The issue of a fading screen during a conversation is one of the most common and annoying situations for Xiaomi smartphone owners.The Redmi 8T model, despite its popularity and reliability, is also not immune to software glitches that cause the display to shut down at the wrong time.This is because the proximity sensor mistakenly reads the touch of the cheek or even just finding the phone near the ear, blocking the touchscreen.
Users often look for a way to completely deactivate this sensor to avoid missed calls or the inability to press the volume button or complete a call. It is important to understand that you can not physically turn off the sensor, since it is built into the design of the device, but it is quite possible to bypass it software. In this article, we will look at all the available methods for solving the problem, from standard settings to using the engineering menu.
It's worth noting that turning the feature off completely will prevent you from automatically turning off your screen during a conversation, which can lead to occasional cheek pressing. However, if the sensor doesn't work properly, the choice is often between random cheek clicks or total screen failure, and we'll figure out how to find balance and regain control of the device.
Why the screen goes out on Redmi 8T: reasons and diagnosis
Before we go into radical measures and shut down the sensor, we need to understand the nature of its incorrect behavior. In the Redmi 8T, the proximity sensor is virtual and located under the screen, making it sensitive to contamination, security glasses and software conflicts. False alarms are often caused not by a breakdown, but by temporary calibration failures.
The main cause of the problem is a protective film or glass that blocks infrared access to the sensor. Even a microscopic crack in the upper speaker region can distort the readings. In addition, updates to the MIUI operating system sometimes contain errors that disrupt the hardware drivers.
Diagnostics should start by checking the cleanliness of the top of the screen. Wipe the area above the display with soft cloth. If the problem persists, try removing the protective glass. If that doesn't work, you probably need software sensitivity adjustments or a complete shutdown of the function through system commands.
Disabling the sensor through hidden MIUI settings
Some versions of Xiaomi firmware have a built-in ability to disable the proximity sensor, which is the safest method, as it does not require root rights or complex code manipulation, but developers often hide this option or remove it in new updates.
To check for this feature, go to the call menu. Click the three dots in the upper right corner or the menu button to open the settings. Find the Incoming Calls or Additional Settings section. There may be a "Use the proximity sensor" switch.
What to do if there is no switch?
If you find the switch, just turn it off. After that, the screen will stop turning off when you hold the phone to your ear. Remember, in this mode, you will have to lock the screen yourself with the power button if you put the phone in your pocket during a conversation to avoid accidental actions.
Use of the Engineering Menu for Calibration and Disconnection
The most effective way to solve the problem on the Redmi 8T is to use the Android engineering menu, which allows you to interact directly with the hardware of the smartphone, not only to turn off the sensor, but also to recalibrate it, which often solves the problem without completely disabling the function.
To enter the engineering menu, open the standard caller and dial the combination ##6484##. The device will automatically go to CIT (Customer Inspection Test) mode. In the list you open, you need to find the Proximity sensor or Approximation Sensor.
☑️ Testing the sensor in CIT
Inside the test menu, you'll see the current sensor readings. If the values change randomly or don't respond to the screen closing, try pressing the Calibration button. Follow the instructions on the screen: usually you need to close the top of the phone and press the button, then open and press again. After successful calibration, restart the device.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose.Resetting important system settings can lead to unstable model or camera operation.
Third-party applications for sensor control
If the built-in MIUI doesn't work, specialized applications from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, and they run on top of the system settings and force the sensor to change its behavior. One of the most popular solutions is the Proximity Sensor Reset/Fix app or analogues.
These tools allow you to perform deep calibration, which is not available in the standard menu. Once you install the application, you need to run testing. The program will ask you to close and open the sensor several times, recording minimum and maximum values of illumination or distance.
- 📱 Proximity Sensor Reset is a simple app for resetting and calibrating the sensor in one click.
- 🔧 Sensor Test – a comprehensive tool for checking all sensors, including accelerometer and gyroscope.
- 🚫 Disable Proximity – utilities with this type of name allow you to programmatically ignore sensor signals during calls.
Once the sensor is calibrated or tuned to ignore, the app can run in the background, which can slightly increase battery consumption.
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Before installing third-party sensor apps, be sure to create a restore point or backup of contacts to keep your data safe in case of a crash.
Table: Comparison of methods of deactivation of the sensor
To make it easier for you to choose the right solution to the Redmi 8T problem, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the risks and effectiveness of each method.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of failure | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call settings | Low. | Absent. | Medium (depending on the version of MIUI) |
| Engineering Menu (CIT) | Medium | Low. | High (calibration) |
| Third-party annexes | Low. | Medium (advertising, access) | High (forced shutdown) |
| Removal of the protective glass | Low. | Absent. | High (if the cause is glass) |
As you can see from the table, the safest and often most effective method is calibration through the engineering menu, but if the sensor is physically damaged or the screen glass has defects in the sensor area, software methods may not help.
Additional settings and reset to factory
In the extreme case, when nothing works, you can consider resetting your network settings and calls. This will not delete your personal files, but will return all the phone settings to the original state. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Recover and Reset.
Select the option Reset settings SIM-This action overwrites the configuration files that run the model and the associated sensors, and after rebooting, the phone can recalibrate the proximity sensor.
⚠️ Warning: Hard Reset will delete all photos, contacts, and apps. Use this method only if the problem is critical and other methods have not helped, and make sure to back up.
If even after resetting and flashing the device, the sensor is not behaving correctly, there is a high probability of hardware failure. In the Redmi 8T, the sensor plume may be out of place or the sensor itself may have failed, in which case only contacting the service center will help.
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Software shutting down the sensor is a temporary solution, and if the screen goes out on its own without touching the ear, the problem could be in the hardware or the plume.