Why Change Keyboards to Xiaomi and When to Change
The control buttons on Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most vulnerable elements after the screen. Over time, they start to drop, creak or completely stop responding to clicks. But before you start to change, it is important to understand that the problem may lie not in the mechanics, but in a software failure. For example, after updating MIUI, some users experience a "stick" of the Power or Volume button, although it is physically correct.
The statistics of the service centers show that 60% In cases where the buttons fail, it's caused by moisture or dust getting under the body. 25% — It's mechanical wear after 2-3 years of active use, and only 15% — Factory marriage, if your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 stopped responding to presses, first check if the buttons are blocked by a protective case or sticker. Sometimes it is enough to simply clean the connector with compressed air.
In this article, we will discuss:
- 🔍 How to diagnose button failure without disassembling the phone
- 🛠️ Step-by-step instructions for replacing keys with photos and videos
- 💰 Cost of repair in the service vs self-replacement
- ⚠️ Common mistakes that lead to a fee breakdown
Warning: if you have never disassembled smartphones, it is better to contact the service.Incorrect removal of the battery plume or battery can lead to short circuit and complete loss of warranty.
Diagnostics: How to know if the button really needs to be changed
Before you disassemble the phone, make sure the mechanics are the problem.
Check the reaction to clicking in the Settings menu → About the phone → Equipment test
Connect your phone to your PC and check if the ADB clicks are recognized.
Try pressing the button from different sides – sometimes the contact disappears due to skewing.
Clean the button connector with compressed air or alcohol (do not use metal objects!)|-->
If the button doesn’t work only in certain applications (like in a game), the problem is more software-based. Try resetting to factory settings via Settings → Additional → Reset. If the button doesn’t respond even in the Recovery Mode menu, it’s a 100% hardware fault.
Pay special attention to the Power button. On Xiaomi 13T and Redmi K60 models, it often sticks due to moisture entering the microslits, in which case only replacing the entire button module will help, since individual contacts are not sold.
Power button (Power)
Volume buttons (Volume)
Lock button (on older models)
A few buttons at once
Another problem.-->
Preparation for replacement: tools and spare parts
To replace the buttons on Xiaomi, you will need:
- 🔧 Setting screwdrivers T2-T5 (better-magnetic)
- 🧲 Screen suction cup (or mediator)
- 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station (for softening glue)
- 📦 New button or entire module (order only with a note "OEM" or "original")
- 🧴 Alcohol or contact cleaner (e.g. Kontakt 60)
Where to buy spare parts? On AliExpress, look for sellers with a rating above 98% and reviews with photos. For popular models (Redmi Note 11, POCO F4), buttons from HWY or KWG will suit - they are as close to the original. The cost varies from 200 to 800 rubles depending on the model.
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Before buying a button, check its article on the Xiaomi website or in the service manuals. For example, for Xiaomi 12 Lite, the module with the number MDY-11-22 is suitable, and for Redmi 10C, the module with the number K50-03-18 is suitable.
If you're replacing the button for the first time, practice on an old phone or watch your model disassembly on YouTube. Xiaomi Repair and Fixez channels post detailed videos even for new devices.
Step-by-step instructions for replacing buttons on Xiaomi
Let’s analyze the process on the example of Redmi Note 10 Pro. For other models, the steps are similar, but may differ in mounts.
- Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
- Heat the body with a hair dryer (temperature 60-70°C) around the perimeter of the screen for 2-3 minutes to soften the glue.
- Put a suction cup at the Volume button and carefully remove it, starting at the top corner. Don't pull too hard, the plumes aren't off yet!
- Unscrew 6 screws (T3) around the battery and 2 screws (T2) near the motherboard.
- Turn off the battery and screen plumes. Use a plastic spatula to keep your contacts safe.
- Remove the metal plate covering the buttons. It's attached to 3 screws (T2).
- Remove the old button and set a new one, making sure the contacts match.
- Collect the phone in reverse order, checking each plume.
On IP53 models (such as the POCO X5 Pro), you will need to restore the leakage after the buttons are replaced, using a special glue B-7000 or double-sided 3M 9448A tape.
What if the phone does not turn on after assembly?
Cost of repair in the service vs self-replacement
Prices for replacing buttons in official and informal services vary widely, and here is a comparison table for popular models:
| Model phone | Cost in official service | Cost in a private workshop | Cost of the spare part (independently) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | 1 800 — 2 500 ₽ | 1 200 — 1 500 ₽ | 300 — 500 ₽ |
| POCO F5 | 2 000 — 2 800 ₽ | 1 300 — 1 600 ₽ | 400 — 600 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 13 Lite | 2 500 — 3 200 ₽ | 1 800 — 2 200 ₽ | 600 — 900 ₽ |
| Redmi 10A | 1 200 — 1 500 ₽ | 800 — 1 000 ₽ | 200 — 300 ₽ |
Note that official Xiaomi services often offer to replace the entire button module, even if only one broke, which increases the cost of repair by 30-50%. Private workshops usually agree to replace a separate button, but the risk of running into a defective part is higher.
⚠️ Note: If your phone is warranty, self-repair will cancel it, in which case it is better to contact an authorized service, even if it is more expensive.
Typical errors when replacing buttons and how to avoid them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that lead to additional breakdowns.
- 🔋 Forgetting to turn off the battery before work can lead to short circuits when a board is accidentally touched.
- 🔩 They use the wrong screwdrivers to tear the screws off. T2-T5, not cross-sectional.
- 📱 They pull too much on the plumes. They're fragile and they break easily. Always take on the black plastic connectors, not the wires themselves.
- 🔥 They overheat the body with a hair dryer — 60-70°C. Pri. 90°C+ It can melt the glue under the battery.
Another common problem is part incompatibility, like the Redmi Note 11 buttons won't work for the Redmi Note 11 Pro, even though they look the same. Always check the items!
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If the button works after the replacement, but with a delay, the most likely problem is the oxidized contacts.
What to do if the button breaks again
If the button stopped working again after replacing it, the reasons may be as follows:
- Bad contact: Check if the button fits tightly with the board, and sometimes it helps to put a piece of foil under the contacts.
- The defect of the new button -- this happens with cheap Chinese parts. Try replacing it with another.
- The problem with the motherboard is that if none of the buttons work, the input controller may have burned, and only professional soldering will help.
On Xiaomi models with an infrared port (such as the POCO M4 Pro), sometimes the buttons stop working after a firmware update, in which case a rollback to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot will help.
If you are sure that the problem is not the mechanics, try to reflash the phone using the Mi Flash Tool. Instructions for your model can be found on the 4PDA forum in the relevant topic.