Where is the proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: location, inspection and repair

Introduction: why you need a sensor approach in a smartphone

The proximity sensor is one of those small but critical components of a smartphone that users only remember when it stops working. In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T, this module is responsible for automatically turning off the screen during a phone conversation when you bring the device to your ear. Without it, you would constantly press buttons with your cheek or ear, translating the call to speakerphone or accidentally completing a call.

The sensor problems are different: the screen doesn't go out during a call, the speakerphone accidentally activates, or the display turns off even when you're just holding your phone in your hand. In this article, we'll look at where the proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 8T is located, how to check it, and what to do if it fails, and why it's often confused with the light sensor and how to distinguish them.

If your Redmi Note 8T is starting to behave strangely during calls, don't rush to bring it to the service. 60 percent of the time, the problem is solved software-based, you just need to know where to look and what to test. The other 40 percent require intervention, but there are savings if you understand the device of the smartphone.

Where is the proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: the exact location

In the Redmi Note 8T, the proximity sensor is integrated into the top of the display module, next to the front camera, specifically, it is located to the right of the speaker, if you look at the screen with your face. It is not visible visually, because it is hidden under the display glass, but its position can be determined by a small hole in the screen frame.

To better understand where to look:

• 📱 Take your smartphone in your hands and look at the top of the screen.
• 🔍 Find the front camera (located in the center of the upper frame).
• 🎧 To the right of it (if you hold the phone vertically) is a conversation speaker.
• 📊 It is under the area between the speaker and the right edge of the camera that the proximity sensor is hidden.

Important: In the Redmi Note 8T, the proximity sensor is paired with the light sensor in one module, which means that if one of them fails, the second one may also work incorrectly, for example, if the proximity sensor is damaged, the screen may not automatically adjust the brightness.

What the proximity sensor looks like: photo and diagram

To better imagine where the sensor is, look at the diagram and photos of the disassembled Redmi Note 8T. The image below shows the display module from the back (view from the inside of the case):

The location of the sensors at the top of the screen:

In practice, the proximity sensor looks like a small black square (~2×2 mm) on a flexible display plume. It has no lenses or visible parts — it's just an infrared sensor that picks up reflected signals from objects up to 5 cm away.

An important nuance: in the Redmi Note 8T, the proximity sensor does not have a separate glass or protection, it is hidden under the main glass of the display, which means that when changing the glass (for example, after a crack), the sensor can be damaged if the master sloppy removed the adhesive tape.

How to check the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8T

Before you bring your phone to the service, make sure the sensor is the problem. Here are 3 diagnostic methods that do not require disassembly:

1. Type in the phone application code ##6484## (or #4636## → “Equipment Testing”). Select Proximity Sensor. Bring your hand to the top of the screen – the value should change from 5 (no obstacle) to 0 (there is an obstacle).
2. Call another phone and hold the Redmi Note 8T to your ear. The screen should go out in 1-2 seconds. If it stays on or goes out with a delay, the sensor is faulty.
3. Install Sensor Test or Phone Tester from Google Play. In the Sensors section, find Proximity and check its response to the approach of the hand.

If the sensor does not respond to any of the tests, the problem may be:

• 🔧 Display plume damage (frequent problem after falls).
• 📱 Software failure (solved by resetting settings or flashing).
• 🛠️ Sensor contamination (dust, greasy prints under glass).

Check the sensor through the engineering menu|

Clean the top of the screen with alcohol |

Update the firmware to the latest version|

Try resetting to factory settings-->

Typical malfunctions of the proximity sensor and their causes

In the Redmi Note 8T, the proximity sensor fails for a few typical reasons.

The most common problem is that the plume is damaged after a phone drop or sloppy disassembly. The display plume in the Redmi Note 8T is thin and fragile, and the proximity sensor is located just on the edge of it, and even a slight tear can lead to a break in contacts.

Another common cause is contamination under glass, and over time, dust, sweat, or cosmetics are exposed to the display, which blocks the infrared signal, and professional cleaning helps (but not at home, the risk of damaging the sensor is too high!).

How to fix the approximation sensor: from simple to complex

If the diagnosis confirmed the malfunction, here is a step-by-step plan of action - from the simplest to radical methods:

1. Software methods (free, without disassembly)

• 📲 Update the firmware: go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Reset settings: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings (don’t forget to make a backup!).
• 🛠️ Clear the sensor cache: in the engineering menu (#4636##) select "Clear sensor data".

Mechanical cleaning (requires accuracy)

If the sensor is contaminated, try:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Wet the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%).
3. Gently wipe the top of the screen (above the speaker) with circular movements.
4. Let the phone dry for 10-15 minutes before turning on.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use acetone, vodka or other solvents, which can damage the oleophobic coating of the screen. Also do not press on the glass - the sensor is located close to the surface and may be damaged.

Repair or replacement (for power users)

If the sensor is physically damaged, you will need to:

• 🔧 Replacement of the display plume (cost) ~1500-2500 ₽ service).
• 🛠️ Replacement of the entire display module (if the sensor is soldered, ~4000-6000 ₽).
• 🔬 Sensor soldering (requires soldering station and experience).

Critical information: In the Redmi Note 8T, the proximity sensor is not sold separately, it is soldered into a display module, which means that replacing the sensor alone is impossible without specialized equipment, and in 90% of cases, services offer replacement of the entire screen.

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If you decide to replace the plume yourself, buy the original part with the article MBN-L01-15S (for the Redmi Note 8T). Cheap counterparts often have problems calibrating the sensor.

Frequent errors in the repair of the proximity sensor

Many users try to fix the sensor themselves, but make mistakes that only make the problem worse.

• 🔨 Disassemble the phone without special tools (plastic blades and screen suction cups) Metal screwdrivers scratch the body and damage the plumes.
• 🧴 Use superglue to fix the plume, it conducts current, it can close contacts. B-7000.
• 🔥 Heat the screen with a hairdryer above 60°C. This will damage the liquid crystal layer and lead to the appearance of "yellow spots" on the display.
• 📱 Install non-original parts. Chinese copies of plumes often have the wrong contact wiring for the sensor.

Another common mistake is that the sensor is not calibrated correctly after being replaced, and if it's not working properly after repair, you need to calibrate it.

1. Install the Sensor Calibration app from Google Play.
2. Select Proximity Sensor.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to bring and remove your hand 3-5 times).

⚠️ Attention: If the light sensor is working after the plume is replaced and the proximity sensor is not, the problem is that the part is incompatible. In this case, you need to firmware the calibration data through the Fastboot (this can only be done by an experienced craftsman).

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about the proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 8T

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If the proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 8T stopped working after a drop or replacement of the screen, in 95% of cases the problem is a damaged plume. Self-diagnosis through the engineering menu (# #6484##) will help confirm the malfunction before visiting the service.