The sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 does not work: 7 ways to return to work

Why does the sensor on the Redmi Note 8 stop working?

If your Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 screen suddenly stops responding to touch, don’t panic. This problem is more common than it seems, and in 80% of cases it can be solved without going to the service center. The causes of a touchscreen malfunction fall into two categories: software failures (firmware glitches, application conflicts) and hardware failures (damage to the plume, cracks in the glass, factory defect).

The Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) is particularly vulnerable to sensor problems due to its design features: the thin plume of the display is often rubbed with frequent lid openings, and the budget build makes the screen sensitive to impacts. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes, from banal screen contamination to serious damage to the motherboard, and give step-by-step instructions for restoring operability.

Before you start the repair, answer two questions:

1. Are there physical damages on the screen (cracks, chips, dents)?
2. Does the phone respond to other types of input (volume buttons, power buttons, connection by USB)?

The answers will help narrow down the possible causes and save time.

1. Diagnostics of the problem: how to understand what exactly broke

The first step is to determine whether the problem is related to the touchscreen layer (touchscreen) or the display (matrix).

• 🔍 Check the response to touch: try to swipe your finger across the screen. If there is an image, but the phone does not respond, the problem is in the sensor or the plume.
• 📱 Put the mouse on. OTG: If the mouse cursor moves, and touching the finger is ignored – the touchscreen is to blame.
• 🔄 Restart your phone: sometimes the sensor freezes because of a temporary failure. + Increase volume by 10 seconds.
• 🔊 Check the sound signals: when you touch the screen, some firmware can hear a click. If there is a sound but no reaction, the problem is the software.

If the screen is completely black, but the phone vibrates when it's turned on or charged, it's likely that the display matrix or plume is damaged, and you'll need to disassemble the device.

2. Software solutions: reset, firmware, calibration

If the sensor stopped working after updating the firmware or installing the application, the problem is likely software.

• 🔄 Hard reboot: clamping down on power + Cutting the volume down for 15 to 20 seconds until the phone vibrates.
• 📱 Safe Mode: Hold Power, then press and hold "Switch off" → "Safe Mode. If the sensor is up, it's the third-party app's fault.
• ⚙️ Resetting settings: go to Settings → The phone. → Reset settings. on Redmi Note 8 reset via Recovery menu (Power) + Vol+) Often restores the sensor even if the screen does not respond to touch.

If standard methods don’t work, try reflashing your phone via Fastboot or Recovery:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 8 (code ginkgo) from the Xiaomi website.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume Reduction).
4. Select the firmware file and press Flash.

Download firmware for the Ginkgo model

Install Qualcomm drivers on PC

Charge your phone at least 50%

Disable the antivirus (can block the Mi Flash Tool)

Prepare. USB-cable (preferably original)

-->

Calibration of the sensor sometimes helps if the touches are not recorded accurately.

1. Enter the code ##6484##.
2. Select "Test Touch" and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. If the menu is not available, use the Touchscreen Calibration app from the Play Market (required) OTG-mouse).

💡

If the phone does not respond to touch, but turns on, connect OTG-cable with mouse - this will allow you to control the device and perform a reset or firmware.

Hardware malfunctions: plume, connector, matrix

If the software methods didn't work, the problem lies in the physical damage.

• 🔌 Display plume: thin and fragile, often rubbed when opening the lid or falling.
• 📱 The connector on the motherboard: oxidized or departed during impacts.
• 💥 Touch layer: cracks even with minor mechanical effects.
• 🔋 Battery: Bloating can press on the plume, causing loss of contact.

If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to the service, but if you want, you can try self-repair.

1. Remove the back cover (use a plastic spatula to avoid damaging the clips).
2. Turn off the battery (required!), then disconnect the display plume.
3. Check the plume for ruptures or oxidation. Rub the contacts with alcohol.
4. Make sure the plug on the board is intact. If necessary, bend the contacts.

If the plume or sensor is physically damaged, they will have to be replaced. The cost of a new touchscreen for the Redmi Note 8 is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles, the plume is about 500 rubles. It is better to trust the replacement of the matrix to professionals, since soldering equipment is required to disconnect the old screen.

💡

On the Redmi Note 8, the display plume and touchscreen are a single module, so if you have a sensor damaged, you have to change the entire screen, even if the matrix is intact.

Moisture and corrosion: what to do if the phone is wet

Moisture is one of the most common causes of sensor failure, and even if the phone hasn't fallen into the water, condensation or high humidity can cause contact oxidation.

• 💧 The sensor is intermittent (responsive, not responsive).
• 🔥 The phone is warmer than usual.
• 📶 There are "artifacts" on the screen (colored stripes, flickering).
• 🔋 Battery discharges fast.

If your phone is wet, act immediately:

1. Turn off the device and remove it. SIM-card.
2. Wet the moisture with a napkin, do not shake the phone (water can get deeper).
3. Place your phone in a silica gel container (shoe box bags) for 24 to 48 hours.
4. Do not turn on your phone until you make sure it is completely dry.

If the sensor does not work after drying:

• Take the phone apart and check the charge for corrosion (green or white plaque).
• Clean the contacts with isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%).
• Check the moisture indicator (the red dot under the battery) – if it turns red, the warranty is void.

💡

Don't use a hair dryer or microwave to dry! high temperatures can damage the board and battery.

5. Alternative ways to control the telephone

If the sensor is not working, but the phone is turning on, you can temporarily control it using:

• 🖱️ OTG-mice: plug in USB-This will allow you to use your phone almost fully.
• 🎮 Gamepad: Some gamepads (e.g. Xbox) are supported by Redmi Note 8 via Bluetooth.
• 💻 Remote management: install scrcpy (free) on your PC and control your phone from your computer.
• 📱 Voice Assistant: Activate Google Assistant with the voice command “OK, Google".

To connect the mouse:

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (costs about 100-200 rubles).
2. Put the mouse on the phone.
3. The cursor will appear on the screen in 5-10 seconds.

If you need to copy data from your phone:

• Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
• Use it. ADB To access files if the screen is locked: adb pull /sdcard/ path

6. When to contact the service: prices and guarantees

If none of these methods work, you'll have to carry the phone for repairs, and here's the estimated service prices for the Redmi Note 8 (2026):

Before giving the phone to the service:

• 🔍 Check out the workshop reviews (especially on forums, for example, 4PDA).
• 📋 Check whether you have a job guarantee (at least 3 months).
• 💰 Compare prices in 2-3 services. Sometimes it's cheaper to buy a used display module and replace it yourself.
• 📱 Backup your data if your phone is still responding.

💡

In official service centers Xiaomi repair warranty is possible only for mechanical damage not related to the actions of the user (for example, factory defects).

7.Prevention: How to avoid sensor problems in the future

To make the sensor on the Redmi Note 8 last longer:

• 🛡️ Use a screen-protected cover: even a minor impact can damage a fragile plume.
• 🚫 Do not put your phone in your back pocket: an additive on a chair or chair is a common cause of breakdown.
• 💧 Avoid humidity: Do not leave your phone in the bathroom or in the kitchen near a boiling kettle.
• 🔋 Do not use your phone on charging: overheating can damage the glue that fixes the plume.
• 📱 Regularly update the firmware: in new versions MIUI Corrected bugs associated with the touch screen.

If you drop your phone frequently, consider buying a shock-absorbing layer protective glass (like Spigen Glas.tR). EZ It reduces the load on the sensor when impacted.

It is also useful to periodically check the condition of the plume.

1. Remove the back cover (carefully so as not to damage the clips).
2. See if the plume is moving away from the connector on the board.
3. If you notice that the plume begins to “get out” – fix it with tape (temporary solution).

💡

On the Redmi Note 8, the display plume is the most vulnerable, and even a slight shift can cause a loss of sensor signal.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)