The wallpaper carousel is one of the features of MIUI firmware that allows you to automatically change the background of the desktop on a schedule or depending on the time of day. But what if this feature suddenly stopped working? You install new wallpapers and they do not replace each other, or the carousel disappeared from the settings? The problem is found on models from Redmi Note 10 to flagship Xiaomi 14, and its causes can be due to system failures and incorrect settings.
In this article, we will analyze all possible reasons why the wallpaper carousel stopped functioning, from the banal shutdown of the function in the settings to deep failures in the work. MIUI. You will receive step-by-step instructions for each situation, including how to recover through resetting settings, clearing the cache and even manually editing configuration files (for advanced users). MIUI 14/15, Where the logic of the carousel has changed.
If you've tried to reboot your phone and update your firmware, but nothing has worked, don't rush to reset your device to factory settings. 80 percent of the time, you can fix the problem without drastic measures, and we'll show you how.
1. Check the basic settings of the wallpaper carousel
Before you go down on a system failure, make sure that the wallpaper carousel function is on and configured correctly. In the latest versions of MIUI (starting with 12.5), the algorithm has changed, and many users simply don’t notice the new menu items.
Open Settings → Wallpaper → Wallpaper carousel. The following options should be available here:
- 🔄 Autoshift is the main switch of the function. If it's gray, the carousel is disabled.
- ⏰ Shift interval - refresh rate (1 minute to 24 hours) MIUI 14+ Adaptive change mode added by time of day.
- 📁 Wallpaper source – the choice between standard wallpaper uploaded by a user or Xiaomi Themes service.
- 🔒 Lock on the lock screen – an option that allows you to synchronize wallpaper on the main screen and lock screen.
If the item Carousel wallpaper in the menu is not at all, it can mean:
- 📱 You have a simplified version. MIUI (for example, MIUI Lite for budget models like Redmi A1), where the function is disabled at the firmware level.
- 🔄 The phone operates in energy saving mode, which blocks background processes (including changing wallpapers).
- 🛠️ There was a failure in the system application com.android.themes, responsible for wallpaper.
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On some models (e.g. POCO X5), the wallpaper carousel is hidden in the Settings menu → Screen → Additional → Wallpaper. scroll through all sections carefully!
2. Conflicts with energy saving and optimization regimes
MIUI is known for aggressively optimizing background processes, and the wallpaper carousel is no exception. If your Xiaomi has power saving on or Background Restriction activated, the system can block automatic wallpaper changes to "save charge."
How to check and correct:
- Turn off Power Saving Mode: Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Energy Saving Mode. Select Performance Mode or Balanced Mode. Make sure the Super Power Saving slider is off.
Exclude the Wallpaper app from optimization
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the Wallpaper app (or Themes) and tap it.
- Choose the Battery. → No restrictions.
- Activate the Auto Start option (if any).
Failures in the system application "Wallpaper"
If the basic settings are fine but the carousel is still down, the problem may be a failure of the com.android.themes (or com.miui.home for launcher) system application, most often after:
- 🔄 Firmware updates (especially dirty updates without resetting).
- 🧹 Clearing cache through third-party utilities (e.g. Clean Master).
- 📱 Install custom themes from Xiaomi Themes Store.
Wallpapers folder exists in DCIM or Pictures
There are at least 3 wallpapers in the folder (for the test)
Wallpaper in JPG/PNG format (not RAW or HEIC)
The "Wallpaper" app is granted storage rights
Free more than 1 GB of internal memory
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5. Conflicts with launcher and third-party topics
If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher, Apex) or custom themes from the Xiaomi Themes Store, they can block the carousel from running.
- 🎨 Some themes redefine standard wallpaper and disable their automatic change.
- 🏠 Third-party launchers do not support the function of the carousel MIUI (It only works with standard MIUI Launcher).
- 🔄 After installing the theme, the system file could be reset wallpaper_config.xml.