Black background on Xiaomi: why appears and how to fix

Why Xiaomi is getting a black screen and what to do about it

Black backgrounds on Xiaomi devices are a common problem that can occur on smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi) and TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV). In most cases, it is not a hardware failure, but a software failure, screen settings or application conflict. However, you should not ignore the problem: if the screen only displays black canvas, but the device responds to presses (sounds, vibrations), the chances of recovery without repair are high.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of black backgrounds, from simple errors in settings to serious system failures, and give step-by-step instructions for fixing the problem for different types of devices. If your Xiaomi turned on but the screen remains black, do not panic: 80% of the time the problem is solved without going to the service center.

Before you start taking action, answer two questions:

• 🔋 Does the device respond to charging? (Is the indicator on, does the battery icon appear?)
• 🎵 Are there any audible signals? (Calls, notifications, switching sound.)

If the answer is yes to any of them, it's a software problem, and if it's not, it could be a damaged display or a motherboard.

The reasons for the appearance of the black screen on Xiaomi

A black background rarely occurs on its own -- usually preceded by some user action or system failure. TOP-7 Why Xiaomi’s screen might turn black:

• 📱 Failure of firmware after updating (especially relevant for Mi TVs) TV automatic update).
• 🔄 Design themes conflict (for example, after installing a custom theme from Mi Themes).
• 🔋 Deep battery discharge (on smartphones), after which the system cannot boot properly.
• 🛠️ Developer's incorrect settings (included) GPU-acceleration USB aggressively).
• 🖥️ Connector damage HDMI/DisplayPort (on TVs) or display plume (on smartphones).
• 🦠 Viral software that blocks the graphical interface (often found after installation) APK unverified).
• 🔥 Overheating of the processor, due to which the system forcibly turns off the display for cooling.

On Xiaomi TVs, the black screen often appears after a failed firmware update via OTA (over the air), which is because some versions of the software contain hardware compatibility errors. For example, Mi TV 4S 55 users complained massively about the black screen after upgrading to MIUI TV 3.0.12 in 2023.

On smartphones, the problem may be related to the power saving mode, which turns off the display to save charge.If the battery is discharged below 5%, the system sometimes “hangs” in this state even after connecting the charge.

⚠️ Warning: If the black screen appears after a device falls or fluid enters, do not try to turn it on again. This may lead to a short circuit.

Method 1: Forced Reset (Soft Reset)

The easiest and safest method is soft reset, which doesn't delete data, but restarts the system, which often helps with temporary crashes.

For smartphones and tablets Xiaomi:

1. Press the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the device vibrates and restarts.
2. If it doesn’t work, try the Power + Volume combination (hold on for 20 seconds).

For Xiaomi TVs:

1. Press and hold the Power button on the remote (or TV case) for 10 seconds.
2. If there is a reaction (the indicator flashes), release the button and wait 2-3 minutes.

If the screen is still black after rebooting, but the device makes sounds (for example, when you press volume buttons), move on to the next method.

Turn it off. SIM-card and memory card (for smartphones)

Connect the device to charge (minimum 30% battery)

Prepare a backup of important data (if available)

Write down Mi Account details (logins, passwords)-->

Method 2: Reset your settings via Recovery Mode

If the soft reboot doesn't work, the next step is to hard-reset through the recovery mode, which will delete all user data, but return the device to factory settings.

To log in to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones:

1. Turn off the device (hold power until vibration).
2. Press Power + Volume Up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the recovery menu (in English or Chinese).

For Mi TV/Redmi TV:

1. Turn off the TV for 1 minute, then reconnect.
2. On the remote, hold Menu + Back (←) and hold for 10 seconds.
3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data (Data Erasure).

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation.

• Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete reset).
• Reboot → Reboot to System (Reboot after reset).

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO Redmi and Mi may need to re-assign your Mi Account after reset. If you do not remember your password, use the recovery function at account.xiaomi.com.

Method 3: Update or roll back firmware

If the black screen appeared after the system update, the problem may be in the unstable version of the firmware, in which case a rollback to the previous version or forced installation of current software will help.

For smartphones:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com/a/miui/download.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root directory of the device.
3. Go to Recovery Mode and select Apply update from SD card.

For Xiaomi TVs:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, Mi TV 4A) from the forum 4pda.ru or the official website.
2. Unpack the archive and place the update.zip file on the FAT32 flash drive.
3. Connect the flash drive to the TV, go to Recovery and select Apply update from USB.

Important: On Xiaomi TVs, a forced USB upgrade may block access to certain features (such as Netflix or Prime Video) if the software version is not certified.

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Before you run your firmware, check the version of your device in the settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version). Installing an inappropriate firmware can lead to “bricking” (complete inoperability).

Method 4: Checking for hardware faults

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the hardware.

• 🔌 Cable and power supply: Try another charging cable and adapter. On TVs check the socket and network filter.
• 📺 Display plume (on smartphones): If the screen is flashing or partially working, the plume may have gone away.
• 🔧 Port port HDMI (on TV: Connect the TV to another signal source (e.g., a set-top box) If you have an image, there is a problem with the previous device.
• 🔋 Battery: On smartphones, a bloated battery can press on the display plume, causing a black screen.

To diagnose a smartphone:

1. Connect the device to the PC via USB, and if the computer recognizes it (connection sound), the problem is in the display or the plume.
2. Light the flashlight on the screen at an angle. If you can barely see the image, the backlight is faulty.

For the diagnosis of television:

1. Connect another signal source (e.g., a laptop over HDMI) if you have an image, there is a problem in the previous device.
2. Check the power indicator: if it flashes red - a malfunction in the power supply.

⚠️ Note: If you do not have experience in disassembling equipment, do not try to repair plumes or battery yourself. Contact the Xiaomi service center - repair warranty will cost less than eliminating the consequences of unqualified intervention.

Method 5: Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try advanced methods, but they require technical knowledge.

For smartphones:

• 🖥️ Fastboot firmware: Install MiFlash Tool and Xiaomi drivers on PC. Transfer your phone to Fastboot mode (hold power) + Volume reduction. Connect to your PC and flash the official firmware.

Replacement of the display module

Redmi Note 11

For TVs:

• 📡 Firmware through UART: 1. Open the back cover of the TV. 2. Connect. UART-cardboard adapter. 3. Use the program. MiTV_UART_Tool firmware.
• 🔌 Replacement of power supply: If the indicator does not burn, the problem may be in the PD. The average cost of replacing is 2,500 ₽.

These methods are recommended only if you are confident in your skills, and the wrong actions can lead to complete data loss or device failure.

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If the device is warranty, do not resort to self-disassembly or firmware. This will void the warranty obligations of Xiaomi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the black screen on Xiaomi