenching the screen during a conversation so that the cheek does not press random buttons. If this sensor is contaminated or closed with a dense case, the screen may not turn on when an incoming call or, conversely, do not go out.
In some cases, you need to calibrate the proximity sensor, and you can do this through the engineering menu by typing the code ##6484## in the phone book. In the CIT menu that opens, you need to select "Proximity sensor" and follow the instructions on the screen, closing and opening the top of the device with your hand, which helps eliminate software errors reading.
| Type of sensor | Location. | Function | Problem with failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approximations | Top frame/screen | It blows off the ear screen | Black screen on the call |
| Lighting | Near the camera. | Regulates brightness | spontaneous change of brightness |
| accelerometer | Inside the hull | Defining the position | The car turn doesn't work. |
| Halla. | Inside the hull | Reacts to a magnet. | It's not going out in a bookcase. |
There's also a Hall sensor that responds to magnets in bookcases. If you use one, the phone should automatically turn on the screen when you open the lid and turn off when you close. If that doesn't happen, check for the magnet in the case and the sensor itself.
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If the proximity sensor is not working properly after changing the screen, try clearing the cache of the Phone application or resetting the sensor settings through the engineering menu.
Problems with protective glass and covers
Often, the reason that the screen does not turn on by double tapping or does not go out during a conversation is poor-quality protective glass. Cheap glass models may not have a special cutout for sensors or have a too thick layer of glue at the top, which blocks the infrared radiation of the proximity sensor.
When buying accessories for Xiaomi, it is important to pay attention to the label “Compatible with proximity sensor” or the presence of a black circuit at the top that repeats the design of the original screen. If the sensor stops working after gluing the new glass, it is better to replace the accessory, since it is almost impossible to bypass the physical light locking programmatically.
It's a similar situation with cases: Some tight silicone or leather bumpers can block access to the top of the device, and in these cases, the phone thinks it's in your pocket and blocks random switching ons, ignoring your attempts to wake up the screen.
☑️ Accessories check
What to do if the screen is black and does not respond
A situation where the phone vibrates or makes sounds, but the screen remains black, called "Black Screen of Death," which can be the result of a severe impact, moisture or a critical system failure. First of all, try a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.
If there's a visual response (vibration, sound) but no image, the display plume inside the housing may have gone, in which case a slight tap on the back cover can temporarily restore contact, but this is only a temporary measure, it requires disassembling the device and reconnecting the display plume and battery.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone falls into water, do not attempt to charge it or dry it with a hairdryer.Put the device in a silica gel or rice container and take it to a service center for oxide cleansing.
Sometimes the problem is that the display drivers fail after a failed system update, and then you can go into Recovery mode and try to reset the settings to factory settings, and remember, this will delete all the data from the phone.
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If the screen is black, but the phone is responsive to sounds and vibrations, the problem is most likely hardware (shute, matrix) rather than software.
Setting the time before turning off the screen
To save charge, Xiaomi's battery automatically turns off the screen after a certain time of inactivity. The user can adjust this interval according to his habits. Too short time makes you constantly press the button, too long - consumes energy.
To change the setting, go to Settings → Screen → Sleep mode. 15 seconds to 10 minutes are available. You can also find the “Do not turn off” setting when you connect to the charger, which is convenient when using your phone as a navigator or a desktop clock.
It’s worth noting that some apps, like video players or navigators, can block the screen from turning off automatically while they’re running, a routine behavior of the Android system that prevents screens from quenching while watching a movie or plotting a route.
- ⏱️ 15 seconds for maximum savings.
- ⏱️ 1 minute is the default standard value.
- ⏱️ 5-10 minutes to read or work with the text.
- 🔌 «Do not turn off – only when charging.