Why Xiaomi Redmi itself turns on the screen: reasons and how to fix

Xiaomi Redmi is a reliable device, but even it sometimes behaves strangely. One of the frequent complaints of users: the screen turns on on on itself for no apparent reason. It is annoying, especially at night when the phone is lying next to the bed and suddenly starts to glow. In some cases, the problem can signal serious problems, but most often it is easy to fix yourself.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible causes of a Xiaomi Redmi screen turning on spontaneously, from trivial random touches to sensor or firmware failures, how to diagnose a problem, which settings to check first, and when to contact a service center, and most importantly, get step-by-step instructions to fix each cause.

Possible causes of spontaneous switching on of the screen

Let's start with the most important thing: why does this happen? There may be several reasons, and they fall into two big groups: software (related to settings or software) and hardware (issues with hardware). Let's take a look at each one in detail.

Most often, settings that the user does not even know exist are to blame, such as the activation lift function or the smart assistant may accidentally trigger, but there are more serious cases when the screen turns on due to a damaged plume or a faulty proximity sensor.

1. Accidental touching or pressing buttons

The most common reason is that the phone is in your pocket, bag, or desk, and something is pressing on the screen or buttons, especially for models with touch buttons (such as the Redmi Note 10 or Redmi 9), which can be triggered by light touch.

How do you check? Put your phone on a flat surface with your screen up and watch it. If the screen only turns on when the device is moving (like in your pocket), the problem is that you're just touching it randomly.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a magnetic lock case, it may interfere with the Hall sensor (responsible for closing the case). Try removing the case for a few hours and check if the problem is recurring.

What to do:

• 📱 Turn off touch buttons in settings: Settings → Display. → Navigation buttons → Turn it off (if you use gestures).
• 🔄 Set the screen lock delay to a minimum (5 seconds).
• 🛡️ Use a case without magnets or with a correctly positioned magnetic locker.

2. function "Raise to Wake" (Raise to Wake)

Many Xiaomi Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11, Redmi K50) have a Raise to Wake feature that automatically turns on the screen when you pick up the phone. Sometimes it works falsely - for example, when the device lies on an uneven surface or vibrates.

This feature is useful, but can cause nighttime awakenings if the phone is lying next to the bed and reacts to the slightest vibrations (for example, from passing vehicles outside the window).

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Lift for activation.
2. Turn off the slider.
3. Reboot your phone to make the changes take effect.

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If you don’t want to turn off the feature completely, try reducing the sensitivity of the motion sensor. To do this, install the Sensor Test app from Google Play and check how the accelerometer responds to tilts.

Notifications and active annexes

Some apps (especially instant messengers, social networks, or games) can wake up the screen to show a notification, not only for standard alerts, but also for so-called “high-priority” notifications, which are allowed to show even in “Do Not Disturb” mode.

Most often it's the fault:

• 📧 WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber (if pop-up notifications are enabled).
• 🎮 Games with push notifications (such as Clash of Clans, PUBG Mobile).
• 🛒 Shopping apps (AliExpress, Wildberries) with discount notifications.

How to check and correct:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a suspicious app and turn off the permission to show notifications.
3. Check the Settings → Notifications → Additional and turn off the option of Pop-up notifications.

Failures in the operation of the proximity or illumination sensor

The proximity sensor is responsible for turning off the screen when you hold the phone to your ear, and the light sensor regulates the brightness, and if they don't work properly, the screen can turn on and off chaotically.

Signs of sensor malfunction:

• 🔦 The screen spontaneously goes out and lights up during a conversation.
• 🌓 Brightness changes for no reason (for example, in a dark room suddenly becomes maximum).
• 📱 The phone responds to the approach of the hand, even if it is in the 10-15 screen-wise.

How to check the sensors:

1. Install the Sensor Test or CPU-Z app from Google Play.
2. Run the proximity sensor test: hold your hand to the top of the screen (where the speaker is located). If the values do not change or change randomly, the sensor is defective.
3. Check the light sensor: cover the phone with your hand - the brightness should decrease.

⚠️ Attention: If the proximity sensor is not working, it may be caused by moisture entering the glass or damage to the plume, in which case only repairs at the service center will help.

5. Firmware problems or viruses

Sometimes the screen turns on on by itself due to firmware failures or malware, which is especially true if the problem has occurred after a system update or a suspicious app is installed.

Signs of software failure:

• 🔄 The phone has become slower to work.
• 📱 Unknown apps appear on the menu.
• 🔋 The battery is discharged faster than usual.

What to do:

1. Check your phone for viruses with Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.
2. Remove recently installed applications (especially from unknown sources).
3. Reset the settings to factory: Settings → About phone → Reset settings.
4. If the problem persists, try using the Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool.

Make sure important data is stored in Mi Cloud| Record account logins and passwords | Check that the phone is at least 50% charged | Disable your Google account if the phone is tied to the device-->

Hardware malfunctions: plume, battery, power button

If all the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the hardware, and it's often the culprits.

• 🔌 Damaged display plume (for example, after falling or disassembling the phone).
• 🔋 Bloated battery that presses on internal components.
• 🔘 Sticky power button (can work on its own).

How to diagnose:

• See if the battery is swelling (if the phone has already been disassembled).
• Try to press the power button gently – if it “fails” or is too easily pressed, it must be repaired.
• If the screen flashes or artifacts (strips, spots) appear, the problem is precisely in the plume or matrix.

⚠️ Warning: If the battery is swelling, you can't keep using the phone -- it's dangerous! It can damage the screen or even ignite.

7. Problems with charger or cable

Few people know, but a faulty cable or power supply can cause the screen to turn on spontaneously, which is due to voltage surges or poor contact, which the phone perceives as a wake-up command.

How to check:

• 🔌 Try charging your phone with another cable and power supply.
• 📱 See if the problem recurs when the phone is not connected to the charger.
• 🔋 If the screen is only turned on while charging, the problem is precisely in the cable or adapter.

💡

Use only original or certified Xiaomi cables. Cheap analogues can not only cause failures, but also damage the battery.

When do I contact the service center?

If you’ve tried all the techniques, but the Xiaomi Redmi screen still turns on on on its own, it’s time to contact the experts.

• 🔧 The phone fell or was mechanically damaged.
• 💧 It was a bit of a swelling (even if it was normal).
• 🔋 The battery is swollen or the phone is very hot.
• 📱 The screen flashes, artifacts or stripes appear.

The service center will check:

• The state of the display plume and matrix.
• Sensors and buttons.
• Integrity of the board (for microcracks or oxidation).

The cost of repair depends on the problem:

• Replacement of the plume - from 1,500 ₽.
• Repair of the power button - from 1 000 ₽.
• Replacement of the battery - from 2 000 ₽ (model-wise).

FAQ: Frequent questions about spontaneously turning on screen