The situation when during a conversation suddenly goes out display of a Xiaomi smartphone, familiar to many users, it is not just an annoyance, but a real problem that prevents dialing a number, turn on speakerphone or see contact, usually due to the operation of the proximity sensor, which is designed to save battery power and prevent accidental brushing.
However, in some cases, MIUI or HyperOS systems are not working properly, locking the screen too early or not returning the image back, and in 90% of cases, the problem is solved by calibrating the sensor through the engineering menu or disabling the Pocket Mode function. Below we will discuss all possible causes and methods of eliminating them.
Users often confuse a software failure with a physical breakdown. Software customization methods are worth trying before you bring a device to the service. They don't require root rights and take only a few minutes to complete, and in some cases, even a simple reboot or removal of the security glass helps.
Reasons to Lock the Screen During a Conversation
The main culprit is the proximity sensor, which is a small sensor that is located at the top of the body that responds to objects in close proximity, and its purpose is to turn off the screen when you bring the phone to your ear, and if the sensor is contaminated or closed with film, it may not work properly.
The second reason is often Pocket Mode, which is designed to lock the screen when the phone is in your bag or pocket to avoid random calls, but Xiaomi’s algorithms are sometimes too sensitive to take the palm or edge of the case for your pocket.
Software conflicts are also worth considering: once the firmware is updated, the sensor settings may get lost, or a third-party application may intercept control of the screen. In rare cases, the problem lies in the hardware, for example, when hit or moisture is hit.
It is important to understand that completely disabling the proximity sensor is not recommended, as this will lead to accidental cheek pressing during a conversation, and our goal is to adjust it to work properly, not completely eliminate functionality.
Disabling pocket mode in settings
The easiest and safest way to fix this problem is to turn off the random tap protection feature in your pocket, which is in the standard menu of the phone and requires no special knowledge. If you turn off the screen when you just hold the phone in your hand, this method will help in the first place.
To do this, go to the Phone app. In the upper right corner, click on the three dots or gear icon to open the menu. Select Settings, and then find Incoming Calls or Additional Settings.
In the list that opens, find the Pocket Mode switch. If it's active, press it to deactivate it, and then the system will stop blocking the screen when the upper part of the case is partially blocked.
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Disabling pocket mode solves the problem of false locks, but reduces protection from accidental pressing in the bag.
It's worth noting that the path may be slightly different on different versions of the MIUI shell, and in some cases, the option is directly in the main settings menu of the system, rather than inside the call app. Look for the partition associated with the lock or screen.
Calibration of the proximity sensor through the engineering menu
If the software didn't work, you need to calibrate the sensor, which is a procedure that trains the phone to understand what is near and what is far, using a hidden CIT engineering menu.
Open the Phone app and dial the combination ##6484##. If the code didn't work, try ##4636## or go through the Settings menu → About Phone → Version of the kernel (you need to press 5-7 times).
☑️ Sensor calibration
Inside the test, you'll see two values: distance in centimeters and status (Near/Far). Put your phone on a flat surface and put your hand away. Press the Calibrate button. The screen should blink to confirm the reset. Then close the top of the phone with your palm, the value should change to 0.0 or Near.
⚠️ Warning: Don't leave the engineering menu without saving the changes. If after calibration the sensor stopped responding at all, try restarting the device.
After a successful calibration, press Pass or Save, and then exit the menu. Rebooting your smartphone is mandatory for the new settings. This method is effective in most software failures.
Use of third-party applications for resetting
In situations where the built-in Xiaomi tools do not work, you can use specialized software from Google Play. There are utilities that force the restart of sensor drivers or offer a more subtle sensitivity setting.
One popular solution is the Proximity Sensor Reset app or similar tools like the Phone Sensor, which allows you to reset software without logging into the engineering menu, and this is especially true for models where the code ##6484## is blocked by the operator.
There are also apps that change the way the screen works, like Screen Off Pro, which allows you to set lock conditions, but be careful: installing extra apps can increase battery consumption.
Why can the sensor lie?
Before installing any software, read reviews carefully and check permissions. Some SEOs may contain ads or collect data; and you'd better choose programs with high ratings and a lot of installations.
Influence of protective glasses and covers
Often users are unaware that the problem lies in the accessories. Cheap protective glass can have a black frame that covers the sensor. Even if it seems visually that everything is clean, the adhesive base or thickness of the glass can distort the signal.
Tight bookcases or bumpers with high sidebars also create a shadow over the sensor. In sunny weather or in bright light, this can lead to false positives. Try removing the case and checking the phone's performance in the "naked" form.
If you recently replaced the glass and the problem appeared after that, most likely, the master has not pasted the protection or used a poor-quality material, in which case only the replacement of the accessory will help.
For smartphone owners with a subscreen sensor (although in budget Xiaomi they are more often physical) the problem may be software-related, but the physical obstacle in the form of thick glass also plays a role.
Comparison of problem-solving methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have compiled a table of the effectiveness of various methods, which will help you understand how to start a diagnosis in your particular case.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabling pocket mode | Low. | Medium | Random taps |
| Calibration in CIT | Medium | Tall. | No. |
| Removal of the protective glass | Medium | Tall. | Screen damage |
| Third-party annexes | Low. | Low. | Advertising/Viruses |
As you can see from the table, the safest and most effective method is to calibrate through an engineering menu, which does not require disassembling the device or installing any extra software, but if the problem is physical (dirty, crack), software methods will not help.
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Before calibrating, wipe the top of the screen with an alcohol napkin. Fat spots often cause sensor malfunction.
What to do if nothing helps
If all of these methods fail, the proximity sensor may be physically defective, it could be a plume break after a fall, or the contacts oxidize, in which case the screen will go out chaotically or not go out at all.
As a temporary solution, you can use a speakerphone or headset, and some users install sensor control applications that force the screen to be turned on during a call, but this consumes the battery.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone was in water, do not try to dry it with a hair dryer. moisture inside the case can close the contacts of the sensor, causing permanent locking.
To solve the problem, you need to go to a service center, and replacing the sensor module or the plume is a cheap and fast procedure, and you should not ignore the problem, since a faulty sensor can drain the battery in standby mode.