You listen to a WhatsApp voice message or you talk on the phone, but Xiaomi's screen suddenly goes out -- and doesn't respond to touch? This problem is found on models from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, and its causes can be due to software failures and hardware malfunctions. In 80% of cases, the issue is solved without visiting a service center, it is enough to correctly diagnose the source of the problem.
In this article, we'll look at all the possible causes of a screen shutdown while playing audio, from a trivial proximity sensor to critical firmware errors. You'll learn how to tell a software bug from a physical failure, what settings to check first, and what to do if the screen not only goes out, but also stops turning on after you unlock it with your voice. For convenience, we've put together step-by-step instructions with visual cues and checklists.
1.Approximation sensor check is the main cause of the problem
In 65 percent of cases, the screen goes out because the proximity sensor is not working properly, and this sensor is responsible for turning off the display during a conversation (to avoid accidental cheekstrokes), and if the sensor is contaminated, damaged, or miscalibrated, it can fire even when you're just listening to a voice message through a speaker.
How to check the sensor on Xiaomi:
- 🔍 Visual inspection: Near the top speaker (near the front camera) is a small sensor hole. Light up with a flashlight - if you see dust or contamination, clean gently with a soft brush.
- 📱 Testing through the Engineering Menu: Dial ##6484## → Select Proximity Sensor. Close your hand, and it should change from 5.0 cm to 0.0 cm. If it's static, it's malfunctioning.
- 🔧 Calibration: Go to Settings → System system → Additionally. → Calibration of sensors (on some models, the path may differ).
What if the sensor doesn't respond to the calibration?
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12T Redmi Note 11 Pro+ If you have a problem after cleaning, check the automatic brightness control, and if it's also floundering, it's the hardware fault.
2.App conflict: why the screen goes out on WhatsApp/Telegram
If the screen is turned off only in specific messengers (for example, when listening to voice in WhatsApp or Telegram), the software is to blame.
- 🐞 Bugs in the latest versions of apps (especially after updates).
- 📵 Conflict with energy saving settings MIUI.
- 🔊 Incorrect permissions for working with audio.
How to fix it:
- Clear the messenger cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Messaging Name] → Storage → Clear the cache.
- Turn off battery optimization for the app: Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun → [Messenger Name] → turn on autorun and uncheck the “Battery Optimization” box.
- Check playback settings: On WhatsApp: ⚙️ → Warehouse and data → Media reproduction → Insert "Reproduce through speaker".
⚠️ Note: If the problem has occurred after the update MIUI, Try to roll back to the previous firmware version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Select the service pack. Download the stable version from the official Xiaomi website.
3.Screen settings and energy saving in MIUI
MIUI aggressively optimizes the screen to save battery life, sometimes causing the display to shut down even during active use.
| Setting up | The way is on the menu | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Screen lock time | Settings → Screen → Sleeping mode | Set 30 seconds or more |
| Adaptive brightness | Settings → Screen → Adaptive brightness | Disable (may conflict with the proximity sensor) |
| Always on screen mode | Settings → Screen → Always on the screen | Insert (for test) |
| Super energy saving | Settings → Battery → Super energy saving | Disable or add messengers in exceptions |
Also check your gesture settings: Settings → Screen → Additional → Gestures. If you turn on the “Raise to wake up” or “Double touch to wake up”, the screen can unpredictably go out when playing audio.
Turn off adaptive brightness |Sleep 30+ seconds |Add messengers to battery exclusions |Disable "Raise to wake up" |Check safe mode-->
Hardware causes: from plume to battery
If software methods fail, the problem may be physical malfunctions:
- 🔌 A damaged display plume is a common problem after falling or replacing the screen. Symptoms: the screen goes out when you tilt the phone or press the top.
- 🔋 Bloated battery - presses the motherboard, causing sensors to malfunction.
- 📡 Poor contact of the antenna module – can affect the operation of the proximity sensor (relevant for Redmi 9 and Poco) X3).
How to diagnose:
- Check your reaction to press: Carefully press the top of the screen (near the speaker). If the screen flashes or goes out, the plume is the problem.
- Look at the battery: Turn off the phone and flash a flashlight at the junction between the case and the screen. If you see a gap, the battery swells.
- Test with another charger: Sometimes unoriginal charges cause voltage surges that cause the screen to shut down.
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If the phone fell or got wet, do not try to disassemble it yourself - Xiaomi often uses adhesive joints, which, if unspecified, can damage the plumes.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 11T And 12 Pro, the display plume is integrated with the fingerprint sensor, and if the screen goes out and the scanner stops working at the same time, it's a 100% hardware malfunction that requires a replacement of the module.
5. Resetting and flashing
If all previous methods have failed, radical measures remain: factory reset or flashing, which will help if the problem is caused by:
- 🗃️ Corruption of system files after a failed update.
- 🧩 Conflict with custom themes or fonts in MIUI.
- 🐛 Viruses that change sensor behavior.
Step-by-step instructions for discharge:
- Make a backup of the data through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
- Go to Settings → System → Resetting → Delete all data.
- After reset, do not restore data from the backup immediately - check the screen in a "clean" state.
If the reset doesn’t work, try reflashing your phone through the Mi Flash Tool:
1. Download the official firmware for your model from https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index
2. Install Xiaomi and Mi Flash Tool drivers on PC.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
4. Connect to the PC and run through Mi Flash (select clean all).💡
Setting reset deletes all data, including photos and messages. If the phone doesn't turn on after reset, you'll need firmware through EDL-The mode (only for experienced users).
6.Alternative solutions: from recoil firmware to a service center
If none of these methods worked, consider these options:
- 🔄 Reverse to the old version MIUI: Forums 4PDA They often post stable firmware versions for specific models, for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro version is recommended. MIUI 12.5.7 instead of 13.0.4.
- 🛠️ Replacement of the proximity sensor: The cost of repair is from 800 to 2500 rubles depending on the model. on Xiaomi 13 and newer, the sensor is assembled with a front camera.
- 📞 Contact the service center: If the phone is warranty, do not disassemble it yourself! Xiaomi has a program for free replacement of sensors in factory marriage (proof - diagnosis through Mi Service).
⚠️ Attention: On Poco models F3 Xiaomi 11 Lite meets hardware bug, in which the screen goes out due to overheating of the Snapdragon chip 7xx. In this case, only the replacement of the thermal paste in the service (cost) will help. ~1500 rubles.).
7 Prevention: How to avoid recurrence of the problem
To prevent the screen from going off accidentally while listening to audio:
- 🧹 Regularly clean the soft brush approach sensor (1 time in 2 months).
- 🔄 Update your firmware, but don’t install betas – they often contain sensor bugs.
- 🛡️ Use magnetless covers – they can affect the operation of sensors.
- 📵 Turn off power saving for messengers manually.
It’s also useful to install the Sensor Test app from Google Play to monitor sensor performance in real time. If Proximity Sensor values jump for no reason, get ready to replace.
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On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and later, the proximity sensor problem may be related to the Smart Screen feature in the display settings. Turn it off if the screen goes out too often.