Cleaning the speaker grid on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: a detailed guide with photos and tips

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but even it has some problems with sound over time, and the main reason is that the speaker's protective mesh has become clogged with dust, villi, or skin particles. If you notice that the sound has become muted, wheezing or distorting at maximum volume, it's probably time to clean it up.

In this article, we will look at three proven methods of cleaning the mesh, from the simplest (with a toothpick) to the deeper (with partial disassembly of the body), you will learn what tools you need, how to avoid damage to the membrane of the speaker, and what to do if the mesh is deformed or torn, and we will give recommendations for prevention so that the problem does not return too often.

Important: the procedure requires care. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the speaker mesh is attached to the case without glue, but its locks are easy to break if you press it carelessly. If you're not sure about yourself, you'd better go to the service center. But with the right approach, you can clean yourself in 10 to 20 minutes.

Causes of clogging of the mesh speaker and signs of a problem

The protective mesh on the Redmi Note 8 Pro speaker serves two functions: prevent debris from entering the body and protect the membrane from mechanical damage.

• 🌫️ Dust and dirt – especially if the phone is often on exposed surfaces (table, sofa, pocket pants).
• 🧵 Villi from clothing – fall through holes when carried in a pocket or bag.
• 🧴 Fat deposits – residues of creams, lotions or sweat that stick to the mesh and harden.
• 🍃 Microparticles from cigarette smoke – if you smoke near your phone, the tar settles on the net and clogs your pores.

How do you know if the net is clogged and needs cleaning?

• 🔊 The sound became quieter, especially at low frequencies (bass "disappears»).
• 🎵 Wheezing or crackling when playing music/calls.
• 📞 The interviewee complains that he does not hear you when talking (if the microphone speaker is clogged).
• 👁️ Visually visible layer of dirt or villi under the grid (you can illuminate the flashlight).

If you ignore the problem, the debris can penetrate deeper and damage the speaker membrane, in the worst case, you will need to replace the entire module, which will cost 1,500-2,500 rubles in the service center, so you should clean at the first sign of clogging.

Preparation for cleaning: tools and precautions

Before you start cleaning, prepare everything you need, depending on the method you choose, you may need to:

Also prepare the workplace:

• 💡 Good lighting (better to use a desk lamp or flashlight).
• 📱 Clean soft surface (towel or napkin) to put the phone.
• 🔌 Turn off your phone or put it in flight mode – this will eliminate accidental pressing during cleaning.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use cotton swabs, metal objects (knives, scissors) or pressure liquids (compressed air cylinders) to clean the mesh. Cotton swabs can leave fibers, metal can scratch the mesh, and a jet of air can damage the speaker's membrane.

If you're planning to remove the grid, remember its original position. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, it's attached with two plastic latches on top and bottom, and if you press it carelessly, the latches can break and the mesh will dangle, in which case you'll have to fix it with glue (like the B-7000), but that's a temporary solution.

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Before cleaning, take a picture of the speaker grid on the phone from different angles, which will help you to properly install it back if you have to take it off.

Method 1: Dry brushing with toothpick and brush (without disassembly)

This is the safest method, which is suitable for removing surface contaminants.It does not require disassembling the phone and takes no more than 5 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Take a toothpick and gently run it through the holes of the mesh, pressing slightly. Movements should be parallel to the surface of the phone, so as not to drive the debris deeper.
2. Use a soft brush to remove dust, run it over a grid in one direction (like top-down) to brush the particles away.
3. If you have sticky villi on the net, take a piece of tape folded with the sticky side outside, gently press it against the net and pull it, and the pile will remain on the tape.
4. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times until the mesh is visually clean.

This is effective if the clogging is mild, so if the sound hasn't recovered, move on to the next method.

Prepare a toothpick and brush |

Turn off the phone or put in flight mode |

Light up the work area |

Check if there are any fat spots on the mesh (if there is - alcohol will be required)-->

⚠️ Attention: Do not use floss or a needle to clean, they can push debris into the speaker or scratch the net. Also avoid circular brush movements: they drive dust into corners, where it is harder to remove it.

After cleaning, check the sound by calling the phone or turning on the music, and if the wheezing is left, then the garbage has accumulated under the net and it needs to be removed.

Method 2: Deep cleaning with removal of the mesh (for experienced)

If dry cleaning doesn't work, you'll have to remove the net, which is a riskier method, but it can remove even deep contaminants. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the net is held on plastic latches, so you need to take it off carefully.

Step-by-step:

1. Put a plastic blade (or nail if you're afraid of scratching the body) on the side of the net, and start at the top or bottom edge, where the latches are.
2. Carefully pull the net over you. It should come out without resistance. If you feel that something is in the way, don't force it, check if all the latches are snapped.
3. After removing, look at the net on the back side, often more debris accumulates there than on the outside, and remove it with a toothpick or brush.
4. Rub the net with an alcohol tampon to remove the fatty deposits. Don't wet it too much -- just a light wipe is enough.
5. Check the speaker hole under the mesh. If you see debris, remove it with a dry brush or compressed air (but don't blow with your mouth - saliva can get in!).
6. Place the grid back, starting at the top latch, and make sure it sits tight and doesn't hang around.

If the latches break, you can lock the mesh with a drop of B-7000 glue at the corners, and apply the glue as little as possible so that it doesn't hit the speaker.

After assembly, check the sound. If the wheezing is still there, it may have hit the speaker membrane, in which case you will need to disassemble the phone (you should contact the service).

Method 3: Compressed air cleaning (alternative for lazy people)

If you don't want to take the risk of removing the mesh, you can try to clean it with compressed air, which is less effective, but it's safe for the speaker.

You'll need:

• 💨 A compressed air canister (for example, to clean the keyboard).
• 📏 Distance 5-7 cm from the net to the nozzle of the canister.
• 👁️ Safety glasses (optional, but recommended – a jet of air can knock dirt particles into the eyes).

Instructions:

1. Hold the spray vertically to avoid ejection of liquid (it can damage the speaker).
2. Direct the jet at a 45-degree angle to the grid. Don't blow perpendicularly, it can drive the debris deeper.
3. With short presses (1-2 seconds) blow the net from a distance of 5-7 cm. Do not bring the nozzle too close!
4. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times, changing the angle of inclination.

This method is good at removing dust, but it won't work with wiring or villi. After cleaning, check the speaker for sound.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a vacuum cleaner for purging - even at minimal power it can damage the speaker membrane. Also avoid cans with freon (for example, to clean contacts) - its vapors can leave a greasy film on the mesh.

What not to do when cleaning the speaker

Even with a clean cleaning, there is a risk of damaging your phone, and here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid:

• 🚫 Use water or soap solution - the liquid can leak under the mesh and cause corrosion of the contacts of the speaker.
• 🚫 Apply sharp metal objects (knives, needles, scissors) - they scratch the mesh and can tear the membrane.
• 🚫 Blowing with the mouth - in saliva there are enzymes that eventually erode the plastic of the mesh.
• 🚫 Clean the speaker on the phone – vibration from the sound can move the garbage inside.
• 🚫 Use aggressive chemical solvents (acetone, gasoline) – they destroy plastic and rubber seals.

If you doubt your skills, it is better to contact the service. The average cost of cleaning a speaker in a workshop is 500-800 rubles, which is cheaper than repairing after a failed self-attempt.

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The most common reason a speaker breaks after cleaning is when liquid hits the mesh, and even a drop of alcohol, if it flows down, can cause contacts to corrosion or shorten the sound amplifier chip.

Prevention: how to protect the speaker from clogging

To clean the speaker mesh less often, follow simple recommendations:

• 📱 Use a speaker-protected case – many models have special “ears” that lift the phone above the surface.
• 🧼 Regularly wipe the case with a wet wipe (but do not fill the connectors!).
• 🚬 Avoid smoking near your phone – the tar settles on the mesh and hardens.
• 👖 Don’t carry your phone in the back pocket of your pants – there’s more villi and dust.
• 🎧 Use headphones in dusty or wet conditions (such as at a construction site or gym).

If you're in dusty places, like working in a factory, consider buying a speaker protective film that sticks over the mesh and traps large particles, but it doesn't make the sound worse, and it costs about 100 to 150 rubles.

It is also useful to blow the mesh with compressed air once a month (without removing) - this will remove the dust before it compacts.

Frequently asked questions