Modern Xiaomi smartphones that run MIUI or HyperOS have many features designed to make life easier for the user. One of these features is to automatically turn off the display during a phone conversation. This option is controlled by a proximity sensor that responds to the device's lift to the ear, preventing accidental cheek pressing. However, in some cases, this technology works incorrectly or is uncomfortable, causing the screen to go out at the most inappropriate moment.
Many device owners experience a screen that goes off too early or doesn’t turn on when you remove the phone from their faces, which can be caused by software failures and the design of the smartphone itself. In this article, we will discuss in detail why this happens and consider all possible ways to solve the problem, including calibrating the sensor through an engineering menu, which is the most effective method.
You don't need to be an expert in mobile technology to fix this problem. We've prepared a step-by-step guide to help you get your phone back on track. It's important to understand that ignoring a problem can lead to missed calls or the accidental termination of important conversations, so fixing the problem is worth taking a few minutes to do.
Reasons for incorrect operation of the proximity sensor
Before you start taking active action to shut down or configure a function, you need to understand the nature of the failure. Most often, the problem is not a physical failure, but a software conflict or contamination. The proximity sensor is a small infrared sensor located at the top of the display, usually next to a conversational speaker, whose task is to read the distance to the object and send a signal to the system to turn off the backlight.
One common reason is the use of protective glass or low-quality films. If the accessory covers the area of the sensor or has too thick edges, this can cause false positives. Also, the work is affected by the accumulation of dust and dirt in the speaker grid, which is typical for devices that have been in operation for more than a year without thorough cleaning.
- 📱 Incorrect calibration after operating system update.
- 🛡️ A protective glass or case covers the sensor area.
- 🧹 Pollution of the top of the screen with dust or fat.
- 📞 Conflict of third-party calling apps (e.g. Truecaller).
It’s also worth considering that on some models, such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note or the budget Poco series, the sensor can be software-based (virtual), in which cases it uses image analysis algorithms from the front camera or gyroscope, which often results in less accurate performance compared to the hardware sensors of flagship models.
Basic settings in the phone menu
The easiest way to influence the behavior of the screen during a call is to check the standard settings of the system. The MIUI shell provides functionality that allows you to control some parameters of calls, although there is usually no direct button to turn off the sensor, but checking the basic settings is necessary to exclude software conflicts.
Go to the standard Phone app and open the settings menu by clicking on three dots or a gear. Here, pay attention to the Inbound Call Settings section. Make sure you don't have features that can block the screen, such as Pocket Mode or specific proximity sensor settings, if available in your firmware version.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to disable sensor-related system services through the Developer Menu if you are unsure of your actions.
If the standard settings don't work, try resetting the Phone app. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone. Press Clean and select Clear All. This action will return the call settings to factory values, which often solves the problem of software glitches.
☑️ Checking basic settings
Use of the Engineering Menu for Calibration
The most effective way to solve this problem is to calibrate the sensor through an engineering menu, and this hidden section is designed to diagnose the equipment and reconfigure the sensitivity of the sensors, and it is accessed through a special code in the call app.
Open the dialer and type in the combination ##6484##. If the code is entered correctly, the CIT menu will open. In the test list, you need to find the item associated with the proximity sensor, which can be called Proximity Sensor or simply Proximity.
When you enter the test, you'll see two values: Distance and State. Close the top of the screen with your hand and remove it. Values should change from 5.0 to 0.0 (or vice versa) and State from Near to Far. If there is no reaction or values jump randomly, press Calibration or Start Calib. Follow the instructions on the screen: usually you need to close the sensor, press the button, then open and press again.
What if the code doesn't work?
Once you've calibrated successfully, be sure to restart the device, which will force the system to reread the new sensor settings, and in most cases, about 80 percent of the problems with spontaneous screen-extinguishing are solved by this method.
Disabling the sensor via ADB (for advanced)
For users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a more radical method - complete software disabling the sensor through debugging via USB. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having an ADB driver installed, which allows you to change system parameters that are not available on the regular menu.
First, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press the build number seven times (MIUI Version). Then in advanced settings, turn on "Debugging on USB." Connect the phone to your PC and open the command prompt.
adb shell settings put system proximity_on 0This command forcibly disables the approach sensor signal processing by the system, but you have to understand the risks: the screen will stop going out at all, and during the conversation you will have to manually turn off the speakers or use the headset so as not to hit the reset or volume with your cheek.
| Parameter | Default value | Post-off value | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| proximity_on | 1 | 0 | Medium. |
| sensor_enabled | true | false | High-pitched |
| calib_data | auto | custom | Low. |
| threshold | 5.0 | 0.0 | Medium. |
To return everything as it was, use the command adb shell settings put system. proximity_on 1. This method is suitable for those who are willing to sacrifice automation for the sake of full control of the screen.
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Use a headset or speakerphone if the sensor is turned off, which will prevent accidental cheek pressing during a conversation and maintain the comfort of communication.
Third-party applications for call management
If Xiaomi’s built-in tools fail, apps from the Google Play Market come to the rescue. There are many utilities that take over calling management by ignoring the standard sensor or using alternative processing algorithms. Popular examples include Proximity Sensor Reset & Fix or various dialers.
These applications can force the screen to be turned on while talking or, conversely, block the touchscreen in a software way without relying on hardware, which often becomes a salvation for owners of models with a remote sensor that is not comfortable.
- 📲 Truecaller – has its own call handling settings.
- 🔧 Sensor Test – allows you to check the work of all sensors.
- 📞 Cube ACR — application for recording, but has screen settings.
- ⚙️ Ultimate Customization – Deep System Configuration.
Installing third-party software requires permissions, and the app will need access to phone, contacts, and possibly overlays (over other windows), and make sure you only download software from trusted sources to ensure that your personal data is not compromised.
Hardware problems and physical intervention
And you can't rule out a physical breakdown, and if software methods, including calibration and resetting, didn't work, maybe the sensor went down, which is often after falls, moisture, or just because of prolonged use, in which case the screen can either burn or go out, even if the phone is on the table.
⚠️ Attention: Self-opening of the case of the Xiaomi smartphone deprives you of warranty. If the device is warranty, it is better to contact an authorized service center to replace the module.
Sometimes a simple cleaning helps. Gently wipe the top of the screen with a microfiber dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Make sure the speaker grid doesn't have any pile from pocket or dust. You can use a soft brush to remove dirt from hard-to-reach areas.
If you're an experienced user and you're going to replace the sensor yourself, you're going to need a dryer to warm up the body, a suction cup, and a set of thin screwdrivers. The sensor is often integrated into the front camera plume or into a separate module under the speaker. Replacement requires care, because the plumes are very fragile.
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If the calibration and reset did not help, and the screen behaves chaoticly, most likely, the problem is hardware in nature and requires cleaning or replacing the sensor.