How to change the screen on Xiaomi Redmi 4: the full guide

Broken glass or black display on the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 4 is not a reason to immediately carry the device to the service center, where you can ask for an unreasonably high price. Self-replacement of the display module is quite possible for a person with minimal skills in working with small electronics and accuracy. It is important to understand that the process requires patience, since the internal layout of budget models involves a dense fit of elements.

Before you start, you need to decide on the type of spare part you plan to install. There are original components, quality copies and restored modules on the market, each of which has its own characteristics in color reproduction and sensor sensitivity. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of replacement, from the preparation of the workplace to the final assembly, so you can return your gadget to a second life without unnecessary costs.

Diagnosis of damage and selection of components

Before you start disassembling, you need to determine exactly the nature of the malfunction. If you see cracks on the screen, but the image is present and the sensor is working, you are in luck — you may only need to change the glass, although this is a complex process. In the case where the display does not respond to touch or shows artifacts, you need a complete replacement of the display module.

Part selection is a critical step in the quality of the device after repair. The market offers several options, and it is important not to get confused by marketing names. The original will always cost more, but guarantees full compatibility and declared brightness. Copies can differ in viewing angle or have a less responsive touchscreen.

When buying, pay attention to the following parameters:

• 🔍 Type of matrix: IPS or LCD (Redmi 4 more often IPS).
• 🔍 Frame availability: Modules can be sold with or without a frame already pasted.
• 🔍 Package: check for the plume and protective film.

Also, it is worth considering that replacing the module with a frame greatly simplifies the assembly process, since you do not have to carry old glue and structural elements.

Tools and workplace preparation required

You can't have a good repair without the right tools. You don't need professional equipment, but you need a set of specialized tools. The workplace needs to be well lit and the surface clean and smooth so that the small screws don't get lost.

You will need to work:

• 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (cross-crosses) PH000, PH00).
• 🔧 Plastic blades and mediators for opening the body.
• 🔧 Thin blade or scalpel to remove old glue.
• 🔧 Dryer or heat heater for softening the adhesive layer.

The use of metal tools for tweaking the screen is strongly discouraged, as there is a high risk of damaging the plumes or breaking new glass.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work be sure to turn off the smartphone! Attempting to turn off the display plume under voltage can lead to the combustion of the power controller on the board.

Prepare the screw sorting tanks in advance, as they may differ in length and threading. By confusing them when assembled, you can damage the thread in the case or punch the board with a long screw.

The process of dismantling the back cover and battery

The Redmi 4 has an all-metal body, making it harder to access the insides than plastic counterparts. The back cover is not removable as usual, so disassembly begins with a careful separation of the glass from the frame.

This requires heating the device with a hair dryer to a temperature of about 60-70 degrees. Be careful not to overheat the case so as not to damage the internal components or the battery. After heating, insert a plastic card or a spatula into the joint and carefully guide the perimeter, cutting the adhesive layer.

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Use a suction cup to create an initial gap between the glass and the case - this will make it easier to enter a plastic shoulder blade.

When you take the back off, you'll see a battery that's also attached to the glue, and you'll need to remove it first for safety.

• 🔋 Carefully tuck the battery behind a special tongue (if any) or use a plastic card.
• 🔋 Do not use sharp objects to avoid piercing the battery.
• 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard before retrieval.

Only after the power is turned off can you start disassembling further, which is the golden rule of electronics repair, which saves you from short circuit.

Removing the old display and turning off the plumes

This is where you access the metal screen that covers the motherboard, and you have to unscrew all the screws that attach the safety plate, and you have to remove it, and you have the connectors of the display and the touchscreen underneath.

The plumes are connected very tightly, so you better turn them off with a plastic blade or nail, gently lifting the connector upwards. Don't pull the plumes themselves because they break. Once the module is turned off, it needs to be separated from the frame.

This will require heating the front panel again, the old glue will soften and the screen can be removed. If you change the frameless module, this is the most time-consuming step, because it requires careful cleaning of the old frame from the residue of glue and glass.

The frame cleaning should be done carefully, using isopropyl alcohol and a blade. Any irregularities in the old glue will cause the new screen to lie crooked or gaps to be visible.

Installation of a new module and assembly of the device

Before the new display is finally installed, it is recommended to test the connection: connect the new module's plumes to the board without gluing it, and turn on the phone. Check the sensor's performance, the presence of broken pixels and color reproduction.

If everything works correctly, apply a new glue (B-7000 or a special adhesive layer) to the frame. Spread it evenly and attach the module, slightly pressed at the edges. Remove the excess glue immediately until it freezes.

For a secure fix while the glue is drying, you can use special clips or tightly wind a few rubber bands around the perimeter of the smartphone, which will ensure a tight fit without distortion.

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The quality of the screen adhesive depends on the thoroughness of cleaning the frame and the uniformity of the application of the adhesive composition.

After drying the glue, assemble the device in reverse order: install a metal screen, connect the plumes, close with a protective plate and install a battery with a back cover.

Typical errors and calibration tips

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that can cost the device its performance, and one of the most common problems is that the plume is damaged when installed, and you should be extremely careful when positioning the module.

There is also a common problem with the touchscreen dead zones after replacement, which may be due to defective parts or poor contact, and in some cases, calibration of the sensor through the engineering menu helps.

To enter the engineering menu on Xiaomi, use the code:

##6484##

In the menu that opens, select Touchpanel and follow the instructions for checking and calibrating. If the sensor is not behaving properly, try reinstalling the module by checking the connector's adhesive density.

Remember that using unoriginal parts can lead to faster battery discharge or incorrect operation of the “smart lock” function (approximation sensor).