The sensor on the Xiaomi phone is not working well: reasons and 15 ways to solve it

Touchscreen is a key element of smartphone control, and when it starts to glitches, it becomes almost impossible to use the device. Touchscreen problems on Xiaomi can manifest themselves in various ways, from accidental presses and “dead zones” to complete lack of response to touch. Most often, the malfunction occurs after a fall, moisture or system update, but sometimes the causes lie deeper — in software failures or wear of hardware.

In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of the sensor incorrect operation on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO (including models 12/13/14 series, Note 11/12, K50 You'll learn how to diagnose a problem yourself, which settings to check first, and when to go to the service center. For convenience, we've compiled step-by-step instructions with photos, video examples and a table of typical symptoms with solutions.

Important: If the sensor stops working after a mechanical damage (hit, fall from a height), immediately move to the section on hardware malfunctions - software methods will not help here. In all other cases, start with simple methods (reboot, clean the cache) and gradually move to more complex ones.

How sensor malfunctions manifest: 7 main symptoms

Before you start repairing, you need to determine the nature of the problem. The sensor on Xiaomi can work incorrectly in different ways:

• 🔘 No response – the screen does not respond to touch at all, but the image is displayed.
• 🎯 «Dead Zones: Part of the screen does not respond (most often at the edges or corners).
• 👆 Spontaneous taps – the phone opens the application itself, scrolls the pages.
• ⏱️ Reaction delays – the sensor is delayed (0.5-2 seconds).
• 🔄 Incorrect calibration – presses are not recorded where you touch.
• 🌡️ Work only when heating / cooling - the sensor "comes alive" after warming up or, conversely, stops working.
• 💧 Artifacts in humidity – the screen glitters after water or in wet weather.

If your problem doesn't make it to this list, it might not be the sensor, but the display module or the motherboard, for example, if the screen flashes, stripes appear, or the image is distorted, these are symptoms of a malfunction. OLED/LCD-plume.

Programmatic causes and ways of elimination

In 60% of cases, the sensor on Xiaomi does not work well due to firmware failures, application conflicts or incorrect settings.

1. Phone reboot

Simple but effective: A soft reset often resolves the touchscreen's temporary glitches. Press the power button for 10 seconds until the menu comes up, and select Reboot. If the sensor doesn't respond at all, use a hard reset:

1. Squeeze the power. + Volume up for 15-20 seconds.
2. Wait for the vibration and the Mi logo.
3. Release the buttons and the phone will be rebooted.

2. Cleaning the system cache

A clogged cache can cause a delay in the sensor to clear it.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. Find Google Play Services and System Interface MIUI, Clear the cache for both.

If the sensor is only latency-free in certain applications (such as games or instant messengers), clear the cache of a particular software or reinstall it.

Sensor calibration

On some Xiaomi models (especially older ones like Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) There's a touchscreen calibration feature built in to run it:

1. Enter the code in the phone application: ##6484##
2. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually touch the crosses several times).

On new devices (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi Note 12) This code may not work – instead, use the Touch Screen Test app from Google Play to check your sensitivity.

4. Update or roll back firmware

If the problem started after the update MIUI, try:

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three-pointed → Select a Service Package.
• 📥 Install the latest stable firmware manually (download from the official website).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware rollback may cause data loss.Pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

5. Reset to factory settings

If previous methods didn't work, do a hard reset, which will delete all the data, but return the phone to its original state:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data and confirm.

If the sensor is not working, use Recovery mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Squeeze the power. + Loudness up until the menu appears.
3. Select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).

6.Verification for viruses and malware

Some viruses can block some of the screen functions. Scan your phone using Google Play Protect or antivirus (such as Dr.Web):

1. Open Google Play → click on the profile icon → Play Protect → Scan.
2. Remove suspicious apps from the list.

Hardware malfunctions: when you need a replacement

If the software methods didn't work, the problem is the physical damage to the components.

1. Sensor plume damage

The plume (flexible cable) connects the touchscreen to the motherboard, and if it falls or bends, it can break or move away from the connector.

• 📱 The sensor only works in a certain position (for example, if you tilt the phone).
• 🔌 There are “dead zones” that expand over time.
• 🔄 The problem is aggravated when pressing the body (for example, if you squeeze the phone from the sides).

Solution: Replacement of the plume or soldering of the plume, average cost of repairs: 1,500-3,000 ₽.

2. Cracks or detachment of the touch screen

Even if there are no visible cracks on the screen, micro-damages to the touch layer can cause malfunctions.

• 🔍 Look at the screen at an angle in good lighting – sometimes cracks are only visible in oblique light.
• 📏 Swipe your finger around the edge of the screen: if you feel a “step” between the glass and the case, the sensor has moved away from the display.

⚠️ Note: If the sensor stopped working after changing the glass in an informal service, it is likely that the master damaged the digitizer (touch layer.

3. Moisture ingestion or oxidation of contacts

Moisture is the main enemy of electronics, and even if the phone hasn't sunk, condensation or high humidity can cause contacts to corrosion.

• 💧 Sensor works with interruptions in wet weather.
• 🔋 The phone is quickly discharged, warmed.
• 📡 Poorly catches the net or Wi-Fi.

What to do:

1. Turn off the phone immediately and remove it. SIM-map.
2. Place the device in a silica gel (or rice) bag for 24 to 48 hours.
3. Do not turn on until you make sure that the moisture has completely evaporated.

💡

If the phone falls into water, DO NOT dry it with a hair dryer or shake it, it will spread moisture inside the case, optimally, take it to a service for professional ultrasound cleaning.

4. Maternity board malfunction

In rare cases, the problem lies in the sensor controller on the board.

• ⚡ Strong voltage drop (for example, after the "left" charger).
• 🔥 Overheating (using a phone at high temperature).
• 🛠️ Failed repairs (damage during soldering).

Diagnosis:

• Connect your phone to your PC – if your computer can’t see it, the problem is serious.
• Check if the sensor is responsive in Fastboot (click Power). + Loudness down).

Solution: diagnostics in the service center using DC Power Supply and microscope, costing 3,000 to 10,000 to repair. ₽.

5. Wear of the sensory layer

Over time, the transparent conductive layer (usually indium tin oxide) thins out, especially if you're using your phone, which is typical of devices older than 3-4 years.

• 📉 The sensor does not work well in one corner, then the dead zones expand.
• 🔄 The problem progresses regardless of resets or resets.

Solution: complete replacement of the display module (sensor) + For Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi K50 It's going to cost 8,000 to 15,000. ₽.

💡

If the sensor stopped working after a fall, and there are spiders or severances on the screen, it's a 100% matrix crack, and repair is possible only by replacing the display.

How to check the sensor Xiaomi: 3 ways

Before you carry your phone for repair, make sure the touchscreen is the problem.

1. Built-in test (Engineer Mode)

Most Xiaomi models have a hidden menu for diagnosis:

1. Open the phone app and type in: ##4636###
2. Choose Equipment Testing → Touch screen.
3. Swipe your finger across the screen – if the trail is interrupted or disappears, the sensor is faulty.

2. Testing applications

Install one of these apps from Google Play:

• 📱 Touch Screen Test – Shows touches in real time.
• 🔍 Display Tester – checks multi-touch and sensitivity.
• 📊 Phone Check and Test – Comprehensive Diagnostics.

If the test shows that part of the screen is not responding, the problem is hardware.

3. Verification through ADB (advanced)

If the sensor does not work at all, but the phone is turned on, you can check it through the phone. ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging. USB (In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).
2. Enter the command: adb shell getevent -l
3. Touch the screen – if events are not recorded, the sensor is faulty.

How to Prevent Sensor Problems: 7 Tips

To avoid touchscreen breakdowns on Xiaomi, follow these guidelines:

• 🛡️ Use high-quality protective glass (like Spigen or Belkin) and cheap glass can scratch the sensor.
• 📦 Avoid screen pressure – do not put your phone in your back pocket or under heavy objects.
• 🔋 Do not use left-handed charging – power surges damage the sensor controller.
• 💦 Keep your phone away from moisture – even steam in the bathroom can cause oxidation.
• 📱 Don’t drop your phone with the screen down – 80% of sensor damage occurs when you fall on a hard surface.
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI fixing touchscreen bugs.
• 🛠️ Trust repair only to official services – unskilled glass replacement often leads to damage to the sensor.

⚠️ Note: If you use magnetically mounted cases (for example, for a holder in a car), make sure the magnet is not near the top of the screen.

When to contact the service: 5 signs

If you’ve tried all the ways in this article, but the sensor on Xiaomi still doesn’t work, it’s time to carry the phone for repair.

1. The screen does not respond to touch at all, but the image is there.
2. There were physical injuries (cracks, chips, dents).
3. The sensor works only when pressing the body (symptom of a departing plume).
4. The phone stopped charging or quickly discharged after moisture hit.
5. Diagnostics showed a hardware fault (via Engineer Mode or test applications).

The cost of repair depends on the model and type of breakdown:

💡 Tip: Before visiting the service, back up your data via Mi Cloud or connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode. If the sensor doesn't work but the screen is turned on, use it. OTG-mouse.

Frequent questions about sensor malfunctions on Xiaomi