You picked up a Xiaomi smartphone, but suddenly you found that the navigation buttons — Back, Home, and Recent — stopped responding to touch? Or worse, the physical buttons (if you have them on your model) don't press at all? The problem is familiar to many users, and its causes can be rooted in software failures and hardware malfunctions. In this article, we'll look at all possible scenarios, from banal errors in settings to serious breakdowns that require the intervention of the service center.
It is important to understand that the decision algorithm depends on the type of buttons on your device. POCO X5) Most often equipped with touch-sensitive navigation buttons built into the screen, while older models (like Redmi) are more likely to be equipped with touch-sensitive navigation buttons. 4X or Mi A1) They may have physical buttons under the display, and some users may have a problem after the update. MIUI We'll look at solutions for everything from rebooting your phone to flashing it over Fastboot.
1. Check basic settings: are navigation buttons enabled?
Before you panic, make sure that the buttons are not switched off in the system settings. In MIUI, there is an option to hide the navigation bar, which can be activated by gesture or through a menu by accident.
- Open the Settings → Display.
- Select Full Screen Mode or Navigation buttons (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
- Make sure you select the Navigation Button option (not Gestures or Hide the Panel).
If the buttons are off, it takes seconds to get them back, but what if the settings are fine and the buttons are still not responding?
2.Reboot and cache reset: the first step to recovery
A simple phone reboot solves up to 30 percent of the problem with touch buttons, because MIUI (like any OS) can freeze at the touch-processing level.
- 🔄 Soft reboot: press the power button and select Reboot.
- 🧹 Cleaning the system cache: go to Settings → Memory. → Cleaning and removing unnecessary data.
- 🔧 Reset Launcher settings: if the buttons are missing after the update, reset the main screen settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher (click Warehouse) → Clear the data).
If the buttons are triggered after the reboot, but the problem returns periodically, this may indicate a conflict with the installed application or unstable firmware, in which case a factory rollback or a MIUI update will help.
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If the phone doesn’t respond to touch at all (including unlocking), try connecting it to your PC and controlling it via ADB or Mi PC Suite.
3. Touch buttons do not work: calibration and diagnosis
If the navigation buttons are built into the screen (as on most modern Xiaomi), their failure may be due to the incorrect operation of the sensor.
- Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the kernel version line to activate the developer mode.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect the phone to the PC and type in the command line: adb shell wm overscan 0.0,0,0 This command will reset the touch zones of the screen.
If the buttons are still not working, check the screen for physical damage, for example, after a fall of the phone, the connection of the sensor plume may be broken, in which case you will need to disassemble the device.
How to check the sensor plume without disassembly?
4. Physical buttons are not pressed: mechanical breakdowns
On older Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi 3S or Mi Max), the navigation buttons were physical – microswitches were placed under the screen.
- 💧 Moisture: Even a small amount of liquid can cause contact oxidation.
- 🔨 Wear of the mechanism: over time, the buttons lose elasticity and stop working.
- 📱 Phone drop: A hit could shift the toll or damage the tracks.
At home, you can try to clean the buttons with alcohol (without disassembling the phone!), but most often you need to replace the microswitches. The cost of repair in the service center is from 800 to 2000 rubles, depending on the model.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the phone yourself unless you have experience.A leaky case can cause dust to get in and make the problem worse.
5. Software failures: Recovery or Fastboot recovery
If the buttons stopped working after updating MIUI or installing custom firmware, the problem lies in the software.
| Method | When to apply | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Reset to factory settings (Wipe Data in Recovery) | After a failed update or application conflict | All data (photos, contacts, messages) are deleted |
| Fastboot Flashing (using Mi Flash Tool) | If the phone does not load or "brick" after firmware | Requires PC and knowledge of fastboot commands |
| Reverse MIUI (via ADB Sideload) | If the failure occurred after the last update | Can block the bootloader (on some models) |
For reset via Recovery:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
- Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume and power buttons).
⚠️ Note: On models with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 9 and later), a reset via Fastboot may require authorization of the Mi Account».
6. Alternative ways to control without navigation buttons
If the buttons cannot be restored, alternative navigation methods can be used temporarily:
- 👆 Gestures: activate in Settings → Display. → Full screen mode Gesture option MIUI (swipe from the bottom of the screen).
- 🖱️ USB-Mouse: connect through OTG-Adapter – cursor will replace touch.
- 🤖 Voice Assistant: Turn on Google Assistant and control your phone with voice (e.g., Open Settings»).
- 📱 Virtual button apps: for example, EasyTouch or Navigation Bar (require root on newer versions) MIUI).
These methods do not solve the problem, but will allow you to use the phone before repair or replacement.
1. Phone reboot
2. Clearing the cache and launcher data
3. Checking navigation settings
4.Diagnostics of the sensor via ADB
5. Physical button test for mechanical damage-->
7. When to contact the service center?
If none of these methods helped, it's probably a hardware problem.
- 🔧 Buttons do not work after falling or getting moisture.
- 📵 The screen responds to touch, but only in certain areas (for example, the upper part works, and the lower part does not).
- 🔄 The phone spontaneously restarts or turns off when you press the buttons.
- 🛠️ Vertical stripes or artifacts appeared on the screen.
The cost of repair depends on the diagnosis:
- Replacement of sensory glass - from 3000 rubles.
- Repair / replacement of the plume - from 1500 rubles.
- Replacement of microswitches of physical buttons - from 1000 rubles.
Xiaomi’s official service centers provide a warranty for repairs (usually 3-6 months). Avoid garage workshops – unqualified intervention can aggravate the breakdown.
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If the phone is warranty, do not try to repair it yourself - this will void the warranty obligations.