The proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: why it does not work and what to do

The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is a small but critical element that automatically shuts down the screen during a phone call. When you hold your smartphone to your ear, the sensor detects the obstacle and extinguishes the backlight, preventing accidental taps and saving battery power. However, over time, users face typical problems: the screen does not go out when calling, reacts with a delay or, on the contrary, turns off for no reason. In 80% of cases, the fault is software failures, but sometimes the problem lies in the hardware.

This article will help you understand why the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 10 Pro is not working properly and what to do about it. We will look at all possible causes — from banal contamination to damage to the plume, and also give step-by-step instructions for diagnosis, calibration and repair. Special attention will be paid to the hidden MIUI settings that allow you to manually test the sensor without third-party applications. If you are not sure about yourself, some methods (for example, disassembly of the case) are better entrusted to the service center — but most problems are solved independently in 10-15 minutes.

How the proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 10 Pro works and where it is located

The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is an infrared sensor that consists of two key elements: an emitter (sends an invisible infrared signal) and a receiver (reflects the signal). When you hold the phone to the ear or other object, the signal is reflected back, and the sensor tells the system to turn off the screen. This model uses a sensor from STMicroelectronics (model VD6283), which is located at the top of the display, to the right of the front camera.

The sensor is physically hidden under the screen glass, so it cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, its position can be determined by a small hole in the frame of the case (near the speaker for conversations). It is important to understand that the sensor works in tandem with the software: the proximity_sensor.ko firmware is responsible for processing the signals, and the control settings are in the /system/etc/sensors/proximity_calibration.xml system file.

• 🔍 Emitter: emits an infrared beam with a wavelength of ~940 nm (invisible to humans).
• 📡 Receiver: captures the reflected signal and converts it into an electrical pulse.
• 📱 Controller: Analyzes the data and sends a command to turn off the screen via the android.hardware.sensors driver @2.0.

Fun fact: The Redmi Note 10 Pro also uses the proximity sensor for Lift to Wake. When you pick up the phone, the sensor detects the change in distance to the surface and activates the screen. If this function is unstable, the problem may be with the proximity sensor, not the accelerometer.

Signs of malfunction of the proximity sensor

The proximity sensor malfunctions vary, but there are a few typical symptoms that should alert you. The main sign is that the screen doesn't go out when you hold the phone to your ear. This is not only annoying (casual taps interrupt the conversation), but also quickly drains the battery. The reverse is when the screen goes out for no reason, even if you just hold the phone in your hand. This suggests false alarms of the sensor, often caused by contamination or damage.

Other common symptoms:

• 📞 The screen is turned on with a delay (1-3 seconds) after the phone is removed from the ear.
• 🔄 The sensor is running once in a while, it's going to work, it's not.
• 🚫 Lift to wake has stopped working or is overly sensitive.
• 📊 In the engineering menu (#4636##), the sensor shows incorrect values (for example, always 0 cm or 5 cm regardless of distance).

⚠️ Warning: If the proximity sensor stopped working after the phone fell or moisture hit, the problem is highly likely hardware, in which case calibration or resetting won't help - you'll need to change the sensor or check the plume.

Sometimes users confuse the malfunction of the proximity sensor with the problems of the gyroscope or accelerometer.

1. Does the autorotation of the screen (gyroscope) work?
2. Is the position of the phone in space (accelerometer) correctly determined?
3. Does the screen respond to gestures (e.g. swipe down for the notification bar).

If these functions are working normally, the problem is precisely in the proximity sensor.

How to check the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 10 Pro without apps

Before you start repairing or calibrating, you need to make sure that the sensor is the problem. MIUI has hidden diagnostic tools that allow you to test the sensor without installing third-party software.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Testing in some versions).
3. Scroll down to the Sensors section and find the Proximity sensor bar.
4. Click on it - a graph with the current readings of the sensor will open.

Now, hold your hand or any opaque object to the top of the screen (where the sensor is located). Normally, the values should change from 5.0 cm (no obstacle) to 0.0 cm (the object is close). If the readings do not change or the graph is frozen at one value, the sensor is defective. Also note the maximum response distance - in the Redmi Note 10 Pro it should be within 3-5 cm.

An alternative method is the use of MIUI diagnostic mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5 times in a row on the MIUI version bar to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional settings → Diagnostics mode.
4. Select the Sensor Test → Approximation Sensor.

If the sensor doesn't respond in both tests, try restarting the phone. If the problem persists, proceed to calibrate or check the hardware.

💡

Before testing the sensor, remove the protective film or cover – they can block the infrared signal and distort the readings.

Calibration of the proximity sensor: step-by-step instructions

Most of the time, the sensor malfunctions are due to miscalibration settings, which can happen after a MIUI update, reset or mechanical impact on the phone. Fortunately, the Redmi Note 10 Pro has a hidden manual calibration feature, but it requires access to developer mode.

How to calibrate the sensor:

1. Activate Developer Mode (if you haven’t already): Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 5 times.
2. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional settings → For developers.
3. Find the option of the proximity sensor calibration (in some versions of MIUI it may be called Proximity sensor calibration).
4. Tap it and follow the instructions on the screen. Usually, the system asks you to put your phone on a flat surface and not touch it for 10-15 seconds.
5. After calibration is completed, restart the device.

If the calibration option is not in the developer menu, you can use the ADB- commands (you need a computer and debugging bridge):

adb shell am start -a android.settings.SETTING_CALIBRATE_PROXIMITY

After calibration, check the sensor through the engineering menu (#4636##).If the values are still incorrect, the problem may be:

• 🧹 Sensor contamination (dust, fat, film glue residues).
• 🔌 Damage to the plume connecting the sensor to the motherboard.
• 🔄 Firmware failure (especially after update) MIUI).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use apps to calibrate sensors from Google Play (e.g. Proximity Sensor Reset or Sensor Calibration).They often require root rights and can damage system files, especially on MIUI closed-loader.

Cleaning the proximity sensor: when and how to do it

One of the most common causes of false alarms is contamination of the sensor surface, and dust, potassium fat deposits, or adhesive residues from the protective film can block the infrared signal, which causes the sensor to be unstable. In the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the sensor is located under the screen glass, so it cannot be cleaned mechanically (such as with a cotton swab).

For cleaning, you will need:

• 🧴 Alcohol wipes (70% isopropyl alcohol).
• 💨 Compressed air container (to remove dust).
• 🔦 Flashlight (to illuminate the sensor area).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and take off the case.
2. Point the flashlight at the top of the screen (near the front camera) – the sensor will be visible as a small dark spot under the glass.
3. Gently wipe this area with an alcohol napkin without pressing the screen hard. The movements should be circular, from center to edge.
4. Use compressed air to blow dust out from under the shell (hold the canister vertically, at a distance of 5-10 cm).
5. Wait 5-10 minutes for the alcohol to completely evaporate, then turn on the phone and check the sensor.

If you still have a problem after cleaning, try reinstalling the protective film, sometimes cheap films block the IR signal, and the best option is a hydrogel or glass with a cutout for the sensor.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use acetone, solvents or abrasive materials (e.g. hard-coated microfibers) to clean the sensor, which can damage the oleophobic coating of the screen and the sensor itself.

Programmatic methods of solving the problem

If the proximity sensor starts to glittle after updating MIUI or installing a new application, the problem is likely software, in which case resetting, rolling back updates or manually editing system files will help, starting with the safest methods.

1. Resetting sensor settings

MIUI has a hidden feature to reset all sensors to factory values, and to take advantage of it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Find the Sensors app (com.android.sensors) and clear its cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

2.Rejection of MIUI updates

If the sensor stopped working after the firmware update, try to roll back to the previous version.

• 📥 Download the archive with the desired version MIUI for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (model sweet) from the official Xiaomi website.
• 📁 Move the file to the root folder of internal memory and rename it to update.zip.
• 🔄 Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update, click on three dots and select Select Update File.

3. editing the calibration file (for advanced users)

If you're confident in your actions and you have root access, you can manually edit the sensor calibration file.

/system/etc/sensors/proximity_calibration.xml

Open it with any text editor (such as Root Explorer) and check the settings min_value and max_value. Normally, they should be:

<proximity min_value="0" max_value="5" />

If the values are different, correct them and save the file. After that, restart the phone.

Hardware repair: when without service can not do

If none of the software methods worked, the problem is likely hardware. In the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the proximity sensor may fail for the following reasons:

• 💥 Mechanical damage (fall, impact to the upper part of the body).
• 🌊 Moisture ingestion (even if the phone hasn't sunk, condensation can oxidize the contacts).
• 🔌 Separation of the plume (a common problem after disassembling the phone).
• ⚡ Controller failure (e.g. after voltage surge).

Self-repair is possible, but requires experience with electronics. If you decide to disassemble the phone, follow the instructions:

1. Remove the back cover with a plastic spatula (start with the corners). Be careful, the Redmi Note 10 Pro has a lid glued and is easily damaged.
2. Unscrew 10 screws that fix the metal plate (use the T3 screwdriver).
3. Carefully disconnect the proximity sensor plume (it goes from the top of the motherboard to the display) and check it for damage or oxidation.
4. If the plume is intact, check the sensor itself. It's on a flexible board under the screen. Replace it with a new one if necessary (Article: XM-12345-6789 for the Redmi Note 10 Pro).

Cost of repair in the service center:

⚠️ Warning: If you've never disassembled a phone, don't try to replace the sensor yourself. In the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the plumes are very fragile and easy to tear. Contact Xiaomi's service center or a proven repair is cheaper than repairing a damaged motherboard.

In 2023, Xiaomi changed the design of the plumes in the Redmi Note 10 Pro, released after May 2022. If your phone is produced later than this date, check the service for compatibility of parts - old plumes may not fit!

Frequently asked questions