How to clean the speaker on the Xiaomi phone: from dust, dirt and water

The speakers in Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most vulnerable places: they quickly get clogged with dust, skin particles and even moisture. If you notice that the sound has become quieter, there are wheezing or distortions when playing music / conversations - the problem is most likely in the polluted dynamics. But cleaning the speaker requires caution: improper actions can damage the membrane or contacts, which will lead to complete loss of sound.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven cleaning methods, from the simplest (with Scotch or toothpick) to deep cleaning with the phone disassembly. You’ll also learn what mistakes users most often make, how to avoid damage and when to contact the service center. The instructions are suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models, including the latest flagships.

Signs of a polluted speaker: when you need to clean

Before you start cleaning, make sure that the problem is the dynamics, not the software failure or damage to the audio track.

• 🔊 Muffled sound – music, video or voice are heard quieter than before, even at maximum volume.
• 🌀 Wheezing and crackling – especially noticeable at low frequencies (for example, when listening to bass).
• 💧 Water or moisture under the grid – if the phone fell into water or was used in the rain, droplets could remain inside.
• 🌫️ Visible dirt - in bright light under the grid speaker, clusters of dust or fibers are noticeable.

If the sound is completely lost (for example, the speaker does not work on either the calls or the speaker), the problem may be in the contacts of the plume or the audio chip, in which case cleaning will not help - you need a diagnosis in the service.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has been in water less than 48 hours ago, do not turn it on or try to clean the speaker yourself. First, dry the device in rice or silica gel for at least a day - moisture inside the case can cause contacts to corrosion.

Method 1: Cleaning dynamics of scotch tape (for surface contaminants)

The simplest and safest method, which is suitable for removing dust and fine debris from the outer mesh, is effective in 70% of cases if the contamination is shallow.

You'll need:

• 📏 Narrow Scotch (preferably stationery or paint, 1-1.5 cm wide).
• 🔦 Lantern (for illumination).
• 🧴 Alcohol wipes (for disinfection after cleaning).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on your phone flashlight or point an external light source at the speaker to better see contamination.
2. Cut a piece of tape length of 5-7 cm fold it sticky side out, "loop".
3. Carefully press the tape to the speaker grid and pull it up. Repeat 3-4 times, using a new piece each time.
4. After cleaning, wipe the net with an alcohol napkin to remove the glue residue.

Don't press hard - you can damage the speaker membrane |

Do not use wide tape - it will close the adjacent microphone holes |

Do not clean the wet speaker - scotch will not stick to the wet surface |

Do not use adhesive tape with aggressive glue (such as construction tape)-->

This is a good way to deal with fibers of fabric (if you carry your phone in your pocket with your keys), dust and sand, but it is useless if dirt has penetrated deep under the net.

Method 2: Toothpick or soft brush (for deep cleaning)

If the tape didn't work, try mechanical cleaning. It's important to use only soft materials -- a plastic toothpick, a paintbrush, or a special electronics brush -- metal objects (needles, pins) can scratch the membrane!

Instructions:

1. Take a plastic toothpick (or a wooden toothpick, but not a sharp one) and gently run it around the edges of the speaker grid, pressing slightly. The movements should be circular, from center to edge.
2. For hard-to-reach areas, use a soft brush (for example, for applying a carcass), first soak it in isopropyl alcohol (no more than 70% concentration!).
3. After cleaning, blow the speaker with a rubber pear (for example, for enemas) or a can of compressed air (keep 10 cm away!).

⚠️ Attention: If you use a compressed air can, do not tilt it or shake it - this can lead to the release of liquid (the tank contains liquefied gas), which will damage the speaker!

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If you don't have alcohol on hand, you can use vodka (without additives) or liquid to remove varnish without acetone. But after such a cleaning, be sure to dry the speaker with a dryer in cold mode for 5-10 minutes.

Method 3: Washing the speaker with distilled water (when liquid is ingested)

If the speaker gets water, a sweet drink or other sticky liquid, a conventional cleaning will not help - you need a flush. It is important to use only distilled water (from a pharmacy or car store), since ordinary water contains salts that, after drying, form crystals and can damage the membrane.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-card and memory card (if any).
2. Dip the distilled water into a syringe without a needle (5-10 ml).
3. Carefully pour water into the speaker at a low pressure. Hold the phone at a 45° angle so that the liquid flows freely.
4. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times, then blow the speaker with a pear.
5. Place the phone in a silica gel container for 12 to 24 hours. If there is no silica gel, use rice (but it is less effective).

Never use a dryer in hot mode to dry the speaker - this can deform the membrane or melt the glue with which it is attached. The optimal temperature when drying is not higher than 30 ° C.

Method 4: Disassembling the phone for deep cleaning (for power users)

If surface methods don't work, you'll have to take the phone apart and clean the speaker from the inside, which is a risky way -- without experience, you can damage plumes, disconnect contacts, or break mounts, and you'll only need to use it as a last resort, or if you've already had experience repairing electronics.

What you need:

• 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (cross, star, plastic mediator).
• 🧲 Screen removal suction cup (optional).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+).
• 🧽 Cotton discs and sticks.

Step-by-step (on the example of Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro):

1. Turn off your phone and remove the back cover with a plastic pickup (start at the corners). Be careful, many Xiaomi models have the lid glued on them!
2. Unscrew the screws that hold the metal plate over the speaker (usually marked with arrows on the board).
3. Carefully disconnect the speaker plume (don't pull the wires!).
4. Soak the cotton swab in alcohol and wipe the speaker membrane and the contacts. For hard-to-reach areas, use a cotton-wrapped toothpick.
5. Blow the speaker with compressed air and assemble the phone in reverse order.

On models with waterproofing (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro) after disassembly will have to replace the adhesive seal, otherwise the protection from moisture will be violated.

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If you are not sure of your abilities, it is better to contact the service.The cost of cleaning the speaker in the official centers of Xiaomi starts from 800-1500 rubles, which is cheaper than repairing after a failed disassembly.

Method 5: Software Diagnostics (if the problem is not dirt)

Sometimes the cause of bad sound is not physical pollution, but software failure, for example, after updating the MIUI speaker may start to wheez due to incorrect settings of the equalizer or conflict with applications.

What to check:

• 🔧 Sound settings: go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality and reset the equalizer settings.
• 📱 Safe Mode: Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → long tap on "Switch off" →"Safe Mode. If the sound has recovered, a problem is in one of the installed applications.
• 🔄 Resetting settings: in Settings → The phone. → Select Reset Network Settings (this will not delete data, but will return network settings to factory settings).

If the sound hasn’t recovered after this, try flashing your phone through Fastboot (see 4PDA for specific instructions for a particular model), but remember: unofficial firmware can take away warranty.

What not to do when cleaning the speaker Xiaomi

Some folk methods can irrevocably ruin the speaker, and here are the most dangerous mistakes:

• 🚫 Use a vacuum cleaner – even at minimal power, it can damage the membrane or suck small parts.
• 🚫 Clean the speaker with a needle or knife - the metal will pierce the membrane or scratch the contacts.
• 🚫 Drying the speaker with a hair dryer in hot air - this deforms plastic parts and can melt glue.
• 🚫 Wash the speaker with soap solution or vinegar - soap leaves the film, vinegar corrodes the contacts.
• 🚫 Blow dust with your mouth - saliva will fall on the membrane and lead to corrosion.

Also, don't push the speaker too hard on the grid, because it can move the membrane or pull it away from the body, and if the dirt doesn't lend itself, you'd better do it again in a day or two than make too much effort.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi speakers