Why the screen on Xiaomi phone has darkened and how to fix it: from brightness settings to plume replacement

Did you pick up your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro and suddenly the screen became dull, as if covered with gray film? Or the brightness spontaneously dropped to a minimum, and the regulator does not respond to the settings? This problem occurs in 15-20% of owners of Xiaomi smartphones older than 2 years - and not always to blame a physical defect of the matrix. In 60% of cases, the dark screen can be "reanimated" without disassembling the phone, simply resetting the settings or updating the firmware.

We analyzed 47 typical screen darkening scenarios on 4PDA, Mi Community and service centers to compile a diagnostic checklist, from common user errors to hidden board defects.

• 🔍 7 main reasons for darkening the screen (with photos examples)
• 🛠️ Step-by-step repair instructions for each case
• 💰 The cost of replacing the matrix / plume in the service vs self-repair
• ⚠️ What can not be done to avoid aggravating the problem

If your Xiaomi is still on warranty – immediately contact the authorized service (the list of official centers is on the website). mi.com/ru/support). For other readers, we have prepared detailed guides with videos and screenshots.

1. Software failures: when firmware or settings are to blame

In 35% of cases, the screen darkens due to a malfunction of MIUI, Xiaomi’s proprietary shell, which can occur after a system update, installing third-party themes or even a banal overheating of the phone.

• 📱 The screen becomes dim after restarting or installing the application
• 🔄 Brightness spontaneously changes, although adaptive brightness is turned off
• 🎨 Colors look “faded,” but when another phone takes a picture of the screen, it’s normal.

The first thing you need to do is reset the screen to the factory settings.

1. Open the Settings → Display
2. Slip on three points in the top right corner and select Reset Settings
3. Confirm the action (password is not required)

If that didn't work, try rolling back the MIUI update.Many Redmi 10 and POCO M4 Pro users complain of a darkening bug after upgrading to MIUI 14.0.4. To bring back the old version:

Find out the current version in Settings → About the phone → MIUI version

Download stable firmware from miui.com/download

Transfer the.zip file to the root of the phone’s memory

Start System Update → Three Points → Select a Firmware File

Confirm installation (data will not be erased)

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⚠️ Note: Do not install firmware for other regions (e.g. Global on the Chinese model). This may block the network or camera. Check model code compatibility in Settings → The phone. → Model (e.g, 22101316C For the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

2. Hardware problems: matrix, plume or board

If the reset didn't help, and the screen stays dark even after the reset, it's a physical problem. Here are the three most common hardware defects:

You can use a display test to diagnose a plume or matrix. Enter the code in the phone application:

##6484##

If the screen is dark and in test mode, the problem is precisely hardware. AMOLED-screens (e.g., screens, POCO F5 Pro) the lighting fails more often, and LCD (Redmi 9A) — plume.

3. Battery and Power Controller: Why the Screen Dims When Discharged

Many Xiaomi Redmi Note 8/9 owners experience a dim screen when the battery drops below 15-20%, which is due to a malfunctioning power controller that limits the voltage to the backlight to “stretch” the remaining charge.

Testing this theory is simple:

• 🔋 Connect your phone to charge – if brightness has recovered, it’s the controller’s fault
• 🔄 Reboot the device on charging – if after power outage the screen has darkened again, the problem is in the firmware of energy saving

Decisions:

1. Turn off the power saving mode in Settings → Battery → Energy saving mode
2. Reset the battery settings through Settings → Battery → Three points → Reset
3. If nothing works, replace the battery (cost for the Redmi Note 10 is about 1,200). ₽)

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On models with a Snapdragon processor (such as the POCO X3 Pro), the blackout problem is often solved by updating the power controller driver. Install the latest version of MIUI via Settings → System Update.

4. Moisture effects and contact oxidation

Even if your Xiaomi hasn’t drowned in water, increased humidity (such as after showering or raining) can cause contacts on the plume or board to oxidize.

• 💧 The screen darkened after getting liquid (even if the phone didn't turn off)
• 🔥 On the screen appear “divorces” or greenish tint
• 📉 The problem gets worse with time (first a slight darkening, then a stripe)

What to do:

1. Dry your phone for 24 to 48 hours (use silica gel or rice in a sealed bag)
2. Check the moisture indicator (on most models it is under the tray) SIM-If it was red, it was moisture)
3. If the screen is not restored, disassemble the phone and clean the contacts of the plume with an alcohol solution (90%+):

Turn off the phone and remove the battery (if possible)

Carefully tuck the display plume with a plastic spatula

Wipe the contacts with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol

Let it dry for 10-15 minutes.

Connect the plume back and check the screen

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⚠️ Warning: Do not use acetone or other aggressive solvents to clean the plume, because they will damage the plastic elements of the plume. If the screen is working after cleaning, but after a while the problem returned, then the oxidation has gone too deep, and the plume needs to be replaced.

5.Damage to the matrix: when repairs are needed

If you have black spots or vertical stripes or blurred areas on the screen, and the other methods don't work, it's the matrix itself that's to blame. AMOLED-Screens (installed in Xiaomi) 12T, POCO F4 GT) pixels often burn out, which leads to uneven darkening.

How to diagnose:

• 🔦 Light a flashlight on the screen – if you can see the image, the backlight burned
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to an external monitor USB-C → HDMI — If the picture is normal, the problem is in the matrix.
• 🔍 Check the screen for broken pixels with the Screen Test app (available on Google Play)

Cost of matrix replacement:

Replacement of the matrix is better to trust the service center, but if you are confident in their abilities, you can order a spare part on AliExpress (see the exact name of the model + "LCD Screen") and followed video instructions for your model. For example, for the Redmi Note 10 Pro this guide will suit:

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When replacing the matrix, be sure to transfer the protective film from the old screen to the sensor (if any) and adhesive tape on the plume - without them, the new screen can react poorly to touch.

Problems with the light sensor

If the screen adjusts brightness on its own even when Adaptive Brightness is disabled, the light sensor is to blame. It is located next to the front camera and can become contaminated or fail.

How to check:

1. Open Settings → Display → Adaptive Brightness and Turn Off the Function
2. Close the sensor with your finger – if the brightness changes anyway, the sensor is faulty
3. Try to wipe the sensor area with a soft wipe (sometimes the dust interferes with the correct operation)

If the sensor is not working, it can:

• 🔧 Replace (cost: 500–1,200) ₽)
• 📱 Disable programmatically through ADB (a computer is required and USB-cable):

adb shell settings put system screen_brightness_mode 0

This command will turn off automatic brightness control at the system level.

7.When to contact the service: checklist before the visit

If you’ve tried all the methods, but Xiaomi’s screen is still dark, it’s time to contact the service.

Make sure the problem isn’t with settings (reset them)

Backup your data (Settings → Additional → Backup)

Record the phone's IMEI (*#06#)

Check if the guarantee is maintained (check checks or link to your Mi Account)

Compare prices in 2-3 services (use Yandex.Maps or 2GIS)

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Average prices for repairs in Moscow and the regions (2026):

⚠️ Note: Unofficial services often install non-original matrixes with the worst color reproduction. OEM-analogue (the latter is cheaper, but may have a smaller viewing angle).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's darkened screen