A situation where Xiaomi’s screen suddenly goes out can take anyone by surprise. The smartphone can continue to vibrate when incoming calls or make notification sounds, but the display remains completely black. In most cases, this does not mean a fatal breakdown of the matrix, but is the result of software failures or specific configurations of the MIUI system.
Before you carry a device to a service center, you need to do a basic diagnostic, and often the problem lies in a stalled process, a discharged battery or accidental activation of the "in your pocket" mode, Understanding the nature of the malfunction will help save time and money, since many cases are solved by simply restarting or resetting settings.
In this article, we will look at all possible causes, from simple software errors to hardware damage, how to check the proximity sensor, how to perform a forced restart, and when you need intervention from specialists, the main thing is not to panic and consistently follow the instructions to restore the device to work.
Primary Diagnosis and Nutrition Testing
The first thing you need to do is make sure that the problem is not related to the full discharge of the battery. Even if the charging indicator does not light up, this does not always indicate a faulty charger. Try to leave the smartphone on charge for at least 30-40 minutes using the original cable and power supply. Sometimes, with a deep discharge, the system can not immediately start the screen.
If you don't react after you're connected to the network, check the charging connector for dust or pile, clean it carefully using a wooden toothpick or compressed air, and oxidizing the contacts can also prevent current from passing, which keeps the phone from turning on.
Notice the behavior of the notification indicator (if you have one in your model) if it flashes when you connect the charging, then the power circuit is intact, and the problem is likely software, and if there is no response to the power button and charging, the power controller may have failed.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone falls into water or has been spilled on it, do not attempt to charge or turn it on.This will short circuit and permanent damage to the board.
Forced resetting of the device
The most effective way to revive a smartphone if Xiaomi has a screen gone out is to perform a hard reboot. The standard long-term press of the power button here may not work due to a hung system process.
You need to simultaneously press the Power button and the Volume Up button (or Volume Down depending on the model). Hold them for 10-15 seconds. The screen should blink, and the Mi or Redmi logo will appear. This action is similar to removing the battery in older phones and helps to relieve static voltage.
☑️ Hard reset algorithm
If the phone vibrates after releasing the buttons, but the screen goes out again, try repeating the procedure 2-3 times. Sometimes the system requires several attempts to properly initialize the bootloader, and it is also worth checking whether the on button sticks mechanically, as this can block the entry to the menu.
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A hard reboot is a secure procedure that doesn’t delete your personal data, but can fix a software glitch that caused the black screen.
Problems with the proximity sensor and the “In the pocket” mode
One of the most common reasons why the screen goes out during a conversation or immediately after unlocking is the incorrect operation of the proximity sensor.** It is located at the top of the screen, next to the speaker, and if it gets dirt, grease or security glass is not glued correctly, the system thinks that the phone is in your pocket, and locks the display.
You can check the sensor through the engineering menu. Dial the code ##6484## on the keyboard. In the menu that opens, select Proximity sensor. Cover the top of the screen with your hand: the value should change from 5.0 to 0.0. If there is no change, you need to calibrate.
⚠️ Warning: Do not glue the area above the screen with tight stickers or thick protective glass with a black frame overriding the sensor.
To fix the problem, try to wipe the top of the screen with a soft cloth. If the calibration in the engineering menu does not help, you can turn off the "Mode in your pocket" function in the settings if you can get into the menu through the Mi PC Suite or control from a computer. In some cases, removing the case, which can mechanically press on the sensor area, helps.
How to calibrate a sensor without an engineering menu?
Misfunctions of MIUI system and updates
Often the screen goes out after a failed firmware update or installation of a “curve” security patch. System files may have been corrupted, leading to a conflict of display drivers. If the phone turns on, vibrates, but there is no image, you may need to flash or roll back to the previous version.
Try to enter Recovery mode. To do this, turn off the phone (if it reacts) and press Power + Volume Up. In the recovery menu, select a language (if the screen is even slightly light) and try to reset to the factory settings of Wipe Data. This will delete all data, but can restore the operating system to work.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| The screen only goes out in calls. | Approximation sensor | Calibration or substitution |
| Black screen after update | Failure of the | Recovery / Flashing |
| The screen does not turn on after falling | The plume's retreat | Disassembly and reconnection |
| The phone is warming up and the black screen | Processor overheating | Refrigeration and discharge |
If you've installed custom themes or third-party launchers, they can also cause conflicts. In safe mode (loaded by long-pressing "Switch off" on the menu if the screen is visible), third-party apps don't work. If in safe mode the screen lights up, the problem is in one of the installed applications.
Hardware malfunctions and plume departure
When software is powerless, you have to consider physical damage, and even if the phone hasn't fallen, constant temperature changes or vibrations in the vehicle can cause the display plume to move away from the motherboard, in which case the screen can light up for a fraction of a second when you press the body.
Carefully press the top of the screen (where the plume is attached) and try to turn the phone on at the same time. If the image appears, then the contact is broken. However, this is a temporary solution: you will need to disassemble the device and reconnect the connector.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t press the screen too hard, especially if you have a matrix. AMOLED. Excessive pressure can crush the crystals and lead to black spots or complete breakdown of the matrix.
Another hardware reason is that the power controller or the backlight itself is out of order, and if you see an image on the screen at an angle in bright light, but the backlight is not working, you've burned the backlight circuit, and repairing it requires soldering and replacing components on the board, which is only possible in a service center.
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Try connecting your phone to your computer via USB. If the computer makes the device connect sound, but the screen is black, it's likely that the backlight or the plume, not the controller itself, has burned.
Using Mi PC Suite to Restore
If the screen is not working, but the phone is responding to commands, you can try to control it through the computer. Mi PC Suite (or its analogues) allows you to back up, update the firmware and even manage files without the display on.
Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-If previously authorized debugging USB, The computer will have access to the file system, so you can copy important data before you try hard resetting or flashing it, which is a critical step in preserving personal information.
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Using a PC to control a smartphone is the only way to save data if the screen goes out, but the system is working and the touchscreen is not responsive.
In some cases, you can send a command to restart through your computer to restore mode, which is impossible to do with buttons if they don't work, but if the phone isn't detected by the computer at all, the likelihood of a serious hardware malfunction of the motherboard increases.
When it is necessary to contact the service
There are a number of signs that indicate that self-repair is impossible. If after a fall on the screen appeared black spots** ("ink") that spread, or colored stripes, the matrix is broken.
It is also worth contacting the wizards if the phone heats up strongly at the top (where the processor is) even when the charge is switched off, a sign of a short circuit on the board. Further attempts to turn on can cause the battery to catch fire.
Professional diagnostics are necessary if the device has been exposed to moisture. Even if the phone is working, corrosion can slowly destroy the contacts, wizards will perform ultrasonic cleaning and checks of current consumption, which can not be done at home.