How to Check Xiaomiโ€™s Screen for Broken Pixels: A Complete Guide with Tests and Tips

Why itโ€™s important to check the screen for broken pixels and when to do it

The broken pixels on Xiaomiโ€™s screen are not just a cosmetic defect; they can signal hidden matrix problems, improper transportation of the device, or even factory defects, and it is especially critical to check the display before buying a used smartphone, after a drop or repair of the screen. Even one pixel that is not working on AMOLED-The matrix may eventually spread the defect to neighboring areas.

Owners of Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Or Xiaomi 13 is often faced with the question: how to distinguish a broken pixel from a regular dirt or scratch? Broken pixel is always static โ€” it does not disappear when you wipe the screen and is visible against any background. Black (off), red, green, blue or white (hanging in one state). OLED-The broken pixels are often shown as bright points, and on the screen IPS โ€” dark.

When should you sound the alarm? If you notice a defect in the first 14 days after buying it is a warranty exchange. Manufacturers (including Xiaomi) usually allow up to 3 bit pixels per million as normal, but this does not apply to cluster defects or pixels in the center of the screen.

Method 1: Xiaomiโ€™s built-in diagnostic tests (without apps)

Many Xiaomi smartphones have hidden service menus to check the display, which requires no third-party software and works even without the Internet.

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Enter the combination: ##6484## (for some models, ##284## is appropriate).
  3. Choose Display Test or Touch Test.

In the diagnostics menu you will see several check modes:

  • ๐Ÿ”ด Color tests are alternate red, green, blue and black screens, and broken pixels will contrast with the background.
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Gradient test โ€“ smooth transition of colors, which clearly visible defects OLED-matrix.
  • โšช White screen โ€“ check for dark (dead) pixels.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the service menu does not open, try entering the code through the standard Calculator application: dial the sequence of numbers and press =.

Note that some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T) may have different codes. If the combination does not work, check the current codes for your firmware on the official Mi Community forum. Also note that the service menu may reset brightness settings - remember the current value before the test.

๐Ÿ“Š How often do you check your smartphone screen for defects?
Only before the sale/purchase
After every fall
Six months
Never checked.

Method 2: Online tests to check broken pixels

If embedded tools are not available, use online services that work directly in the browser and do not require installation.

  • ๐ŸŒ JScreenFix โ€“ Supports tests for AMOLED and IPS, There is a mode of checking for "stuck" pixels.
  • ๐ŸŒ Lagom LCD Test โ€“ detailed tests with gradients and patterns to detect even mild defects.
  • ๐ŸŒ E-Tests โ€“ Russian interface, optimized for mobile devices.

How to run the test:

  1. Open your website in Chrome or Mi Browser.
  2. Transfer the smartphone to full-screen viewing (hide the navigation panel).
  3. Turn on tests in turn: homogeneous colors, gradients, hatching.
  4. Look at the screen from different angles โ€“ some defects are only visible when tilted.

Set brightness to 100% |Close all background applications |Clean the screen from dust |Put on glasses (if you use) |Check in a dark room-->

Important: Online tests may not display correctly in the browser UC Browser or Opera Mini because of traffic optimization. If colors get distorted, try another browser or turn off data saving mode. OLED-Xiaomi screens (such as the Mix 4) have a natural uneven backlighting โ€“ it should not be confused with broken pixels.

โš ๏ธ Warning: If after the online test the screen started to flicker or artifacts appeared, reboot the device.Some JavaScript tests may conflict with Xiaomi display drivers.

Method 3: Applications for deep screen diagnostics

Use specialized applications to verify the accuracy of your screening, which offer advanced tests, including subpixel grid testing and backlight uniformity analysis.

AnnexFeaturesSuitable forReference
Screen Test15+ tests, sensor check, no adsAll Xiaomi modelsGoogle Play
Dead Pixels TestSimple interface, tests for OLED/IPSRedmi, POCOGoogle Play
Display TesterChecking color coverage, gradientsFlagships (Xiaomi 13/14)Google Play
AMOLED TestSpecialized for OLED-matrixesXiaomi with AMOLED (Note 11 Pro, 12S)Google Play

When using applications, pay attention to:

  • ๐Ÿ” Burn-in Test mode โ€“ helps to identify burnt out areas on the OLED-screens (relevant to Xiaomi Black Shark or POCO F4 GT).
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Color histogram shows the distribution of broken pixels by color.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Dynamic tests โ€“ animations that show the โ€œstuckโ€ pixels better.

Warning: Some apps (like Screen Test Pro) ask permissions to access files or the camera. This is not necessary to check the screen - deny unnecessary permissions to avoid data leaks.

What to do if the application does not start?
If the screen testing app crashes or doesnโ€™t open, check: 1. Android Version (some programs donโ€™t support MIUI 14+). 2. Root rights (for deep tests, you may need to unlock the bootloader). 3. Conflict with MIUI optimization: disable Auto Start for the application in the battery settings (Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management โ†’ Auto Run).

Method 4: Manually checking with photos

If you don't have access to the Internet or you don't want to install software, you can manually check the screen with photos, which is a good way to detect gross defects, but it's not a substitute for full diagnostics.

Instructions:

  1. Download to your smartphone archive with test images (white, black, colored fields).
  2. Open each image in the gallery to a full screen.
  3. Close the screen to your eyes (at a distance of 20-30 cm) and examine for abnormalities.
  4. Repeat the test at different brightnesses (50% and 100%).

What to look for in photos:

  • โšซ Black dots on a white background are dead pixels.
  • ๐ŸŸข๐Ÿ”ด๐Ÿ”ต Colored dots on a black background - stuck pixels.
  • ๐Ÿ”ณ Vertical/horizontal lines โ€“ damage to the matrix or plume.
  • ๐ŸŒˆ Blurred areas - possible problems with illumination (relevant to the IPS-screens in Redmi 10).

โš ๏ธ Warning: Do not use low-resolution photos from the Internet to check for them; compressed images (e.g., from Telegram or social media) can create artifacts that are mistaken for broken pixels โ€” PNG with the resolution corresponding to your screen (for example, 2400ร—1080 for POCO X3 Pro).

Method 5: Computer Verification (for advanced users)

If you connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-C or HDMI (on supported models), you can check the screen with specialized software, which is suitable for in-depth diagnostics, for example, before selling the device.

Tools required:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Nokia Monitor Test or PassMark MonitorTest (works with external displays).
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Cable USB-C to HDMI (For models with Miracast or DeX support, for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Debugging mode by USB (included in the settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI โ€” tap 7 times).

Step-by-step:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable File Transfer (MTP) mode.
  2. Run PassMark MonitorTest on your computer.
  3. Select the option of External Display Test.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions, paying attention to the Color Uniformity and Pixel Persistence tests.

Advantages of this method:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š More accurate color calibration compared to mobile tests.
  • ๐Ÿ” The possibility of checking for burn-in OLED-screen.
  • ๐Ÿ“น Record the results in a log file for further analysis.

๐Ÿ’ก

Connection via HDMI gives the most objective results, as it eliminates the influence of the smartphone graphics processor on the display.

Limitations:

  • Not all Xiaomi models support HDMI image output (check your deviceโ€™s specifications).
  • PassMark MonitorTest may require you to disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings to work.

What to do if you find broken pixels

What you do depends on the situation.

SituationRecommendationsTimeline
New device (up to 14 days)Warranty exchange (broken pixels are factory defects)1-2 weeks
Guarantee period (up to 1 year)Contact the service center (if pixels >3 or grouped)1-4 weeks
Fall/blowDiagnostics in the service (matrix or plume may be damaged)3-7 days
B/dNegotiations with the seller or repairs at your own expense (~3-8 thousand rubles).Depends on the contract.

If the pixels are few (1-2) and they are not in the center of the screen, you can try to wake them up:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Eaping method: gently tap on the defect area with the blunt side of the pencil (do not make any effort!).
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Color Stimulation: Use the JScreenFix app in Fix Stuck Pixels mode (10-15 minute).
  • โณ Time: Sometimes pixels heal themselves after a few days.

โš ๏ธ Note: Do not use the pressure method (press the screen with force) advised in some forums. This can damage the polarization layer or touch panel, especially on models with Gorilla Glass. OLED-Any physical contact with the matrix can make the situation worse.

If the pixels appeared after the MIUI update, try:

  1. Roll back the firmware through Fastboot (instructions for 4PDA).
  2. Reset the settings to factory (Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Recovery and Reset).
  3. Contact Xiaomi with error logs (Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ Error Report).

FAQ: Frequent questions about broken pixels on Xiaomi

Can I return my phone under warranty because of 1 bit pixel?
According to ISO 13406-2 standards, up to 3 bit pixels per million is considered normal. However, if the pixel is in the center of the screen or several in the same area, Xiaomi service centers often go to meet. The main thing is to show a defect within the warranty period (usually 1 year).
Why not? OLED-Xiaomi screens broken pixels glow, and on the IPS โ€” dark?
This is due to the principles of matrices: OLED: Each pixel is illuminated by itself. The broken pixel hangs when it's on (white, red, green, blue). IPS: It's a light that's shared across the screen, and the broken pixel doesn't let light through, it looks like a black dot. AMOLED-screens (for example, in Xiaomi 13 Pro) broken pixels are more noticeable on a dark background, and on the screen IPS (like Redmi. 9A) โ€” lightly.
Can broken pixels "multiply"?
Yes, but it depends on the cause: If the defect is caused by physical damage (impact, pressure), the risk of spreading is minimal. If the cause is a manufacturing defect or overheating of the matrix, new broken pixels may appear over time. OLED-In the case of screens, โ€œreproductionโ€ is more often associated with burn-in than mechanical defects. To prevent deterioration, avoid prolonged display of static images (for example, navigation icons) and do not use your smartphone in extreme temperatures (below 0).ยฐC or higher than 40ยฐC).
How much does it cost to repair a broken pixel screen in a service center?
Cost depends on model and matrix type: Xiaomi Model Screen Type Repair Cost (2026 (d) Redmi Note 12 AMOLED, 120 Hz 6 000 โ€” 9 000 โ‚ฝ POCO X5 Pro AMOLED, 90 Hz 7 500 โ€” 11 000 โ‚ฝ Xiaomi 13 E6 AMOLED, 120 Hz 12 000 โ€” 18 000 โ‚ฝ Redmi 10A IPS LCD, 60 Hz 3 500 โ€” 5 000 โ‚ฝ Prices are indicated for official Xiaomi service centers in Moscow. 10-20% Replacing the screen in informal workshops is cheaper, but the risk of installing a non-original matrix is higher.
Can we prevent the appearance of broken pixels?
It is impossible to completely eliminate the risk, but these measures will reduce the likelihood of: ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Use a protective film and a depreciation case (such as Spigen or Ringke). ๐Ÿ”‹ Avoid full battery discharge โ€“ this can cause voltage surges harmful to the matrix. ๐ŸŒก๏ธ Do not leave your smartphone under direct sunlight (especially important for the use of the device). POCO M5 s IPS-screen). ๐Ÿ”„ Update regularly MIUI โ€” In new versions, the display management errors are corrected. OLED-screen-over: ๐Ÿ•’ Reduce the time of displaying static elements (in Settings) โ†’ Display. โ†’ Sleeping mode). ๐ŸŽฎ Turn off the active display always (AOD), unless you use it.