How to turn off the gray screen on Xiaomi: 7 working ways

The gray screen on Xiaomi devices is one of the most common problems faced by users of both smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi) and TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV), which manifests itself in the form of a monochromatic gray background with or without a brand logo, complete lack of response to buttons and system freezes. In 80% of cases, the problem is solved without contacting the service center, but it is important to correctly diagnose its cause.

In this article, we will look at all the possible causes of gray screen failures, from software failures to hardware malfunctions, and provide step-by-step instructions for each type of device, focus on methods that do not lead to data loss, and explain when you can not do without a factory reset. If your Xiaomi “hangs on a gray screen” after updating, falling or discharging the battery, here you will find a solution.

Why Xiaomi is getting a gray screen: 5 main reasons

The gray screen is not a diagnosis, but a symptom that can indicate different problems. To choose the right way to eliminate it, first identify what was the trigger:

• 🔄 Failed software update – interrupted firmware or “curved” version MIUI/Google TV Often leads to a freeze during the loading phase.
• 🔋 Critical battery discharge – if the smartphone or TV remote is discharged to 0%, the system may not be properly initialized.
• 💥 Hardware failure - damage to the screen plume (relevant for smartphones) or the motherboard (more often in TVs after a voltage surge).
• 📱 Application conflict – some programs (especially those with root rights) may block the GUI.
• 🔌 Cable/port malfunction – contact oxidation HDMI USB Type C causes a signal to be missing from the screen.

According to service center statistics, 65 percent of the time, Xiaomi's gray screen is caused by software failures that are fixed without disassembling the device. The remaining 35 percent is hardware failures — you'll need repairs.

⚠️ Note: If the gray screen appears after a device falls or moisture hits, DO NOT try to turn it on again. This may aggravate the damage to the board.

Method 1: Forced Reset (Hard Reset)

The simplest and safest method, which works 40 percent of the time, is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including TVs and smartphones, and the bottom line is to crash the system restart without losing data.

For smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi):

1. Press the Power + Volume button for 10-15 seconds.
2. Wait for the vibration or the appearance of the Mi logo – release the buttons.
3. If the screen goes out and after 30 seconds the logo appears, the device is rebooted.

For TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV):

1. Turn off the TV for 1 minute.
2. Press and hold the Power button on the case (not the remote!) for 20 seconds.
3. Connect the power back - the TV should start in normal mode.

If you have a gray screen left after the forced reboot, move to the next way, which means that the failure is deeper — perhaps damaged firmware or system files.

Method 2: Entering Recovery Mode and Resetting the Cache

Recovery Mode is Xiaomi’s “emergency console” where you can clear your cache or reset without losing your personal data (photos, contacts), which is effective if the gray screen appears after you update or install apps.

How to access Recovery on your smartphone:

1. Turn off the device (clip Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. After the vibration, release the Meal, but keep the Loudness up until the menu appears.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power to select the item.

Action in Recovery:

• 🧹 Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (cleaning the cache).
• 🔄 Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
• 📱 Go back to the main menu and select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

For Xiaomi TVs, the process is similar, but logging into Recovery is done through a combination of buttons on the case (usually Menu + Volume Down).If the problem persists after cleaning the cache, try the following method.

Method 3: Reset to factory settings (without data loss)

If cache cleaning doesn’t work, the next step is a soft reset (without deleting user files), which works on smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, as well as on TVs with Google TV/PatchWall.

For smartphones:

1. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Reset Settings.
2. Confirm the reset (app and account data will be saved, but the settings will reset).
3. Reset the device.

For TVs:

1. In Recovery, select Factory Reset (Keep Data).
2. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).
3. After restarting, perform the initial setup.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi) 9T) Reset Settings may not be available, in which case you will have to do a complete reset with loss of data (see Method 4).

Method 4: Hard Reset with data loss

If previous methods failed, it leaves a complete factory reset, which will delete all data, including photos, messages and installed applications, but return the device to working condition.

• 📱 The device does not respond to other methods.
• 🔄 The gray screen appeared after a failed update.
• 🚫 You are not afraid to lose your data (or you have a backup copy).

Instructions for smartphones:

1. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.
2. Confirm the action (a password may be required).
3. After reset, select Reboot to System.

For TVs:

1. In Recovery, select Factory Reset (Erase All).
2. Wait until the TV is finished (the TV will restart automatically).
3. Make the initial adjustment as after purchase.

💡

If the device shows a gray screen again after Hard Reset, it indicates a hardware malfunction. Don't try to flash it yourself, contact the service.

Method 5: Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot (for advanced ones)

If the reset didn’t work and the device is still hanging on the gray screen, it leaves the Fastboot flashing mode, a method that requires a computer, a USB cable, and command line knowledge, and is suitable for Xiaomi smartphones with an unlocked bootloader.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool drivers installed.
• 📁 Official firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (better-than-original).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select the downloaded firmware (.tgz format) and press Refresh.
4. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: The wrong firmware can turn the device into a brick. Make sure the version of the software matches your Xiaomi model. For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 will not work for the Redmi Note 10 Pro.

💡

Fastboot flashing is the only way to bring back a device with a damaged bootloader or broken firmware, but it will void the warranty if it is still valid.

Method 6: Checking for hardware faults

If all the software methods have been tried and the gray screen remains, the problem is probably hardware.

• 🔍 Check the screen plume (relevant for smartphones): if the screen reacts to touch, but the image is gray - the connector of the plume may have moved away.
• 🔌 Power supply test: connect the TV to another outlet or check the smartphone with another charger.
• 📶 Diagnostics of the motherboard: if the device does not warm and vibrate when turned on, there may be a malfunction of the processor or memory.

How to check the screen plume on a smartphone:

1. Bring the device to bright light at an angle – if the image is barely noticeable, the problem is in the backlight or plume.
2. Try to press slightly on the top of the screen (where the plume is located). If the image appears, you need to change the plume.

For TVs:

• Check everything. HDMI-ports for oxidation or damage.
• If the TV is turned on but the screen is grey, the backlight matrix or inverter may be faulty.

Method 7: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If none of the methods worked, and the device still shows the gray screen, you just have to go to an authorized service center.

• 📋 Warranty cases: if the device on warranty and gray screen appeared without mechanical damage, repair will be free of charge.
• ⚙️ Cost of repair: replacement of the plume - from 1,500 ₽, matrices from 5,000 ₽, motherboard - from 8000 ₽.
• ⏳ Timeline: diagnosis takes 1-2 days, repair - up to 7 days (depending on the availability of spare parts).

How to find the official Xiaomi service:

1. Go to the Xiaomi support website.
2. Enter your city in the search field.
3. Select a service center marked "Authorized".

Before the service visit:

• Take a picture of the serial number of the device (usually on the box or under the battery).
• Bring a check or a warranty card (if any).
• Reset the device to factory settings (if possible) – this will speed up the diagnosis.

FAQ: Frequent questions about gray screen on Xiaomi