The situation when the screen of the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi does not go out during a conversation or, conversely, breaks the call when holding the phone to the ear, is familiar to many users. This is a classic symptom of a failure in the proximity sensor, which is responsible for blocking the display when in contact with objects. In modern models with In-Display or hidden sensors, the problem is solved software, but often requires manual intervention from the owner.
Don't just take the device to the service center, because 90 percent of the time, it's software-based and it's fixed in a few minutes. Calibration allows the system to recalculate the light and distance reference values, and get the sensor back to work properly. Below, we'll look at all the current methods for restoring functionality, from simple reboots to working in the engineering menu.
Before you start complex manipulations, you need to eliminate trivial physical interference. Often the cause of malfunction is a protective glass that covers the area of the sensor, or the banal dirt at the top of the body. Make sure that the area of the auditory speaker and the upper frame are clean, and the protective film is glued flat and has no air bubbles in the area of the sensor.
Diagnosis and preparation of the device
The first step before calibration is to accurately diagnose the sensor status, and the MIUI and the new HyperOS have a powerful diagnostic tool built in to test the health of all hardware modules, and to run the test, you need to open the Phone app and type universal code ##6484##, which will open the CIT engineering menu.
In the list that opens, you'll find a item that's associated with the Proximity Sensor or Approximation Sensor. When you click on it, you'll see a screen with digital values. Close the top of the screen with your palm, the values should change (usually from 5.0 to 0.0 or vice versa, depending on the model). If there's no response, the problem may be hardware.
- 📱 Make sure there are no cracks in the upper speaker area on the screen that can block IR radiation.
- 🧹 Wipe the top of the body with a soft cloth, removing fat traces and dust.
- 🛡️ Remove the protective glass or film if they cover the sensor area (often seen as a black dot next to the speaker).
- 🔄 Perform a normal smartphone reboot to reset temporary system errors.
⚠️ Attention: If the sensor values in the engineering menu don't change even after you close your hand, the plume may have gone off or the module itself has failed.
Automatic calibration through the engineering menu
The most effective way to restore work is to use the built-in calibration function in the same CIT engineering menu.This method is suitable for most Redmi Note, Redmi and Poco models. After logging into the testing menu (code ##6484###), look for the item "Proximity Sensor".
Inside the test, you'll see a Calibration or a Start button, press it and follow the instructions on the screen, and normally the system will ask you to remove your hand from the sensor and then close it, and it takes a few seconds, and then it will be a success or failure message, and if the calibration is successful, the values should stabilize.
It is important to perform the procedure in good light, but not in direct sunlight, which can blind the sensor. Also make sure that the battery charge is more than 20%, although this test is not energy intensive.
☑️ Checklist before calibration
Resetting calibration code and through settings
If the automatic calibration in CIT-The menu failed, and you can force the sensor to reset through system commands, which often helps after a firmware update when old configuration files conflict with new drivers. USSD-code.
Some versions of MIUI offer a reset option via the developer menu or special applications from Xiaomi. However, the most versatile method is to enter a reset command. Enter the code ##7780## in dialer (caution, in some versions this may lead to a reset, check the functionality on your model) or use the menu "Advanced settings" → "Developers".
Often users confuse resetting the proximity sensor with a full reset of the phone. We don't need it. We're looking for the item associated with Proximity. If there's no such item in the settings menu (which is often the case in global firmware), use an alternative method through the Engineering Mode app, which can be downloaded from official sources or the Store.
| Resetting method | Availability | Risk of data loss | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIT Menu (code 6484) | All models. | No. | Tall. |
| Engineering Mode App | Installation required | No. | Medium |
| Resetting phone settings | All models. | Total loss. | High (extreme measure) |
| Flip-flashing | Experienced users | Total loss. | Maximum |
What do I do if the codes don't work?
Use of third-party applications for calibration
When Xiaomi’s regular funds are powerless, specialized utilities from the Google Play Store come to the rescue. Apps like “Proximity Sensor Reset” or “Sensor Test” allow you to access hidden Android calibration functions that are not displayed in the standard interface.
The principle of operation of such programs is simple: they request rights to change system settings and conduct a series of tests, forcibly overwriting the configuration file of the sensor. Before running such software, it is recommended to close all background processes so that nothing interferes with reading.
However, be careful: using untested software can lead to unstable system operation. Always check the ratings of applications and read the reviews of other Redmi users. If the application requires root rights and you are not sure of your actions, it is better to refrain from using it.
- 📥 Download a proven sensor calibration app (e.g. Proximity Sensor Reset).
- 🚀 Start the program and provide the necessary permissions.
- 📏 Follow the instructions on the screen: usually close and open the sensor several times.
- 💾 Click the Calibrate or Reset button and wait for the process to be completed.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install applications with questionable content or low ratings. Malware can access your personal data under the guise of system utilities.
Manual sensitivity setting in MIUI
Owners of devices with screens with a notch (“bang”) or hole under the camera may face a situation where the software sensor is not working properly due to design features, in such cases, the MIUI settings often hide the option “Eliminate sensor problems” or “Calibrate proximity sensor”.
You can find this feature along the way: Settings → About Phone → (click multiple times on “MIUI Version” to turn on developer mode if the menu is hidden) → Advanced settings → For developers. Although most often the desired item is in a hidden menu called by the code ##6485## (battery and calibration information), where you can find reset options.
If you have access to a developer menu, look for items related to Sensors. Sometimes switching sensor mode or forced activation helps. Remember that any changes to the developer menu can affect the system's work tab, so fix the initial values.
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Try to turn on In-Pack mode in the lock settings, and sometimes activating and deactivating this feature causes the system to re-interrogate the sensor and reset the wrong values.
What to do if calibration does not help
There are times when software methods fail, and if after all the manipulations, the screen still doesn't go out during the conversation, the problem can go deeper, and often the culprit is not the sensor itself, but a conflicting application or bug in the current firmware version.
Try upgrading to the latest version available. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches to fix sensor errors, and check if you have an app that can control calls or record conversations that can intercept the sensor.
As a last resort, if the problem occurs after you install a particular program, try entering Safe Mode, and if the sensor is working correctly in this mode, it means that one of the apps you installed is to blame, and remove them one by one to find the culprit.
- 🔄 Update the system to the latest version via Settings → The phone».
- 🗑️ Remove newly installed apps related to calls or screen.
- 📵 Check the work in safe mode to eliminate software conflicts.
- 🏭 Consider resetting to factory settings (pre-made backup).
⚠️ Warning: Resetting to factory settings will completely delete all your data. be sure to back up your contacts, photos and documents before this procedure.
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If no software method has worked, and the sensor shows zero or unchanging values in the CIT, it is likely that the plume or the sensor module itself in the service center will need to be replaced.