How to check the microphone on your Xiaomi phone: from basic tests to deep diagnostics

The microphone in Xiaomi smartphones is a critical component that determines the quality of voice calls, video recording and voice assistants. If the interlocutor complains of poor hearing and voice messages are recorded with noise, the problem may lie in the microphone. But how exactly do you know that he is the one who is faulty, and not the software?

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways you can check your microphone on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from simple tests using standard apps to engineering menu diagnostics, how to tell a hardware breakdown from a software failure, and what to do if the microphone really doesn’t work.

Important: Before you start checking, make sure that there is no physical damage (such as moisture or impacts) on the phone that could knock the microphone out of order, and check if the microphone holes are covered with a protective film or cover - this is a common cause of false failures.

If you’re using Xiaomi with a headphone jack, try connecting the headset – if the sound is transmitted normally, the problem is precisely in the phone’s main microphone.

1. Checking the microphone through the standard Dictophone app

The fastest way to test a microphone is to use a built-in voice recorder, which requires no additional software installation and works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and others.

Open the Dictophone app (if not available, download it from Google Play), start recording and say a few words 10 to 15 cm from your phone, then listen to the recording:

• 🔊 Clean sound without interference – the microphone is working correctly.
• 🎤 Muffled or quiet sound – possible clogged microphone grille or software failure.
• 🚫 Lack of sound or severe distortion – hardware malfunction or plume damage.

If the recording is quiet, try repeating the test in a quiet room – sometimes extraneous noises mask real problems, and check if the Noise Cancel mode is activated in the voice recorder settings (if any).

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If you have a Xiaomi with two microphones (for example, for noise cancellation), try to cover the upper microphone with your finger while recording – if the sound disappears, then only the lower one works.

2. Testing through voice notes in Google Assistant

Google's voice assistant can be a great tool for checking the microphone, activate it with OK Google or hold the Home button (on older models). If the assistant doesn't respond to voice commands, the problem may be in the microphone or access settings.

To avoid program errors:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Google.
2. Select “Permissions” and make sure that the microphone is enabled.
3. Return to Settings → System → Language & Input → Voice input and check that the correct language is selected.

If after this manipulation, voice input still doesn't work, try writing a voice message to WhatsApp or Telegram, and if there's no sound there, the microphone is the problem.

3.Use the Engineering Menu (#4636##) for deep diagnostics

The engineering menu is a hidden tool for testing hardware components.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select “Phone Information” (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Audio block and click on the Microphone Test.

In this section, you'll see a graph of the signal level from the microphone. Speak to the phone, if the graph stays flat (no hesitation), the microphone doesn't transmit sound. If there's vibration, but it's mild, there's a possibility of clogging or partial malfunction.

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), the engineering menu may not contain a microphone test, in which case use alternative methods.

4. Checking through third-party applications (Audio Test, Microphone Test)

If standard methods do not give a definite result, install specialized utilities for testing the microphone.

• 📱 Microphone Test (by Smart Tools) – shows the signal level in dB and visualizes sound waves.
• 🎧 Audio Test – tests both microphone and speakers, gives a detailed report.
• 🔧 Phone Doctor Plus – comprehensive diagnostics of all sensors, including the microphone.

Example of Microphone Test:

1. Open the app and click “Start Test”.
2. Say the phrase – a graph of sound waves should appear on the screen.
3. Compare the signal level (in dB) with the norm: for normal speech, it should be in the range of 50-70 dB.

If the app shows a “Microphone not detected” error, it could mean:

• 🔌 Lack of contact of the microphone plume (hardware problem).
• 📵 Software microphone access blocker (for example, due to security policy on the work phone).

5. Hardware inspection: visual inspection and headphone test

If the software tests didn't show any problems, but the microphone still doesn't work, start with a hardware diagnostics.

Where are the microphones on Xiaomi:

Check the microphone holes with a flashlight:

• 🕳️ If dust or debris is visible, clean gently with a soft brush or compressed air.
• 💧 If there are traces of corrosion (green plaque) - this is a sign of moisture, repair will be required.

To check the microphone plume:

1. Connect the wired headphones with a microphone.
2. Call someone or record a voice message.
3. If the sound in the headphones is transmitted normally, and in the main microphone is not, the problem is in the plume or the phone connector.

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If the microphone only works in the headphones, but not in the phone itself, there is a 90% chance that the microphone plume or contacts on the motherboard are faulty.

6.Diagnostics after updating MIUI or firmware

Sometimes the microphone stops working after a MIUI update or reset, due to driver conflicts or permission resets, to fix the problem:

Recovery steps:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → The MIUI version and click on it several times to activate the developer mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and find the item "Debugging by USB». Turn it on.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install the Mi Flash Tool, and reflash the device without losing data (selecting the "Save User Data" option).

If the problem appeared after resetting to factory settings, check:

• 🔄 Are permissions for applications reset (for example, WhatsApp or Dictaphone).
• 📲 Is there a Do Not Disturb mode or a “Sound Profile” that blocks the microphone activated.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11) after upgrading to MIUI 14, a bug with a microphone in WhatsApp occurs.

1. Clear WhatsApp cache in Settings → Apps.


2. Turn off the "Use microphone for noise reduction" option in WhatsApp call settings.

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If the microphone doesn't work in just one app (like TikTok or Instagram), delete the cache or reinstall it. Often the problem lies in the conflict of versions.

7.When to contact the service center: signs of hardware malfunction

If all of the above methods didn't work, and the microphone still doesn't work, it's probably a hardware problem.

• 🛠️ The microphone does not work in any application, including the engineering menu.
• 🔊 There is no sound even with connected headphones (if the problem is not in them).
• 💥 Phone falls or comes into contact with water before the problem occurs.
• 📉 The signal level in test applications is 0 dB regardless of the volume of speech.

The cost of repairing the microphone in Xiaomi depends on the model:

• 💰 Replacement of microphone with Redmi Note – 800-1500 ₽.
• 💰 Replacement of the plume with POCO F-series - 1500-2500 ₽.
• 💰 Repair after moisture (with board cleaning) - 3000-6000 ₽.

Before the service visit:

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a phone with a broken microphone to make calls through the speaker – this can cause the processor to overheat due to increased noise reduction load.

If you're confident, you can try replacing the microphone yourself.

• 🔧 Set of screwdrivers for Xiaomi (asterisk) T3–T5).
• 🔥 A dryer for softening the glue (when replacing the plume).
• 🛒 Original microphone (order by part number, for example, XM-12345-67 for your model).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)