Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners are faced with an unexpected message during a conversation: "Don't close the speaker area" or "Don't close the top of the phone."This phrase appears when the system detects that you're holding the device wrong and locks the screen to prevent the cheek from accidentally pressing the break-off or volume button. However, it often happens that the phone writes this even when you hold it correctly, which causes irritation and interferes with normal communication.
The problem is that the proximity sensor, which is located on the top of the case next to the speaker. In modern Xiaomi models, a virtual sensor is used that analyzes changes in light and infrared light reflection to see if you have brought the phone to your ear. If the software misinterprets the data, the screen goes out or a warning appears that blocks access to the interface.
In this article, we will detail the causes of the error, explain why the system reacts so much to your actions, and provide step-by-step instructions for calibrating and disabling an intrusive notification. You will learn how to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor and what hidden MIUI settings can help solve the problem.
⚠️ Warning: A complete shutdown of the proximity sensor can cause the screen to not go out during the conversation and you will accidentally hit the reset or volume control button with your cheek.
Reasons for the message about the blocking of the speaker
The main reason for the inscription is the conflict between the physical position of the phone and the sensor readings. When you hold the smartphone to the ear, the proximity sensor should detect the change in distance and extinguish the screen. If at this point the finger is blocking the sensor area or the screen is too dense protective film, the system thinks that the phone is in the pocket or bag, and gives a warning.
The second factor is software failures in the HyperOS or MIUI shell. AI algorithms that are supposed to recognize use cases sometimes fail after a system update, and they may overreact to the slightest lighting change, thinking that the normal hand position is an attempt to lock the speaker.
Also worth considering is the design features of a particular model: In some low-end devices in the Redmi series, the sensor is combined with a conversational speaker, which makes it extremely sensitive3 to contamination. Dust, fat or moisture in the upper end can distort the readings, making the phone think that the speaker area is closed, even if it is not.
- 📱 Pollution of the top of the screen or protective film.
- 🛠️ Software failure after operating system update.
- 🌡️ Overheating of the device, affecting the operation of sensors.
- 📶 Conflicting applications that use sensor access.
How to Calibrate the Approximation Sensor on Xiaomi
The most effective way to fix a malfunction is to calibrate through an engineering menu, which is a built-in diagnostic tool that allows you to reset the sensor to factory values and retrain the system to respond correctly, and it doesn't require root rights to access this menu, but it requires careful input.
Open the Phone app and enter the special code ##6484##. The screen should open the CIT menu. If the code doesn't work, try the alternative ##4636##, although it's more commonly used for network testing.
In the window that opens, you'll see the current distance. Close the top of the phone with your palm, the value should change (usually from 5.0 to 0.0). If there's no reaction, click Calibrate and follow the instructions on the screen. Once you've finished, be sure to restart the device to make the changes effective.
☑️ Calibration checklist
It's important to understand that calibration is not a panacea, and if a physical sensor is damaged or contaminated from the inside, a software reset won't help, but in 80 percent of cases, when a software failure causes a problem, it returns to work.
Customize screen sensitivity and prevent false pressing
There's a separate setting in Xiaomi's system that directly affects lock messages, called "Mode in your pocket" or "Preventing false presses," which is a feature that analyzes data from the accelerometer and proximity sensor to decide whether to lock the screen.
To find this setting, go to the Settings menu. → Screen (or Lock and Protect) You'll need to find the "Mode in your pocket" item here and try to change its state. If the function is on, turn it off, and vice versa. MIUI This setting is hidden deeper: → Passwords and security → Confidentiality → Special facilities.
It’s also worth checking the theme settings. Third-party themes downloaded from Themes store may contain errors in screen lock scripts, which causes unnecessary notifications. Switch to the standard theme “Classic” or “Standard” to rule this out.
| Setup parameter | Location on the menu | Recommended value | Influence on error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket mode. | Settings → Screen | Off. | High (often causes false positives) |
| Protection against accidental pressing | Settings → Blocking | Off. | Average. |
| Adaptive brightness | Settings → Screen | Included. | Low (may affect the light sensor) |
| Increased sensitivity | Settings → Screen | Off. | Average (for film screens) |
⚠️ Warning: Turning off In Your Pocket means that your phone may accidentally dial a number while in your bag. Use this method only if other methods have not helped.
Hidden settings through ADB
The effect of protective glasses and covers on the operation of the sensor
Often, the problem of “Don’t close the speaker area” lies in external accessories. Black-framed protective glass or poor-quality films can block the sensor’s infrared emitter. Even a microscopic shift of 1-2 millimeters (enough) for the sensor to stop “seeing” the world and start blocking the screen.
If you've recently replaced glass or put on a new film, try removing it carefully and checking the phone's performance without protection. In models with a subscreen sensor (for example, Xiaomi 13, 14), transparency of the protective layer in the upper zone is critical. Cheap glasses can have a layer that does not let infrared rays through.
Also, look at the covers. Some models of book covers or bumpers with high sides can push on the side of the plumes, or just overlap the top end. Take off the case and see if the error has disappeared. If so, you need a case with a sensor cutout or a thinner profile.
- 🧼 Clean the top end of the phone with an alcohol fat wipe.
- 🛡️ Check if the protective glass covers the sensor area.
- 📱 Remove the cover to exclude mechanical pressure.
- 💡 Make sure there are no stickers or dirt in the speaker area.
Resetting settings and software updates
If the software calibration didn't help, configuration errors may have accumulated in the system. Resetting all settings to factory (not to be confused with a full data reset) can return sensor settings to their original state. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Reset all settings. Your photos and contacts will not be affected, but the Wi-Fi settings and alarm clocks will go wrong.
Check for system updates. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that fix sensor drivers. Go to Settings → About the phone and click on the MIUI version. If an update is available, install it.
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Phone and System Services app helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Phone, and select Clear → Clear cache. This will delete temporary files that may have caused the conflict.
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Before resetting your settings, make sure to back up important data to Mi Cloud or your computer so you don’t lose information in the event of an unexpected error.
What to do if nothing helps
In a situation where neither calibration, removal of the protective glass, nor resetting of the settings are effective, there is a high probability of hardware failure. The proximity sensor is a physical component that can fail due to impact, moisture or industrial defect, in which case the software methods are powerless.
If the phone is warranty, immediately contact an authorized service center. Self-opening the device will lead to loss of warranty. If the warranty is over, you can try temporarily disabling the sensor through the engineering menu ("Proximity sensor" → "Off"), but be aware of the risk of accidental cheek pressing.
Sometimes it helps to install third-party applications to manage calls from Google Play, which take priority over system settings and can ignore the faulty sensor. However, this is a temporary solution, and to fully work the device will still need to replace the sensor module or the plume.
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If software methods and calibration don’t help, it’s likely that the proximity sensor is physically faulty and needs to be replaced at the service center.