Xiaomi’s smartphone screen is one of the most vulnerable parts of the device, and the floating matrix problem is familiar to many brand owners, a term that users typically refer to blurred images, wavy distortions, colored stripes, or self-appearing artifacts on the display.
In this article, we will analyze all possible causes, from software failures to physical damage to the matrix, and also give step-by-step instructions on what to do in each case. 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and flagships Xiaomi 12/13, If your phone is still under warranty, you'll learn how to do it so you don't lose your right to free repairs.
We warn you right away that not all cases can be fixed by themselves, for example, if the matrix is physically damaged (cracks, plume detachment), professional repair will be required, but in 40% of cases the problem is solved by software, more details below.
1. What does the “floating matrix” on Xiaomi look like: symptoms and photos
Before you start repairing, it is important to accurately identify the problem. The floating matrix manifests itself differently depending on the cause.
📌 Blurrency of the image — the contours of icons, text or photos become blurry, as if the smartphone is “drunk”, often accompanied by iridescent divorces at the edges of the screen.
📌 Wavy distortions -- the screen is like it's breathing -- the image is periodically floating in waves, especially when scrolling or heating. AMOLED-matrices in Xiaomi models 11T or Redmi K40.
📌 Colored stripes or spots are vertical/horizontal lines (green, purple, red) that do not disappear when rebooted.
📌 Spontaneous touching – the phone responds to touches that were not there (for example, opens apps or scrolls pages), this can be due to a malfunction in the touch layer.
📌 Artifacts at high brightness -- at maximum lighting, dots, squares, or flickering -- typical of cheap lighting. IPS-Matrices in budget models Redmi 9/10.
If you see at least one of these symptoms, move to the next section - there we will analyze the diagnosis and causes.
Examples of photos with matrix defects
2.7 main causes of the problem: from software failures to physical damage
The causes of the floating matrix fall into two groups: software (fixed without disassembling the phone) and hardware (requiring repairs).
🔹 1. Failure of firmware or display drivers
Often occurs after an update MIUI Or a failed firmware on a Fastboot, or symptoms like blurry, flickering, color misrepresentation, like when you upgrade to a new one. MIUI 14 Some Redmi Note 11 users complained about the "pink hue" of the screen.
🔹 2. overheating of the processor or matrix
If the phone is hotter than 50°C (e.g., during games or charging), the matrix may temporarily float. IPS-Instable operation of the controller in AMOLED. Typical for POCO X3 Pro with Snapdragon 860 processor.
🔹 3.Display plume damage
The plume connects the matrix to the motherboard, and if it's bent, torn, or oxidized, it causes stripes, blurring, or partial shutdown of the screen, and it's often caused by a phone drop or a careless disassembly when you replace the battery.
🔹 4. Detachment of the polarization layer
Symptoms: whitish spots, reduced contrast, oily divorces, flat-screen models (Redmi) are particularly vulnerable. 9A, POCO M3).
🔹 5. pixel burnout (burn-in)
Characteristically AMOLED-Matrices after 2-3 years of use, manifested as permanent shadows from static elements (navigation panels, icons). For example, on the Xiaomi Mi 11 can "imprint" the keyboard or the Netflix logo.
🔹 6. Graphics chip malfunction
If the problem only manifests itself in certain applications (games, videos), it may be the fault of the user. GPU (Adreno 640 in Snapdragon 855. 3D-graphics, twitching of the image.
🔹 7. Marriage of a matrix or factory defect
It is found in new phones (especially in the first batches of models). For example, in Xiaomi 12 Pro there were cases with a green tint of the screen due to poor quality. E4 AMOLED-display from Samsung Display.
💡
If the problem occurs after the phone falls, do not shake it or knock on the case – this can aggravate damage to the plume or matrix.
3. Diagnosis: how to determine the cause without disassembling the phone
Before you carry your phone to the service, do a self-diagnosis, which will save time and money.
🔍 Step 1. Check for software failures
- 📱 Restart your phone in Safe Mode: Press the Power button → long tap on "Switch off» → «Safe Mode. If the problem is gone, it's the third-party app's fault.
- 🔄 Reset the screen settings: Settings → Display. → Colours and style → Reset to factory.
- 📲 Test it in another launcher (like Nova Launcher) and if the artifacts are left, the shell isn't the problem. MIUI.
🔍 Step 2. Check for overheating.
- 🌡️ Install the app AIDA64 Check the temperature of the processor.°C in simple - you need dust cleaning or replacement of thermopaste.
- 🔥 Run a stress test (e.g., Genshin Impact at maximum settings) If the screen is only floating under load, it's overheating.
🔍 Step 3: Physical Injury Test
- 🖥️ Connect your phone to an external monitor USB-C → HDMI. If the monitor picture is clear – the problem in the matrix or plume of the smartphone.
- 📏 Check the screen for pressure: press carefully on different areas of the display. If you press the artifacts change, it's the plume or the detachment of the layers.
🔍 Step 4: Check for burn-in (burnout)
- 🎨 Open a monochromatic image (for example, a clean white background in Google Keep). If you see the shadows from the icons, the matrix burns out.
- 🔴 Use the test in the Screen Test, and select the Burn-in Test, which will show all the damaged pixels.
Restart your phone in safe mode
Check the temperature in AIDA64
Connect to an external monitor
Testing for burn-in
Press the screen to check the plume-->
4. What to do if the matrix floated: 5 working methods
Depending on the cause, the solutions can be software (free) or hardware (require repairs), starting with the simplest methods.
🛠️ Method 1. Resetting screen settings and calibration
Sometimes the problem is that you don't have the right color settings.
- Open the Settings. → Display. → Colours and style.
- Select a standard profile (not “saturated” or “soft”).
- Turn on and off Adaptive Brightness.
- Reboot the phone.
If that doesn’t help, try calibrating the screen through the engineering menu:
##36446337##In the menu, select Display. → Color Test and Watch for Changes.
🛠️ Method 2: Update or roll back firmware
If the problem has occurred after the MIUI update, try:
- 🔄 Reverse to the previous version via Fastboot (instructions for the 4PDA).
- 📥 Install the latest stable firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
- 🐞 Clear the cache: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Clear the cache.
⚠️ Attention: Firmware rollback may cause data loss.Pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
🛠️ Method 3: Repair of a plume or matrix (if hardware problem)
If the diagnosis shows physical damage, you'll need to disassemble the phone.
- 🔧 Replacement of the plume - costs 1,500-3,000 ₽ (For example, for the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the plume will cost in the following model. ~2 000 ₽.
- 📱 Replacement of the matrix - from 5 000 ₽ (for IPS) up to 15,000 ₽ (for AMOLED). Original Matrixes for Xiaomi 13 can cost up to **20,000 ₽.
- 💧 Eliminating detachment – if the problem is in the polarization layer, the master can re-glue it (~3 000 ₽).
🛠️ Method 4: Preventing overheating
If the screen is floating due to high temperature:
- 🧊 Clean your phone from dust (can be blown with compressed air).
- 🔋 Do not use your phone while charging (especially fast).
- 🎮 Limit it. FPS in games through settings → Special facilities → Optimizing games.
- ☀️ Avoid direct sunlight — AMOLED-screens are afraid of overheating.
🛠️ Method 5: Warranty repair (if the phone is new)
If the phone is warranty (up to 12-24 months, depending on the model), contact the official Xiaomi service.
- Check the warranty card (should be undamaged).
- Contact the service center or an official partner (for example, Svyaznoy or M. Video).
💡
If the phone is warranty, DO NOT try to repair it yourself – even replacing the plume in an unofficial service can deprive you of the right to free repairs.
5.How much does the repair cost: a price comparison in 2026
The cost of repair depends on the model of the phone, the type of matrix and the complexity of the work. Below is a table with the current prices for popular Xiaomi devices (according to service centers in Moscow and the regions):
| Model phone | Type of matrix | Replacement of the plume (₽) | Replacement of the matrix (₽) | Eliminating detachment (₽) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11 | AMOLED | 1 800–2 500 | 6 000–8 000 | 2 500–3 500 |
| POCO X3/X4 | IPS LCD | 1 500–2 000 | 4 000–5 500 | 2 000–3 000 |
| Xiaomi 12/13 | E4 AMOLED | 2 500–3 500 | 12 000–18 000 | 4 000–6 000 |
| Redmi 9A/9C | IPS LCD | 1 200–1 800 | 3 500–4 500 | 1 500–2 500 |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra | AMOLED 2K | 3 000–4 000 | 20 000–25 000 | 5 000–7 000 |
⚠️ Note: Prices are not included in the diagnosis (usually ~500–1 000 ₽). In informal services, repairs may be cheaper, but there is a risk of installing non-original parts (for example, matrix with AliExpress for 2 000). ₽, who will serve 2-3 months).
💡 Tip: Before repair, ask the wizard to show the new matrix in the package - the original parts have a hologram Xiaomi and serial number.
6.How to avoid a problem in the future: Xiaomi's 7 screen care rules
To make the matrix last longer, follow these recommendations:
📵 1. Avoid mechanical damage
- 🛡️ Use strong glass (such as Spigen Tempered Glass) and bumper case.
- 🚫 Don’t put your phone in the back pocket of your jeans – if you fall, the screen will break with a probability of 80%.
🔥 2. Control the temperature.
- 🌡️ Do not leave your phone in the sun or near heaters.
- 🎮 During games, use a cooler for your smartphone (worth it). ~1 000 ₽).
💧 3. Protect against moisture
- 🚿 Even if the phone is protected IP53 (Like the Redmi Note 12, avoid water.
- 💦 If the phone is wet, turn it off immediately and take it to the service.
⚡ 4. Charge the battery correctly
- 🔌 Do not use cheap charging – they can cause voltage surges, damaging the matrix.
- 🔋 Turn off fast charging if the phone is warming up (>40°C).
📱 5. Update the software on time.
- 🔄 Check for updates to Settings regularly → Updating the system.
- 🚫 Do not install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) unless you are sure of its stability.
🛠️ 6. Carefully disassemble the phone
- 🔧 If you change the battery or speaker, do not pull the matrix plume - it is fragile.
- 📏 Use plastic blades for disassembly, not metal screwdrivers.
👁️ 7. Watch the brightness.
- ☀️ Don’t put brightness at maximum for a long time – it accelerates degradation. AMOLED.
- 🌙 Turn on dark theme and automatic brightness.
💡
The most common reason for a matrix to fail is a phone crash, and even micro-cracks on the glass can eventually lead to layers of the display detached.