When a Xiaomi or Redmi screen continues to burn, rather than turn off automatically, during a phone call, it is one of the most annoying things for users. It is not just visual discomfort, but also the real threat of accidentally pressing important buttons with the cheek, which can lead to a hold call or switching to speakerphone, most often the problem lies in the incorrect operation of the proximity sensor, which is physically supposed to detect the presence of the smartphone near the ear.
However, before you panic and carry the device to the service center, it is worth considering software failures or trivial physical interference. MIUI and its modern HyperOS shell provide hidden tools for diagnosing and calibrating sensors, often caused by a protective glass skewed or accumulated cache of the system application "Phone".
In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios, from simple contaminants to complex hardware malfunctions, learn how to conduct deep diagnostics through the engineering menu and understand when a problem requires intervention from specialists. Proper sensor configuration is the key to comfortable communication without unnecessary actions.
Main cause: approximation sensor failure
The main culprit behind Xiaomi's screen not going out is the proximity sensor. This small module, usually located at the top of the display or integrated into the notch under the front camera, measures the distance to the object. If it "thinks" that the phone is on the table and not the ear, the screen will burn. Modern models use a virtual sensor that works on algorithms, making it more sensitive to software errors.
Physical contamination of the sensor lens is a common problem: fatty fingerprints, dust or adhesive residue from the protective film can block infrared radiation. Even a microscopic crack in the upper speaker region can distort the sensor's readings, in which case the system receives incorrect data and does not give a command to turn off the display.
⚠️ Note: If you have recently changed a display module or removed a protective glass, make sure that the sensor area (often looks like a black dot or hidden under the mesh speaker) is completely clean and not covered with a thick layer of glue.
Also worth considering is a software conflict: After a major Android update or MIUI shell, sensor drivers may not work properly, the system may "forget" calibration data, which causes the threshold to be shifted, in which case even when you hold the phone to your face, the sensor does not register the object at the desired distance.
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Try to thoroughly wipe the top of the screen with a microfiber with an alcohol solution before starting the diagnosis, paying special attention to the area of the dynamic conversational speaker.
Influence of protective accessories and covers
One of the most common but ignored reasons is the incompatibility of protective glasses with the design of a smartphone. Accessories manufacturers often do not take into account the exact location of the sensors in specific models of the Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi. If the glass has a black frame that even slightly overlaps the sensor, the screen will stop fading.
In addition, thick shockproof covers can create shadow or mechanical pressure in the upper end, especially for models with a cut-out droplet or islet, where the sensor is located in close proximity to the edges. Even low-quality transparent glass eventually becomes cloudy or covered with an oleophobic layer, which begins to interfere with the IR emitter.
To test this theory, remove the case and gently wipe the screen. If the problem disappears, then it was the accessory. Owners of the new Xiaomi 13 or 14 series models are advised to use only original glass or proven brands that guarantee compatibility with the sensor area.
- 🔍 Check if the protective glass covers the front camera and the speaker area.
- 🧼 Clean the screen of greasy spots that can scatter the sensor's infrared beam.
- 📱 Remove the case and check the phone in the “hungry” form.
- 🛡️ Replace cheap protective glass with an analogue with cutouts for sensors (if the design allows you to use it).
Software calibration through the engineering menu
If physical obstacles are eliminated, you need to calibrate the sensor software, and there's a special engineering menu in the MIUI shell that's available through a standard dial, and it's the most efficient way to train the phone to respond to the approach of objects.
To enter the test mode, open the Phone app and dial the combination ##6484##. The CIT menu will open before you. You will find the Proxsensor item in the test list. When you click on it, you will see two values: current status and threshold.
☑️ Algorithm of sensor calibration
The calibration process is this: you take your hand away from the sensor, it should be about 5.0, then close the sensor with your palm, it drops to 0.0. If the numbers jump or don't change, press the Calibrate button at the bottom of the screen. After successful calibration, the phone vibrates, and you can leave the menu. If the calibration doesn't go through the first time, repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
⚠️ Warning: Do not leave the calibration menu until you see the message "Calibration Success." Interrupting the process may cause the sensor to stop working completely.
Resetting the settings of the "Phone" application
Sometimes the problem isn’t the hardware, but the software failure of the app itself, which handles the calls, and in Xiaomi smartphones, the Phone system app (often from Google or MIUI Dialer) is responsible for this, and accumulated cache errors or corrupted temporary files can block the signal from the sensor.
To fix this problem, you need to clear the app data. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Phone list (note the icon, there may be two of them). Inside the app menu, select "Clean" and click "Clean all." This won't delete your contacts, but will reset the call settings.
After this procedure, it is recommended to restart the device. If you use a third-party call, such as Truecaller or Yandex with a recording function, try temporarily switching to the standard one. Third-party applications may have access rights conflicts to the proximity sensor.
| Action. | The way is on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing the cache | Settings → Applications → Phone → Memory | Deletion of temporary files |
| Data resetting | Settings → Applications → Phone → Clean → All | Return of call settings to factory |
| Update | Google Play / GetApps → My Apps | Installation of the current version of the software |
Conflict with the “In the pocket” mode and sensors
The MIUI security settings have a Mode in Your Pocket feature that is designed to block random taps when the phone is in your bag, but this mode is closely linked to the proximity sensor, and if the feature is not working properly, it can force the screen to be turned on or, conversely, turn it off too early.
Try turning off this feature to check. Path to setup: Settings → Lock screen → Mode in your pocket. Turn off the switch and make a test call. If the screen started to go out normally, then the conflict was in the algorithms of protection against random pressing.
Also worth checking is the special features settings. Features for people with disabilities, such as eye control or voice control, can take control of the sensors. Make sure that the Advanced Settings → Special features do not include unnecessary services.
Why does the sensor lie after the update?
Hardware malfunctions and repairs
If software methods, cleaning and calibration didn't work, there's a hardware breakdown, and the proximity sensor is a physical component that can fail due to a fall, moisture, or manufacturing defect, and in such cases, the screen will burn continuously, regardless of the position of the phone.
A common problem with Redmi's budget models is the outgoing sensor plume, which can break contact when it falls, and the system will stop seeing the sensor, and it can also oxidize the board contacts if the phone was used in high humidity conditions.
You can run an automatic test for diagnostics. In the same CIT engineering menu, select Auto Test or Single Item Test. If the proximity sensor test is marked in red or fails, it's a direct signal to call the service. Self-replacement of the sensor is possible, but requires soldering and disassembly skills.
- 💧 Getting moisture into a conversational speaker often disables the sensor.
- 🔌 The plume's failure after falling is a common cause of sensor failure.
- 🔨 Mechanical damage to the upper part of the body can disrupt the operation of the module.
- 🔋 A discharged battery sometimes causes malfunctions in the work of peripheral sensors.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone falls into water, do not charge it or try to dry it with a hair dryer, take it to the ultrasound cleaning service, otherwise corrosion will destroy the charge in a few days.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the screen go out but not light up when I remove the phone from my ear?
Can a virus block the sensor?
Will resetting to factory settings help?
Does the sensor have an impact on magnetic charging or the holder?
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In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by simply cleaning the top of the screen or recalibrating through the CIT engineering menu.
To sum up, a non-fading screen while talking to Xiaomi is a solvable problem in most cases. Start with device hygiene and calibration, then move on to software settings. Only if all methods are exhausted, it is worth thinking about repairs. Regular system updates and use of quality accessories will help to avoid similar situations in the future.