How to independently check the Xiaomi smartphone for broken pixels: from test pictures to professional tools

Broken pixels on Xiaomi’s screen are a problem that even new device owners face, and these tiny defects can manifest as black dots (dead pixels), constantly burning colored spots (hot pixels), or flashing patches that spoil the picture. Especially critical for photographers, gamers or those who work with graphics – even 1-2 Defective pixels can spoil the impression of an expensive smartphone.

In this article, you’ll learn how to accurately diagnose broken pixels on any Xiaomi smartphone (including Redmi models, POCO We'll take a look at 5 proven methods, from manual tests using standard tools to professional applications with advanced diagnostics, and you'll find answers to the questions: Can a broken pixel be “cured”?, how many defects are considered normal? and how to distinguish a hardware defect from a software failure.

What are broken pixels and why do they appear?

A pixel is the minimum color display element, and ideally, all pixels should glow uniformly, but some of them fail due to manufacturing defects or external influences.

• 🔴 A dead pixel is always black, unresponsive to signals, due to physical damage or a break in contact.
• 🟢 Hot pixels -- they're always on the same color (red, green, blue) because the transistor freezes in the open.
• 🔄 Sticky pixel – gets stuck in one color, but can temporarily thaw. Often associated with software failures.

According to the DisplayMate study, 0.003% pixel-on OLED-The screens can be defective, which is considered normal by most manufacturers, including Xiaomi. 5-10, This is a warranty replacement, the main reason for the broken pixels:

• 🏭 Marriage of production – especially relevant for low-end Redmi models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Redmi Note). POCO X5).
• 💥 Mechanical damage – impacts, falls, heavy pressure on the screen.
• ⚡ Overheating or temperature changes – leaving your smartphone under direct sunlight or near heat sources.
• 🔋 The wear of the matrix is characteristic of AMOLED-post-screen 2-3 years of heavy use (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro).

⚠️ Attention: Broken pixels on AMOLED-screens (installed in Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mix Fold 3) are often confused with burnout — when static interface elements (navigation panels, icons) leave traces. These are different defects: burnout is treated only by replacing the matrix, and broken pixels sometimes “suck” over time.

Preparing a smartphone for verification: 3 mandatory steps

Before testing the screen, you need to rule out false positives caused by dirt, protective films or system settings.

1. Clean the screen. Wipe the display with a microfiber wipe (such as a Xiaomi kit), and fat spots or dust can mimic defects.
2. Remove the security accessories. Remove the cover, the glass and the film, which can create optical distortion.
3. Set the brightness to 100% in Settings. → Display. → Brightness. When it's low, broken pixels are hard to spot.

It is also recommended to turn off adaptive brightness and night mode, as they distort colors.

Settings → Display → Adaptive Brightness → Turn off


Settings → Display → Reading Mode → Turn off

If you use a smartphone with Always-On Display (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K60 Pro), temporarily disable this function in Settings → Lock screen → Always-On Display: Persistently burning pixels on a black background can mask defects.

Remove the cover and protective glass|

Wipe the screen with microfiber|

Set brightness to 100%|

Turn off adaptive brightness and night mode|

Turn off Always-On Display (if any)-->

Method 1: Manually check with test pictures

The easiest way to identify broken pixels is to consistently display monochromatic screensavers of primary colors: black, red, green, blue and white, and in contrasting backgrounds, defects become noticeable to the naked eye.

For this:

1. Download the archive with test pictures (permission) 2400×1080 for most of Xiaomi).
2. Unpack the files and transfer them to the folder DCIM smartphone.
3. Open the gallery and start viewing in Slides Show mode at intervals 5-10 seconds.

What to look for on each color:

Critical information: On AMOLED-On the screens (all Xiaomi flagships since 2020), the black background turns off the pixels completely, so you can’t see dead defects on it.

AMOLED|

IPS LCD|

I don't know.|

Other-->

Method 2: Using the built-in display test (hidden function) MIUI)

In the firmware MIUI There's a hidden screen diagnostic tool that's available through an engineering menu that lets you test the matrix for broken pixels, gradients and color reproduction without installing third-party apps.

To run the test:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##6484###
2. In the menu that appears, select Manual Test. → Display.
3. Press Start Test and watch for color changes. Defects will be highlighted.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 Accuracy – The test uses native screen drivers to minimize false positives.
• 📱 Universality – works for all Xiaomi MIUI 10 and newer (including) POCO and Black Shark).
• 🛠️ Diagnostics of other parameters – sensor, speakers and vibration are checked simultaneously.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) The engineering menu can be blocked. In this case, use the alternative code: ##4636##, then go to Testing. → Display Test.

💡

If nothing happens after you enter the code, check if the engineering menu is disabled in the developer settings. Enable Developer Settings (7 times click on Version) MIUI In Settings → About the phone) and activate the option Allow the Engineering Menu.

Method 3: Applications for deep screen diagnostics

Specialized utilities offer advanced tests, including checking for sticky pixels, uneven lighting and burnout. 5 popular applications and selected the top-3 Xiaomi:

How to use Screen Test (Step-by-step):

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Select Color Test – the program will show 10 monochromatic screens.
3. Click on the screen to change colors. Remember or photograph the location of the defects.
4. To save the report, click Save Report (the file will be in.txt format in the Download folder).

Dead Pixels Test also offers Fix Dead Pixels, which tries to wake up sticky pixels with a quick change of color, but the effectiveness of this method is less than 20% - do not expect a miracle.

Method 4: Online services for verification (without installing applications)

If you don't want to download software, use web services. They work right in the browser, but they require full-screen mode for accuracy.

• 🌐 Lagom LCD Test is a classic service with tests for gradients, broken pixels and color reproduction. IPS-screens (Redmi 10, POCO M4).
• 🌐 JScreenFix - specializes in "curing" sticky pixels with flashing blocks.Efficiency ~30%.
• 🌐 EIZO Monitor Test - a professional tool with calibration of the gamut and verification for broken subpixels.

How to check the screen through Lagom LCD Test:

1. Open your website in Chrome or Mi Browser.
2. Select the Dead pixel test section.
3. Press. F11 (or touch the badge «⛶» in the browser) to enable full screen mode.
4. Scroll through the page, stopping at each color on the 10-15 seconds.

⚠️ Note: Online tests can give false positives due to the compression of colors by the browser. For accuracy, use Chrome with the deflag switched off. chrome://flags/#force-color-profile (set the value of sRGB).

Method 5: Verification through ADB (for advanced users)

If you are familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), You can run a display test through the command line, and this method is suitable for Xiaomi diagnostics with a blocked engineering menu or custom firmware.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on the debugging. USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).
3. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and execute the command: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.settings/.DisplaySettings
4. Use the adb shell service call SurfaceFlinger 1008 to run color tests i32 1 (where 1 is the color code: 1)=red, 2=green, 3=blue, 4=black, 5=white-coloured).

Advantages ADB-testing:

• 🔧 It works on any firmware, including custom (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 📊 Allows you to automate verification through scripts (for example, to test a batch of devices).
• 🛡️ There is no risk of installing malware (unlike third-party apps).

💡

ADB-The screen testing teams only work on an unlocked bootloader. If your Xiaomi issues a device unauthorized error, confirm the debugging on your smartphone screen.

What to do if you find broken pixels

What you do depends on the number and type of defects you find.

To contact the Xiaomi service under warranty:

1. Take screenshots or photos of defects (for example, using another phone).
2. Save the report from the Screen Test app or the engineering menu.
3. Contact the official service center with a check and a box.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a smartphone from AliExpress, JD.com or unofficial sellers, the warranty Xiaomi Russia does not apply.In this case, contact the platform where you made the purchase (protection period - up to 15 days from the date of receipt of the warranty Xiaomi Russia).

FAQ: Frequent questions about broken pixels on Xiaomi