How to turn on and configure the proximity sensor on Xiaomi 11 Lite: the complete guide

Xiaomi 11 Lite is a compact and stylish smartphone, but sometimes its owners face a problem: during the call, the screen does not go out when approaching the ear, which leads to accidental pressing, the reason for this is a disconnected or incorrectly working proximity sensor, in this article we will discuss how to activate it, check and fix typical problems.

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi 11 Lite (5G NE and 4G models) is not only responsible for locking the screen during a conversation, but also for optimizing power consumption. If it is turned off, the battery can discharge faster due to the constant display illumination. However, in some firmware (especially custom ones), this feature is deactivated by default. Next, a step-by-step instruction with nuances for different versions of MIUI.

What is a proximity sensor and why you need it

The proximity sensor is an infrared sensor located at the top of the Xiaomi 11 Lite screen (near the front camera) that detects the distance to an object (like your ear) and automatically:

• 📵 Turns off the screen during the call to avoid accidental touch;
• 🔋 Saves battery power by reducing active lighting time;
• 🎧 Activates hands-free mode when the phone is removed from the face (in some firmware).

The Xiaomi 11 Lite uses a sensor from STMicroelectronics (model VD6283), which is based on infrared radiation, if the sensor is contaminated or damaged, it can malfunction, and problems arise after updating the MIUI or resetting the settings.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 13+ The proximity sensor may conflict with the Always-on Display function. If the screen does not go out during the call, try turning off the screen. AOD customized.

Where is the proximity sensor on Xiaomi 11 Lite

To check or clean the sensor, first find its location. On the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE and 4G sensor is:

• 📍 Right of the front camera (when looking at the screen);
• 🕳️ Under the protective glass - externally looks like a small round hole (diameter) ~1 mm);
• 🔍 On some models, there is a light sensor and an infrared port nearby.

For visual inspection, take a flashlight and shine it on the top of the screen, and the proximity sensor will slightly shine through in a reddish hue (because of the IR emitter), and if the hole is clogged with dust or covered with film, the sensor may not work.

How to turn on the proximity sensor through the MIUI settings

In most cases, the sensor is software-enabled to activate it.

1. Open the Settings. → System system → Additionally.
2. Select the Approximation Sensor (in some versions of MIUI, the item is called Sensors or Sensor Management).
3. Activate the switch to turn on the proximity sensor.
4. Restart your phone (required!) to make the changes effective.

If your MIUI version doesn’t have a separate sensor point, try an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Points (menu) → Special Accesses → Sensors

In some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 Global), the sensor turns on automatically when you first call, and if it turns off again after a call, check the power saving settings:

Open the settings → Battery

Choose Battery Optimization

Find the phone in the list and turn off optimization

Reset the device-->

⚠️ Note: On custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the path to sensor settings may be different. MIUI, Try using the engineering menu (described below).

Checking the operability of the proximity sensor

Before you set up the sensor, make sure it's working.

1. Open the Phone app and dial ##6484## (sensor test).
2. In the menu, select Proximity Sensor.
3. Close the sensor with your hand – the screen should go out, and the value should change from 5 (far) to 0 (close).

If the test doesn't work:

• 🧹 Clean the sensor hole with a soft brush or compressed air;
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (sometimes bugs are patched);
• 🛠️ Reset the settings to factory (if the problem has appeared after the update).

For a deeper diagnosis, use the apps from Google Play:

• 📱 Sensor Test – Shows the values of all sensors in real time;
• 🔍 Hardware Info – displays technical data of sensors;
• 📊 CPU-Z — checks supported sensors.

Enabling the sensor through the engineering menu (for power users)

If standard settings don’t work, try activating the sensor through an engineering menu (CIT) that is suitable for advanced users and requires caution.

1. Open the Phone app and type ##4636##.
2. Select Testing → Single Item Test from the menu.
3. Scroll down to Proximity Sensor and click.
4. If the sensor is inactive, enter a command through ADB: adb shell settings put system proximity_delay 0

To reset the sensor calibration, use the command:

adb shell settings delete system proximity_offset

Then restart your phone. If the engineering menu is not available (the code is not working), then your version of MIUI is blocking it, in which case only manual editing of the build.prop file (requires root rights) will help.

💡

Before use ADB-teams make sure that the PC installed Xiaomi drivers and enabled debugging USB in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — press 7 times).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after turning on, the proximity sensor on the Xiaomi 11 Lite may not work properly. Let’s consider typical scenarios and ways to eliminate them:

If the sensor stopped working after the phone fell, the plume or the sensor itself is likely damaged, in which case only a replacement at the service center will help, the average cost of repair is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles (depending on the model and region).

💡

On the Xiaomi 11 Lite, the proximity sensor often conflicts with the “Raise to Wake Up” function. If the screen does not go out during the call, turn off this option in the Display settings → Raise to wake up.

Alternative ways to control the screen during a call

If the proximity sensor is not working and repair is temporarily impossible, use alternative methods:

• 📱 Manual lock: during the call, press the power button to turn off the screen;
• 🔄 Loud Communication: Activate it before you hold your phone to your ear;
• 🤖 Substitute applications: Proximity Sensor Fix emulates sensor performance; Sensor Test & Fix calibrates sensors.

Note that third-party applications can drain the battery and conflict with MIUI. Use them only as a temporary solution.

⚠️ Note: Some sensor emulation applications require availability permission (Settings) → Be careful, these permits can be used to monitor your activities.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the proximity sensor on Xiaomi 11 Lite