Xiaomi sensor doesn’t work: why doesn’t respond to touch and how to fix it

You picked up your Xiaomi, but the screen suddenly stopped responding to touch? Touchscreen does not respond to swipes, taps or delays? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones — from budget models to flagships. The causes can be rooted in software failures and physical damage to the display.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible causes of a broken sensor, from a simple system freeze to a plume detachment, and give you step-by-step diagnostic and repair instructions. Importantly, some methods require disassembling the phone, so if you're not sure about your skills, you'd better go to a service center, but in 70% of cases, you can solve the problem yourself in 5-10 minutes.

1. Quick diagnosis: software failure or hardware failure?

Before you take your phone apart or carry it for repair, you need to determine if the problem is software or hardware related.

• 🔄 Reboot your phone with a long press of the power button (10-15 seconds). If the sensor is running after the reboot, the problem was a temporary system failure.
• 📱 Check the charging response: connect the phone to the charger. If the screen turns on but doesn't respond to touch, it's a sign of hardware malfunction.
• 🎮 Put the mouse on OTG (if the phone supports), if the cursor is moving and the sensor is not, the problem is precisely the touchscreen or its plume.
• 🔊 Listen to the sounds: when you touch the screen, some Xiaomi models give a slight click (vibration or sound in the settings). If there is sound but no reaction, the firmware fails.

If none of these things work, move on to the next section, and if the phone reacts to a reboot but it glimpses again after a while, it's a sign of overheating or damage to the touchscreen chip.

2. Software solutions (without disassembly)

In 60% of cases, a broken sensor on Xiaomi is associated with firmware errors, application conflicts, or system overload.

2.1 Resetting touchscreen settings through the engineering menu

Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3) have a hidden menu to calibrate the sensor.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Dial the code: ##6484## (for the touchscreen test) or #36446337## (for the engineering menu).
3. In the menu that opens, select Touch Screen Test or TP Calibration.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually touch the crosses several times).

If the codes don't work, your model doesn't support them. Go to the next one.

Clearing the cache and system data

A clogged cache can cause the interface to freeze, including a sensor that is not working properly, to clear it.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Find System UI and press Storage.
4. Tap Clear the cache and Clear the data (Warning: this will reset the launcher settings!).

After cleaning, restart your phone. If the sensor doesn't work, try the following method.

2.3 Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

This is the last resort if others don't help. Attention: all data from the phone will be deleted! pre-backup through Settings → Google → Backup.

Instructions for discharge:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot.

Make a backup of contacts and photos

Remember passwords from accounts

Make sure your phone is at least 50% charged

Disable Google Account (if any) FRP-lockdown)-->

3. Hardware reasons: what breaks in the touchscreen Xiaomi

If the software didn't work, the problem is the hardware, and here are the most common hardware problems.

The most common problem is plume detachment, which is due to falls, overheating or factory defects. On the Redmi Note 8/9 and POCO F3 models, the plume often departs after a year of use due to thin attachment.

4. Repair of the touchscreen plume with your own hands

If you're sure that the plume is the problem, you can push it back yourself. Attention: this method requires care and is only suitable for advanced users. If you've never taken down a phone, you'd better take it to the service.

What you need:

• 🔧 Plastic mediators (or guitar mediators)
• 🔥 Fen (power of at least 1500 W)
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90% and higher)
• 📏 Screen suction cup
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (asterisk T3–T5)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
2. Heat the bottom of the screen (where the plume is located) with a hairdryer for 1-2 minutes. Temperature - 60-70 ° C (do not overheat!).
3. Push the screen with a plastic mediator on the side (start at the place where the SIM- card is inserted). Be careful - don't damage the plume!
4. Raise the screen by 1-2 cm and find a plume of the touch screen (usually white or orange).
5. Carefully press the plume with your finger or the blunt side of the mediator, and if he's gone, you'll feel it.
6. Blow the attachment site with compressed air (or just blow your mouth) to remove the dust.
7. Close the screen and check the sensor, and if it doesn't work, repeat the heat and press.

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If the sensor is working after the repair, but the screen starts to “excite” when pressed, then you did not glue the display module well enough, in which case you need to apply a new layer of glue (for example, B-7000).

If the plume is visually damaged (torn, oxidized), it must be replaced. The cost of a new plume for Xiaomi is from 300 to 1000 rubles depending on the model.

5. when you need to replace the display module

If the sensor is not working because of cracks in the glass or a breakdown in the matrix, you will need to replace the entire display module.

• 💥 The screen shows a web of cracks, and the sensor does not respond in the area of damage.
• 🖥️ The image on the screen is distorted (strips, artifacts), but the backlight is working.
• 🔄 The sensor is operating, but with a delay of 1-2 seconds (a sign of damage to the controller).
• 🌡️ The screen overheats in one place (may indicate a short circuit in the matrix).

The cost of replacing the display in the service center:

If you choose to replace the module yourself, buy only original parts or proven counterparts (for example, from Tianma or BOE). Cheap Chinese copies often have problems with color reproduction and sensor sensitivity.

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Replacing the display with a Xiaomi AMOLED- matrix (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi K50) requires special repainting equipment. Without it, the new screen can detach in a few days.

6. Alternative ways to control the phone without a sensor

If the sensor is completely out of order and the phone needs to be used urgently (for example, for calls or data transmission), use these methods:

6.1. Connecting the mouse via USB-OTG

Many Xiaomi models support USB-. You will need:

• 🖱️ Anybody. USB-mouse (wired or wireless with a USB-receiver).
• 🔌 The USB-C/OTG adapter (or Micro-USB/OTG for older models).

Connect your mouse to your phone, and the cursor will appear on the screen, and you can use your phone like a computer, opening apps, texting, even making calls.

Remote control via computer

If you have USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then return to Additional → Developers → USB debugging), you can control your phone from your PC:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Download the program Vysor or scrcpy.
3. Follow the program’s instructions to display the phone screen on your PC.

This method will also help save data if the phone doesn’t respond to touch, but the screen is working.

Google Voice Assistant 6.3

If you have Google Assistant set up on your phone, you can try to control your voice:

• Say OK, Google or press the Home button (if it's physical).
• Start WhatsApp, call your mom, turn on Bluetooth.

Limitation: Voice input does not work in all applications, and some actions (such as entering a password) are not possible.

7. How to avoid sensor failure in the future

To make the touchscreen on Xiaomi last longer, follow these recommendations:

• 🛡️ Use high-quality protective glass (like Spigen or Belkin) and cheap glass can scratch the screen and make it less sensitive.
• 🔥 Don't overheat the phone: don't leave it in direct sunlight or on a charge in a case. Overheating causes the plume to detach.
• 💧 Avoid moisture: Even if the phone has IP53 protection, water ingestion can cause contact oxidation.
• ⚡ Don't use fast charging all the time. Frequent battery heating is having a negative impact on the touchscreen controller.
• 📦 Keep your phone in a depreciation case (like the Spigen Tough Armor) and it will reduce the risk of damage from a fall.

If you drop your phone a lot, consider Gorilla Glass Victus models (like the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5 Pro) that are better able to withstand mechanical stress.

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On Xiaomi models with curved screens (such as the Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro), the sensor often fails due to a thin plume. If you choose such a phone, be prepared for possible problems with the touchscreen in 1-2 years.

8.Frequent questions about Xiaomi's broken sensor