The microphone in Xiaomi smartphones is one of those components that we only notice when it stops working. The problems are different: the person does not hear you during the call, voice messages are recorded with interference, and voice assistants (Google Assistant or Alice) do not recognize commands, the causes can be hidden in software failures and physical damage, from a dusty connector to a departed plume after the phone falls.
In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to diagnose the microphone on any Xiaomi model, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14. You will learn how to test the microphone without additional applications, what settings are responsible for recording sound, and what to do if the microphone works, but the sound is distorted. And also a unique method of checking through the engineering menu, which is not described in the official documentation of Xiaomi.
1. Quickly check the microphone through standard applications
Start with the simplest: use the built-in MIUI tools to make sure the microphone is functioning at all, a method that requires no third-party software installation and takes less than a minute.
Open the Recorder app (if not available, download it from Google Play). Press the record button and say a few phrases 15 to 20 cm from the microphone (usually located at the bottom of the phone, next to the USB-C connector).
- 🔊 The sound is clear, no noise – the microphone is working, the problem may be in the settings of a particular application (for example, WhatsApp or Zoom).
- 🔇 No sound, or it's very quiet -- check if the microphone is covered with a cover or a finger. If not, move on to the next method.
- 📛 You hear interference, cracking or echoing – perhaps damaged microphone plume or oxidized contacts.
If the voice recorder is missing, use Google Voice Search: say "OK, Google" or click on the microphone icon in the search bar, and if the system recognizes speech, the microphone works at least at a basic level.
2. Testing the microphone through a bell or voice message
Some problems only appear during calls, such as the main microphone may work in the voice recorder, but refuse to use Telegram or Viber due to conflict with the settings of the application.
- Call another phone (preferably via WhatsApp or a regular mobile phone call).
- Ask your partner how well they hear you: 📞 Calling over a cellular network: if the sound is interrupted, the problem may be in the antenna or SIM-map. 💬 Voice message in messengers: if the recording is distorted, check the microphone settings in the application itself.
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If the sound is completely lost during the call, try turning off Bluetooth — sometimes the headset will automatically connect even if you are not using it. Also check if the Do Not Disturb mode is activated with the microphone turned off.
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If the interlocutor hears you “as from a barrel” – turn on the call settings option “Improving voice” (there is in some Xiaomi models).
Verification through the engineering menu (hidden tests)
The deepest test of a microphone can be done through an engineering menu (Engineer Mode), which is hidden from ordinary users, and this method will show whether the system recognizes the microphone at the hardware level.
Instructions for Xiaomi:
- Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##4636## Some models (e.g. POCO F5) may require a code: #36446337###
- From the menu that opens, select Information → Microphone Test (or Audio → Mic Test).
- Speak to the microphone, you're going to see a graph of the sound level on the screen, and if the band is not moving, the microphone is not signaling.
If the phone falls, check if the microphone plume has moved.
- Remove the back cover (on models with a non-removable battery, for example, Xiaomi 13T, this is more difficult to do).
- Find the plume running from the bottom of the board to the microphone (usually black or orange).
- Carefully press it down - if the sound appears, you will need to solder.
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If the microphone stopped working after the fall of the phone - in 80% of cases, the fault is the departed plume or crack on the board.
6 System settings affecting the microphone
Sometimes the microphone is functional, but it is blocked by the MIUI settings.
Appendix permits:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Microphone.
- Make sure that the right applications (messengers, voice recorder) have access to the microphone.
2. Do not disturb mode:
- In Settings → Sound and Vibration → Do not disturb, check if call or notification restrictions are included.
3. Call settings:
- B Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Call settings turn off options like voice enhancement or noise suppression – sometimes they distort the sound.
Resetting the sound settings:
If the problems started after the MIUI update, try resetting the sound settings to factory:
- Go to Settings → System and device → Additional → Resetting.
- Select Resetting Sound Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
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On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12), there is a hidden option in the call settings called "Audio via Bluetooth." If it's on, the built-in microphone may not work.
7 Hardware problems: when without service can not do
If all previous methods have failed, the problem is probably hardware, and here are some signs you should contact a service center:
- ⚡ The microphone does not work in any application, including the engineering menu.
- 🔧 The sound appears only when pressing the body (symptom of a departed plume).
- 💦 The phone fell into the water or was subjected to a strong vibration.
- 🔊 In addition to the microphone, speakers or connectors do not work. USB-C (indicates damage to the motherboard).
The cost of repairing the microphone in Xiaomi depends on the model:
- Budget models (Redmi 10A, POCO M5) - replacement of the microphone will cost 800-1500 rubles.
- The middle segment (Xiaomi 12 Lite, Redmi Note 11 Pro) is 1500-2500 rubles.
- Flagships (Xiaomi 14, MIX Fold 3) - from 3000 rubles (due to the complexity of disassembly).
If the phone is warranty, don't disassemble it yourself - this will void warranty obligations. In official Xiaomi services, diagnostics is usually free.
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On waterproof models (IP53/IP68), the microphone often fails due to corrosion of the contacts. Even if the phone is not sinking, high humidity can cause oxidation.
⚠️ Warning: If you decide to clean the microphone yourself, do not use wet wipes or liquids - getting moisture inside the case will aggravate the problem).