Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even its owners sometimes face non-obvious settings. The proximity sensor responsible for turning off the screen during a call may not work correctly or be accidentally disabled. In this article, we will analyze where this feature is in MIUI, how to activate it and what to do if the sensor does not respond to the approach of the hand.
Many users mistakenly think that the proximity sensor is turned on only through an engineering menu or requires root rights. In fact, in the Redmi Note 10 Lite (model M2101K9AG), this option is hidden in the standard settings - you just need to know where to look. We will also tell you how to check the performance of the sensor without special applications and what to do if the screen does not go out when you call.
What is a proximity sensor and why you need it
The proximity sensor is an infrared sensor located next to the front camera of a smartphone, and its main task is to detect when you bring the phone to your ear while you're talking. When it's triggered, the sensor sends a signal to the system, and the screen automatically turns off so that:
- 📵 Prevent accidental tapping of the cheek or ear (such as turning off a call or triggering other features).
- 🔋 Save battery power as the screen lighting consumes a lot of energy.
- 👁️ Protect your eyes from unnecessary light in the dark.
The Redmi Note 10 Lite uses a sensor STK3311 (or similar), which operates at a distance of up to 5-7 cm If the sensor is faulty or disabled, during the call the screen will remain on, which creates discomfort and the risk of accidental pressing.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The proximity sensor is disabled by default to save resources. It's not a malfunction, it just requires manual activation.
Where is the proximity sensor setting in MIUI
Unlike Xiaomi’s flagship models, where the option can be in a separate Sensor menu, the Redmi Note 10 Lite is less obvious. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese versions):
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
- In the top search bar, enter the Phone and select the standard call app.
- Slip it on the Permit. → Additionally.
- Find the Approximation Sensor and activate the switch.
If this path doesn’t work in your MIUI version, try an alternative:
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → System and device → Additional settings.
- 🔍 Choose Special Opportunities → Physical buttons.
- 📱 Scroll down to the Sensors block and turn on Automatic Screen Shutdown.
Update MIUI to the latest version | Make sure the screen is not film-protected in the sensor area | Check if there is any physical damage to the top panel |Reboot your smartphone before changing the settings-->
How to check the operation of the proximity sensor without applications
To make sure that the sensor is working correctly, you do not need to install third-party utilities.
- Type the combination on your phone keyboard: ##6484## (or #4636## for older versions of MIUI).
- Select Hardware Testing → Sensor Test.
- Find the Proximity Sensor bar and cover the top of the screen with your hand.
- If the sensor is in good condition, the status will change from 5.0 cm to 0.0 cm.
An alternative way is to use the call mode:
- 📞 Call another phone or activate a voice call.
- 🖐️ Hold your hand to the top of the screen (where the front camera is located).
- 🔍 If the sensor is working, the screen will go out in 1-2 seconds.
⚠️ Note: On some firmware, the sensor test may show false positives due to optimizations MIUI. If the screen goes out when you call, but does not respond in the test, it is normal.
Yes, the screen doesn't go out during the call.|Yeah, the sensor's working too late.|No, it's working perfectly.|I don't know how to check that out.-->
Why the proximity sensor doesn't work on the Redmi Note 10 Lite
If after turning on the option in the settings, the sensor still does not respond, the reasons may be as follows:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The screen does not go out during the call. | Sensor disabled in the settings of the application "Phone" | Enable sensor resolution (see section above) |
| Sensor is delayed. | Sensor contamination or damage | Clean the upper panel with alcohol, check for cracks |
| The sensor only works in some applications. | Conflict with MIUI shell or third-party launcher | Reset the launcher settings or roll back the MIUI update |
| The test shows "0.0 cm" constantly. | Hardware malfunction of the sensor | Contact the service center to replace the sensor |
A common cause of problems is a factory film or case covering the sensor area. Make sure the top of the screen is not closed. Also, the problem may occur after the MIUI update: some versions of the firmware (for example, MIUI 13.0.4) have bugs with sensors that are fixed in the following patches.
What if the sensor is triggered too early?
How to Calibrate the Approach Sensor Manually
If the sensor is unstable (for example, the screen is late or not turned on), you can perform calibration through the engineering menu.
- Open the Phone app and dial ##36446337##.
- From the Hardware Testing menu, select Sensor → Proximity Sensor.
- Press Calibration and follow the instructions on the screen (usually hold your phone 5cm from the surface).
- After calibration, restart the smartphone.
If the engineering menu is not available (for example, on global firmware), use the MTK Engineering Mode app (for MediaTek-based devices only):
- 📱 Install the app from Google Play.
- 🔧 Start it and go to Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity.
- 📊 Press Do Calibration and wait for the process to be completed.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect calibration can lead to even more failures in the sensor. If you are not sure of your actions, you better contact the service.
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If the sensor gets worse after calibration, reset the phone to factory settings (pre-backup), which often helps with MIUI software failures.
What to do if the sensor is physically broken
If all software methods have been tried, but the sensor still doesn't work, it's probably a hardware problem.
- 🚨 The sensor test always shows 0.0 cm, even when the hand is far away.
- 🔍 Visible damage to the top panel (cracks, dents).
- 💧 Moisture in the screen (for example, after bathing or rain).
In this case, you will need to replace the sensor. On the Redmi Note 10 Lite, it is soldered into the motherboard, so self-repair is extremely difficult. The cost of replacing in Xiaomi service centers is about 1,500-2,500 rubles (2026), the alternative is to buy a used sensor on AliExpress (about 500-800 rubles) and apply to a private master.
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Before repairing, check whether your smartphone warranty is valid. If so, contact only the official Xiaomi service, otherwise the warranty will be lost.
Alternative ways to control the screen during a call
If the proximity sensor does not work, and repair is temporarily impossible, you can use workaround solutions:
- Manual screen shutdown: Press the power button to turn off the backlight during the call. Minus, you have to repeat this every time.
- Automation apps: Utilities like MacroDroid or Tasker can turn off the screen when a call is detected (configuration is required).
- Headphone use: When wired or Bluetooth headphones are connected, the screen does not go out, but it does not interfere with the conversation.
For a temporary solution, Proximity Sensor Fixer (available on Google Play) emulates the sensor, but can drain the battery faster.