Xiaomi smartphones are deservedly popular due to their excellent value for money, but even time-tested devices sometimes have software failures. One of the most annoying problems for owners is the incorrect operation of the proximity sensor, when during a phone conversation the screen goes off on its own or, conversely, does not turn off while lying in your pocket. This causes tremendous discomfort, since the user either cannot complete the call or accidentally presses the buttons with his cheek, launching a loud communication or dropping a call.
Many users immediately start looking for a way to disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi, believing that it is a hardware breakdown that requires a trip to the service center. However, in most cases, the problem lies in the software of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, which misinterprets the sensor readings. Fortunately, Android provides several levels of access to hardware settings to solve this problem without soldering chips or completely reflashing the device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the possible methods of deactivating and calibrating the sensor, from the standard settings of the phone to the use of an engineering menu. It is important to understand that a complete shutdown of the function can cause the screen to stop fading in the ear, which will increase battery consumption, but return you to control over calls. Before moving to radical measures, it is worth trying less aggressive adjustment methods that often help to return functionality without losing functionality.
Reasons for the incorrect operation of the sensor
Before you start shutting down, you need to understand the nature of the error. The proximity sensor is an infrared LED and receiver located at the top of the smartphone, usually next to the speaker, and its task is to capture the distance to the object and send a signal to the system to turn off the display. If this mechanism fails, the cause may be a physical contamination, a software conflict or a hardware defect after a fall.
Often, owners do not even notice that the protective glass or film was not glued correctly, covering part of the infrared emitter, in such cases, the system receives false information that the phone is near the ear, and locks the screen, and the problem can be caused by the accumulated cache of the application "Phone", which is responsible for processing calls and interaction with the sensor.
- 📱 Protective accessories: Incorrectly selected protective glass with a wide black frame or thick film can block the work of the IR emitter.
- 🧹 Pollution: Dirt, fat, or dust in the upper speaker area blocks the sensor’s light signal.
- 💻 Software failure: Error in the operation of shell drivers MIUI conflict after operating system update.
It is worth noting that on some models, such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note series or Poco, the sensor can be software-hungry, in which case a simple reboot of the device often helps to reset the sensor state, and if the problem returns constantly, a deeper intervention in the system settings is required.
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Before any manipulations with settings, wipe the top of the screen with a microfiber and remove the protective glass to exclude physical locking of the sensor.
Basic settings and checking accessories
The easiest and safest way to fix the problem is to check the settings of the call app itself. In modern versions of the HyperOS and MIUI shell, developers often hide switches, but the basic function "Block when you touch your ear" is still available in the call settings menu, disabling this option software prevents the system from responding to sensor signals during a conversation.
To access these options, you need to open the standard Phone app, which usually has a green icon with a handset, then go to the settings by clicking on three dots or a gear in the corner of the screen, and in the menu that opens, you need to find the "Incoming Calls" or "Call Settings" section, where the switch is located.
Path to setup: Phone → Settings (three dots) → Incoming calls → Approach SensorIf the proximity sensor switch is active, try deactivating it. This action does not delete data or require superuser rights. Once the function is turned off, the screen will stop dimming during the conversation, allowing you to manually control the lock or simply ignore the occasional cheek touch if the screen remains active.
⚠️ Warning: After the sensor is turned off, the phone screen will burn constantly during the conversation, which will lead to faster battery discharge and possible accidental button pressing if you put the phone in your pocket.
Also worth noting is the presence of pocket mode. This is a related feature that uses the same sensor to lock the phone in the bag. It is in the general settings of the system along the way Settings → Lock screen. Disabling this feature can solve the problem of false positives when the phone is lying on the table.
Using the CIT Engineering Menu for calibration
If standard settings don't work, the next step is to use the CIT (Customer Integration Test) menu, a hidden part of the system designed to diagnose hardware components by factory engineers, where you can not only test the sensor's performance, but also try to calibrate it, which often solves the problem of false positives without completely shutting down.
To enter the diagnostic menu, there is a universal code that works on most Xiaomi and Redmi devices. You need to open the Phone app and type the combination of characters. Once you enter the last digit, the menu will open automatically, without having to press the call button.
Code for entry: ##6484##In the test list that opens, you'll find the item associated with the proximity sensor, which can be called "Proximity Sensor," "PSensor," or have a number that depends on the firmware version. When you enter the test, you'll see two values: current distance and status. If you close your finger on the top of the screen, the values should change. If there's no change, the sensor is locked or malfunctioning.
☑️ Diagnosis in CIT menu
In some versions of the menu, a Calibrate button is available. By pressing it and removing your finger from the screen, you start the process of resetting the reference values. The system will record new parameters for the "clean" state and "closed" state. After successful calibration, you need to restart the device with the Power + Volume Up command or through the turn off menu to make the changes effective.
Disconnection through the Android engineering menu
A more advanced method is to use the Android system engineering menu, which allows you to make changes to the radio module and associated sensors, a method that requires caution, since changing the wrong parameters can lead to unstable network operation or other functions of the phone.
This menu is accessed via the same dialer, but with a different combination. Codes may differ on different models, but the most common for MediaTek and some Qualcommp chips.>
Once you enter the code, you'll open a tab menu, and you'll go to the Hardware Testing or Telephony tab, and then you'll select Proximity Sensor, and you'll have the option of Proximity Enable, and if you tick off that box, you force the sensor to be turned off at the driver level.
- 💾 Save: Settings apply instantly, but can reset after resetting to factory settings.
Sometimes you need to go to the Common → Proximity Sensor section. If there is no point to disable, then the manufacturer has blocked this feature at the firmware level, and you will have to use other methods.
What if the code doesn't work?
Comparison of problem-solving methods
The choice of method depends on your technical training and the severity of the problem. If the screen just goes out sometimes, it is better to start with a calibration. If the phone completely stopped responding to the ear lift or, conversely, hangs on the black screen constantly, you will need a software shutdown. Below is a table to help you choose the best solution.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone application settings | Low. | No. | Medium |
| Calibration in the CIT menu | Medium | No. | Tall. |
| Android Engineering Menu | Tall. | No. | Maximum |
| Reset to factory settings | Medium | Complete. | Depends on the case. |
As you can see from the table, the safest and easiest way is to use built-in call settings. The engineering menu gives the most control, but requires care. If none of the software methods worked, there's a possibility that the plume or the sensor itself will physically break down, requiring a part change in the service center.
Radical measures and resetting settings
When software failures are system-based and not remedied by calibration, the only solution is to completely reset the device to factory settings, which removes all user data, applications and configurations, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state, often eliminating the deep driver conflicts that may have arisen after a failed update.
Before performing this operation, it is critical to back up all important data: contacts, photos and messages. Reset can be done through the settings menu (Settings → About Phone → Reset) or through Recovery mode by holding the key combination Volume Up + Power when the device is off.
⚠️ Note: Performing a full reset (Wipe Data) without prior backup will lead to the irretrievable loss of all personal files and acc settings accounts.
After reset, take your time to install all the applications at once. First, check the sensor on the clean system. If the problem disappears, then the third-party application caused the conflict. If the sensor is not incorrect on clean firmware, the probability of hardware failure tends to 100%.
Hardware causes and repairs
If the software is exhausted and the problem persists, it is hardware. In Xiaomi smartphones, the proximity sensor is often integrated into the front camera plume or speaker. When the phone falls, the plume connector could move away from the motherboard, in which case a careful opening of the rear cover and reconnecting the plume can restore performance.
Another common cause is oxidation of the contacts, especially if the phone was operated in a wet environment. Visually, this may not be noticeable, but the oxide layer blocks signal transmission. Cleaning contacts with alcohol and using an ultrasonic bath (in service conditions) often bring the sensor back to life.
- 💥 Mechanical damage: The sensor crystal itself is broken, the module is required to be replaced.
In cases where the sensor is physically broken, owners often resort to a software “cruit” – installing apps from Google Play that emulate the sensor’s operation or allow you to adjust the sensitivity zones of the screen. However, this is a temporary solution, and it is recommended to replace the faulty component for the full operation of the device.
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If the sensor does not work after resetting and calibration, the problem is in 90% of cases hardware: from the plume to the breakdown of the sensor itself.