Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 4X has proven to be a reliable device with a metal body, but even durable gadgets are not immune to falls. broken glass or a failed touchscreen is the most common reason for contacting service centers, although self-repair often saves up to 60% of the cost of work. Replacing the touch layer (digitizer) requires accuracy, but quite within the power of the user familiar with basic technical manipulations.
Before you start disassembling, you need to assess the extent of the damage. If the image on the screen is present, but the sensor does not respond or is chaotic, then the problem lies in the top layer. It is important to understand that in modern smartphones, glass is often glued to the matrix, and replacing only the touch screen is possible, but requires patience and heat to soften the glue.
The success of the operation depends on the quality of spare parts and the availability of a specialized tool. You should not use cheap analogues without a frame if you do not have experience with a microscope and a separator, since the risk of damage to the matrix during repainting is very high. The optimal solution for a home craftsman will be to purchase a module assembled with a frame, which will greatly simplify the assembly process.
Tools and workplace preparation required
A good touchscreen replacement is not possible without a well-organized space and toolkit, and you'll need not only a screwdriver, but also a device to safely open the case and work with adhesives, and ignoring this step can damage the plumes or the case.
The main tool will be a dryer (building or powerful household), which is necessary to warm the perimeter of the display, the heating temperature must be controlled so as not to overheat the battery or plastic elements of the internal structure, also the presence of a suction cup for careful detachment of glass and a set of plastic mediators (scapula).
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers: mandatory presence of cross PH000 and maybe a triangular bit for screws under the display.
- 🔥 Thermostol or hair dryer: for uniform heating of the adhesive base along the perimeter of the device.
- 🧪 Fluid B-7000 or analogue: a special glue for fixing a new touchscreen, not hardening completely.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat: for sorting screws of different sizes, so as not to confuse them when assembly.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to turn off the smartphone and remove SIM-Working with the connected battery when disconnecting the display plumes can short-circuit and fail the power controller.
Prepare a clean surface with good lighting. Small parts and screws are easily lost, so use cell containers. Don't neglect antistatic gloves if you have them, as finger fat can worsen adhesion of glue or leave marks under new glass.
Diagnostics and selection of compatible display
The spare parts market for Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is full of offers, but the quality of components varies greatly. Before buying, you need to accurately determine the type of matrix installed in your device, as different revisions may have used different screen suppliers.
There are two main types of matrices for this model: IPS and TN. IPS-screens have better viewing angles and color rendering, while TN-Matrices are cheaper, but have poorer color reproduction and narrow viewing angles. When buying a module assembled, this difference may not be obvious, so you should focus on the article or trusted sellers.
Below is a table that helps you distinguish the main parameters of compatible displays:
| Parameter | Original (OEM) | High quality copy (High Copy) | Cheap analogue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightness | Tall, even. | Medium | Low, there's lights. |
| Sensitivity | Instant response | Possible delays | It takes a lot of pressure. |
| Oleophobic coating | Present. | Weak or absent | Absent. |
| Thickness of the frame | Standard. | May differ by 0.1 mm | Often enlarged |
When choosing a part, pay attention to the presence of the manufacturer's logo on the plume. Often on cheap copies, the marking is missing or poorly executed. A low-quality touchscreen can create a "dead zones" effect on the edges or work incorrectly with a charger connected.
How to check the screen before installation?
The process of dismantling the old display module
Removing a broken screen is the most critical step to take care of.The Redmi 4X body is made of metal, which makes it easier to remove heat, but the adhesive layer can be very durable. Start by heating the front panel with a hairdryer around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes.
After warming up, place the suction cup at the bottom of the screen, closer to the navigation buttons, and pull up slightly to create a gap. Insert a plastic blade carefully into the resulting gap and guide it along the faces, trying not to damage the plume, which can pass close to the edges. Do not use metal objects, as they can crumble the glass even harder or scratch the frame.
When the module is detached from the body, don't pull it sharply. Turn the smartphone over and unscrew the protective metal plate that covers the connectors. It is attached with several screws that need to be twisted and folded separately, only after removing the plate can the display plume and touchscreen be disconnected.
- 🔥 Heat only the edges: do not hold the hair dryer long at one point so as not to damage the image on the matrix.
- 🔌 Battery Disconnection: First thing after removing protection, unscrew and disconnect the battery plume to de-energize the board.
- 🧹 Cleaning the frame: after removing the module, carefully remove the remnants of old glue from the metal frame, degrease the surface with alcohol.
If an old screen is broken into dust, you can use wide tape to collect the fragments and prevent them from getting inside the case. Be careful of small details, such as the speaker and vibrator, which can stick to the rear of the display - they need to be carefully moved to the new module.
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The main difficulty of dismantling is to carefully separate the module without damaging the plume, which can be glued to the body or laid in a non-standard way, depending on the revision of the board.
Installation of a new touchscreen and assembly of the device
Before installing the new module, make sure the new touchscreen frame is clean and fat-free. Apply a thin layer of B-7000 glue around the perimeter of the frame. Don't apply too much glue, otherwise excess glue can squeeze out on the side edges or, worse, get inside the body.
Carefully combine the new module with the body of the smartphone. First insert the top, where the speaker and the front camera are, then smoothly press the rest. Make sure the plume is stacked flat and not squeezed. Lock the module with stationery gums or special clips for 15-20 minutes before the initial grasp of the glue.
Next, the assembly process goes in reverse: connect the display and touchscreen plumes to the motherboard, install a metal protective plate and twist the screws. Connect the battery and check the operation of the device without finally sticking the back cover (if it is removable) or twisting the screws of the case to the end.
☑️ Checking before the final assembly
If all the tests are successful, you can complete the assembly. Twisting all the screws of the case, paying attention to the screws near the charging connector, as they are often of different lengths. Excess glue protruding at the edges is easily removed with a dry wipe or finger until it is frozen.
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes have problems after replacing the touchscreen, and one of the common mistakes is poor plume contact. If the screen is not on or the sensor is not working, try disconnecting and reconnecting the connector, making sure that the characteristic click.
Another common problem is dead zones or spontaneous touches, which can be caused by the defect of the touchscreen itself, but most often the reason lies in poor grounding or lack of contact between the metalized part of the touchscreen and the contact area on the case.
⚠️ Note: If after replacement the sensor is only operated by the charger or, conversely, stops working when charging is connected, the problem is the lack of shielding or poor touchscreen ground contact.
Sometimes users forget to remove the protective film on the inside of a new touchscreen before installing it, which causes rainbow spots or a decrease in sensitivity, and if you notice these artifacts, you'll have to carefully remove the module and check for the film.
If the proximity sensor is not working (the screen does not go out during a conversation), check if it is blocked by a glue protrusion or an improperly installed protective film at the top of the screen.
Calibration and final system settings
After the physical replacement of the touchscreen on the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, software calibration may be required. Android usually automatically detects a new sensor, but it is worth using built-in diagnostic tools to achieve perfect accuracy.
To enter the engineering menu, dial ##6484## in the dialer. In the CIT menu that opens, select "Touchpanel" or "Sensor." Follow the instructions on the screen: draw lines, check multi-touch. If the lines are interrupted or shaking, repeat the calibration procedure.
After a successful calibration, restart the device. In the first hours of operation, the new touchscreen may behave a little unstable, but usually this passes after the battery is fully charged and discharged. If problems persist, it may be a defective part.