The microphone in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is one of those components that rarely fails, but when it breaks, it makes the device almost useless for calls, voice messages or recording videos. Problems can manifest themselves in different ways: the interlocutor does not hear you while talking, voice assistants (Google Assistant, Alice) do not respond to commands, and applications like WhatsApp or Telegram do not transmit audio. The causes of malfunctions range from banal clogging of the microphone hole to hardware damage after falling or getting moisture.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to diagnose the microphone on any Redmi model, from the budget Redmi 9A to the flagship Redmi K60 Pro. You will learn how to test the microphone without additional programs, what hidden tools are in the firmware MIUI, and what to do if the problem is hardware. Important: some methods require the connection of headphones or a second phone – prepare them in advance.
If you find out after checking that the microphone is not working, don't rush to bring the phone to the service. In 30% of cases, the problem is solved software-just reset the settings or clear the cache of system applications.
1. Quickly checking the microphone through a standard recorder
The easiest way to check the microphone is to use the built-in Recorder app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and does not require Internet access.
- Open the Dictophone app (the microphone icon on a red background).
- Press the Record button (red circle) and say any phrase within 5-10 seconds.
- Stop the recording and listen to it. If the voice is heard clearly, without wheezing or interrupting, the microphone is working normally.
If the sound is missing or distorted, try:
- 🔊 Change the position of the phone: sometimes the bottom microphone (near the connector) USB-C) finger-stuff.
- 🧹 Clean the microphone hole from dust with a soft brush or compressed air.
- 🔄 Reboot phone – sometimes microphone glitches are caused by temporary crashes MIUI.
⚠️ Warning: If you hear any noises (cracking, hissing) during recording, this may indicate damage to the microphone membrane after falling or contacting moisture.
2. Testing the microphone through a bell or voice message
A standard voice recorder only checks the main microphone, but Redmi usually has two or three: the bottom (for calls), the top (for noise cancellation), and sometimes the front (in the video camera).
Method 1: Calling another phone
- Call Redmi on another phone (such as a friend or relative).
- During the conversation, alternately cover each hole of the microphone with your finger (usually located: 📍 Bottom of the case next to the connector. USB-C. 📍 Upstairs next to the speaker. 📍 The front panel next to the camera (if any).
If the person stops hearing you when you close one of the holes, the microphone works.
Method 2: Voice message in the messenger
Send a voice message to WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, and if the message is not sent or the sound is distorted, the problem is confirmed.
- 🎤 WhatsApp uses a lower microphone.
- 📹 Instagram Stories or TikTok uses a front-facing microphone (if it’s in the model).
💡
If you're being called, "like a barrel," the top noise-canceling microphone probably doesn't work, and then the voice is deaf and the noise is amplified.
3. Check the microphone through the engineering menu (code ##4636##)
MIUI's firmware has a hidden engineering menu where you can test hardware components, including a microphone, which is suitable for advanced users, as it requires caution when changing settings.
Instructions:
- Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636###
- In the menu that opens, select “Phone Information”.
- Scroll down to the “Microphone” or “Audio” block.
- Press "Start Test" and speak into the microphone. The sound wave graph should appear on the screen.
If the graph doesn't show up or shows zero signal level, it confirms the microphone malfunction.In some Redmi models (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro), the engineering menu may look different - look for the Hardware Testing or Audio Test tabs.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change other settings in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. Incorrect settings can disrupt network or sound performance.
What if the #4636## code doesn’t work?
4. Diagnostics with the help of third-party applications
If standard methods fail, use specialized utilities that allow you to check the microphone in more detail, measure noise levels and identify hardware defects.
| Annex | Functions | Reference | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microphone Test | Signal level check, echo test, recording with visualization of sound waves | Google Play | All Redmi models |
| SoundAbout | Redirect audio streams, test all microphones separately | Google Play | Redmi on Android 9+ |
| Phone Doctor Plus | Comprehensive diagnostics of microphone, speakers, camera and sensors | Google Play | Models with MIUI 12 and newer |
Recommendations for use:
- 📱 In the Microphone Test, you can look at the green bar, which is supposed to respond to your voice, and if the band is not moving, the microphone is defective.
- 🔧 In SoundAbout, select the option “Media audio» → «Microphone and check the recording.
- 🛠️ In Phone Doctor Plus, run a full diagnosis – the app will show which microphone is not responding.
Install one of the recommended apps |Close all background programs (especially messengers) |Plug in headphones with a microphone (if you are testing the headset) |Check out that nothing closes the microphone holes-->
5. Checking the microphone in headphones or headset
If the microphone problems only occur when using wired or wireless headphones, the cause may lie in the USB-C connector, Bluetooth module or the headset itself.
For wired headphones:
- Connect the headphones to Redmi and open the Dictophone.
- Start recording and talk into the headset microphone.
- If the sound is recorded normally, the problem is in the main microphone of the phone; if it's not, the headphones or the jack are faulty.
For wireless headphones (such as Redmi Buds):
- Connect the headset to Bluetooth.
- Start the Google Assistant and ask a question.
- If the assistant does not respond, reset the headphone settings or check them on another device.
Important: On Redmi Note 11 and later, when you connect your headphones to the microphone, the main microphone of the phone automatically turns off, and if the sound is still recorded through the phone, it's a sign of a software failure.
💡
If the microphone in the headphones works and the phone doesn't, it's definitely hardware, and 90 percent of the time, it's damage to the microphone contacts on the motherboard, or oxidation of the microphone contacts after moisture hits.
6. Hardware causes of microphone malfunction and methods of elimination
If all the software tests showed that the microphone was not working, the reason most likely lies in the hardware.
| Reason. | Signs. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone contamination | Muffled sound, noise | Cleaning the hole with compressed air or a soft brush |
| Moisture intrusion | Lack of sound, corrosion on contacts | Phone drying (48 hours in rice or silica gel), microphone replacement |
| Fall or impact | Crack, intermittent sound | Diagnostics in the service, replacement of the microphone module |
| Oxidation of contact on board | The microphone is working periodically. | Cleaning contacts with alcohol (only for experienced users!) |
If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact the service center.The average cost of replacing the microphone with Xiaomi Redmi:
- 💰 Redmi 9/10 series: 800–1 200 ₽.
- 💰 Redmi Note 11/12: 1 000–1 500 ₽.
- 💰 Redmi K50/K60: 1 200–2 000 ₽ (due to the complexity of disassembly).
⚠️ Self-replacement of microphone on models with protection IP53 (For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) This can cause leakage, in which case the warranty is cancelled.