Xiaomi screen flickering: 7 ways to fix the problem yourself

The flickering of the screen on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most annoying problems faced by users of the Redmi, Poco and Mi lines. The screen can twitch, blink at different frequencies or even completely go out for split seconds, making the use of the phone uncomfortable, and sometimes impossible. In 80% of cases, the cause is a software failure, but in 20% of cases hardware malfunctions - from a damaged plume to a factory matrix defect - are to blame.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible causes of flickering, from the trivial adaptive brightness settings to the serious breakdowns that require the intervention of the service center, you'll learn how to diagnose a problem in 2 minutes, what settings you'll set up. MIUI They're responsible for the stability of the display, and when it's time to carry the phone for repair. AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60), where flickering is often associated with technology DC Dimming.

1. Quick diagnosis: how to determine the cause of flickering

Before you start repairing or resetting your settings, you need to understand what exactly causes the flicker. Here are 3 key tests to help narrow down the range of problems:

• 🔍 Safe Mode Test: Reboot your phone by holding the power button until the menu appears. Select Safe Mode. If the flicker is gone, the third-party app is to blame.
• 📱 Checking on another charger: Connect the phone to another power unit or cable. flickering when charging is often associated with unstable voltage.
• 🌡️ Heating the case: Feel the back cover. If the phone is hot and the flicker is getting worse, the problem is that the GPU or battery is overheating.

If the flicker only appears when certain actions (for example, when scrolling tape in TikTok or in games), most likely, the frequency of updating the screen or the graphics driver is to blame. AMOLED-displays (Xiaomi) 12T, Poco F5) check the settings DC Dimming in the menu Settings → Display. → Additionally.

2. Programmatic causes of flickering and their elimination

In 60 percent of cases, screen flickering on Xiaomi is caused by firmware failures, application conflicts, or incorrect settings.

Disabling adaptive brightness and DC Dimming

MIUI It automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen depending on the light, but sometimes this algorithm malfunctions to turn off the adaptive brightness:

1. Go to Settings → Display.
2. Turn off the adaptive brightness slider.
3. In the section "More" find «DC Dimming" and disable it (relevant to AMOLED-screen).

Why does it work? Technology. DC Dimming reduces flickering at low brightness, but on some phones (Redmi) K50, Xiaomi 11T) It causes artifacts, and when you shut it down, it can become a little less smooth when you adjust the brightness, but the flicker will disappear.

Resetting the display settings

If the flicker appears after the MIUI update, reset the screen settings to factory:

1. Open the Settings. → Display. → Additionally.
2. Click "Reset Display settings."
3. Reboot the phone.

If the flicker remains, move on to more radical measures.

Updating or rolling back firmware

Firmware failures are a common cause of flickering, especially after major updates MIUI. Check the relevance of the version:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If an update is available, install it.
3. If the flicker appears after the update, try to roll back to the previous version via Fastboot (instruction below).

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot rollback resets all data! pre-backup to Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

3. Hardware causes: when iron is to blame

If the software methods didn't work, the problem is the hardware, and let's look at the most common cases.

Damaged display plume

The plume connecting the screen to the motherboard can move away or rub over time, a common problem after falling or disassembling the phone.

• The flicker is enhanced when you press the screen or bending the body.
• Vertical stripes or artifacts appear.
• The screen periodically goes out on 1-2 seconds.

The solution is to replace the plume in the service center, and the average cost of repair for Redmi is 1,500-3,000. ₽, for flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra) – up to 5,000 ₽. Independent replacement is possible, but requires experience and a special tool (solder, hair dryer, tweezers).

Faulty of the battery or power controller

If flickering only occurs when the battery is low (below 15-20%), the problem may be:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery (swelling, loss of capacity).
• ⚡ Faulty power controller (on the motherboard).

Check the status of the battery:

1. Enter the number #4636##.
2. Select "Battery Information".
3. If the Health Level is below 80%, the battery should be replaced.

⚠️ Note: Flickering when charging from a non-original power supply may indicate problems with the voltage controller. Use only branded Xiaomi chargers (power not higher than recommended for the model).

Defect of matrix or illumination

Nana AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, Redmi K50 Gaming) flickering may be caused:

• 💡 Burning out of pixels (spots appear, flickering on a gray background).
• 🔦 Failure of the backlight (the screen dims and flickers when the brightness changes).

You can check the matrix using the test for broken pixels:

1. Install Screen Test from Google Play.
2. Run tests for color uniformity (black, red, green, blue screens).
3. If on a monotonous background you can see flickering points or stripes - the matrix is damaged.

💡

Nana AMOLED-In the screens, flickering at low brightness (below 30%) is the normal behavior of the technology. DC Dimming (if it was turned off).

4. flickering in specific actions: games, video, charging

Sometimes the screen doesn't flicker all the time, but only in certain scenarios.

4.1 Call of Duty, Genshin Impact (Games, PUBG)

In games, flickering is usually associated with:

• 🎮 Screen refresh rate incompatibility (e.g., the game runs at 60Hz and the screen runs at 90Hz).
• 🔥 Overheating of the processor (flickering appears after 15-20 minutes of play).
• 🖥️ Failures in the graphics driver (especially after the update) MIUI).

Decisions:

1. Record the 60 Hz refresh rate of the screen in Settings → Display. → Frequency of update.
2. Limit performance in game settings (reduce) FPS before 30-40).
3. Use a cooling stand or play in a cool room.

4.2. flickering when watching videos (YouTube, TikTok, Netflix)

If the screen only flickers when playing the video, check:

• 📹 Video frame rate (flashing at 24) FPS 60Hz screen, normal).
• 🔊 Hardware acceleration in the application (turn off in player settings).
• 🌐 Codecs (install) MX Player with support HW+).

For the test, try playing the video in another application. If the flicker remains, the problem is in the firmware (you need to update or reset).

Flickering when charging

This is one of the most common problems.

• ⚡ Unstable voltage from the power supply.
• 🔌 Damaged cable (especially if flickering appears when the plug moves).
• 🔋 Battery wear (phone "twitches" when charging).

How to check:

1. Connect the phone to another charger (preferably the original one).
2. Try charging from the power bank.
3. If the flicker is gone, the problem is in the power supply or outlet.

💡

Flickering when charging from a laptop (USB-port - normal due to low current. Use the socket for stable voltage.

5. Radical methods: reset, firmware, screen replacement

If none of the previous methods worked, it’s time to move on to radical measures.Remember: These actions can lead to data loss or the phone fails if executed incorrectly.

5.1 Hard Reset (Hard Reset)

Resetting to factory settings deletes all data, but often solves software problems.

1. Make a backup copy (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm.

Once reset, the phone will reboot and return to the "out of the box" state, and if there's any flicker left, it's a hardware problem.

5.2 Flashing through Fastboot

If the flicker appeared after the update MIUI, You can roll back to the old version or you can flash the phone with clean firmware:

• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool installed.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Select the downloaded firmware and press "Flash".

⚠️ Warning: Wrong firmware can turn a phone into a "brick"! make sure the firmware version matches the phone model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro) 5G ≠ Redmi Note 11 Pro).

5.3 Replacement of the screen or motherboard

If all software methods are exhausted, all that remains is repair.

For models with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60) It is more expensive to replace the matrix because of the complexity of dismantling, and in some cases it is cheaper to buy a new phone, especially if it is older than 2-3 years.

6.Prevention: How to avoid flickering in the future

To prevent screen flickering from returning, follow these guidelines:

• 📱 Update your firmware regularly, but don’t install beta versions. MIUI (They often contain bugs).
• ⚡ Use original Quick Charge-enabled chargers (for your model).
• 🛡️ Install a depreciation case to protect against falls.
• 🔧 Do not disassemble the phone yourself without experience (risk of damaging the plume).
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating: Do not play heavy games when charging, do not leave your phone in the sun.

For models with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 12, Poco) F4) recommended:

• Do not set the brightness below 30% (this provokes flickering due to the peculiarities of the technology).
• Shut down. DC Dimming if it causes discomfort.
• Use dark themes to reduce the load on the matrix.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen flickering on Xiaomi