Why the screen on Xiaomi does not go out when you call: 12 reasons and solutions

You make phone calls, bring Xiaomi to your ear, but the screen persists in glowing, accidentally pressing your cheek or fingers? This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones of the brand - from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi 13 Ultra. Normally, the proximity sensor should automatically turn off the display when you bring the device to your head, but sometimes the system fails.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why Xiaomi’s screen doesn’t go out during a call – from banal settings to hardware malfunctions. You will learn how to check the operation of the proximity sensor, what system parameters affect its functioning, and what to do if the problem appears after the update. MIUI. And for the most difficult cases, we have prepared instructions for calibrating the sensor and resetting the settings without losing data.

Important: some solutions require developer rights or access to an engineering menu. If you've never worked with these settings, follow the instructions carefully so as not to make the problem worse. AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) There are also nuances associated with the work of the always-on display (AOD).

1. How the proximity sensor works and why it might fail

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi smartphones is an infrared sensor that detects the distance to an object (in this case, your head). When you hold the phone to your ear, the sensor sends a signal to the system, and the screen goes out to prevent accidental tapping. In the Redmi Note 11 models, the sensor is designed to be used to detect the proximity of the device, POCO X3 Pro and others this sensor is usually located at the top of the screen, next to the speaker.

The causes of sensor failures can be divided into three categories:

• 📱 Programming - errors MIUI, Application conflicts, incorrect settings
• ⚙️ Hardware - sensor contamination, mechanical damage, wear of components
• 🔄 System – consequences of updates, resetting, rooting

Critical feature: on some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10 and Mi 11), the proximity sensor is combined with a light sensor. If the screen not only does not go out on call, but also does not automatically adjust the brightness - the problem is precisely in this module.

To check if the sensor is to blame, you can use a test mode.

1. Open the phone application
2. Type ##6484## (for some models, #4636###)
3. Select Proximity Sensor (Proximity Sensor)
4. Close the sensor with your hand – the value should change from 5.00 cm to 0.00 cm

2. Programmatic reasons: settings and errors MIUI

In 60% of cases, the problem is not in the hardware, but in the software. MIUI It's known for its hidden settings that can interfere with the way sensors work, and these are the main software reasons why the screen doesn't go out:

• 🔧 Disabled sensor proximity in call settings
• 📲 shell conflict (for example, after upgrading to the MIUI 14)
• 🛠️ Errors in the "Phone" or "Contact" application"
• 🔄 Resetting settings without proper sensor configuration

The first thing to check is the sensor settings during the call:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Find the Phone app and open its settings
3. Select Permissions → Sensors.
4. Make sure that the permission to use the proximity sensor is enabled

If the permission is enabled but the problem remains, try resetting the phone app settings:

1. In the same settings of the Phone application, select Storage
2. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache
3. Reset the device

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Before resetting the phone application data, export the contacts to the file VCF via Contact → Settings → Imports and exports to avoid losing them.

Another common reason is the "In your pocket" mode that interferes with the normal operation of the sensor, to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings. → Display. → Screen locking
2. Find the option in your pocket and turn it off.
3. Also check the Up to Wake Up settings – sometimes they conflict with the proximity sensor

Hardware problems: sensor, screen, protective glass

If software methods fail, the problem may be physical damage to the sensor or contamination, especially for devices that:

• 💧 They were in the rain or in the water (even if they were working normally)
• 📱 Falling down on a hard surface
• 🔧 Disassembled for repair (replacement of screen, battery, etc.)
• 🛡️ Have a thick protective glass or a case with high sides

The most common hardware cause is proximity sensor contamination, and over time, dust, sweat fat deposits, or adhesive residues from the protective film enter the sensor hole (usually near the front camera) to clean the sensor:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Take a soft brush (for example, for camera lenses) or a cotton swab soaked in alcohol
3. Clean the area around the sensor carefully (don’t press hard!)
4. Wait. 5-10 minutes until the alcohol evaporates and turn on the device

If you've recently glued a safety glass, check if it's blocking the sensor. On some models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro), the proximity sensor hole is very small, and even millimeter-wide displacement of the glass can block it from working.

• 🔍 Illuminate a flashlight on the top of the screen – the sensor should be visible as a small dark hole.
• 📏 If the glass covers it, gently tuck the edge of the glass and move it.
• 🔄 In extreme cases – glue the glass, choosing a model with the right cutout

Manual calibration of the proximity sensor

If the sensor is physically healthy but not working properly (e.g., the screen goes out late or not always), it can be recalibrated. MIUI, When the system resets user sensor settings.

Calibration requires an engineering menu.

1. Open the phone app and dial ##36446337##
2. In the menu, select Proximity Sensor.
3. Press Calibrate (Calibrate)
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually close the sensor with your hand for 5 seconds, then remove your hand)
5. After calibration, restart the phone.

If the standard engineering menu is not available (on some models) POCO), Alternative methods can be used through ADB:

adb shell settings put system proximity_delay 0


adb shell settings put system proximity_offset 0

These commands reset the sensor's delay and offset. After you input the commands, restart the device.

In the models with MIUI 13/14 It is also worth checking the battery optimization settings for sensors:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization
2. In the search, enter a sensor or sensor
3. For all services found (e.g. Sensor Service) select No Limitations

Make sure the sensor is clean.|Check the sensor in test mode|Turn off the "In your pocket" mode"|Make a backup copy of the data-->

5. Conflicts with applications and shells

Sometimes the screen doesn't go out when you call because of third-party apps that interfere with the sensors, and most often the culprits are:

• 📞 Alternative Calls (Truecaller, Google Phone)
• 🔒 Screen locking applications (e.g. Gravity Screen)
• 🎮 Gaming accelerators (Game Turbo) MIUI)
• 🛡️ Antivirus and Optimizers (Clean Master, 360 Security)

To identify the problem application:

1. Load your phone to Safe Mode (press the power button) → "Restarting in Safe Mode")
2. Try making a call - if the screen goes out, it is the fault of third-party software
3. Get out of Safe Mode and remove apps one at a time, checking the sensor's performance

Pay special attention to the game mode in MIUI. Some models (such as the Black Shark 5) POCO F3 GT) It can block the proximity sensor so that the screen doesn't turn off during streams:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Game accelerator
2. Turn off the option of blocking random touches or optimizing calls
3. Also check the settings for specific games in the Game Panel → Settings

If you use Google Phone instead of a standard phone call MIUI, The problem may be in the settings of this application:

1. Open Google Phone
2. Go to Settings. → Sounds and vibrations
3. Make sure that the approximation sensor option is enabled
4. If you don’t have an option, update the app or go back to the standard call.

6 Problems after MIUI update

Many users encounter a failed proximity sensor immediately after the update. MIUI. This is because new versions of the software can:

• 🔄 Reset sensor settings to factory
• 📦 Changes to the core of the system that affect the performance of sensors
• 🛠️ Conflict with previously installed modifications (e.g., Magisk modules)

If the problem occurs after the update, try the following steps:

1. Update rollback: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update system Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Update Pack Select Remove the Last Update (if available)

Reset sensor settings:

adb shell pm clear com.android.server.telecom


adb shell pm clear com.miui.voiceassist

These commands reset phone service settings and voice assistants that can affect the proximity sensor.

Manual installation of the old version MIUI:

If the rollback through the settings is not available, you can manually flash the previous version. MIUI For instructions and firmware, go to the official Xiaomi website.

In the models with MIUI 14 is also worth checking HyperOS settings (if installed):

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Special Opportunities
2. Find the HyperOS Optimization section
3. Turn off the Smart Sensor Optimization option

To set up automatic locking via MacroDroid:

1. Install the app from Google Play
2. Create a new macro with a trigger Phone in call mode
3. Add the action of screen locking
4. In the restrictions, specify only if the screen is on
5. Save the macro and provide all the necessary permissions

For models with an infrared port (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro), you can use an IR remote to lock the screen, but it is an exotic method.

1. Go to Settings. → Display. → Screen locking
2. Enable the option of Double touch to lock
3. Now it is enough to touch the screen twice to block it.

If you use a magnetic lock case, it can also help lock the screen, but this method won't work if the case isn't original or the magnet is too weak.

8.When to contact the service center

If none of the proposed methods worked, and the proximity sensor still doesn’t work, most likely the problem is hardware.

• 🔧 The sensor does not respond even after cleaning and calibration.
• 💥 The phone fell from a high altitude or was hit hard.
• 🌊 The device was in contact with the liquid (even if it was switched on later)
• 🔄 The problem arose after unofficial repairs (replacement of the screen, battery, etc.)

The cost of repairing the proximity sensor in official Xiaomi service centers:

Before the service visit:

1. Make a backup copy of all data (photos, contacts, messages)
2. Write it down. IMEI phone number (dial *#06#)
3. Check if the warranty is maintained after repair
4. If the phone is guaranteed, do not open it yourself!

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In informal services, replacing the sensor can cost less, but there is a risk of losing the warranty or getting an unoriginal part. Always ask for a check and a warranty for repairs.

⚠️ Warning: If you have disassembled your phone and damaged the sensor plume, the official service may refuse warranty repairs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the proximity sensor on Xiaomi