Blurring thumbnails on Xiaomi devices: what it means and how to get clarity back

Have you noticed that on your Xiaomi — whether it’s a smartphone, TV or tablet — the thumbnails of apps, videos or photos suddenly become blurry? This is a common problem that users of brand devices face, especially after firmware updates or a launcher change. In most cases, blurring is not due to physical defects in the screen, but is a software glitch or a feature of the system.

In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of blurring thumbnails - from basic display settings to hidden parameters. MIUI, And we'll also provide step-by-step solutions for each case, and you'll learn how to distinguish software blur from hardware problems, what settings affect display quality, and what to do if standard methods don't work. AMOLED-screens and TVs on Android TV, where the problem is most often.

What is the blurring of miniatures and how it manifests itself

By “blurring thumbnails,” Xiaomi users typically mean loss of clarity in app icons, gallery previews, sketches of photos or even interface elements, which can manifest in different ways:

• 🔍 App icons look "lubricated" as if they've been reduced and then stretched back.
• 📸 The gallery’s previews lose detail, although the original remains clear when opened.
• 🎬 Video covers in a player or YouTube are displayed with artifacts or low resolution.
• 📱 UI elements (such as widgets or notifications) appear blurred only in certain menus.

It is important to distinguish software blur from hardware problems. If blurring is only seen in thumbnails, and the rest of the content (text, video when playing, games) is clearly displayed, it is a matter of settings or software failure. If the entire screen has lost sharpness, this may indicate a malfunction of the matrix or GPU.

On Xiaomi devices, thumbnail blur is often associated with:

• 🤖 Compression algorithms in MIUI/HyperOS, Reduce the quality of previews to save resources.
• 🔄 Cache failures after updating the firmware or installing a new launcher.
• 🎨 Incorrect scaling settings (DPI) screen-resolution.
• 🖥️ GPU driver errors, especially on devices with MediaTek processors.

The main reasons for blurring miniatures on Xiaomi

To effectively fix a problem, you need to understand the root of it, and we've collected all the possible reasons why thumbnails on your device might look fuzzy, from the obvious to the hidden.

1. Compression algorithms MIUI/HyperOS

Xiaomi is actively using optimization technologies to save RAM and battery power, one of which is dynamic compression of previews.

• 📉 The device operates in energy saving mode.
• 🧠 Over 70% of RAM is loaded.
• 🔋 Battery level below 20%.

It's not a bug, it's a feature, but it can be turned off (more on this below). Most often, compression is noticeable on budget models (Redmi). 9A, POCO M3) or AMOLED-Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), Where the system is more aggressive in managing resources.

2.Cache failures of the launcher or gallery

The launcher and the Gallery app store thumbnails in cache, and if that cache is damaged, the system can display a low-resolution preview or artifacts.

• 🔄 After updating MIUI/HyperOS.
• 📱 When changing the launcher (for example, with the MIUI Launcher on Nova Launcher).
• 🗑️ After manually cleaning the memory through Settings → Memory.

3. Incorrect display settings

Xiaomi has hidden and explicit parameters that affect the display of thumbnails:

• 🔍 Screen size (DPI): If the value is too high or low, the icons and previews may blur.
• 🎨 Color profile: Modes like “Saturated” or “Warm” sometimes distort thumbnails.
• 🖥️ Screen resolution: on Mi TVs TV Automatic scaling can reduce clarity.

4. Graphics driver errors

On devices with MediaTek processors (Redmi Note 10, POCO X3 Pro or Qualcomm (Xiaomi) 11T, Black Shark) sometimes crashes in the work of the graphics accelerator Adreno or Mali:

• 🎮 Blurring only in games or heavy applications (e.g. Genshin Impact).
• 📱 Artifacts when scrolling the desktop.
• 🔄 Disappearance of the problem after restart (temporarily).

5. Damage to system files

If the blur appeared after a failed update, manual intervention in system files (for example, through the ADB) Or a custom firmware installation, the fault may be:

• 📂 The damaged file framework-res.apk (responsible for displaying icons).
• 🔧 Wrong permissions in the folder /system/media/theme.
• 🖼️ Removal of standard design themes.

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If blurring only appears in certain applications (for example, in YouTube or a gallery), the problem is more likely in the cache of these programs than in the system settings.

How to eliminate the blur of miniatures: step-by-step instructions

Here's an algorithm for how to go from simple to complex solutions, and start with the first one and move on to the next one if the problem doesn't go away.

1. Reboot the device

It sounds trivial, but in 30% of cases, the blurring of thumbnails on Xiaomi disappears after a normal reboot.

• 🔄 RAM is cleared and the system recalculates the preview cache.
• 🖥️ Reset temporary errors of the graphics driver.

How to reboot correctly:

1. Press the power button for 2-3 seconds.
2. Select “Reboot” (not “Switch off!”).
3. Wait 1-2 minutes before turning on.

2.Cleaning the launcher and gallery cache

If the reboot doesn't work, the next step is to clean up the cache of the system applications. This is secure and won't delete your data.

For smartphones:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the launcher (or MIUI Launcher).
3. Select "Storage» → «Clear the cache».
4. Repeat for the Gallery and Media Store app.

For Mi TVs:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Installed Applications.
2. Find Launcher and Media Center.
3. Select “Clear Data” (this will reset the launcher settings!).

Backup of important data

Close all applications

Connect the device to charging (for smartphones)

Check the vacant space (needs at least 500 MB)-->

3.Resetting launcher settings

If cleaning the cache didn't work, try resetting the launcher to the factory settings, which will return the standard look of the icons and eliminate possible zooming errors.

Instructions:

1. Clutch the empty area on the desktop.
2. Select “Desktop Settings” (or “Start-up Settings”).
3. Find the option “Reset settings” or “Restore by default”.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

In some models (POCO F3, Xiaomi 11T) This item may be in the settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Display size.

4. Screen size check (DPI)

Incorrect pixel density settings (DPI) — By default, the system sets the optimal value, but it can get lost after an update or manual changes.

How to check and correct:

1. Open the Settings. → Screen. → Display size.
2. Make sure the slider is on “Default” or “Standard”.
3. If it's changed before DPI through ADB or third-party applications, return the value to the standard: adb shell wm density reset

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On Mi TVs. TV Check the scaling settings in Settings → Display and sound → Screen resolution. Select "Auto" or "Recommended».

5. Disconnection of energy-saving regimes

Battery or Super Energy Saving modes in MIUI/HyperOS They aggressively optimize the processor and graphics, which can blur thumbnails:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select the “Performance” or “Balanced” mode.
3. Turn off the option “Optimize charging” (if enabled).

For TVs:

1. Open the Settings. → Energy conservation.
2. Set “Off” or “Adaptive Mode”.

6. Update of firmware and drivers

If the blur appears after the update, check if a new firmware version with fixes has come out (POCO X3 NFC, Redmi Note 9 Pro) helps manual reinstallation of the graphics driver:

1. Check the current version MIUI/HyperOS In Settings → The phone.
2. Download the latest firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
3. Install the update through Settings → System Update.

For TVs:

• 📺 Update the software through Settings → About the device → Updating the system.
• 🔌 If the update doesn’t help, reset to factory settings (see next section).

7. Reset to factory settings

If none of the methods worked, the last option is a complete reset. This will delete all the data, so make a backup first!

For smartphones:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).

For Mi TVs:

1. Open Settings → Device → Reset and Recovery.
2. Select “Resetting Settings” and enter PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).

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After reset, don't restore data from the backup immediately - first check if the blur has disappeared. Sometimes the problem returns along with the old settings.

Specific solutions for different Xiaomi devices

Some Xiaomi models have unique features that affect the display of thumbnails. Let's take a closer look at them.

Mi TVs (all models)

On TVs, blurring thumbnails is often associated with:

• 📺 Incorrect resolution: Set “Recommended” in Settings → Display and sound → Screen resolution.
• 🖼️ Errors in the Media Center app: clear its cache or reinstall it through Settings → Annexes.
• 🔌 Failures HDMI-port (if blurring only when connected to a PC or console): try another cable or port.

If the problem is with video previews (like YouTube or Kodi), check:

• 🎬 Quality settings in the application itself (sometimes previews are loaded in low resolution due to slow internet usage).
• 📶 Connection speed: for Full HD Miniatures need Wi-Fi at a speed of at least 10 Mbit / s.

Smartphones with AMOLED-screen

On devices with AMOLED (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50, POCO F4 GT) The smear may be related to:

• 🎨 Adaptive Brightness: Turn it off in Settings → Screen. → Adaptive brightness.
• 🔄 Regime. DC Dimming (Eliminates flickering, but can affect clarity): disable in Settings → Screen. → Regime. DC Dimming.
• 🖥️ Incorrect color calibration: reset the screen settings to factory.

Some of them. AMOLED-models blur miniatures appears when the mode "Dark theme" is turned on» + «Energy saving. Try turning off one of the modes.

Devices with MediaTek processors

On smartphones with chips MediaTek (Redmi Note 11, POCO M4 Pro) blur is often caused by malfunctions in the Mali-G graphics core:

• 🔄 Restart the device in Safe Mode (press the power button) → «Safe Mode) and see if there's still a problem. If not, it's the third-party app's fault.
• 📱 Update the graphics driver through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Update package (MIUI).
• 🎮 Turn off "Acceleration." GPU» in the developer settings (if enabled).

Mi Pad tablets

On Xiaomi tablets, the thumbnail blur is usually associated with:

• 🖥️ Incorrect scale: set the DPI 220-240 through ADB: adb shell wm density 220
• 📱 Multitasking failures: Clean up the apps you use (swipe up).
• 🔋 Power Saving Mode: Turn it off in Settings → Battery.

What to do if nothing helps

If you’ve tried all the techniques but the thumbnails are still blurry, consider the following steps:

1. Checking hardware problems

In rare cases, blur can be caused by physical defects:

• 🔧 Screen plume damage (most often on smartphones after falls).
• 🖥️ Graphics chip malfunction (manifested as artifacts in all applications).
• 📡 Problems with illumination (on AMOLED-screen).

How to check:

• Connect the device to an external monitor/television HDMI Or Miracast. If the thumbnails are sharp on the outside, the problem is the display of the device.
• Run the screen test via the engineering menu: ##6484## (not working on all models).

2. Contact the service center

If you are sure that the problem is hardware, contact the official Xiaomi service.

• 📋 Write down the device model and firmware version (Settings) → The phone).
• 📸 Take screenshots of blurred thumbnails (click Power) + Volume Down).
• 🔄 Try to reset the device to factory settings (this will be required in the service).

Xiaomi’s official service centers in Russia and the CIS can be found on the website mi.com.

3. Alternative launchers

If the problem is software, but standard methods do not help, try installing a third-party launcher.

• 📱 Nova Launcher (configurable, supports adaptive icons).
• 🎨 Lawnchair (lightweight, open source).
• 🖥️ Microsoft Launcher (works well with Microsoft) AMOLED-screen).

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher from Play Market.
2. Open it and select “Default” when you request it.
3. Reset the device.

💡

After installing an alternative launcher, clear the standard cache through Settings → Annexes → MIUI Launcher → Clear the cache.

4. Firmware rollback

If the blur appeared after the update MIUI/HyperOS, You can try to regress to the previous version. It's a risky move, but sometimes the only way out.

Instructions:

1. Download the old firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the build number to turn on the developer mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “OEM Unlock” and “USB Debugging.”
4. Connect the device to your PC and run the old version through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware rollbacks can lead to a bootloader lock or data loss, only if you are confident in your actions or under the guidance of a specialist.

How to prevent the blurring of miniatures in the future

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these recommendations:

1. Regular update of the software

Install all available updates MIUI/HyperOS. Xiaomi often fixes bugs with display in new versions.How to check:

• 📱 On a smartphone: Settings → Updating the system.
• 📺 On TV: Settings → About the device → Updating the system.

2.Cache control

Clear the launcher and gallery cache every 1-2 months to prevent corrupted preview files from accumulating.

3. Energy saving settings

Avoid using Super Power Saving or Ultra Battery on a regular basis, which severely limits graphics performance.

4. Backup before updates

Before installing major updates:

• 📁 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 📸 Save screenshots of current screen settings.
• 🔋 Charge the device to at least 50%.

Temperature monitoring

Overheating can cause temporary blurring due to trottling.

• 🌡️ Use applications like this. CPU Monitor AIDA64.
• 📵 Do not load the device under direct sunlight.
• 🔄 Clean the case of dust (relevant to TVs).