The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is responsible for automatically turning off the screen during a phone call when you bring the device to your ear. If it doesn't work properly, the screen may remain active (which leads to accidental taps), go out with a delay or do not react at all. The problem often occurs after a firmware update, mechanical damage or contamination of the sensor.
In most cases, the malfunction is software-based and can be repaired without going to a service center. In this article, we will discuss three proven calibration methods: through standard MIUI settings, with an engineering menu, and fully reset the sensor to factory parameters.
⚠️ Important: Before starting procedures, make sure that there is no protective film or glass on the screen covering the sensor area (usually located at the top of the display next to the front camera.
Preparation: check of the proximity sensor
Before you start calibrating, you need to make sure that the problem is really related to the sensor, and not to firmware or hardware breakdown.
- Open the Phone app and type ##6484## (on some versions MIUI may not work – alternative below).
- If the code doesn’t work, download the Sensor Test app (such as Phone Tester or CPU-Z) from Play Market.
- In the sensor test menu, find the Proximity Sensor.
- Close the sensor with your hand - the value should change from 5.0 cm (or similar) to 0.0 cm. If there is no reaction or the readings "float", calibration is required.
If the sensor doesn't respond at all (the reading is always 5.0 cm), it may be physically damaged, in which case only a replacement in the service center will help, but in 80% of cases the problem is solved by software.
Method 1: Calibration through the engineering menu
The most efficient way is to use the hidden MIUI engineering menu, which allows you to manually reset the sensor settings and recalibrate.
- Open the Phone app and enter the combination ##36446337## (alternative: ##3644633##).
- You will be taken to the Engineering Mode menu. Go to Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity Sensor.
- Press the Calibrate button. The sensor will automatically set up.
- After completion, restart your smartphone and check the sensor during the call.
If your engineering menu doesn’t have a Calibrate option, try the alternative route: Hardware Testing → Single Item Test → Proximity Sensor. Here you can manually check the sensor’s response and reset it via the Clear Calibration button.
Check the correctness of the code entry (without spaces)|Update the firmware to the latest version|Remove the "#" characters when you enter (on some keyboards)|Try the alternative code ##4636##-->
Method 2: Reset sensor settings via MIUI
If the engineering menu is not available or has not helped, use the standard MIUI tools. This method is less accurate, but works on all versions of the firmware:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → All the characteristics.
- Find the MIUI version line and tap it 7-10 times until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears.
- Return to the main settings, open the section Additional → For developers.
- Activate the USB Debugging Switch (not necessarily, but recommended).
- Scroll down and find Sensor Reset (or Sensor Calibration Reset) and click on it and confirm the action.
Once reset, the sensor will automatically recalibrate the next call, and if the problem persists, proceed to the third method.
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After resetting the sensors, restart the phone in safe mode (press the power button → “Reboot in safe mode”). This will help eliminate the impact of third-party applications on the sensor.
Method 3: Complete reset via ADB (for power users)
If the previous methods didn’t work, the radical method is to reset the calibration via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but is guaranteed to reset all the sensor settings to the factory.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools (you can download from the official Android website).
- 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (see previous section).
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
Instructions:
- Connect the Redmi Note 10S to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type:
adb shell
su
echo 1 > /sys/class/sensors/proximity/proximity_calibrate- Reboot the device with the reboot command.
If the sensor is working correctly after the reboot, the calibration is successful, and if it's not, it could be a hardware problem.
What to do if ADB issues a “permission denied” error
5. Post-calibration verification
After any of these methods are performed, you need to test the sensor in real conditions.
- Call another phone or use a voice assistant (OK, Google).
- Hold the Redmi Note 10S to your ear, and the screen should go out in 0.5-1 second.
- Take the phone away from your ear, the screen should turn on instantly.
If the screen goes out too late (after 2-3 seconds) or doesn't turn on after the lead, the calibration failed. Repeat the procedure or try another method.
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The screen does not go out during the call. | Incorrect calibration, sensor contamination | Repeat calibration, clean the sensor area with alcohol |
| The screen is dimmed with a delay (> 1 sec) | Weak sensor signal, outdated firmware | Update MIUI, reset sensor via ADB |
| The screen will not turn on after withdrawal. | Damage to the sensor or plume | Diagnostics at the service center |
| The sensor is unstable (it works, then not) | Conflict with applications or firmware | Reset to factory settings or flashing |
6. Additional tips and frequent mistakes
Even after a successful calibration, the sensor may not work perfectly.
- 📱 Protective glass and covers: Thick glass (especially rounded edges) or high-sided cases can block the sensor signal.
- 🔄 Update of the firmware: In older versions MIUI (below 12.5) there were bugs with the proximity sensor. → Updating the system.
- 🧹 Sensor cleaning: Wipe the sensor area (near the front camera) with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.Dust and fat can distort the signal.
- 🚫 Third-party apps: Some programs (like Truecaller or Call Recorder) may conflict with the sensor. Launch your phone in Safe Mode and check without them.
⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations, the sensor is still not working, don't try to disassemble the phone yourself. 10S The proximity sensor is integrated into the display module and requires special equipment to be replaced.
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If the sensor stopped working after a phone drop or moisture hit, calibration will not help - diagnostics are required for damage to the plume or chip.