The sudden disappearance of the call or tube button on the screen of a Xiaomi smartphone can take the user by surprise, especially during an emergency call. This problem often occurs after updating the MIUI operating system, installing third-party launchers, or due to a software failure in the communication module. Instead of the usual interface, the user may see the black screen, only the sound of the beeps or not understand how to complete or accept the call.
Fortunately, in most cases, this is not a sign of hardware breakdown of the display or motherboard. Android, the underlying shell of MIUI, has a flexible configuration structure that allows you to force restart the components responsible for displaying the phone book and call control buttons. Recovery interface usually takes a few minutes and does not require special technical skills.
In this article, we will take a look at all the possible causes of the call button’s disappearance and provide step-by-step instructions for eliminating them. We will look at both standard reset methods and deeper solutions through the engineering menu and safe mode. Careful follow-up to the recommendations will help you regain full control of calls on your device.
The main reasons for the disappearance of the call interface
Understanding the root of a problem is the first step to solving it successfully. The phonebook interface at Xiaomi is a separate system application that can conflict with other services, most often due to the accumulation of errors in the cache memory or after a failed firmware update when new files incorrectly replace the old ones.
Another common reason is the impact of third-party software: Launchers, sign-up themes, or conversation recording apps you install can intercept screen control during an incoming or outgoing call. If the application freezes or is removed incorrectly, the standard MIUI shell may stop rendering control buttons.
Human factors and random changes in accessibility settings are also important to consider. Some users inadvertently activate modes for people with disabilities that change the behavior of the touch screen or hide certain elements of the interface. In addition, crowded RAM of the device can lead to heavy graphic elements, such as a call button, simply not having time to boot.
⚠️ Note: If the disappearance of the tube is accompanied by a complete absence of sound, vibration or network signal, the problem may be a malfunction of the cable display or communication module.
To make a good diagnosis, you need to analyze what actions the button went missing after. If it happened right after you installed a new theme, the visualization problem. If after you upgraded the system, it was the compatibility of the components. Log errors by the system often indicate a specific failure process, but for the average user, it is more important to know how to quickly restore.
Basic reset of the settings of the application "Phone"
The most effective and safe way to return the call button to the screen is to clean the phone application’s data and cache, which will return the call settings to factory status without affecting your contacts, call history or other personal data, and solves the problem in 90% of software failures.
To do this, you need to go to the application management menu. The path may be slightly different in different versions of MIUI, but the general logic remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for all installed programs and find a standard dialer there.
☑️ Algorithm of resetting phone settings
After the cleanup is done, the system may request confirmation of the actions, as this will affect the forwarding or number ban settings if they were set inside the application. Don't be afraid to confirm the action. After that, it is recommended to restart the device so that the changes take effect. The next call, the interface should display correctly.
It is important to distinguish between Phone, Contacts and SMS applications. Although they are often visually combined, they are different processes in the system. If resetting calls did not help, a similar procedure should be done with the Contacts app, since it is often the one that is responsible for the pop-up window during a conversation.
Configure the display on top of other applications
Modern versions of Android and the MIUI shell have strict controls over which apps can be displayed on top of other windows. If the Phone app has been revoked permission to display on top of other apps, you will hear horns, but only see the desktop or locked screen without a response button.
To fix this, you need to go to advanced permission settings. This is a list of all the programs that try to display information on the screen. You need to make sure that for the system components of calls, this setting is activated. Without this right, the call interface cannot physically be drawn over the running games or browser.
- 📱 Open Settings and go to the Application section.
- 🔍 Find the Permissions item (often hidden in a three-point menu or submenu).
- 👁️ Select the option to display over other apps (or “Over other windows»).
- ✅ Make sure that the switches opposite the Phone, Contacts and System Interface apps are enabled.
If you use a third-party call, such as from Google or Truecaller, make sure that the rights are given to it, and the standard Xiaomi call, on the contrary, can be disabled to avoid conflicts.
💡
Use Settings Search: Type the word “over” or “windows” into the settings search bar to instantly get to the desired menu without wandering through sections.
Once you have all the necessary switches on, try to make a test call. If the button appears but is located inconveniently or overlaps with other elements, check the theme settings. Some custom themes have layout bugs that hide the bottom control panel.
Using Safe Mode for Diagnostics
If standard methods didn't help you get the phone back on the screen, there's a high chance of conflict with the apps you installed. Safe Mode is available to test this hypothesis. In this mode, the smartphone only boots with system applications, ignoring all third-party downloads.
To enter Safe Mode on Xiaomi, it is usually enough to press the off button, and when the reboot menu appears on the screen, press and hold your finger on the “Stop” icon (or “Reboot”, depending on the version of MIUI).
In safe mode, the corners of the screen can be marked with a corresponding label. Try making a call. If the tube appears and works normally, then one of the installed applications is to blame.
- 🛡️ Antiviruses and memory cleaners.
- 🎨 Launchers and desktop widgets.
- 📞 Applications for determining the number and recording of conversations.
- 🌙 Blue light or night mode managers.
You will need to remove recently installed programs or those that have access to the phone, and check the result after each deletion.
⚠️ Warning: Mobile data and Wi-Fi are not working in Safe Mode on some models unless the drivers are system. Use a SIM card with a tariff where there are minutes to check a call, or connect to Wi-Fi if it is available.
What if the button does not appear in safe mode?
Resetting all settings and returning to factory condition
When software conflicts are too deep and no gentle method is helping to get functionality back, the radical but effective way is to reset the device completely, which will remove all data from the device, returning it to the “out of the box” state, so pre-backup is critical.
Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery is at least 50%, the reset process can take 5 to 15 minutes, and interrupting power at this time can damage the bootloader.
| Action. | The result | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting application settings | Returning the call settings to default | Resetting number bans and forwarding |
| Resetting all settings | Reset system settings, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Loss of passwords from Wi-Fi networks |
| Full reset (Wipe Data) | Completely cleansing your phone’s memory | Irreversible loss of all data (photos, contacts) |
| Flip-flashing | Replacement of system files with fresh ones | Risk of “bricking” in case of error |
To perform a full reset via the menu, go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset. Select “Erase All Data.” The device will restart and begin the cleanup process. Once turned on, you will have to reconfigure the phone as new.
There is also a way through the Recovery menu (clamping the power and volume button when the phone is off), but for most users, a software reset through the settings is enough if the screen at least partially responds to touch.
Engineering menu and sensor check
In rare cases, the problem may not be the software of the caller, but the calibration of the sensor or the proximity sensor that turns off the screen during a conversation. If the sensor is stuck or is not working correctly, the screen may not light up when you bring the phone to the ear, creating the illusion that there is no tube.
You can use Xiaomi's engineering menu to check and calibrate. Type in the dialer code ##6484## (CIT). If the menu opens, look for the Proximity sensor and Touch panel test.
If the sensor test shows "FAIL" or the touch points don't match the touches, calibration is required. The CIT menu often has a "Touch panel" item with calibration options (usually drawing lines across the screen). After successful calibration, restart the phone.
Xiaomi Diagnostic Codes:
#6484## - The basic engineering menu (CIT)
#4636## - Phone Information Menu (Android)
*#06# - IMEI checkIf the proximity sensor is contaminated or closed with a low-quality protective glass, wipe the top of the screen next to the speaker. Often, greasy spots or dust block the sensor's infrared radiation, and the phone "thinks" it's near the ear, blocking the screen and the off button.
💡
Calibration of the sensor and checking the proximity sensor is a key step if the screen goes out during the call, but does not turn back on.