Damage to the protective glass of the display is one of the most common problems faced by owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 smartphone. Even if the matrix works correctly, cracks interfere with view, and sharp chips can hurt your finger when swiping. Often users confuse broken glass with a faulty touchscreen or damaged display, but in modern builds these elements are often combined into a single module.
Restore the integrity of the screen requires care, patience and understanding of the design of the device. Unlike simple battery replacement, working with a display module involves working with adhesive bases and fragile plumes. If you are not confident in your abilities, you should contact a service center, but for enthusiasts, self-repair will be a great opportunity to save money.
Before starting work, you need to clearly understand the difference between replacing glass (only the top layer) and replacing the display module (complete with a matrix). In this article, we will consider the second, most common option, since gluing glass at home without a separator and refrax is almost impossible and carries high risks.
Diagnostics and selection of components for Redmi Note 5
On the Redmi Note 5 (Whyred), the display module consists of a matrix, touch scanner and frame. If the image has spots, stripes or a black background, and the sensor does not respond, a complete replacement of the module assembly will be required. In the case where the picture is perfect, but the glass is broken, theoretically you can only replace the glass, but this requires professional equipment.
When choosing a part on the market, you can encounter three main types of screens: Original, OEM and Copy. Original modules are rare and expensive, often only found in authorized service centers. Copies are low brightness, poor viewing angles and a weak touchscreen that can “glutch” when charging.
⚠️ Note: When buying a module, pay attention to the color of the plume. In the original Xiaomi displays, the plume usually has a characteristic yellowish or orange tint, rather than pure white, as in cheap copies.
It's also important to check the connector compatibility. Although the model is the same, different matrix suppliers may have been used in different years of release, make sure that the plume connector visually matches your original component, otherwise you risk damaging the power controller on the board.
For a quality assembly, it is best to purchase a framed module, which will save you from having to glue the glass onto an old frame, which requires accuracy and a special glue B-7000. The framed module already has factory sealing and proper geometry, which makes it easier to assemble at times.
Tools and workplace preparation required
To replace the display on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, you will need a specialized set that can be purchased in radio parts stores or online. The use of improvised tools such as knives or needles is strongly discouraged, as there is a high risk of damage to the case or plumes.
- 🛠️ Screwdriver kit: cross PH000 and PH00 hull-board.
- 🔥 Hair dryer or thermal package: to heat the adhesive base around the perimeter of the screen (temperature about 80-90°C).
- 📦 Suction and mediator: for careful detachment of the lid without chipping.
- 🧴 Clay. B-7000 or E-8000: for fixing a new frame (if the module is without a frame) or body elements.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat: for sorting screws, as they have different lengths and threads.
Special attention should be paid to the organization of the workspace. The surface should be clean, dry and well lit. Small parts, such as screws or plastic plugs, are easily lost, so the presence of an organizer or magnetic mat is critically important for successful repairs.
Before starting disassembly, be sure to turn off the device. Even if the screen does not respond to touch, hold the power button for about 10-15 seconds to make sure the smartphone is completely de-energized. This will prevent short circuits when the plumes are turned off.
☑️ Ready for repair
The process of disassembling the body and removing the module
Starting the disassembly with the tray extraction SIM-It's standard procedure, but it's necessary to remove the side frame or access the bottom screws, depending on the design of the specific body revision. On the Redmi Note 5, the tray is on the left.
Next, warm the perimeter of the back cover. Use a hair dryer, evenly warming the edges for 2-3 minutes. Do not hold the hair dryer at one point for too long so as not to overheat the battery or plastic cells. After warming up, carefully insert the suction cup at the bottom of the back cover and, pulling it, insert the mediator into the resulting gap.
Swipe your mediator or plastic card around the perimeter, snapping plastic latches. Be especially careful at the top where the main camera module and fingerprint scanner are located, if it's built into the case. Don't pull the lid sharply so as not to damage the scanner plume.
Once the back cover is removed, you'll have access to the insides, and first of all, you'll unscrew all the screws that hold the plastic overlay over the battery and the motherboard, and the number can vary, usually it's a small number. 10-12 perimeter and center.
Secret to removing the protective sticker
Now you have to turn off the battery, find the battery connector on the board, and gently disconnect it with a plastic blade, and then you can touch the other plumes of the display, unscrew the protective plate that covers the connectors of the display and touch screen, and disconnect the two main plumes.
Replacement of the display module and assembly of the device
If you buy a framed module, it's a lot easier, you just have to move the motherboard, the battery and other components from the old frame to the new one, and if you have no frame, you have to carefully separate the old broken screen from the plastic base, scraping away the glue, and stick the new one.
Consider the framed version, because it's the most reliable one. Set the motherboard in a new frame, matching the screw holes. Make sure the bottom speaker (the conversational speaker) hits the right seat, otherwise the sound will be quiet or distorted.
Connect the display and touchscreen plumes to the motherboard. They're different sizes, difficult to confuse, but you need to do it without effort. Press the connectors before you click the right click. Set the metal pad and twist all the screws.
| Component | Action. | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Connect first | Check the voltage before installation |
| Display plume | Connect to the screws | Do not overflex the plume at a sharp angle |
| Protective plate. | Twisting all screws | Use the PH000 screwdriver |
| Back cover. | Apply glue and pinch | Warming is not required if the glue is fresh. |
Before final assembly, run a primary test. Without sticking the back cover, turn on your smartphone. Check the touchscreen at all corners of the screen, the brightness of the backlight and the proximity sensor. If everything works correctly, apply a thin layer of B-7000 glue to the end of the frame and press the back cover tightly.
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Apply the B-7000 glue in a thin strip, receding 1-2 mm from the edge so that when pressed, the excess does not squeeze out on the body or inside the smartphone.
Lock the structure with rubber bands or loads for 30-60 minutes to polymerize the glue. After that, you can turn the device on and use it. Full strength of the adhesive joint is gained within 24 hours, so on the first day avoid moisture and impact.
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
In the repair process, beginners often make mistakes that can lead to re-disassembly. One of the most common problems is the “white screen” or the absence of an image after assembly, which usually indicates that the display plume is not fully inserted into the connector or contaminated contact.
Another common mistake is to damage the touchscreen plume when you peel off the old frame, and if the touchscreen is partially working or if it is a phantomite (spontaneously pressing), it is likely that the plume or the controller itself is damaged, in which case only replacing the entire module will help.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to turn on your smartphone unless the screen is connected to the battery or if the display plumes are dangling in the air.This can cause fuses on the board to burn.
Also worth mentioning is the proximity sensor problem, which may not work properly after changing the screen, closing the screen during a conversation, often due to improper installation of the speaker's protective mesh or the residue of glue in the sensor area, and carefully clean the top of the frame before installing a new module.
If the smartphone doesn't respond to charging after assembly, check the bottom charging connector (sub-board). If it's not tidy disassembled, it's easy to damage the plume connecting the main board to the bottom charging board. Make sure it's securely snapped on both sides.
Calibration and post-replacement testing
After successfully replacing the glass or module on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, it is recommended to calibrate the touchscreen, which will help eliminate possible inaccuracies in the operation of the sensor, to do this in the engineering menu or through special applications, you can run testing.
Dial ##6484## in your phone to log into the CIT engineering menu. Select Touchpanel and run a test. You'll need to draw lines in certain areas of the screen. If lines are interrupted or not drawn in some corner, there's a problem with the touchscreen or its connection.
Also check the multi-touch. Open the Gallery app or any other scaling-enabled app, and try pinching the screen with two fingers. The screen should respond instantly and without delay. If there are dead zones, it may be defective or poorly pressed.
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A high-quality display module should have the same brightness and color reproduction as the original, and the touchscreen should respond to the lightest touches without the need for strong pressure.
Be sure to check the front camera and the speaker. Often when you change the screen, their plumes or contacts are left unconnected or damaged. Make sure the sound is clean and the camera takes clear pictures.