How to Clean the microphone on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: safe methods and disassembly

The microphone on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most vulnerable components that loses sensitivity over time due to dust, moisture or mechanical blockages. If people complain of poor hearing and voice search no longer recognize commands, the problem is likely to be a contaminated microphone. But don't rush to bring the phone to the service center: 80 percent of the time, cleaning the microphone with your own hands takes no more than 15 minutes and requires no special skills.

In this article, we will analyze all working methods of cleaning - from simple (using improvised means) to deep disassembly of the smartphone. You will learn exactly where the microphones on the Redmi Note 8 are located, what tools you will need, and how to avoid typical errors that can permanently bring the device down — FAQ Answering the most frequent questions on the topic.

Where are the microphones on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8

The Redmi Note 8 has three microphones, each with its own recording area:

• 📍 Main microphone - located in the lower part of the body, next to the connector USB-C. Responsible for voice calls and basic sound recording.
• 📍 Second microphone (noise reduction) - located on the top end panel, next to the 3.5 mm audio jack, improves the sound quality when calling.
• 📍 The third microphone (for video) is hidden under the back cover, next to the main camera, used to record noise-canceling video.

If the sound problems only occur during calls, the main or upper microphone is likely to be contaminated; if the video is not recorded well, the third microphone under the lid is to blame; on the Redmi Note 8, the bottom microphone is the most vulnerable, because its grid quickly gets clogged with dust due to its proximity to pockets and tables.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse the microphone with the speaker! If the sound is distorted when playing (music, video), the problem is with the speaker, not the microphone.

Causes of microphone contamination and signs of malfunction

The microphone on the Redmi Note 8 can fail not only because of dust, but also because of the main reasons:

• 🌫️ Dust and pile – accumulates in the microphone grid, especially if the phone is often in your pocket or bag.
• 💦 Moisture and condensation -- you get it when you use your phone in the rain or in the bathroom, and even after you dry, you get a lot of plaque.
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage – impacts or falls can shift the microphone membrane.
• 🧴 Cosmetic products – cream, powder or hairspray clog microscopic holes.

How do you know if the microphone is dirty and not broken?

• ✅ The sound becomes quieter, but does not disappear completely.
• ✅ The problem appears gradually (not after a fall or impact).
• ✅ In some applications, the microphone works better (for example, in voice recordings, but not in calls).

⚠️ Warning: If the microphone stopped working suddenly (for example, after a fall or a liquid hit), cleaning may not help - you will need a replacement module## → Phone information → If the signal level is 0, the part is faulty.

Method 1: Cleaning the microphone without disassembly (the safest)

If the pollution is mild, you can do without disassembling the phone.

• 🪥 Toothpicking (wooden or plastic).
• 🖌️ Soft brush (for example, to draw or clean the keyboard).
• 💨 Compressed air container (optional).
• 🔦 Lantern (for illumination of holes).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and get it out. SIM-card (just in case).
2. Hold the flashlight to the microphone hole and inspect it for visible blockages.
3. Carefully walk with a soft brush on the microphone grid, moving from the edges to the center.
4. If you see dense dirt, slightly tuck it with a toothpick (do not stick deeply!).
5. Use compressed air (from a distance of 10-15 cm) to blow out the dust from the inside.

Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map|

Use only soft tools (tassel, toothpick)|

Do not blow with your mouth - only a can of compressed air|

Do not use liquids (alcohol or water)|

Check the microphone after cleaning in the voice recording app-->

This method helps 60 to 70 percent of the time if the pollution is shallow, and if the sound quality hasn't improved after cleaning, then go to the next method.

💡

To check the microphone after cleaning, record the voice in the Dictaphone app or call another phone. Compare the volume and clarity of the sound before and after the procedure.

Method 2: Deep cleaning with partial disassembly

If surface cleaning doesn't work, you'll have to remove the back cover, which is a riskier method, but it allows you to get to the inner microphone (for video shooting) and clean the main ones more thoroughly.

What you need:

• 🔧 A set of plastic blades (mediators) for disassembly.
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (cross, size) PH00).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+), cotton-stick.
• 📦 Suction cups to remove the lid (optional).

Disassembly instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and warm up the back cover with a hair dryer (1-2 minutes at minimum power) and this will soften the glue.
2. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body (start at the corner next to the power button). Carefully lead along the perimeter, snapping the clamps.
3. When the lid is removed, disconnect the battery plume (it's under black film, mounted on two screws).
4. Find a microphone (a metal rectangle with a hole, next to the camera) and clean it with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
5. Blow the holes with compressed air and let them dry for 10-15 minutes before assembly.

If the microphone doesn't work after assembly, check the plumes' connection, they may have moved away.

Method 3: Cleaning the microphone from moisture (if the phone is wet)

If the microphone stops working after the liquid hits, the usual mechanical cleaning won't help, and the moisture leaves a plaque on the membrane, which eventually crystallizes and blocks the sound, in which case you can do this.

1. Turn off your phone immediately and pull it out. SIM-Do not turn it on for at least 24 hours!
2. Place the device in a silica gel bag (eat in shoe boxes or electronics) for 12 to 24 hours. The alternative is rice, but it's less effective.
3. After drying, clean the microphone with isopropyl alcohol (90%+) It's a cotton swab. It dissolves the salt plaque.
4. Use compressed air to blow out moisture residues from the holes.

If the microphone doesn't work after drying, it might have oxidized the contacts on the board, and then only the service center will help.

⚠️ Warning: Never dry your phone with a hairdryer in hot air or in the microwave! This can melt plumes or damage the battery. The optimal temperature for drying is room temperature (20-25).°C).

Method 4: Software diagnostics of the microphone

Sometimes the problem isn't the pollution, it's the software failure.

• 📱 Sound settings: go to Settings → Sound. → Call quality and make sure no noise reduction mode is activated (sometimes it distorts voice).
• 🔄 Resetting settings: in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the network settings. That'll bring the microphone back to the factory settings.
• 🛠️ Engineering menu: dial ##4636##, select Phone Information and scroll to Microphone block. If signal level 0, the microphone is physically malfunctioning.

If the microphone worked after resetting, the problem was in the software. Otherwise, you will need to mechanically clean or replace it.

💡

Always check the software settings before disassembling your phone! In 15-20% of cases, the microphone is “out of order” due to a firmware failure, not due to contamination.

Method 5: Replace the microphone (if cleaning didn't work)

If all cleaning methods have been tried and the microphone is still not working, then you have to replace the module. On the Redmi Note 8, this is not the most difficult procedure, but it will require care.

What you need:

• 🔧 New microphone (module for Redmi Note 8 is worth it) ~300–500 ₽, Xiaomi Original Microphone for Redmi Note 8).
• 🧲 Screwdriver. PH00 and plastic blades.
• 🔥 soldering hair dryer (if the microphone is soldered, not on the connector).

Step-by-step:

1. Remove the back cover (as in Method 2).
2. Disconnect the battery plume and remove the metal screen (it is mounted on 4 screws).
3. Find the microphone (usually it is glued or soldered to the motherboard).
4. If the microphone is on the connector, gently disconnect it and plug in a new one. If you're soldering, warm up the contacts with a hairdryer and replace the part.
5. Put the phone back together.

After the replacement, check the microphone in the engineering menu (#4636##). If the signal level is normal, the module is installed correctly.

⚠️ Warning: When soldering the microphone, do not overheat the charge! The hair dryer temperature should not exceed 300°C, and the heating time is 5-7 seconds, otherwise you can damage nearby components.

Frequent Mistakes When Cleaning the Microphone and How to Avoid Them

Even cleaning the microphone can be a problem if you make one of these mistakes:

If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to a service center, and the average cost of cleaning a microphone in a workshop is 500-1000. ₽, What is cheaper than repair after a failed self-disassembly.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions