How to Check Xiaomi’s Screen for Broken Pixels: From Diagnostics to Treatment

Buying a new smartphone or tablet Xiaomi is always accompanied by a thorough inspection of the device, because no one wants to detect a defect after payment. One of the most common and unpleasant problems of modern matrices are broken pixels — tiny dots that burn the wrong color or do not light up at all. Their presence can significantly spoil the experience of using the gadget, especially when watching videos or reading text against a bright background.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to check Xiaomi for broken pixels using built-in features, online services and specialized applications. You will learn what the difference between hanging and dead pixels, whether they can be fixed software and when to carry the device to the service center under warranty. Proper diagnosis at the initial stage will help you avoid unnecessary costs and nerves.

It's worth noting that the modern IPS and AMOLED arrays used in Redmi and Poco smartphones are made to high standards, but the human factor in assembly or logistics has not been canceled. Even one glowing dot in the center of the screen can annoy the user, so screen checking should be a mandatory ritual when getting a new device in the store or when courier delivery.

What are broken pixels and what are they?

The screen of any modern smartphone consists of millions of microscopic elements called pixels, each of which is divided into three subpixels: red, green and blue. By combining the brightness of the glow of these three colors, the display forms the final image. A broken pixel is an element that has ceased to function correctly, which is visually expressed by the appearance of a point that differs in color from the surrounding space.

There are two main types of defects that are often confused: the first type is dead pixels, which are black dots that do not light up in any color of the image, which is due to a physical break in the power supply chain of the subpixels or damage to the transistor that controls them, and unfortunately, it is almost impossible to restore such elements using software methods, since the damage is hardware in nature.

The second type is stuck pixels, which burn the same color (red, green, blue or white) all the time, regardless of what is displayed on the screen. Unlike dead pixels, hanging pixels are often treatable with rapid color changes or light matrix massage, and this type of defect is what most software recovery methods are aimed at.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse broken pixels with image artifacts or temporary glitches of the system. If the color dot disappears after rebooting or changing the picture, it is a software failure, not a physical matrix defect.

Visual verification without using third-party tools

The easiest way to do initial diagnostics is to do a careful visual inspection, so you don't have to download any apps or connect to the Internet, you just have to turn on the device and look at the screen carefully in different lights, and you're best off checking at maximum brightness, because that's the mode where the defects are most pronounced.

Open any gallery and turn on a solid white image, then switch to an all-black background. The white background shows the black (dead) pixels clearly, and the black background shows the bright color (hang) dots. Slowly gaze across the entire display surface, paying special attention to the center and edges where the build pressure may be uneven.

If you’re checking out a device with an AMOLED array, which is typical of Xiaomi’s flagship models, note the uniformity of the glow. Although AMOLED screens don’t have the backlighting of IPS, defective subpixels are also visible on them.

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Wipe the screen before checking with a microfiber – dust and fat spots often disguise themselves as broken pixels and can be misleading.

Online services for screen check Xiaomi

If visual inspection is not enough, specialized online services come to the rescue, allowing you to run test images directly in the smartphone browser without requiring the installation of additional software. This is handy if you want to check the device immediately after unpacking without wasting time booting. APK-file.

One popular tool is the Dead Pixel Buddy site or similar resources that offer Full Screen Color Test. The way they work is simple: you pick a color, and the screen is filled with that color. Switching between colors can easily detect anomalies. Some services also offer a slideshow mode where colors change automatically at a given frequency.

Using online tools has its advantages: they do not take up space in the memory of the device and are available from any browser. However, they require stable Internet access, which is not always convenient if the new smartphone is not already configured. SIM-map or Wi-Fi connection.

Below is a table comparing the main verification methods:

The Best Apps to Find Defective Zones

For a deeper diagnosis, it is advisable to use specialized applications from the Google Play Market, which offer advanced functionality, including automatic color change, gradient tests and even functions to try to restore suspended pixels, such utilities work independently and do not depend on the quality of the Internet connection.

One of the leaders in this category is the Display Tester app, which provides a comprehensive set of tools to check not only broken pixels, but also the uniformity of backlight, color reproduction and viewing angles. In the application menu, you need to select the "Solid Colors" section and consistently walk through all the main colors of the spectrum.

Another popular solution is Dead Pixel Detect and Fix. As the name suggests, it not only helps find defects, but also offers a "cure" mode. The algorithm is based on a rapid cyclic change of colors in the defect area, which sometimes helps to "curl" the stuck subpixel. The user can select the screen area or run a test on the entire display.

• 🔍 Display Tester – a professional tool with detailed reports and many tests.
• 🛠️ Dead Pixel Detect and Fix is a simple application with the matrix recovery function.
• 🎨 Screen Test – a minimalist utility for quick check with solid colors.
• 📱 Xiaomi Service – the official application (if available in your area) for hardware diagnostics.

⚠️ Note: pixel treatment applications can consume significant amounts of energy and heat the device.

Using the Engineering Menu for Diagnostics

Xiaomi smartphones, like many Android devices, have a hidden engineering menu designed to test hardware components, accessed through a special code combination entered in the Phone app, which allows you to check the screen without installing any extra software.

To enter the diagnostic menu, dial the combination ##6484## or ##4636##. The first combination opens the full engineering menu (CIT), the second opens the testing menu. The list that opens will look for the item associated with the display, which can be called Display, Screen, LCD or Color Transfer depending on the firmware version and model.

Once the screen is selected, it will go into test mode, usually by pressing the color change button or swiping the touchscreen across the screen to check the touchscreen, combined with a visual inspection, which is considered one of the most reliable methods, since it works at a low level of the system and shows the real state of the matrix.

Codes for entering the engineering menu of Xiaomi:


##6484## # # # - The Basic Testing Menu (CIT)




2. ##4636### - Phone Information Menu




3. ##34971539## - Camera information (not for screen)

Can I Remove Broken Pixels: Methods and Reality?

The question of whether you can remove broken pixels is a concern for many users, and the answer depends on the type of defect. If the pixel is dead (black), then the chances of success are close to zero, because the physical control has burned, in which case only replacing the display module will help, but if the pixel is frozen and burns with a certain color, apply recovery methods.

The safest software method is to use the apps mentioned above, which change colors quickly in the problem area, causing subpixels to switch, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, and the effectiveness of the method is about 50-60% for fresh defects, old, long-established dots are more difficult to repair.

There is also a mechanical method that requires extreme care, which is to easily massage the area with a defect of the switched-off device with a soft tissue or cotton swab, followed by a minimum pressure, so as not to damage the matrix permanently, this method is risky and does not guarantee the result, so it is only necessary to apply it as a last resort and at your own risk.

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Software recovery is only effective for "hung" pixels. "Dead" black dots can be eliminated only by replacing the screen.

Warranty cases and return of the device

If the inspection revealed defects, it is important to know your rights. According to Xiaomi policy and the laws of many countries, the presence of broken pixels is a guarantee, but with reservations. There is a so-called standard ISO 13406-2, which allows a certain number of defective pixels per a certain number of screen points.

Usually, the warranty covers the presence of more than 2-5 bit pixels (depending on the matrix class and diagonal), especially if they are in the center of the screen or grouped together. A single barely noticeable pixel on the edge of the screen may not be considered a defect requiring a replacement of the device, although within the first 14 days (in Russia and some CIS countries) you have the right to return the product of proper quality, if you did not like it, while maintaining the presentation.

If you find a defect, take photos or videos of the screen from different angles and lights at once, this will be your proof at the service center. Do not try to “treat” the screen mechanically before contacting the service, as traces of physical impact (scratches, dents) can be grounds for denial of warranty service.