Approximation Sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: where is it, how to check and clean

Why the Approximation Sensor Is Important for the Redmi Note 8 and Where to Look for It

The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a small but critical element that is responsible for automatically turning off the screen during a phone call. When you hold your smartphone to your ear, the sensor detects the obstacle and extinguishes the display, preventing accidental pressing and saving battery power. If this module fails, the screen remains active during calls, leading to inconveniences: accidental pressing of buttons, battery discharge and even damage to the ear from prolonged contact with the working display.

Many Redmi Note 8 users face the problem of the sensor not working properly: the screen does not go out when you call or, conversely, it turns off for no reason, most often due to sensor contamination, damage to the plume or software failure. Before you carry the phone to the service center, you should check the status of the sensor yourself, especially since its location and diagnosis do not require complex tools.

In this article you will find:

• 📍 Exact location of the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8 (with diagram and photo).
• 🔍 Methods of checking the performance without disassembling the phone.
• 🛠️ Step-by-step instructions for cleaning the sensor at home.
• ⚠️ Common errors that cause sensor failure.

Where is the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: diagram and photo

The proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 8 is located at the top of the screen, next to the speaker of the talking device, specifically under the glass panel of the display, to the left of the front camera (if you look at the phone in the vertical position), it is visually invisible, because it is hidden under a layer of glass and protective film, but its position can be determined by the characteristic black spot size of ~2× 3 mm.

The diagram below shows the exact location of the sensor relative to other elements of the front panel:

Important! On some Redmi Note 8 models (especially after the screen is replaced), the proximity sensor can be shifted 1-2 mm left or right, due to the build features of third-party manufacturers. If you are not sure of the exact location, use the test code to check (more on this below).

How to check the proximity sensor without disassembling the phone

Before you disassemble the Redmi Note 8, make sure the sensor is the problem. There are several ways to diagnose this:

1. Visual inspection. Hold your phone up to a bright light source at an angle, and if you see greasy spots, dust, or scratches on the glass in the sensor area, it's probably dirty.
2. Test code. Enter the phone app with ##6484##. The sensor test menu will open. Cover the top of the screen with your hand, and if the sensor is working, the screen should go out.
3. Special applications. Install Phone Tester or Sensor Test from Google Play, and they'll show you how the sensor responds in real time.

If the sensor does not respond to the tests, the reason may be:

• 🧹 Pollution (dust, fat, sweat).
• 🔌 Damage to the plume (after falling or disassembling).
• 🤖 Software failure (needs resetting of settings).
• 🔧 Failure of the sensor itself (replacement required).

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If the test code doesn't work, try entering it through the standard Phone app, not through third-party calls. Some shells (such as MIUI) block engineering commands in alternative applications.

Step-by-step: how to clean the proximity sensor

If the diagnostics show that the sensor is contaminated, you can clean it yourself, and 80 percent of the time, it restores function without disassembling the phone.

• 🧻 Soft lilac-free napkin (for example, for glasses).
• 💧 Alcohol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (70% and higher).
• 📍 Toothpick or plastic spatula (for careful removal of dirt).
• 🔦 Lantern (for illumination of pollution).

Cleaning instructions:

Turn off your phone to avoid false alarms|

Wipe the top of the screen with a dry dust wipe |

Moisten the napkin with alcohol and gently wipe the sensor area (without pressing!)|

If the dirt is ingrained, put it on a toothpick wrapped in a napkin |

Let the phone dry 5-10 minutes before turning on-->

⚠️ Note: Do not use abrasive materials (cotton sticks, paper towels) - they can scratch the glass or protective film of the sensor. Also avoid excess liquid: alcohol should not leak under the screen, as this can damage the plumes.

After cleaning, check the sensor with a test code or app. If the problem persists, you may need to disassemble the phone for deep cleaning or plume replacement.

What to do if the sensor does not work after cleaning

If the cleaning didn’t work, the reasons could be more serious:

1. The sensor plume is damaged, often after a phone falls or a careless disassembly, the plume can move away from the connector or break, and in this case, repairs are needed at the service center.
2. Firmware failure. Sometimes the sensor stops working after the MIUI update. Try resetting to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset).
3. Sensor malfunction: In rare cases, the sensor fails due to factory defect or wear, and the solution is to replace the sensor (together with the display or separately if the model supports this).

To diagnose the plume, you can use a multimeter (if you have skills in working with electronics) or take the phone to the service. The average cost of replacing the proximity sensor plume with the Redmi Note 8 is from 800 to 1500 rubles (depending on the region).

Typical errors when working with the proximity sensor

Many users are making sensor problems worse by doing things wrong, and here are the most common mistakes:

• 🚫 Using sharp objects (knife, needle) to clean the sensor, almost always resulting in scratches on the glass or damage to the sensor.
• 🚫 Trying to disassemble the phone without experience.Redmi Note 8 has brittle plumes that are easy to tear when sloppy screen is taken off.
• 🚫 Ignoring software causes. Sometimes the sensor doesn't work because of a malfunction in the system. MIUI, And the users immediately start to disassemble.
• 🚫 Using aggressive liquids (acetone, gasoline) to clean, which destroy the protective coating of the sensor.

⚠️ Warning: If you decide to disassemble the Redmi Note 8 yourself, be sure to use plastic screen-separation mediators and an antistatic bracelet to avoid damaging the motherboard with static electricity. ~30%.

Alternative ways to solve the problem

If the proximity sensor does not work, but you do not want to disassemble the phone, you can use temporary solutions:

• 📱 Turn off the sensor in the settings. Go to Settings → Special facilities → Disable the proximity sensor.
• 🔄 Using third-party applications, for example, Proximity Sensor Reset can "reboot" the sensor software.
• 🔧 Some versions of the stoma firmware. MIUI They have sensor bugs, and an alternative firmware installation (like the Pixel Experience) can solve the problem.

These methods will not eliminate the physical malfunction, but will allow you to use the phone without discomfort before visiting the service center.

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If the proximity sensor stopped working after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous firmware version first, which solves the problem 60 percent of the time without repair.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 8