How to safely clean the speaker grille on Xiaomi phone: a guide with photos and tips

The speaker on Xiaomi’s smartphone, which is filled with dust or dirt, is a problem that every second user faces. Over time, the sound becomes quieter, wheezing appears, and in advanced cases, the speaker may stop working altogether. But cleaning requires caution: improper actions lead to damage to the membrane, moisture entering the body, or even loss of warranty.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven methods of cleaning the speaker grille on Redmi models, POCO and flagships of Xiaomi (including) 13/14 You'll learn which tools are safe and which can harm, how to avoid common errors, and what to do if the speaker stops working after cleaning. All methods are tested on real devices and do not require disassembling the phone.

Why is the speaker grille clogged and what does it lead to?

The speaker grille is not just a decorative element, but a protective barrier that prevents dust and moisture from entering the membrane, and over time, the microholes accumulate:

• 🌫️ Dust and pile – from pockets, bags or air (especially in dry rooms).
• 🍫 Sticky residues - from sweets, ice cream or cosmetics (cream, powders).
• 💦 Moisture and sweat – when using your phone during exercise or in the rain.
• 🐾 Animal hair – if the phone is often lying on the sofa or carpet.

The consequences of clogging depend on the degree of pollution:

On Xiaomi models with stereo speakers (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ Xiaomi 13T) clogging of one of the speakers leads to an imbalance of sound – the music and voices sound “curved”, as if the source is shifted to the left or right.

⚠️ Warning: If the speaker starts to sound worse after cleaning, or if you have a metal ringing, stop the manipulation immediately. This is a sign of damage to the membrane.

Preparation for cleaning: what you need and how not to damage the phone

Before you start cleaning, make sure you have everything you need. Don't use any tools you can use, like toothpicks or needles, because they scratch the bars and they can pierce the speaker membrane. Here's the minimum set:

• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (70% and above) - for degreasing and removing sticky residues.
• 🖌️ Soft brush (for example, to draw or clean the camera lens).
• 💨 Compressed air cylinder (or rubber pear for purging).
• 🧻 Microfibre wipe (without pile!).
• 🔍 Lump or flashlight - to assess the degree of contamination.

What you can not do categorically:

• 🚫 Blow the speaker with your mouth – saliva contains acids that corrode the contacts.
• 🚫 Use wet wipes or soap solution - moisture will get inside the body.
• 🚫 Brushing with a toothpick or needle - the risk of piercing the membrane or scratching the grille.
• 🚫 Use a vacuum cleaner - too strong air flow can tear off the membrane.

If you're cleaning the speaker for the first time, start with the most gentle method (dry brushing) and only if necessary move on to more aggressive methods. IP-certification (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro with a IP68) You can use a wet napkin, but without fanaticism.

⚠️ Attention: On infrared phones (like the Redmi Note 11), the speaker grille is often paired with an IR sensor. Don't push it too hard, it can displace the sensor and disrupt it.

Method 1: Soft brush dry cleaning (the safest method)

This method is suitable for regular prevention and mild contamination, it does not require disassembling the phone and is completely safe even for older models like the Redmi. 4X or Mi A1.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone to avoid accidental touches of the screen.
2. Bring the phone with the speaker grille to the light source (for example, to the lamp) - so you can see the pollution better.
3. Carefully run the dry soft brush along the grate along (not across!) the holes. Movements should be light, without pressure.
4. To remove dust from the recesses, use a rubber pear - blow the grille with short presses from a distance of 2-3 cm.

If the dust is not removed, lightly moisten the brush with isopropyl alcohol (no more than 1-2 drops!) and repeat the procedure.

Is the phone off?|Is there a good lighting?|The brush is dry and soft?|Pear/Cylinder at a distance of 2-3 cm?|Is there any moisture on the grille after cleaning?-->

For models with double speakers (e.g, POCO F5 Xiaomi 12T) Repeat the procedure for both speakers. Usually the second speaker is located on the upper end of the body.

Method 2: Cleaning with compressed air (for severe contaminants)

If the dust is trapped deep in the lattice holes, a conventional brush may not help, and in this case, use a compressed air balloon (sold in electronics stores or for keyboard cleaning), which is effective, but requires caution:

How to blow properly:

• 🎯 Keep the balloon vertically (do not tilt to avoid liquid ejection!).
• 📏 Distance to the grid - 3-5 cm Closer - the risk of damage to the membrane by air flow.
• 🔄 Use short pulses (1-2 seconds) rather than prolonged blowing.
• 🔄 Blow at different angles to blow dust out of all the holes.

After purging, check the speaker for performance. If the sound is cleaner, but the wheezing remains, repeat the procedure in 10-15 minutes (let the dust time settle).

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If you don't have a compressed air tank on hand, you can use a rubber pear (for example, from an enema for babies), the main thing is to compress it before you reach the phone to avoid a sudden flow of air.

On models with active noise cancellation (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) after cleaning, you may need to recalibrate the microphones. → Sound. → Additional settings → Microphone calibration.

Method 3: Wet cleaning (only for protected phones) IP67/IP68)

This method is only suitable for models with official water protection (e.g. Xiaomi). 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO X5 Pro. if your phone is not certified IP67/68, skip this section – moisture can damage internal components.

What you need:

• 💧 Distilled water or isopropyl alcohol (90% and higher).
• 🧴 Cotton swab (better with a plastic rod, not a wooden one).
• 🧻 Microfiber wipe.

Step-by-step:

1. Wet the cotton swab in alcohol or water (it should be wet, but not wet).
2. Carefully run the speaker in one movement without pressing.
3. Dry the grille immediately with a dry napkin or blow with compressed air.
4. Put the phone down with a grille for 10-15 minutes to let the moisture flow out.

⚠️ Attention: If the speaker is quieter or wheezing after wet cleaning, it means that moisture has got inside. Immediately put the phone in a dry warm place (for example, next to the battery, but not on it!) for 12-24 hours. Do not use a hair dryer - hot air deforms the membrane.

Method 4: Cleaning of sticky contaminants (gum, glue, cosmetics)

If you have sticky substances on the speaker's grille (gum, sticker glue, cream), a conventional brush won't help, and you need special tools that dissolve the impurities without damaging the plastic.

What to use:

• 🧪 Isopropyl alcohol (90% and higher) is the best option for plastic and metal.
• 🧴 Special wipes for electronics (sold in stores of equipment).
• 🚫 What to avoid: acetone, gasoline, varnish removal fluid - they corrode the grille covering.

How to clean:

1. Apply 1-2 drops of alcohol on a cotton swab (not on the phone itself!).
2. Gently wet the contaminated area, do not rub.
3. Wait 30 seconds - the alcohol will dissolve the sticky layer.
4. Remove the remains with a dry napkin or brush.

To remove gum, pre-cool it with ice (put the phone in an ice pack for 5-10 minutes) - the gum will harden and more easily lag. Then gently tuck it with a plastic card (not a nail or metal!).

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Never use a knife, blade or metal objects to remove sticky contaminants, they scratch the grille and can pierce the speaker membrane, even micro-scratches accumulate dirt over time and make the sound worse.

Method 5: Ultrasonic cleaning (for advanced users)

This method requires an ultrasound bath (costs from 2,000). ₽) It's a good thing if other methods don't work, and it's often used in service centers, but if you're careful, you can do it at home.

What you need:

• 🛁 Ultrasonic Bath (e.g. Xiaomi Youpin Ultrasonic Cleaner).
• 💧 Distilled water or special liquid for ultrasonic cleaning.
• 🧴 silica gel for drying.

Step-by-step:

1. Remove the speaker grille (if it is removable) or gently peel it off with a plastic mediator.
2. Place the grille in a bath of water for 1-2 minutes at a temperature of 30-40°C.
3. Take out the grille and dry it with compressed air or a napkin.
4. Place the grille in a silica gel bag for 12 hours before installing it back.

⚠️ Important: Don't put the whole phone in water -- just the removable grille -- on models that don't have a removable grille, like the Redmi 10, this is not a good method.

After ultrasonic cleaning, the speaker may sound louder, as even microscopic contamination is removed, but if you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service.

What to do if the speaker does not work after cleaning

If after cleaning the speaker stopped working or the sound became worse, the following reasons are possible:

Before visiting the service, try resetting the sound settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
2. Select Resetting Sound Settings.
3. Reboot the phone.

If this doesn’t help, check the speaker through the test menu:

##4636## → Select "Equipment Testing" → "Audio" → "Dynamic"

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with dual speakers (e.g, POCO F4 GT) The test can show that one speaker is working and the other is not. It's okay if you select Mono mode in the audio settings. → Sound. → Sound effects.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi speakers