How to turn off the screen fade when calling Xiaomi: expert analysis

The situation when the screen of Xiaomi smartphone goes out at the most inappropriate moment of conversation is familiar to many users. Instead of seeing the number of the interlocutor or the hands-free button, you hit a black display, trying to find the completion of the call. It's not just an annoying bug, but the result of the proximity sensor, which sometimes functions incorrectly due to build features or software failures.

The problem is relevant for both older models like the Redmi Note 9 and flagships of the Xiaomi 13 series with the latest MIUI 14 shell or HyperOS. Often the culprit is protective glass, dust in the conversational speaker or simply too high sensitivity of the sensor. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to fix the malfunction, from simple settings to hidden engineering menus.

You don't have to be an expert in Android to fix this mistake, but we've developed step-by-step instructions to help you get back to your comfort, and remember that ignoring the problem can lead to an accidental shoulder or cheek drop, which is not acceptable in business correspondence.

The principle of the approach sensor and the causes of false positives

The main culprit behind sudden screen quenching is the proximity sensor. This small module, located at the top of the smartphone next to the front camera or speaker, uses infrared radiation to determine the distance to the object. When you hold the phone to your ear, the sensor picks up the reflected signal and tells the system to extinguish the display to prevent accidental cheekstrokes.

However, Xiaomi and Redmi devices often feature software or hardware features in which the sensor responds to even minimal dimming. If you use a dense black-framed protective glass, it can block the sensor beams, causing a false alarm, and the accumulation of dust and fat in the area of the speaker, which distorts the sensor readings.

There's another common cause, software conflict, which is that after you upgrade your Android operating system or your MIUI shell, the sensor calibration can get lost, and in that case, the phone thinks that the object is close to the screen, even if the device is on the table, which is why it's important to understand the difference between physical contamination and software failure.

⚠️ Warning: If the screen goes out when the phone is lying on the table during an incoming call, it is a clear sign of a calibration software error or sensor hardware defect requiring immediate intervention.

Basic settings through the standard call menu

The first step in solving the problem should be to check the standard settings of the Phone application. In most cases, manufacturers leave the ability to control the behavior of the screen during the call, although in recent versions of MIUI this option is often hidden or removed, however, check for the presence of the switch is necessary.

Open the call app, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and select Settings. Scroll down to the incoming call section. There may be an option called "Switch off screen while talking" or "Access Sensor." If the slider is active, try deactivating it. However, if you haven't found one, it means the manufacturer has blocked this feature at the software level.

In some cases, cleaning the app cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Phone (or Google Phone). Select Memory and click Clear Cache. This action will not delete your contacts, but will reset temporary files that may have caused the conflict.

It is worth noting that on different models, the interfaces may differ. For example, on the Xiaomi Mi 11, the path to settings may be shorter than on the budget Redmi 10C. If the standard methods failed to disable the sensor, then we move to deeper methods of setting.

Use of the Engineering Menu for Calibration

The most effective way to solve this problem is to recalibrate the sensor through an engineering menu, which allows the system to correctly determine the distance to the object, and to access the hidden functions, we will need to enter a special code in the dialing application.

If the code is entered correctly, you will open the CIT (Customer Integration Test) menu. In the test list, find the Proximity Sensor. Click on it and you will see the graph or numerical values that change if you close the top of the screen with your hand.

The calibration process is as follows: Remove your hand from the screen to make the value minimal (usually 0.0 or 5.0), and press the "Calibrate" button. Then close the sensor with your hand (the value should rise to a maximum, for example, 255.0) and press "Calibrate" again. If the test is successful, the screen will cease to go out for no reason.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change the values in other sections of the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose.This can lead to unstable operation of communication modules or cameras.

Solving the problem through the hidden developer settings

If calibration doesn't work, you can try to force the sensor to turn off through hidden system settings, which requires activation of the developer mode. Be careful: changing system settings can affect the operation of other functions of the smartphone.

Go to Settings. → On the phone and press. 7-10 once in a row by "Version" MIUI" (or "Version". OS"), until you say "You're a developer." Then go back to the main settings menu, select "More" → "For developers".

In the list, find the section related to "Input" or "Hardware." Look for "Quick start to proximity sensor" or "Disable proximity sensor." If you have one, turn it on. On some devices, this option is called "Disable proximity sensor." Once turned on, the screen will stop responding to the approach of objects.

Note that in the new versions of HyperOS, Google and Xiaomi are actively removing these features from the developer menu, seeking to standardize the interface. If you do not find the right switch, then your version of the software is blocked.

Third-party applications for sensor control

When the built-in tools are powerless, third-party utilities from the Google Play Market come to the rescue. There are many applications designed specifically to control the proximity sensor on Xiaomi smartphones, and they work on the principle of intercepting system commands.

One of the most popular solutions is the Proximity Sensor Reset & Fix app, which allows you not only to calibrate the sensor, but also to completely disable it software. Once you install the app, press Calibrate or Disable. Some applications require special permissions through ADB, but most work as usual.

Another option is to use caller apps like Truecaller or Simple Dialer. They have their own call processing settings and often ignore the system proximity sensor if that's indicated in their settings. Set up such a call, make it the default app and check the result.

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Use calibration apps only from trusted sources. Avoid questionable utilities with a lot of advertising, as they may contain malicious code that collects data about your calls.

If the problem is solved, but the phone began to discharge faster, it is better to consider other options.

Hardware causes and physical intervention

The physical nature of the problem is also not excluded. Often the screen goes out due to the banal pollution. At the top of the smartphone, where the speaker is located, dust, pile from the pocket and skin fat accumulate over time. This traffic jam closes the sensor, and the phone thinks that it is pressed to the ear.

Take a soft toothbrush or cotton swab lightly soaked in alcohol (don't pour it in!), and clean the area of the speaker carefully. Also check the safety glass. If it has a black frame or is side-shifted, it overlaps the sensor, in which case only replacing the glass with a model with a cutout under the sensor or its complete removal will help.

In rare cases, you'll see the sensor plume peeling off inside the case, which is true for phones after a fall, and if you're skilled in repairing it, you can gently open the back cover and check the connection of the Proximity Sensor plume to the motherboard.

⚠️ Warning: Self-opening of the smartphone deprives you of warranty. If the device is warranty service, contact an authorized service center to replace the sensor.

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In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by thoroughly cleaning the speaker and recalibrating through the engineering menu, without the need to install third-party software.

Summary table of methods and their effectiveness

To make it easier to choose the best solution, we have compiled a table comparing the methods described by complexity and probability of success. Choose the option that best suits your situation and level of technical training.

To sum up, the fading screen problem on Xiaomi is solvable in the vast majority of cases: Start with simple cleaning and calibration methods, and then move on to complex system changes. Properly configuring the proximity sensor will ensure comfortable communication and prevent accidental resets of important calls.