Approximation sensor in Xiaomi Redmi Note 10: the principle of operation, malfunction and verification

Introduction: Why the proximity sensor is important for your smartphone

Have you ever wondered why your Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 screen goes out when you're ringing, when you're holding your phone to your ear, or why you sometimes accidentally hit the buttons with your cheek when you're just talking? It's all done by a tiny but critical component called the proximity sensor, and without it, it would be extremely uncomfortable to use your smartphone, especially when you're making calls.

In this article, we will go into detail what the proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 10 is, how it works, what functions it performs and what to do if it starts to fail. You will learn how to independently check its performance, what programs to use for this, and when to contact the service center. And we will reveal a few hidden nuances, which are not written even in the official instructions of Xiaomi.

What is a proximity sensor and how it works in the Redmi Note 10

The proximity sensor is an infrared sensor that detects an object (like your head) close to the screen. In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, it is located at the top of the display, next to the front camera and speaker, and it works by emitting and receiving an infrared signal:

• 🔦 The emitter sends an invisible IR ray.
• 👤 If there is an object nearby (like your ear), the beam is reflected back.
• 📡 The receiver captures the reflected signal and sends a command to the system.
• 📱 The system turns off the screen or blocks touch taps.

The Redmi Note 10 uses a sensor from STMicroelectronics (model VD6283), which is highly accurate and low-power, and is able to recognize objects from a distance of up to 5-7 cm, which is enough for comfortable use during calls.

Interestingly, the proximity sensor doesn't just work during a conversation, it also works in:

• 🔒 Automatically lock the screen when placing the phone in your pocket (in some firmware).
• 🎵 Turning off the media keys while listening to music if you bring your hand to the screen.
• 🔦 Activation of the function "Rise to wake up" (in combination with the accelerometer).

Where is the proximity sensor in Redmi Note 10 and how to see it

In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, the proximity sensor is located at the top of the screen, to the right of the front camera. If you look closely, you can see two small holes:

• 🔴 Left hole - infrared emitter (source of IR beam).
• ⚫ Right hole - receiver of the reflected signal.

To get a better look at the sensor, you can use a flashlight or a magnifying glass. Turn on the camera of another phone and point it over the top of the Redmi Note 10, and on the screen of the second device you will see a faint glow of the emitter (if the sensor is good).

It's important not to confuse the proximity sensor with the light sensor, which is also at the top of the screen, but it does a completely different function, and if the first one is responsible for locking the screen, the second one adjusts its brightness depending on the outside light.

How to check the proximity sensor on Redmi Note 10: 3 working methods

If you notice that the screen doesn't go out during calls or, conversely, it turns off too early, it's time to check the proximity sensor.

1. Test through the engineering menu (no root)

The most accurate way is to use a hidden engineering menu.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##6484## (or #4636## → Equipment Testing).
3. Select the Proximity Sensor.
4. Put your hand to the top of the screen, and the value should change from 5 (no object) to 0 (object detected).

Open the "Phone" appendix"|Enter ##6484##|Select "Proximity Sensor"|Put your hand to the sensor and check the change in values-->

If the values do not change or the sensor shows 0 constantly, the sensor is defective.

2. Verification with the help of third-party applications

If the engineering menu is not available, install one of these apps:

• 📱 Phone Doctor Plus (checks all sensors).
• 🔍 Sensor Test (represents data in real time).
• 🛠️ CPU-Z (sensors).

In any of them, find the Proximity Sensor section and repeat the test with a hand-drawn hand.

3.A manual test during the call

The simplest, but less accurate way:

1. Call another phone.
2. Hold the Redmi Note 10 to your ear, and the screen should go out.
3. Take the phone away, the screen should turn on again.

💡

If the sensor is triggered too early (the screen goes out at the slightest movement), try calibrating it through the Proximity Sensor Reset app (requires root rights).

⚠️ Warning: If the sensor doesn't respond to any of the tests, the problem may be firmware or physical failure.Do not try to disassemble the phone yourself - in the Redmi Note 10, the sensor is soldered to the motherboard, and its replacement requires soldering equipment.

Typical malfunctions of the proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 10 and their causes

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 rarely fails on its own, most often due to:

• 💥 Mechanical damage (phone fall, hit on top of screen).
• 💧 Moisture or dust entering sensor holes.
• 🔄 Firmware failure after update MIUI.
• 🛠️ Incorrect assembly after repair (for example, after changing the screen).
• 🔋 Wear of contacts (in phones older than 2-3 years).

The most common symptoms of malfunction:

One of the most insidious bugs in the Redmi Note 10 is that it's falsely triggered by a protective film or cover, and if you've recently put on a new glass or installed a high-sided case, try temporarily removing it and repeating the test.

⚠️ Attention: If the sensor stopped working after the fall of the phone, do not shake or knock on the body - this can aggravate the damage to the motherboard.

How to Calibrate the Approximation Sensor in Redmi Note 10 without root

If the sensor is working but it doesn't work properly (for example, the screen goes off too early or doesn't turn off), try recalibrating it, which in most cases helps without going to the service.

Method 1: Through the Engineering Menu

This method does not require the rights of the superuser:

1. Enter the phone code in the app: ##6484##.
2. Select Proximity Sensor.
3. Press Calibrate (if the option is available).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually hold and remove your hand several times).

Method 2: Proximity Sensor Reset

If the engineering menu doesn't offer calibration, install the Proximity Sensor Reset app from Google Play, which lets you reset the sensor to factory settings. Importantly, after calibration, restart your phone.

Method 3: Resetting phone settings

If nothing works, reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) This will delete all data, but often solves software failures of the sensor.

💡

Calibration of the proximity sensor helps in 70% of cases of malfunction, if there is a problem after it, most likely, the hardware malfunction.

What to do if the proximity sensor breaks: repair or replacement

If all the tests show that the sensor is not working and the calibration did not help, there are two options: repair or replacement. In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, the proximity sensor is soldered into the motherboard, so replacing it requires special equipment.

Cost of repairs in service centers

Prices for the Redmi Note 10 approximation sensor replacement vary by region and service center:

• 🏙️ In Moscow and St. Petersburg: 1,200-2,500 rubles.
• 🌍 In the regions: 800-1 500 rubles.
• 🔧 In unofficial workshops: 600-1 200 rubles (risk of poor-quality repairs).

Official Xiaomi service centers usually charge more but give a job guarantee.Informal workshops may offer a lower price, but the quality of repairs can be worse.

Can I replace the sensor myself?

Theoretically, yes, but in practice, it's extremely difficult.

• 🔥 A soldering station with a thin sting.
• 🛠️ Micro-soldier kit (silver, flux, tweezers).
• 🔍 A magnifying glass or microscope (the sensor is very small).
• 📱 New sensor VD6283 (cost ~300-500 rubles).

⚠️ Warning: If you replace yourself, you risk damaging the motherboard or plumes. SMD-Components, it is better to entrust this to professionals.

Temporary solution: disabling the sensor

If repair is not possible and the sensor interferes (for example, the screen is constantly going out), it can be turned off:

1. Install the Button Remapper or Tasker app.
2. Create a task to turn off the proximity sensor during calls.
3. Or use the code in the engineering menu: ##36446337## (disables the sensor completely).

The downside of this method: during calls, the screen will not lock, and you can accidentally press the buttons with your cheek.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 10