Xiaomi's smartphone screen suddenly stopped responding to touch? this problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi devices, POCO Or Mi, from the budget Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra, causes that range from software failures to physical damage to the display module, and 80% of the time, the fault can be fixed on its own without resorting to a service center.
In this article, we will discuss all possible causes, from the banal system freeze to the detachment of the touchscreen plume, as well as provide step-by-step instructions with illustrations and videos (where appropriate). AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F5), where sensor problems are often due to the digital layer malfunctioning, and if your phone only responds to presses in certain areas of the screen or with a delay, that could indicate specific malfunctions, which we'll also look at.
Basic checks: exclude the obvious
Before you start a complex manipulation, make sure that the problem is not on the surface.
- π§Ό Clean the screen of fat, moisture or protective film. Use a microfiber wipe and alcohol (at least 70%), low-quality films can block the sensor signal.
- π Check battery power.At levels below 5%, many Xiaomi models turn off some of the screen features to save energy.
- π± Remove the case. Some silicone or magnetic cases can interfere with the sensor, especially in models with wireless charging.
- π Reboot the phone forcefully. Press the power button. + up volume for 10-15 seconds until the device vibrates.
If the screen is still unresponsive after these actions, move to the next section. Note: if the phone vibrates when pressed, but the image does not change, the problem may be in the graphics driver, not in the touchscreen.
2. Software failures: reboot, safe mode and reset
60% of sensors fail as a result of application conflict or error MIUI. Try these methods:
Safe start-up mode
Safe Mode disables all third-party applications, allowing you to check if any of them are causing the failure.
- Turn off the phone (if it does not respond to the power button, wait for the battery to discharge).
- When enabled, hold the Volume button down until the logo appears. MI.
- Release the button β the phone will boot in safe mode (the corresponding inscription will be at the bottom of the screen).
If the sensor is running in Safe Mode, remove the recently installed apps (especially launchers, antiviruses, or games).
2.2 Resetting settings via Recovery
If the phone doesnβt respond even to volume buttons, try resetting through Restore mode:
- Turn off the device.
- Squeeze the power. + Volume up 5-7 seconds until the Recovery menu appears.
- Use volume buttons to navigate and select Wipe Data (data reset).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
β οΈ Warning: Reset will delete all data on your phone, including photos and contacts. If you have Mi Account sync enabled, some of the data can be restored after you log in to your account.
βοΈ Preparation for resetting settings
3. firmware problems: update, rollback and test modes
Incorrect updates MIUI Or custom firmware often causes a sensor to fail:
3.1 Update via Fastboot
If the phone doesnβt respond to touch, but turns on, try updating the firmware via Fastboot:
- Download the latest firmware version for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
- Unpack the archive and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume Down).
- Launch the file. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for macOS/Linux).
It takes 5-10 minutes. Once you reboot, the sensor should be running. If it doesn't, the hardware might be the problem.
Sensor test in the engineering menu
To check if the pressing system recognizes, enter the engineering menu:
##6484##In the Touch Test menu, swipe your finger across the screen. If the lines don't show up, the sensor is physically malfunctioning. If there are lines, but with a delay, the driver is the problem.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Physical Injury: Diagnosis and Temporary Solutions
If the software methods didn't work, the problem is probably hardware.
Detachment of the touchscreen plume
A common problem after falls or strokes.
- The screen only responds to strong pressing.
- Part of the display is not working (e.g., right edge).
- There are dead zones.
Temporary solution: gently press the top of the screen (front camera side). If the sensor is working, the plume has really moved away. Final repair requires disassembling the phone.
Damage to the digitizer
The digitizer is the transparent layer under the glass that recognizes the touch, and it's damaged.
- The screen responds to pressing with a delay of 1-2 seconds.
- There are "ghost" touches (the phone itself opens the application).
- Sensitivity changes dramatically when temperature changes.
In this case, only replacing the digitizer or the entire display module will help. The cost of repair for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is from 3 000 β½, Xiaomi 13 Pro β from 8000 β½.
| Model phone | Cost of replacing the display (β½) | Cost of plume replacement (β½) |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi 9A | 2 500β3 500 | 1 200β1 800 |
| POCO X4 Pro | 4 000β5 500 | 1 500β2 200 |
| Xiaomi 12 Lite | 6 000β7 500 | 2 000β2 800 |
| Black Shark 5 | 9 000β11 000 | 2 500β3 500 |
β οΈ If you notice that the screen began to βbubbleβ or under the glass appeared rainbow divorces β this is a sign of detachment. OCA-glue (in models with AMOLED). In this case, a replacement of the display is inevitable, otherwise the problem will progress.
5.The effects of moisture and overheating: hidden threats
Even if the phone didn't fall into the water, moisture can penetrate through microslits, and overheating can damage the touchscreen controller.
Moisture intrusion (even without visible traces)
Symptoms:
- π§ The screen only reacts after heating (e.g., a phenome).
- π§ At the bottom of the display appears fog or drops of condensate.
- π§ The phone spontaneously reboots at high humidity.
What to do:
- Turn off the phone immediately and remove it. SIM-map.
- Place the device in a silica gel (or rice) bag for 24 to 48 hours.
- Do not turn on your phone until it is completely dry.
Overheating and its consequences
If the phone is heated above 50Β°C (for example, while playing or charging), this could damage the sensor controller:
- π₯ Does the sensor work after the phone cools (put it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes).
- π₯ Does the screen display a warning of overheating.
- π₯ Is the battery swelling (carefully probe the back cover).
If the sensor is running after cooling, avoid further overheating. If not, you need a diagnostic in the service.
π‘
To check the temperature of the processor, use the application CPU Monitor (available on Google Play) Normal temperature for loading up to 45Β°C. If the value is greater than 60Β°C is critical for electronics.
6. Alternative ways to control the phone
If the sensor is not working, but the screen is turned on, you can temporarily control the phone in other ways:
Connecting the mouse to OTG
Many Xiaomi models support the USB-mouse-wise OTG-You can plug in a mouse and use it to navigate:
- Make a backup of the data.
- Install firmware update.
- Enable debugging on USB further diagnostic.
Control via Mi Remote (for Smart) TV)
If you have a Mi Box or a Xiaomi TV, you can use the Mi Remote app for basic phone control via the IR port (if you have one in the model).
- Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Mi Remote on the TV.
- Select your phone model and follow the instructions on the screen.
Google Voice Assistant 6.3
Activate the voice assistant by saying, "OK, Google."
- Open applications.
- Calling contacts.
- Turn on/off Wi-Fi or mobile data.
π‘
If the phone responds to voice commands, but not to touch, the problem is precisely in the sensor or its controller, which narrows the range of possible malfunctions to hardware.
7.When to contact the service: signs of serious breakdowns
Some problems cannot be solved by yourself. Contact the service center if:
- π οΈ The screen cracks and the sensor stops working after falling.
- π οΈ The phone does not turn on at all (no vibration, no charging indicator is lit).
- π οΈ Sensor works, but screen shows artifacts (stripes, flickering).
- π οΈ After replacing the battery or display, the sensor stopped responding.
The cost of diagnostics in official Xiaomi services β from 500 β½. Average repair time:
- Replacement of the plume - 1-2 days.
- Replacement of the display module - 2-3 days.
- Repair of the sensor controller β 3-5 days (solding is required).
If the phone is warranty, do not try to repair it yourself - this will void the warranty obligations. POCO Redmi display warranty is usually 6 months, for flagship Xiaomi β 12 months.
8 Prevention: How to Avoid Sensor Problems in the Future
To minimize the risk of repeated failures, follow these guidelines:
- π‘οΈ Use high-quality security glasses (like Spigen Glas.tR or AmFilm) to reduce the load on the sensor.
- π Avoid full battery discharge β this can cause malfunctions in the screen controller.
- π± Do not install custom firmware from unknown developers β they often contain errors in sensor drivers.
- π§ Check the moisture indicator regularly (white square in the tray) SIM-If it is red, there was water).
- π Update. MIUI until the latest version - in new assemblies often correct bugs with touchscreen.
For models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 or Xiao) POCO F4) Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight β this can lead to degradation OLED-Matrix and sensor failures.
π‘
To check the phone's tightness, place it in a plastic bag with a silica gel bag for 12 hours, and if condensation appears inside the package, the case seals are damaged.