Replacement of touch buttons on Xiaomi: full instructions with photos and nuances

Touch buttons on Xiaomi smartphones (especially in Redmi Note models) 4/5/6, Mi A1/A2 early POCO) They fail over time, they stop responding to pressure, they go off spontaneously, or they don't glow at all, and most often they're due to wear on the plume, oxidation of the contacts, or mechanical damage. 1 500 before 3 000 rubles, but with tools and accuracy, the procedure can be performed independently - this will save time and money.

In this article, we will look at the entire process, from fault diagnosis to final testing, and learn what tools you will need, how to safely disassemble your smartphone, where to buy a quality button plume, and how to avoid typical errors. Particular attention will be paid to models with a non-shattered body (for example, Redmi Note). 7/8), If you've never repaired a machine, don't worry: the manual is adapted for beginners, with a photo of each stage.

Before you start, answer the question: are your buttons not working fully or are they reacting with a delay? In the first case, the plume is to blame, in the second case, it may be enough to clear contacts. Also check if the feature Full-screen gestures in the settings are activated (Settings) → Display. → Full screen mode), which disables touch buttons software.

1. Diagnostics of malfunction: how to understand that the pin of the buttons is to blame

Before disassembling the smartphone, make sure that the problem is in the hardware. Touch buttons on Xiaomi may stop working because of:

• 🔋 Software failure – for example, after an update MIUI. Check if the buttons in Safe Mode are responsive (press the power button) → Restarting in Safe Mode).
• 💧 Moisture: If the phone fell into the water, the contacts could oxidize. Sign: the buttons work every time or they go off on their own.
• 🛠️ Mechanical wear — the button plume loses conductivity over time, typical of phones older than 2-3 years.
• 🔌 Problems with the motherboard – if the vibration or backlight does not work with the buttons, it may be in the chip.

For accurate diagnosis:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and check if the button presses are determined. ADB (Team: Adb shell getevent -l). If events are recorded, but there is no reaction on the screen - the problem is the firmware.
2. Light a flashlight on the button area: if there is backlight, but the presses do not work, the sensor layer of the plume is to blame.
3. You can easily press the bottom of the screen near the buttons, and if they start working, the plume has moved away from the connector.

A critical sign of a plume malfunction: the buttons stopped working after the phone fell or pressed hard on the screen, in which case a replacement is required.

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If the buttons don't work only in some applications (like games), the problem isn't with the plume, but with the full-screen settings. Check the Hide the navigation bar settings in the specific application settings.

2. Tools and parts: what to buy for replacement

To replace the touch buttons on Xiaomi, you will need:

It is important when choosing a plume:

• 🔍 Check compatibility with the exact model of the phone (for example, the plume for the Redmi Note 5 will not work for the Redmi Note 5 Pro).
• 📦 Give preference to sellers with a rating above 98% and reviews with photos.
• 🔄 There should be spare adhesive strips in the kit (if not, buy separately).

If you are replacing the plume for the first time, take a set for disassembling smartphones (worth it). ~500 ₽ It's on AliExpress. It's got screwdrivers. T3, T5, Tweezers and suckers - this will simplify the process.

3.Preparation for disassembly: how not to damage the smartphone

Xiaomi's disassembly requires care: most models are glued together, and the plumes are fragile. If you've never taken a smartphone apart, practice on a non-functioning device, or watch your model's video disassembly, the location of the latches and glue may be different.

Step-by-step training:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map + memory-card.
2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (temperature) ~60°C) for 2-3 minutes - this will soften the glue.
3. Put the lid on a plastic mediator, starting at the corners. Don't use metal tools!
4. Disconnect the battery (if possible) or at least turn off its plume to avoid short circuit.

In the Redmi Note models 7/8 and newer battery is glued especially strongly - to extract it may need a special sucker or isopropyl alcohol (drip on the edges to dissolve the glue).

⚠️ Note: If after disassembly you saw that the plume of the buttons soldered to the board (relevant to the board) POCO F1 And some flagships, self-replacement is not possible - you need a soldering station and experience with microelectronics.

Is the phone off?|Whether extracted SIM-map?|Is there any spare glue/scotch?|Is the workplace ready (clean surface, good lighting)?|Fingerprints taken from the screen (to avoid scratching)?-->

4. Step-by-step replacement of the touch-sensitive button plume

The algorithm for replacing the same for most Xiaomi models, but there are nuances depending on the design, and below is a universal instruction with the usual complexities.

Step 1: Get an old plume out

After the back cover is removed:

1. Unscrew the screws that fix the metal plate over the plumes (usually 4-6 screws) T3).
2. Carefully tuck the plate with a mediator - there are plume connectors hidden under it.
3. Find the plume of touch buttons: it is located at the bottom edge of the board, connected to the connector marked FPC or TOUCH_KEY.
4. Disconnect the plume by pulling the black latch of the connector upwards (do not pull the plume itself!).

Step 2: Installation of a new plume

Before installation:

• 🧴 Wipe the contacts on the board and a new plume with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
• 🔍 Check if there is a protective film on the plume (it needs to be removed!).
• 📏 Make sure the length of the plume matches the old one – sometimes the kit comes with elongated options.

Next:

1. Put the plume in the connector before the snap of the latch.
2. Secure it with thermal glue or double-sided tape (don’t overdo it – excess glue can get on the board).
3. Lay the plume along the body, avoiding overbending. In Redmi Note 5 models, it passes under the battery - be careful when assembly.

Step 3: Checking before assembly

Before you collect the phone:

1. Connect the battery and turn on the smartphone.
2. Check the buttons' response to pressing and backlighting (if any).
3. If the buttons do not work, double check the connection of the plume or clear the contacts again.

A common mistake is forgetting to plug the display plume after changing the buttons, and as a result, the screen doesn't turn on, and the user thinks that the phone has broken. Always check all the connectors!

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If the buttons are working after the plume is replaced, but with a delay, the problem may be in the firmware. Try resetting to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).

5.Phone assembly and final testing

The assembly is carried out in reverse order, but there are several critical points:

• 🔩 Screw them cross-curl to avoid board skewing. In models POCO X3 Different lengths of screws – don’t mix them up!
• 🔋 Battery: If you've disconnected it, make sure the connector is firmly in the connector.
• 📱 Body: Before final gluing, check that all plumes lie flat and are not clamped.

For the bonding of the back cover:

• Use bilateral scotch 3M (0.2 to 0.3 mm thickness) or thermal glue.
• Apply the glue in a thin layer around the perimeter of the cover, avoiding the speaker and microphone area.
• Press the lid and warm up with a hair dryer (temperature) ~50°C) for better fixation.

Post-assembly testing:

1. Check the response of the buttons in the menu, on the home screen and in games.
2. Make sure the buttons are illuminated when you press (if it was in your model).
3. Call the phone - sometimes after disassembly the microphone disappears (check the connection of its plume).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone overheats or discharges quickly after assembly, chances are you've overpressed the battery plume or damaged the thermal paste on the processor.

6. Frequent problems after replacement and their solution

Even with a careful replacement, problems can occur, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If after replacing the plume, the buttons work, but the smartphone has become slower or glitch, reset the settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings. This will help to eliminate software conflicts.

A tricky case is, if the buttons only work when pressed hard, the new plume is probably defective or you bought the wrong model, in which case contact the seller for a replacement.

7. Alternative solutions: if the replacement did not help

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

• 🔧 Damage to the motherboard – for example, burned tracks or failed button controller.
• 📱 Software glitch – if the buttons don’t work even with a new plume, reflash your phone via Fastboot.
• 🔋 Power problems – unstable stress can affect sensor performance.

What can be done:

1. Use software buttons: enable full-screen gestures in Settings → Display. → Full screen mode.
2. Connect the external keyboard through OTG — It is a temporary solution for navigation.
3. Contact the service for diagnostics of the fee (cost from 1 000) ₽).

If you're selling a phone with broken buttons, you can honestly put it in the description. In the secondary market, you buy it for parts or repairs, and it's 20 to 30 percent lower.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions