Why the sensor on the Xiaomi phone does not work – a full analysis of the causes and solutions

Sensor on Xiaomi does not respond: where to start the diagnosis

If your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO screen is no longer responsive to touch, don't panic. In 70% of cases, the problem is solved without visiting a service center. The first thing you need to do is determine the nature of the malfunction. The sensor may not work completely, react with a delay, "glutch" in certain areas or spontaneously trigger. Each symptom indicates a different cause, from banal contamination to damage to the plume.

Start with a basic check: restart the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds). If after the reboot the sensor worked, the problem was a temporary system failure. Did it not work? Check whether the screen responds to touch in safe mode (clamp down the power → Safe Mode). If this mode touch screen works, the third-party application is to blame. If not, it is in hardware or firmware.

It is important to distinguish between total sensor failure (the screen does not respond at all) and partial failure (the individual zones, gestures or navigation buttons do not work), in the first case, physical damage is more often to blame, in the second case, software settings or coating wear, and then we will analyze all possible scenarios in detail.

Software failures: when the firmware or software is to blame

About 40% of sensor problems on Xiaomi are caused by software errors, which can be recognized by the following signs:

• 🔄 The sensor stopped working after the update MIUI installing an application.
• 🖥️ The screen reacts only in horizontal or vertical orientation.
• 👆 Gestures (like swiping up for returns) don’t work and navigation buttons work.
• 🛠️ B Settings → System system → The phone has a system error notification.

If the symptoms match, try these steps:

1. Reset the sensor settings: go to Settings → System → Additional → Touch screen → Reset calibration (on some models, the path may be different).
2. Clear the system cache: in Settings → Memory → Cleanup, select “System Cache”.
3. Remove problematic apps. Most often conflicts are caused by launchers (for example, Nova Launcher), games with non-standard resolutions or drawing programs.
4. Reverse the MIUI update if the sensor stopped working after the update. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update, click on three dots → Update Pack and select the previous version (if saved).

Critical case: if the sensor does not work even in the recavery menu (go by holding Power + Volume up), but the screen turns on - the problem is in the firmware of the kernel. Here only the flashing through Fastboot will help (see the instructions in the section below).

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool unless you're sure of the firmware version. Incorrect build can turn your smartphone into a brick. Always check for model compatibility (Settings) → The phone. → Model).

Physical damage: cracks, moisture and wear

If the sensor on Xiaomi stopped working after a fall, water or prolonged use (2+ years), most likely it is a hardware failure.

• 💥 Cracks on the screen (even microscopic ones) disrupt the integrity of the touch layer, often the area around the damage is not working.
• 💧 Oxidation of contacts after moisture is injected: Symptoms: the sensor floats, reacts with a delay, or only works when heated (for example, after charging).
• 🔌 Damage to the plume connecting the screen to the motherboard, typical of blows or careless disassembly.
• ⚡ Wear of touch coating (relevant to older Redmi models) 4/5 or Mi A1). It appears as “dead zones” on the edges of the screen.

For diagnosis:

1. Light a flashlight at an angle on the screen - microcracks will be visible as thin webs.
2. Check the moisture indicator (usually a white or red sticker under the lid) SIM-If it turned red, the phone came into contact with liquid.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and see if it's defined as Android Device in Device Manager. If yes, it's a problem in the screen, it's not in the motherboard.

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If the phone is falling but the screen is intact, check for the internal cracks, and then press the corners of the display with your finger, and if the image is distorted (waves appear), the touch layer is damaged.

How to check out Xiaomi if the sensor is not working

If the sensor doesn't respond even in the recovery, but the phone turns on, one output: firmware via Fastboot. This method is suitable for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with the unlocked bootloader.

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📱 Fastboot firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\proshivka).
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
4. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder. Then click Refresh, the device (e.g., COM3) should appear.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash. The process will take 5-10 minutes.

Make sure battery power > 50% | Download firmware for your model | Install Xiaomi drivers on PC | Unlock bootloader (if not unlocked) | Disable antivirus (can block Mi Flash Tool)

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If the sensor doesn't work after the firmware is done, it's a hardware problem. You don't need to manipulate the software any further.

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot wipes all the data on your phone, including photos and messages. If the sensor doesn't work but the screen turns on, try resetting the settings over the receptacles first (click Power). + Loudness up → Wipe Data).

Partial sensor failure: what to do if separate zones do not work

If the sensor on Xiaomi doesn’t respond to all touches (e.g., the top of the screen or the back button doesn’t work), the reasons may be:

• 📱 Incorrect calibration after screen replacement or update.
• 🔧 Conflict with protective film/glass (especially if it has a “privacy effect»).
• 🖼️ Damage to the sensory matrix in a specific area (often after a local impact).
• 🔄 Failure of gestures MIUI (relevant to Xiaomi 12/13 Smart Touch).

Decisions:

1. Recalibrate the sensor: Settings → System → Additional → Touch screen → Calibration Follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to touch the crosses in different areas).
2. Turn off the protective glass/film and check the sensor without it. If the problem disappears, replace the accessory with a thinner one.
3. Check your gesture settings: Settings → Display → Navigation buttons → Navigation type Try switching from Gestures to Buttons and back.
4. Use the sensor test through the engineering menu: ##4636## → Equipment test → Touch screen will show a grid - swipe through all areas. Red lines will indicate non-working areas.

Moisture and corrosion: how to save the phone after water

If the sensor on Xiaomi stopped working after contact with water, you need to act quickly. Moisture oxidizes the contacts of the plume and the sensor matrix, which leads to irreversible damage within 24-48 hours.

1. Turn off the phone immediately and remove it. SIM-map + Do not turn it on, even if it "seems to work».
2. Dry the external moisture with a napkin without rubbing (especially with speakers and connectors).
3. Place your phone in a dry place with good ventilation. Don't use a hair dryer, rice or silica gel - they're useless for internal components.
4. If the phone does not turn on after 24 hours, disassemble it (or take it to the service) for cleaning with alcohol (isopropyl, 90%+).

Common mistakes that make the problem worse:

• ❌ Charging a wet phone - causes a short circuit.
• ❌ Using a hair dryer – hot air melts protective coatings.
• ❌ Pressing the screen – can spread moisture inside.

If the sensor is running after drying, but it's bugging (spontaneous touches, delays), then oxidation has already begun.

1. Make a backup of the data (via Mi) PC suite OTG-mouse).
2. Take the phone to the service for ultrasonic cleaning board.

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If the moisture indicator is red, the phone warranty is automatically removed, even if the breakdown is not water-related. Xiaomi records contact with the liquid on sensors.

When to carry the phone in the service: signs of serious breakdowns

Not all sensor problems on Xiaomi can be solved by yourself.

• 🔧 The screen does not respond to touch, but the image is there (a sure sign of damage to the plume or matrix).
• 💥 After the fall, colored stripes or artifacts appeared - this indicates damage to the graphics chip.
• ⚡ The phone does not turn on at all (even after charging).
• 🔄 The sensor works, but the screen flashes or spontaneously reboots – there may be a problem with the display power.

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

Before the service visit:

1. Check if they work with your model (some services don’t use POCO or old Redmi).
2. Ask for a warranty for repairs (at least 3 months).
3. If the phone is warranty – contact the official Xiaomi service (addresses on the site mi.com).

⚠️ Warning: Do not agree to repairs if the service refuses to provide diagnostics with photos of damage. this may be a sign of fraud (for example, replacing original parts with fakes).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the broken sensor on Xiaomi