How to Remove the Grey Screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 7 Verified Ways (2026)

The gray screen on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most common problems faced by owners of this smartphone, which can appear after a system update, a failed flashing, a MIUI malfunction, or even a banal device crash. Unlike the black screen (which is often associated with hardware breakdowns), the gray screen usually signals software problems — and this is good news, because in 90% of cases it can be fixed by yourself.

Many users panic when they see a monochromatic gray background instead of the usual desktop, but we hurry to calm down: in most cases, the data on the phone remains intact, and the problem is solved without visiting the service center. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of the appearance of a gray screen on Redmi 9 (including Redmi models 9A, 9C, 9T) and give step-by-step instructions for its elimination - from simple reboots to deep reset and flashing.

If your phone is stuck on a gray screen after the MIUI update, unresponsive to presses or reboots cyclically, take your time to repair it. First try the methods in this article. We have collected only working methods tested on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12-14 firmware.

Why is the gray screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9?

The gray screen is not a self-destruction, but a symptom of one of several problems, and in order to choose the correct method of elimination, it is important to understand what caused the failure.

🔹 System failure after update MIUI. Most often, the gray screen appears after an automatic firmware update, when new files conflict with the old settings. This is typical for transitions between major versions (for example, with the new files). MIUI 12 on MIUI 13).

🔹 System file damage, which can be due to a malfunctioning power outage, viruses, or root-rights, in which case the system can't load the GUI, but the phone's core is running.

🔹 Installed application conflict: Some programs (especially those that require deep integration into the system, such as antiviruses or launchers) may block downloads. MIUI, grey-screen.

🔹 Hardware problems. Less commonly, physical damage, like a detached display plume, a damaged memory, or a screen controller, in which case the gray screen is usually accompanied by artifacts or stripes.

🔹 Failed firmware or reset. If you tried to flash your phone through Fastboot or reset your phone through Recovery, but the process stopped, there's a high probability of a gray screen.

To more accurately diagnose the problem, pay attention to additional symptoms:

• 📱 Phone vibrates when turned on - most likely a software problem.
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (hang on the Redmi logo) – damaged bootloader or system partition.
• 🔊 Sounds work (calls, notifications) – screen lighting is on, but the graphics driver does not load.
• ⚡ The phone discharges faster than usual - perhaps to blame a failure in the processor or memory.

Method 1: Forced Reset (Soft Reset)

Start with the simplest one, forced reboot, which works 30 to 40 percent of the time if the gray screen is caused by a temporary system failure.

📌 Instructions:

1. Press the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the phone turns off (vibration will confirm the shutdown).
2. Wait 30 seconds – this is necessary to clear the memory cache.
3. Turn on the phone with the power button as usual.

If the gray screen is left after the reboot, but the phone vibrates or makes sounds, the problem is deeper - move on to the next method.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Soft Reset with Hard Reset! Forced Reset doesn't delete data, unlike a reset.

💡

If the phone doesn’t respond to a long press of the power button, try plugging it into a 10- to 15-minute charge, sometimes a dead battery blocks the reboot.

Method 2: Download to Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

If the gray screen appears after installing an application or updating, Safe Mode will help, it only loads the system components of MIUI, and third-party programs are disabled.

📌 How to Sign In to Safe Mode on Redmi 9:

1. Turn off the phone (if it doesn’t respond, use method 1).
2. Press the power button to start the download.
3. As soon as the Redmi logo appears on the screen, immediately press and hold the Volume Down button.
4. Release it only when the phone is fully loaded, and the screen should be labeled Safe Mode.

If the phone is working properly in Safe Mode:

• 🛠️ Remove recently installed applications (especially launchers, antiviruses, programs to customize the interface).
• 🔄 Check for updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Restart your phone in normal mode.

If the gray screen remained even in Safe Mode, the problem is in system files, not in third-party applications.

Method 3: Cleaning the cache with Recovery Mode

Cache partition stores temporary files that speed up MIUI. If they are damaged, the phone can freeze on a gray screen. Clearing the cache does not delete user data, but requires logging into Recovery Mode.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn off your phone (if necessary).
2. Press the power and volume buttons at the same time.
3. Release them when the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear on the screen.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
7. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The first option is secure for your data, the second one will delete everything.

If you have a gray screen left after cleaning the cache, try repeating the procedure, but in step 5, select Wipe Dalvik Cache (if there is one in your Recovery), which clears the cache of the Android virtual machine, which sometimes solves the problem.

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If previous methods didn’t work, you’ll have to do a complete reset, which will delete all data from your phone (photos, contacts, apps), but return it to working condition. On Xiaomi Redmi 9, resetting via Recovery saves data in internal memory (DCIM, Downloads, etc.), but deletes accounts and settings.

📌 How to make a Hard Reset:

1. Log in to Recovery Mode (as in Method 3).
2. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset).
3. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter a password if it was set).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was enabled Mi Account (Xiaomi account) and blocked the device binding, after reset, you will need to enter the username and password from this account! Without them, the phone will not activate (Factory Reset Protection). Make sure to remember the login details.

Once reset, the phone will boot up as new. If the gray screen is gone, the problem was the software conflict. If not, go to the flashing.

Method 5: Fastboot Flashing (for experienced ones)

If the reset didn't work, the last software method is Fastboot, which is a radical solution that will bring the phone back to a clean MIUI version, but requires a computer and minimal technical skills.

📌 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (or Mac/Linux driverless ADB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (Preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 📱 Firmware for Redmi 9 (download from the official Xiaomi website or forum) 4PDA).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool (you can download it here).

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Unpack the downloaded firmware (file with extension.tgz) in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh – The program will detect your Redmi 9.
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
8. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot Flashing deletes all data without recovery, including files in internal memory! There is also a risk of "bricking" the phone if you interrupt the process or choose the wrong firmware.

🔹 How to Choose the Right Firmware?

💡

Always download firmware from Xiaomi’s official website or trusted sources (4PDA, XDA).Firmware from dubious sites may contain viruses or be unstable.

Method 6: Checking for hardware problems

If none of the software methods worked, the reason for the gray screen could be hardware.

🔧 Checklist of hardware malfunctions:

• 📱 Display plume is damaged - the gray screen may appear with artifacts (strips, flickering), check if the phone responds to touch (if so, the plume is likely intact).
• 🔋 Battery Failure – If the phone turns off at 20–30% charge or doesn’t turn on without charging, the battery may be the problem.
• 🖥️ Motherboard damage – if the phone doesn’t vibrate, warm, or detect by a computer, a power controller or graphics chip may have burned down.
• 🔌 Contact oxidation – if the phone fell into water or was in a wet room, check the connectors for corrosion.

📌 How to Diagnose a Hardware Problem:

1. Connect your phone to charge. If the charging indicator is on, but the screen is gray, the problem is more likely the display or the plume.
2. Try connecting your phone to your TV via a USB-C → HDMI adapter, and if you have an image, it's the screen or its backlight.
3. Light the flashlight on the screen at an angle, and if you see a faint interface image, the backlight burns.

⚠️ Warning: If you suspect a hardware breakdown, don't try to disassemble the phone yourself without experience! Xiaomi Redmi 9 has fragile plumes that are easily damaged if you do not sloppy autopsy.

Method 7: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods don't work, there's only one option left, professional diagnostics, and that's when you should bring your phone to the service.

✅ When to contact the specialists:

• 🛠️ The gray screen appeared after falling or getting moisture.
• 🔥 The phone is warm, smells of smoke or does not turn on at all.
• 📵 Physical damage (cracks, divorces) is visible on the screen).
• 🔄 All software methods have been tried, but the problem remains.

📌 How to prepare for a visit to the service:

1. Back up your data if your phone reacts in any way (e.g. via ADB or Fastboot).
2. Write down the phone's IMEI (on the box or under the battery).
3. Check if the service center has access to original parts for Redmi 9.
4. Check if the warranty is valid (if the phone is officially purchased).

💰 Cost of repair (example):

✅ Where to fix it:

• 🏢 Xiaomi’s official service centers – guarantee original parts, but can be expensive.
• 🔧 Local workshops are cheaper, but the risk of running into unscrupulous masters is higher.
• 📦 Postal repairs – suitable if there are no services in your city (for example, via service.xiaomi.ru).

💡

Before you hand over your phone for repair, take a picture of its IMEI (on the box or under the battery) and serial number.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the gray screen on Redmi 9