Replacement of the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 8: from disassembly to testing

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a popular budget smartphone, but even it can have problems with the keyboard over time. Most often, users experience sticking buttons, no response to presses, or a complete failure after moisture hits. If your touch screen responds to touch, but the virtual keyboard does not appear or malfunctions, the problem can be in both the software and hardware.

In this article, we will look at three possible scenarios: software resetting keyboard settings, reinstalling the input application, and completely replacing the keyboard plume (for mechanical damage), and focusing on disassembling the Redmi 8 without damaging the flexible plumes, a critical part of the process where most users make mistakes, and you will find a spare parts compatibility table and answers to frequent diagnostic questions.

1. Diagnostics of the problem: software failure or hardware malfunction?

Before you disassemble the phone, make sure that the problem is not solved software, and here are four signs of a hardware malfunction that will require a physical replacement:

• 🔧 The keyboard doesn't appear in any application, even after a reboot.
• 💧 The screen shows signs of corrosion or oxidation under the glass (especially after liquid is ingested).
• 🔄 The sensor is working, but the presses are recorded with a delay or at random places.
• 🔌 The phone does not respond to the external keyboard connection via OTG.

If at least one of these points matches, you'll probably have a broken keyboard plume or contacts on the motherboard. Otherwise, try the following steps:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language & Input → Virtual Keyboard and check if Gboard or another keyboard is on by default.
2. Remove keyboard cache: Settings → Applications → App management → Gboard → Memory → Clear cache.
3. Reinstall the keyboard app via Google Play.

⚠️ Warning: If the keyboard still doesn't work after resetting, but the sensor responds to touch, it's a problem in the firmware. Try updating MIUI to the latest version or resetting to factory settings (be sure to back up!).

2.Tools and spare parts for replacing the keyboard on the Redmi 8

To replace the keyboard (display plume with a sensor) on Xiaomi Redmi 8 you will need:

Important: When buying a plume, check its compatibility with your Redmi 8 modification. There are three versions on the market:

• The 📱 Redmi 8 (olive) is the standard model.
• 📱 Redmi 8A (olivelite) is a simplified version without a fingerprint scanner.
• 📱 Redmi 8A Dual (olivewood) with dual camera.

The plumes for these models are not interchangeable! You can check the exact name of your model in the settings: Settings → About phone → Model.

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If you buy a plume on AliExpress, pay attention to the reviews with photos - often Chinese sellers send parts from other models. ask the seller to confirm compatibility with your Redmi 8 with IMEI or serial number.

3. Step-by-step disassembly of Xiaomi Redmi 8

Disassembly of the Redmi 8 requires carefulness - there are many fragile elements inside the body.

Turn off the phone and remove the SIM- card and memory card|

Charge the battery by at least 50% (in case of sudden switching on)|

Prepare the workplace: clean desk, good lighting, antistatic mat (optional)|

Take a picture of the location of the screws before you unscrew them.

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Step 1 Remove the back cover

1. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (~60°C) around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes. This will soften the glue.
2. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body (start at the bottom corner where the charging connector is).
3. Carefully drive the blade along the body, separating the lid. If you feel resistance, warm up the place again.

Step 2. Shutting off the battery

When you take the lid off, you'll see the battery glued to the body. Don't try to tear it off.

1. Unscrew two screws that fix the metal plate over the battery plume (screwdriver T3).
2. Put a plastic blade on the plume connector and gently disconnect it.

⚠️ Warning: If you don't turn off the battery before disassembling it, you risk closing contacts on the motherboard. This could cause the phone to fail completely!

Step 3: Dismantling the motherboard

To get to the keyboard plume, you need to remove the motherboard:

1. Turn all the screws around the board (about 10-12 of them) and remember the location of each one, they may differ in length!
2. Disconnect all the plumes: display, cameras, speaker, power and volume buttons.
3. Then, put your weight down and put it down (no more than a slack).

Step 4: Replace the keyboard plume

The keyboard plume on Redmi 8 is combined with the display and sensor plume to replace it:

1. Unplug the old plume from the body (use a hair dryer to soften the glue).
2. Disconnect it from the connector on the motherboard.
3. Install a new plume, making sure it sat tightly in the connector.
4. Secure it with heat glue or bilateral tape.

4. Build the phone and check the health

The assembly is done in reverse order, but there are a few critical points:

• 🔩 The screws must be twisted with sufficient force to fix, but not pulled (risk of thread damage).
• 🔌 All plumes must be connected before the motherboard is fixed with screws.
• 🔋 The battery is glued to bilateral tape - make sure it lies flat, without skewing.

After assembly:

1. Turn on your phone and check the reaction to touches all over the screen.
2. Open any application with text input (such as Notes) and test the keyboard.
3. Connect the charger – if the phone is not charging, check the connection of the power plume.

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If the keyboard is working after the plume is replaced, but the sensor is late, the problem may be a poor quality part. Try to return the old plume - if the delays disappear, the new plume is defective.

5. Frequent errors when replacing the keyboard with the Redmi 8

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that lead to additional breakdowns. Here are the top -5 misses and how to avoid them:

The most common mistake is to damage the flexible plumes when disassembling, so if you feel resistance when you unplug the plume, don't pull it by force, or warm up the hairdryer again, or drip some isopropyl alcohol to dissolve the glue.

6. Alternative solutions: if the replacement did not help

In rare cases, replacing a plume doesn't solve the problem.

• 🔧 Damage to the sensor controller on the motherboard (soldering or replacement of the board is required).
• 🔌 Short circuit in the sensor power circuit (multimeter diagnostics required).
• 📱 Software glitch at the firmware level (try to reflash your phone via Fastboot).

If you are not ready for a difficult repair, consider the following options:

• 🖥️ Use an external keyboard via a OTG- adapter (any USB- keyboard is appropriate).
• 📱 Install an alternative keyboard with gesture support (e.g. SwiftKey or Fleksy).
• 🔄 Warranty exchange (if the phone is warranty and damage is not mechanical).

For advanced users: If the sensor controller is a problem, it can be soldered from the donor board. However, it requires experience with a soldering station and a microscope. The cost of such a service in the service center will be ~ 3000-5 000 ₽, which is often comparable to the price of the Redmi 8 itself in the secondary market.

7. Cost of repair in the service center vs. self-replacement

Prices for replacement of the keyboard (display plume) in service centers vary depending on the region and the status of the workshop:

If you already have tools (screwdriver, shoulder blades, hair dryer), self-replacement costs between 1,500 and 4,000 ₽.

• 🔧 Damage to other components during disassembly.
• 🔋 Loss of leakage (if the phone was waterproof).
• ⏳ Time loss (especially if the part is faulty)

If Redmi 8 is your primary phone, you should contact the service, and if it's a backup device or you're ready to experiment, you should replace yourself.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing the keyboard with Xiaomi Redmi 8