Yellow spots on the screen of Xiaomi smartphone are a common problem faced by owners of devices of different lines: from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and POCO. Most often, the defect manifests itself after mechanical damage, overheating or prolonged operation. But not always stains mean a malfunction of the matrix – sometimes they can be fixed programmatically or with simple manipulations.
In this article, we will discuss all possible causes of yellow spots, from harmless (for example, residual charge of pixels) to serious (display detachment), you will learn how to diagnose the problem yourself, what repair methods are available at home, and when to contact the service center, and give recommendations for prevention, so that your Xiaomi will last longer without screen defects.
Now, if you have spots after a fall or a hit, you'll probably need to change the display, but 30 to 40 percent of the time, you're not going to disassemble the device, and we'll start with the diagnosis.
Why do yellow spots appear on the screen of Xiaomi?
The yellowness on the display can be of different natures, and let's look at the main causes, starting with the most innocuous ones:
🔹 Residual charge of pixels (burn-in). AMOLED-screens (for example, in Xiaomi 12 Pro or POCO F4 GT). Static interface elements (navigation panels, icons) are imprinted into the matrix, forming blurred yellow or green spots, especially noticeable in the dark background.
🔹 I'm having trouble with the lighting. IPS-In displays (like the Redmi Note 10), yellow spots can appear due to uneven operation of the backlight LEDs, often due to overheating or factory defects.
🔹 Display detachment: After a fall or a severe compression (for example, if the smartphone was in the back pocket and sat on it), air bubbles form between the layers of the screen, which refract light, creating yellow or rainbow spots.
🔹 Even if the phone is not sinking, condensation inside the body (for example, after a sharp temperature drop) can cause corrosion of the display contacts.
🔹 Software failures. Rarely, but it happens that spots are the result of a graphics driver error, for example, after an update. MIUI orthose.
🔹 In older smartphones (for example, Xiaomi Mi 8 2018) over time, organic LEDs degrade into LEDs. AMOLED-screens, which manifests itself as yellow or blue spots.
To determine exactly why, do a simple test: turn on a white image on your phone (you can use Google Play's Screen Test app). If the spots are visible on a white background, it's a hardware problem (matrix or backlight). If only on dark, it's likely to burn-in.
How to remove yellow spots by software methods
If the spots have appeared recently and are not associated with physical damage, try these methods:
📱 Reset the screen settings. Sometimes the problem is incorrect color reproduction. Go to Settings. → Display. → Additional settings → Color mode and select Standard. If the option is not available, reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
🔄 Update of firmware. In some versions MIUI There were color display bugs. Check the updates in Settings. → The phone. → Update the system. If you have a new firmware, install it.
🛠 Calibration of the screen through the engineering menu. This method is suitable for advanced users:
- Open the Phone app and type ##36446337##.
- Go to the Display (or Screen) section.
- Select Color Test and calibrate according to the instructions.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose.
🎨 Use screen testing apps. Install Screen Test or Display Tester from Google Play. These programs will help you identify matrix defects and check the uniformity of the backlight.
Check the screen for cracks.
Make a backup copy of the data
Record the phone's IMEI
Find out the cost of repairs by model-->
Mechanical methods of stain removal (for experienced users)
If the software didn't work, and the spots were caused by detachment of the display or moisture, you can try the following methods: they require accuracy and are executed at your own risk!
🔧 Warming up the display. Sometimes the yellow spots from detachment can be eliminated by evenly warming the screen:
- Turn off the phone and take off the case.
- Place the device on the soft fabric with the screen up.
- Heat the dryer (warm air, not hot!) area of the spot for 1-2 minutes, keeping the hair dryer at a distance of 10-15 cm.
- Carefully press the screen on the edges (do not press on the spot itself!).
If the stain shrank, the problem was the detachment. If it didn't, the method didn't work.
💧 Condensate removal if the stains have appeared after moisture has been ingested:
- Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
- Place the device in a silica gel (or rice) bag for 24 to 48 hours.
- Do not turn on your phone until it is completely dry.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use a dryer to dry - it can melt the internal components. Silica gel absorbs moisture more efficiently than rice.
🔨 Disassembly and cleaning of contacts, and this is only a technique that works if you've got experience in electronics repair:
- 🛒 A set of screwdrivers for smartphones (Pentalobe, Phillips 00).
- 🧴 Alcohol for cleaning contacts.
- 📱 Plastic blade for disengaging the display.
Algorithm:
- Then, remove the screen from the stained surface.
- Clean the contacts of the display and motherboard with alcohol.
- Check the integrity of the plume – if it is damaged, a replacement will be required.
- Put your phone together, making sure all contacts fit tightly.
What if the screen does not work after the disassembly?
When a Display Replacement is Required
Some defects cannot be repaired without replacing the matrix.
❌ Spots appear after a severe impact or fall (even if there are no cracks).
❌ Yellowness is accompanied by flickering, stripes or pixel burnout.
❌ The spots increase in size over time.
❌ The screen does not respond to touches in the spot area.
❌ The phone overheats or discharges quickly (may indicate a short circuit in the matrix).
The cost of replacing the display depends on the model:
| Xiaomi model | Screen type | Cost of replacement (original), ₽ | Cost of replacement (analogue), ₽ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11 | AMOLED, 90 Hz. | 8 000 – 12 000 | 4 500 – 6 000 |
| POCO X4 Pro | AMOLED, 120Hz | 9 500 – 13 000 | 5 000 – 7 500 |
| Xiaomi 12T | AMOLED, 120Hz | 15 000 – 20 000 | 8 000 – 12 000 |
| Redmi 10A | IPS, 60 Hz. | 3 500 – 5 000 | 2 000 – 3 000 |
💡 Important: Official Xiaomi service centers use original matrices, but the cost of repair can reach 50-70% of the price of a new phone.
💡
Before changing the screen, check whether your Xiaomi warranty is valid. Even if the spots appeared due to your fault, sometimes the service goes to meet and repairs at a discounted price.
How to prevent the appearance of yellow spots
Prevention will help avoid screen problems in the future.
🛡 Use a cover and a protective glass, and even minor scratches can eventually detach the display. AMOLED-Select glass with oleophobic coating.
🔥 Avoid overheating. Do not leave your phone in direct sunlight, on the dashboard of your car, or near heat sources.°C to 35°C.
💧 Protect against moisture, even if your Xiaomi has standard protection. IP53 (For example, Redmi Note 12, avoid water, and condensation inside the case is one of the main causes of contact corrosion.
⚡ Keep an eye on battery power. Constant discharge to 0% or charging to 100% accelerates battery degradation, which can lead to bloating and pressure on the screen.
📵 Avoid storing your phone in tight pockets (especially with keys or coins). Pressure can cause layers of the matrix to detach.
🔄 Update the software regularly. In new versions MIUI Often fix bugs associated with the control of lighting and color reproduction.
💡
If you notice that spots appear after prolonged use of one application (for example, a navigator), reduce the brightness of the screen and turn on a dark theme – this will reduce the risk of burn-in on the screen. AMOLED-display.
Frequent mistakes when trying to eliminate spots
Many users make the problem worse by trying to fix the phone themselves, and consider the common mistakes and their consequences:
🚫 Using harsh chemicals (acetone, solvent) to clean the screen, which destroys the oleophobic coating and can penetrate the display, causing even larger stains.
🚫 Heat blow dryer, temperature over 60.°C can melt the glue under the screen or damage the matrix. Use the dryer only in warm air mode.
🚫 Self-replacement of the plume without experience, improper connection can lead to short circuit and failure of the motherboard.
🚫 Ignoring backup before reset. When you reset, all data will be deleted. Always save photos and contacts to Mi Cloud or your computer.
🚫 Trying to squeeze out the stain, putting pressure on the yellow zone can cause cracks or a complete detachment of the display.
If you're not sure about your abilities, you better consult a specialist. Repairs will cost less than replacing the entire motherboard due to unsuccessful intervention.