When a smartphone display suddenly stops responding to touch or goes out, it always takes you by surprise. For owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices, this becomes a double problem, since many system functions are tied to the MIUI graphical interface. If you watch a black screen, but the device vibrates when you call, or the matrix is covered with characteristic “ink” spots after a fall, you need to act quickly and coolly.
The first thing to do is to assess the nature of the damage: mechanical impact, moisture or software failure require completely different approaches to troubleshooting the problem. In some cases, the problem can be solved by programmatic or temporary measures, in others, a complete replacement of the module will be required.
In this article, we will look at the algorithm of actions from initial diagnosis to complex repairs, learn how to save data from a broken phone, how to check the plume, and whether to try to glue the screen yourself, and we will also look at specific features of MIUI that can help in an emergency.
Primary diagnosis and determination of the type of malfunction
Before you bring a device to a service or order parts, you need to understand what exactly failed: touchscreen, matrix or power controller. Often users confuse these concepts, although repairs in each case will vary in cost and complexity.
If there's an image on the screen, but the phone doesn't respond to touch, it's probably the digitizer, the top layer of glass that's responsible for data entry, and if the backlight is working (the screen is glowing gray or white), but it's not, the matrix or the plume is not working.
The easiest way to do that is to call a device from another number, and if you hear the beep but the screen is black and it doesn't light up, it's a display problem, and if the phone turns on, vibrates, but the screen is silent, it can be either a plume break or a controller fails.
⚠️ Warning: If the device starts to heat up in the camera or speaker area after the fall, immediately remove the battery (if possible) or try to discharge the battery.
Diagnosing a software failure is also important, because sometimes the system just freezes during the boot phase, giving the illusion of a broken screen, and forced reboots often help distinguish between "software" and "hardware."
Software methods of recovery and reboot
Many of the problems with Xiaomi's display are solved by a banal system reboot. Glitches of the MIUI shell can block the operation of the screen drivers. To force a restart, you need to press the power button for 10-15 seconds.
If the screen is partially working or reacting to light, try entering Recovery mode, which will let you know if the display is low, regardless of the main operating system. To enter, press the power button and the volume button at the same time.
☑️ Actions when getting stuck
In the Recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons and the power button is the choice, so if the screen is sharp and bright in this mode, then the matrix and touch screen are physically intact, and the problem lies in the software or application conflict.
It is also worth trying to connect the smartphone to the computer through USB-If the PC makes the sound of the device's connection, it means the motherboard is functional, and in this case, you can try to use utilities to control the phone from the PC, for example, Mi. PC Suite or third-party analogues like Scrcpy, if the phone previously included debugging USB.
How to save data from a broken screen Xiaomi
The most painful thing about a break is to save photos and contacts, and if the touchscreen doesn't work, but the image is there, the most effective solution is to connect a USB-OTG adapter, which will allow you to connect a normal computer mouse to a smartphone.
Xiaomi's current devices support OTG out of the box, and once you plug in your mouse, you'll see a cursor on your screen, which can unlock your phone, copy files to the cloud, or flip them onto a flash drive.
What to do if the OTG does not work?
If the screen is black, but the phone is making sounds and is determined by the computer, you can try backing up through the command line. ADB. This will require developer rights that must be activated in advance. adb backup command -all Create a full backup of the data.
Mi Account holders can use cloud.mi.com. If sync is enabled, your contacts, SMS and photos are already saved on the company’s servers and are accessible from any browser.
Testing of the display and sensor in the engineering menu
To make a precise diagnosis, engineers use a custom CIT (Customer Information Test) menu that can be accessed by dialing ##6484## in the Phone app, and if the touchscreen is partially working, this method will allow each pixel and sensor area to be checked.
In the CIT menu, select the item associated with TouchPanel or Display. The system will suggest that you swipe your finger across all squares of the grid. If a sector does not stain or reacts with a delay, this indicates a physical sensor defect in that area.
| Test | Description | PASS's result. | The result FAIL |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCD Display | Checking colors and broken pixels | Uniform color, no spots. | Stripes, flickering, black dots |
| TouchPanel | Testing of touch response | All zones react instantly. | There are “dead” zones or false positives. |
| Vibrator | Vibrator check | You feel vibration. | No reaction. |
If the tests show errors but the screen is intact, the problem may be in the plume, sometimes gently (when the phone is off!) reconnect the display connector to the motherboard to eliminate the oxidation contact.
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Use Black Screen mode in CIT tests to check for lights. In total darkness, backlight defects are best seen.
Mouse Mode and other MIUI life hacks
Newer versions of the MIUI and HyperOS have a built-in feature specifically designed for such cases, called Mouse Mode, which allows you to control your phone with a connected mouse even without unlocking the screen (in some versions).
To activate this feature without accessing the screen, you can use the voice assistant Google Assistant or Si Xiao Ai if they are configured. Say "Enable mouse mode" (or similar command), and the cursor will appear on the screen.
This method is ideal for temporary use of a smartphone before you buy a new display, so you can type messages, flip through tape and even watch videos while controlling your cursor.
It is worth noting that the mouse mode consumes more energy, as it constantly polls. USB-So keeping the adapter connected is not recommended.
Replacement of the display: self-repair or service
If the software methods didn’t work, there is a physical replacement. Xiaomi screens come in two types: framed and non-framed. Frame modules are easier to replace, since you don’t have to separate the old broken screen from the body, which reduces the risk of damage to other components.
To replace yourself, you will need a dryer (or heating plate), a sucker, thin mediators, a set of screwdrivers and a special glue B-7000 or T-8000.
⚠️ Warning: When heating the back cover to remove, be careful.In modern Xiaomi models, the battery is located right under the lid, and overheating can cause it to bloat or catch fire.
If you are not sure about your abilities, it is better to contact an authorized service. Using non-original spare parts (copies of OLED or cheap IPS) can lead to rapid battery consumption and incorrect operation of the fingerprint scanner, which is often built into the display.
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The original display always has the manufacturer logo (Samsung, Tianma, Ebbg) on the plume and a protective film with a protective film with a stain on it. QR-calibration.
After replacing a new part, it is strongly recommended to calibrate the sensor. To do this, in the engineering menu or through special applications (for example, Touchscreen Calibration), conduct the reset procedure and new sensitivity settings.