Calibration of the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi: fixing screen problems during calls

Why is the Xiaomi Redmi approximation sensor not working properly?

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is responsible for automatically turning off the screen during a phone conversation when you hold the device to your ear. This prevents accidental taps and saves battery power. However, many users face a situation where the screen does not go out when you call or, conversely, does not turn on after the conversation is completed.

Most often, the problem is due to incorrect calibration of the sensor, contamination of the sensor area or damage to the protective glass. In rare cases, the fault is caused by a malfunction of the sensor itself or the motherboard. Before carrying the phone to the service center, you should try to recalibrate the sensor yourself, which takes no more than 5 minutes and solves the problem in 80% of cases.

Signs of malfunction of the proximity sensor

How do you know if your Redmi's proximity sensor needs calibration?

📱 The screen does not go out when you bring the phone to your ear during a ringing.
🔄 The display does not turn on after the conversation is over (you have to press the power button)
🎛️ Touch control is blocked arbitrarily, even when the phone is not in the ear
📉 Fast battery discharge due to constant screen operation during calls
🔍 In the test menu, the sensor shows incorrect values (for example, always "1" or "0")

If you see any of these signs, it's likely that the sensor needs to be reconfigured, and most of the time, software calibration through an engineering menu or a special application helps, but first, you have to rule out mechanical causes, check if the sensor (usually located next to the front camera) has dirt, scratches, or cracks on the protective glass.

📊 What problem does the proximity sensor have you encountered?

The screen does not go out during the call.

The screen will not turn on after the call.

The sensor is acting arbitrarily.

Other

No problem.

How to check the work of the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi

Before you start calibrating, make sure that the sensor is the problem, and you can use the built-in test menu or third-party apps to do this, and the easiest way is through the code:

Open the phone application
Enter the combination: ##6484###
Select Proximity Sensor (Proximity Sensor)
Cover the sensor with your hand - the value should change from 5 to 0
Remove your hand, the value should return to 5.

If the values don't change or the sensor shows 1/0 regardless of what you do, it confirms the need for calibration. An alternative way to check is to install the Sensor Test app from Google Play, which displays data from all sensors of the device in real time.

💡

If the sensor doesn’t respond to hand cover, try removing the protective film or cover – sometimes they block the infrared signal.

Methods of calibration of the proximity sensor

There are several methods for calibrating the sensor on Xiaomi Redmi, ranging from standard MIUI tools to engineering codes, and let’s take them in order from the simplest to the more complex.

Method 1: Calibration through MIUI settings

The latest versions of MIUI 12/13/14 have a built-in sensor calibration feature to take advantage of:

Go to Settings. → The phone.
Tap 5 times on the MIUI version (this will open the developer menu)
Return to the main settings menu and select Additional settings → For developers
Find the Calibration of the proximity sensor and follow the instructions on the screen

The system will suggest that you cover the sensor with your hand and remove it several times, and after a successful calibration, a notification will appear, which works on most Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and later.

For smartphones on MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi 9A/9C/10A) there is an engineering menu with advanced settings:

Enter the phone code in the app: ##36446337##
Go to Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity Sensor
Choose Calibration and follow the tips
After calibration, restart the phone.

If the code doesn't work, try the alternative: ##4636## → Testing → Sensor test. In some firmware, the engineering menu may be blocked, in which case the following method will help.

Method 3: Calibration applications

If standard tools don't work, you can use third-party utilities.

🔧 Proximity Sensor Reset – Resets sensor settings to factory
📊 Sensor Calibration Tool supports most Xiaomi models
🔍 Phone Doctor Plus Tests and Calibrates All Sensors

Make sure the app is highly rated and positive before using it. Some utilities require root rights, which may void the warranty. After calibrating through third-party software, be sure to restart the device.

Make sure there is no dirt or scratches on the sensor|

Remove the protective film or cover |

Charge your phone at least 50% |

Backup of important data-->

Manual calibration via ADB (for experienced users)

If the software methods didn't work, you can try manual calibration using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Enable USB debugging in the developer settings
Connect your phone to your PC and open the terminal (or cmd)
Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
Start calibration of the sensor: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CALIBRATE_PROXIMITY
Follow the instructions on the phone screen

Some Redmi models may require an alternative command:

adb shell settings put global proximity_calibration 1

Once done, restart the device. This method works on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi K20 and other models with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.

What if the ADB does not recognize the device?

Make sure you have installed Xiaomi USB Drivers. Download them from the official website. Also check that the phone settings have selected the connection as File Transfer (MTP) rather than Charging Only.

Frequent calibration errors and how to avoid them

Many users make common mistakes that negate all efforts to adjust the sensor, and the most common ones are:

Mistake.	Effects of consequences	How to avoid
Calibration in a brightly lit room	The sensor can work on the light instead of approaching the hand	Conduct the procedure in dimmed light
Use of metallized covers or glass	Metal screens infrared signal sensor	Remove all accessories before calibration
Interrupting the calibration process	The sensor may remain in an unstable state.	Don’t be distracted until all the steps are completed.
Use of informal firmware	Calibration may not persist after restarting	Upgrade to the latest stable version of MIUI

Critically, if after several calibration attempts, the sensor has not started to work correctly, the problem may be hardware. In this case, do not try to disassemble the phone yourself - contact the Xiaomi service center for diagnosis. Damage to the sensor or its plume often requires replacement.

💡

If the proximity sensor stopped working after the phone fell or moisture hit, calibration is unlikely to help - a physical replacement of the sensor is required.

Alternative solutions if calibration does not help

In rare cases, software settings fail, so you can try the following methods:

🔄 Resetting settings to factory (pre-make a backup)
📱 Update to the latest version via Settings → Updating the system
🛠️ Disabling the sensor through the engineering menu (if it interferes with the work)
📲 Using alternative calls (like Google Phone) that ignore the sensor

If you decide to turn off the sensor completely, note that this will cause the screen to be permanently on during calls.

Enter the code ##3646633#
Go to Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity Sensor
Select Disable (Disable)

Remember, turning off the sensor is a temporary solution, and the best way to keep the phone running properly is to eliminate the cause of the malfunction.

📊 Did the calibration of the proximity sensor help you?

Yeah, problem solved.

Partly helped.

It didn't work, I had to turn off the sensor.

I went to the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I calibrate the proximity sensor without a computer?

Yes, in most cases, calibration is possible through the phone settings or engineering menu. The computer is only required for ADB methods, which are needed in difficult cases. First, try the standard methods described in the "Method 1" and "Method 2" sections.

Why does the sensor fail again after calibration?

This can happen for several reasons: Direct sunlight gets on the sensor or it is closed with a cover Installed unstable version of the firmware (especially important for custom ROMs) Sensor physically damaged (crack on the glass, moisture hit) Conflict with a battery optimizer that turns off the sensor to save energy Try to disable battery optimization for the application "Phone" in the settings.

How to check if the proximity sensor works on Redmi without a call?

There are two ways: Use the engineering menu (codes are in this article) to show the current sensor values. Install the Sensor Test app from Google Play, which shows the data from all the sensors in real time. In both cases, cover the sensor with your hand, the value should change from 5 (or 1) to 0.

Can the protective glass interfere with the approach sensor?

Yes, especially if the glass has: Metallic coating (to protect against signals) Too thick (more than 0.3 mm) Cracks or chips in the sensor area Try temporarily remove the glass and check the sensor. If the problem is gone, replace the glass with a thinner or no metal layer.

What if the screen does not turn on after the call?

This is one of the most common problems. Solutions: Check the screen lock settings, maybe the "Block as you approach" function is enabled. Turn off the "Do not turn off" option in the Developer Settings. Install an alternative call (such as True Phone Dialer) that ignores the sensor. Reset network settings to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network reset. If nothing works, it's likely that the sensor is physically faulty.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use "magic" apps from unknown sources that promise to "immediately fix the sensor." Many of them contain malicious code or simply show false test results. Trust only proven high-ranking utilities on Google Play.

⚠️ Note: If you notice that the proximity sensor started to glittle after installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the problem may be incorrect drivers. MIUI Find firmware with stable sensor support.