Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a mysterious problem: the device’s screen suddenly goes out while talking, using a navigator or watching a video, and sometimes locking occurs on its own for no apparent reason.This process, known as Screen Off, can be caused not only by a software glitch, but also by an intrusive system application that misinterprets the proximity sensor data.
Don't panic and take the device to the service center, because in most cases, the problem is solved by software methods right at home. It is critical to understand that Screen Off is not a virus, but part of the system shell MIUI or HyperOS, which requires competent management through engineering menus or special utilities. In this guide, we will discuss all the available ways to eliminate intrusive screen locking, from simple settings to advanced methods for experienced users.
Diagnostics of the problem: why the screen goes out on its own
Before embarking on radical measures to remove system components, it is necessary to pinpoint the source of the malfunction. Most often, an approach sensor that is closed with a protective glass, a cover or simply contaminated is responsible for spontaneously turning off the screen. However, if physical cleaning does not help, the culprit may be a software conflict in the Proximity Sensor or a malfunction in the com.android.phone system process.
There is also a possibility that the device activated the Pocket mode or similar feature in the MIUI shell, which reacts too aggressively to the dimming. In such cases, the system blocks the screen, thinking that the phone is in the bag. For accurate diagnosis, you can use the built-in engineering menu, which is available on most Xiaomi models.
⚠️ Warning: Before making any changes to system settings, make sure the proximity sensor is physically fit.If the top of the screen is broken or replaced with poor-quality glass, software removal of Screen Off will not help.
To check the sensors, type ##6484## in the phone book. In the menu that opens, select Proximity Sensor and watch the readings. If the values jump without the sensor being covered with your hand, the problem may be in calibration, rather than the need to remove the function.
Basic settings and disabling through the interface
The safest way to combat unwanted locking is to deeply adjust standard system settings. HyperOS shell and earlier versions of MIUI have hidden settings that can conflict with sensors. The first step is to check the locking settings, which are often ignored by users when they first set up the device.
Go to Settings → Lock screen and carefully examine the available options. Find "Mode in your pocket" or "Prevent accidental pressing" and try to disable it. This action will prevent the system from responding to dimming at the top of the display as a signal to turn off.
- 📱 Open the settings and go to the section "Block screen".
- 🔍 Find the "Mode in your pocket" switch and deactivate it.
- 🧹 Clear the cache of the Phone application through the application management menu.
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
If simple methods didn't help, maybe the problem lies in the specific application that requests access to the light sensor. Check the list of recently installed programs and remove those that have suspicious permissions. Sometimes third-party "cleaners" or launchers can cause conflicts with the system Screen Off.
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Use the Second Space function to test, create a clean profile without the apps installed, and if the problem goes away, one of your programs is causing the conflict.
Using ADB to remove system components
For users who are not afraid to work with a computer, the most effective method is to use USB debugging and the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool, which allows you to remove or disable the system packages responsible for improper screen operation, without the need to obtain superuser rights (Root).
First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → About the phone and seven times quickly click on the version MIUI After the message "You became a developer" appears, go to the advanced settings and turn on "Debugging by" USB". Connect your smartphone to your PC with a cable.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.providers.telephonyThe above is an approximate command, but be careful: disabling critical system services can lead to disruptions.--{In the context of Screen Off, many search packages associated with sensors are searched. However, it is safer to use specialized utilities such as Xiaomi. ADB/Fastboot Tools that have a graphical interface and mark safe to remove components.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB To remove system packages can lead to a "brickle" of the phone or loss of data. Always make a full backup before starting work.
☑️ Preparation for work with ADB
Comparison of problem-solving methods
The choice of method of solving the problem depends on your technical training and the severity of the situation. Below is a table that will help you compare different approaches and choose the best one for your case.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface settings | Low. | No. | Medium |
| Engineering menu | Medium | No. | Tall. |
| ADB team | Tall. | Medium. | Maximum |
| Reset to factory | Medium | Complete. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, ADB is the best, but it requires caution. Interface settings are safe, but they may not solve the problem if it's deep in the system. The choice is yours, but always start with the least risky methods.
Calibration of the proximity sensor as an alternative
Often, Screen Off is not required to be removed if the sensor is properly calibrated. There is a hidden calibration menu in the MIUI shell that can correct false positives. It uses the code ##64663## or through the testing menu described above to enter.
In the test menu, select Proximity Sensor. Put your phone on a flat surface so nothing closes the top. Press Calibrate. Wait for the success message. If the calibration is successful, restart the device.
What to do if the calibration does not pass?
Once calibrated, the problem with spontaneously turning off the screen should disappear, but if the sensor continues to "glut", you may need to replace the plume or the sensor module itself in the service center.
Resetting and extreme measures
If none of the software methods worked, the last option is a full factory reset, which will delete all user data, apps and settings, returning the phone to the "out of the box" state.
Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset. Select "Erase All Data." It takes a few minutes. Once turned on, the phone will be as new as it is, and the software conflict that caused Screen Off will likely be resolved.
⚠️ Warning: After a reset, do not restore the backup of the applications immediately. Check the screen on the "clean" system. If the problem comes back after installing a particular application, you will find the culprit.
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A complete reset is a guaranteed way to remove software errors, but it takes time to reconfigure the device.