Where is the microphone in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: location, check and troubleshooting

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is still popular due to its balanced performance and affordable price. However, many users face the problem of poor hearing when calling or recording voices - and the first thing they ask is: where is the microphone in this device? The answer is not as obvious as it seems: the Redmi Note 8 has three microphones, each of which is responsible for its function.

In this article, we will not only show the exact locations of microphones with photos and circuits, but also explain how to check their performance, why they can fail, and what to do if the interlocutor can not hear you. Particular attention will be paid to the typical errors in diagnosis — for example, many confuse microphone problems with speaker malfunctions or network failures. If you notice that your voice is interrupted during a conversation or the recording sounds like a barrel, read further: here you will find step-by-step instructions and practical tips.

How many microphones in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 and what everyone is responsible for

Unlike the budget models with a single microphone, the Redmi Note 8 is equipped with three independent microphones that work in different modes:

• 🎤 Main microphone - used for voice calls and video recording, located at the bottom of the case.
• 📞 Noise suppressing microphone - picks up background noise and helps improve communication quality.
• 🎥 Video microphone – optimized for recording sound while shooting video (located at the top of the back panel).

This configuration allows the smartphone to adapt to different scenarios, from loud street conversations to quiet recording of voice notes. However, this makes it difficult to diagnose malfunctions — if one of the microphones fails, problems can manifest selectively, for example, the interlocutor may not hear you during a call, but recording voice in the recorder will work normally.

It is important to understand that software failures (e.g., after an update) MIUI) They can also mimic hardware breakdowns. Before you bring your phone to the service, check all the microphones individually, as more in the next section.

Where exactly is the microphone in Redmi Note 8: diagrams and photos

So, to avoid guessing the coffee grounds, we've got the exact coordinates of each microphone, with the outer parts attached, and for convenience, we've divided them into zones.

Lower part of the body (main and noise-cancelling microphones)

If you turn the Redmi Note 8 upwards, you will see:

• 🔊 Dynamic (left, under a grille with 7 holes).
• 🎤 The main microphone (right, under the 3-hole grille) is the first microphone to handle voice calls).
• 📱 Noise-suppressing microphone (near the main one, but slightly closer to the center; visually its hole is smaller).

Note: Many users confuse the microphone with the infrared port, which is located at the top of the case. IR-The port looks like a small black glass, and the microphones are always hidden under a metal lattice.

2. upper part of the back panel (video microphone)

The third microphone is hidden under the top grille on the back cover (near the main camera) and is easily identifiable by:

• 📸 Location between the flash and the camera module.
• 🔍 Two small holes under a metal mesh (sometimes clogged with dust).

This microphone is only activated when recording videos or using certain applications (such as TikTok or Instagram Reels), and if the sound in the video is recorded with interference, but the calls are working normally, the problem is that.

⚠️ Warning: If you notice the microphone holes clogged with dust or dirt, don't try to clean them with a needle or toothpick! this can damage the membrane.

How to check the microphone on Redmi Note 8: Step-by-step instructions

Before you bring your phone to the service, do your own diagnostics. We have prepared a checklist that will help you identify the problem in 5 minutes:

Voice call test (call another phone and check for audibility)

Recording voice through a standard voice recorder

Record video with sound on (check both microphones in camera settings)

Verify the voice search (for example, through Google Assistant)

Cleaning the microphone holes from dust-->

Now let’s look at each item in more detail.

1.Voice call test

Ask a friend or relative to call you and say a few words.

• 🗣️ The interviewee hears you muffled. → phony.
• 🔊 The interviewer hears an echo or noise → faulty noise-canceling microphone.
• 📵 The interviewee can't hear you at all. → Possible software lock microphone (check the permissions for the application "Phone").

2. recording voice through a voice recorder

Open the standard Dictaphone app (or install a third-party one, such as Voice Recorder) and record 10-15 seconds of speech.

• 🎵 The sound is clear, no wheezing. → The main microphone is working.
• 🔇 No sound or very quiet sound → Possible physical breakdown or clogging of the holes.
• 🌀 The sound is distorted, with interference. → problem with microphone contacts on the board.

3. Checking the microphone for video recording

Open the camera, go to video mode, and click on the microphone icon in the upper right corner. Make sure the Outer microphone is selected (this is the microphone on the back). Record the test video and check the sound. If it's missing, but the voice calls are working, this particular microphone is faulty.

💡

If you only record sound from one microphone, try turning on Stereo Sound mode in the camera settings to help you determine which microphone is not working.

Typical causes of microphone malfunction and ways to eliminate

In our experience, 70 percent of the time, the microphone problems in the Redmi Note 8 are not due to hardware failures, but to software failures or mechanical clogging.

1. Clogging of microphone holes

Dust, pile from a pocket or dirt particles can block the sound holes, which is especially true for the microphone on the back, which often comes into contact with surfaces.

Decision:

• 🧹 Carefully walk through the holes with a soft toothbrush (without toothpaste!).
• 💨 Use a spray of compressed air (keep 10 cm away).
• 🚫 Don’t blow with your mouth – moisture from your breath can make the problem worse.

2. Damage after falling or falling moisture

Shocks or contact with water often disable microphones because of their fragile design. Even if the phone hasn't sunk, high humidity (such as in the bathroom) can cause contacts to corrosion.

Signs: the sound disappears periodically, wheezing or crackling appear.

Solution: If your phone falls or gets wet, don't turn it on, bring it to the service right away. Self-repair can short circuit.

3. Software failures after the update MIUI

Some users find that after updating the firmware, the microphone stops working in certain applications (for example, WhatsApp or Zoom), this is due to permission conflicts.

Decision:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a problem app (such as Phone or Camera).
3. Press Permissions and make sure that the microphone is allowed.
4. If it doesn’t help, reset the application settings (Storage) → Clear the data).

4. Conflict with cover or film

Dense covers or improperly pasted protective films can cover microphone holes, which is especially true for models with thick bumpers.

Solution: Take off your case and check for audibility. If the problem is gone, pick up another accessory.

⚠️ Note: If you have recently installed custom software (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the problem may be incorrect microphone drivers. MIUI.

What to do if the microphone is not working: from simple reboot to repair

If the diagnosis showed that the microphone is really defective, act on the algorithm - from the simplest steps to the most complex:

1. Reboot and reset settings

Sometimes you just have to reboot your phone or reset your audio to the factory.

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
2. Select Network Settings Reset (this won’t delete your data, but will return sound settings to default settings).

Checking in safe mode

If the problem only appears after installing a particular app, start the phone in Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Press and hold Disconnect power → will be prompted to go to safe mode.
3. Check the microphone. If it's working, delete the recently installed apps.

3. Firmware update

Xiaomi regularly releases patches to fix bugs with microphones.Update MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates and install the latest version.

4.Diagnostics through the engineering menu

For advanced users, Redmi Note 8 has a hidden engineering menu where you can test microphones.

##4636##

Go to the Hardware Testing tab → Audio and check the signal levels from each microphone. If the values are zero, the microphone is defective.

5. Contact the service center

If nothing's worked, it's probably a hardware problem.

• 🔧 Replace the microphone (cost - from 800 to 1500 rubles).
• 🔌 Sweat contacts on the motherboard (if the microphone is moving away).
• 💧 Cleaning after getting moisture (ultrasonic bath) + gasket replacement).

The average cost of microphone repair in Redmi Note 8 is 1000-2000 rubles, depending on the complexity. If the phone is warranty, repair will be free (but the warranty is removed for mechanical damage or autopsy marks).

💡

Before visiting the service, make a backup copy of the data - during the repair, a complete reset of the phone may be required.

How to protect the microphones of Redmi Note 8 from breakdowns: prevention

To avoid microphone problems in the future, follow these guidelines:

• 🛡️ Use microphone neckline covers (avoid tight silicone models).
• 🚿 Do not use your phone in the rain or in the bathroom (even if it has protection). IP53).
• 🧴 Regularly clean the microphone holes with a dry soft brush (1 time in 2-3 months).
• 📱 Avoid sharp falls - even from a small height (microphones are attached to the board with thin wires).
• 🔄 Do not interrupt the firmware update – this can cause malfunctions in the sound system.

If you often record videos on the street, consider buying an external microphone (like a Boya). BY-M1 Or Rode VideoMicro. It's connected through a 3.5 mm connector, or USB-C It has a cleaner sound than the built-in microphones.

Frequent questions about microphones in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8