“They can’t hear me on the phone, but I can hear”: why this happens on Xiaomi Redmi and how to fix it

The situation is familiar to many: you call on the phone, the person answers, you hear it crystal clear, but the answer is silence or intermittent fragments of your voice. The problem is especially common among owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (Note 10/11/12 series, Redmi 9/10/12C, etc.), where it can manifest itself both occasionally and constantly.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible reasons why you can't be heard in the tube, even though you can hear the person you're talking to, from the cluttered microphone to the hidden MIUI bugs, with step-by-step instructions on how to diagnose and fix the problem. We'll focus on models with a 3.5mm connector, which is where the problem lies in 60% of cases, even if you use wireless headphones.

Important: If the problem occurs after a phone drop, moisture or self-disassembly, immediately go to the section on hardware malfunctions. In all other cases, start with software diagnostics.

1. Clogging or damage to microphone

The most obvious but often overlooked reason is the physical locking of the microphone, which Xiaomi Redmi usually has two:

• 🎤 The main microphone (located at the bottom of the housing, next to the USB-C connector) is responsible for transmitting voice during calls.
• 📱 An additional microphone (top, next to the speaker) is used for noise cancellation and sometimes for hands-free communication.

Dust, pile from your pocket, or even drops of moisture can block the microphone opening, causing your voice to become quiet or completely disappear.

1. Light a flashlight into the microphone hole – if debris is visible, carefully remove it with a toothpick (not metal objects!).
2. Blow into the microphone (no fanaticism) and check the sound through the Dictaphone app.
3. If after cleaning the problem remained – the microphone could move away from the board (see the section on hardware malfunctions).

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Warning: Do not use compressed air (canisters) to clean the microphone!

2. 3.5mm connector problems (even if you don't use wired headphones)

This is the most insidious bug Xiaomi Redmi: many models (especially Redmi Note 8/9/10) have a defect in the headphone jack, which affects the microphone even when calling without a headset.

• 🔌 The interviewee hears you intermittently or does not hear at all.
• 🎧 When you connect the headphones, the sound is distorted or lost.
• 🔄 The problem appears/disappears when the plug moves in the connector.

How to check:

1. Connect a wired headphone to a microphone and call someone. If you're using a normal voice, it's the main microphone of the phone. If you have a problem, it's the connector.
2. Turn on speaker mode during the call. If the person starts to hear you, the 3.5mm connector is faulty.

Decisions:

• 🛠️ Smooth the connector (requires disassembly of the phone).
• 🔧 Disable the connector software (via Settings → Additional → For developers → Disable the 3.5mm audio jack – if available).
• 📱 Use a Bluetooth headset as a workaround.

3. MIUI firmware failures or application conflict

Software bugs are the second most common cause of the problem, especially for MIUI 12.5-14 phones where:

• 🤖 Application conflict (e.g., Truecaller, Viber, or WhatsApp can block the microphone).
• 🔄 Reset the sound settings after the update.
• 📱 Errors in the kernel of the system (rarely, but occurs after unofficial firmware).

Diagnostics and solutions:

1. Restart your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → Restart in Safe Mode) If the problem is gone, the third-party app is to blame.
2. Check permissions for applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Select the application] → Permits → Microphone Disable Microphone Access for Suspicious Programs.
3. Reset the sound settings: Settings → Sound → Additional → Resetting the sound settings

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Note: If the problem occurred after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous version via Fastboot. Redmi Note 11 had a massive microphone bug in MIUI 13.0.4 - fixed only in 13.0.6.

Check the microphone in safe mode

Update MIUI to the latest version

Reset the sound settings

Remove newly installed applications

Check permissions for applications

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4. Incorrect call settings

Sometimes the problem lies in the basic settings of the phone that the user accidentally changed (or they got lost after the update).

Audio output mode:

• Go to Settings → SIM- Maps and Mobile Networks → [Your SIM] → Call Settings → AudioMarchure].
• Make sure you select the phone speaker (not Bluetooth or Headset).

Voice amplification:

• In the same call settings, find the option to improve voice or noise suppression.
• Turn it off – sometimes MIUI algorithms filter the sound too aggressively, causing the voice to disappear.

Network settings:

• If you are roaming or using VoLTE, try turning off Improved Calls (VoLTE) in the SIM- card settings.
• In some regions, operators mishandle VoLTE audio streams, leading to voice interruptions.

5. Hardware malfunctions: what breaks most often

If the software methods didn't help, the problem is almost certainly the hardware. Xiaomi Redmi has typical hardware defects:

1. The mic dump off the board.

Often occurs after falls or overheating.

• 🔊 The microphone only works in a certain position of the phone.
• 📉 Sound quality deteriorates over time.

Solution: disassemble the phone and solder the microphone (repair cost is 800-1500 ₽).

2. Oxidation of contacts of audio track.

Humidity or sweat can cause corrosion on the board.

• 💧 The problem is exacerbated by high humidity.
• 🔄 The sound appears/disappears when the phone is heated (e.g., after charging).

Solution: cleaning the board with alcohol (requires a complete disassembly).

3. Audio codec malfunction.

The circuit that handles the sound may fail.

• 🔇 Complete absence of sound in both the microphone and the speaker.
• 📵 The phone does not determine the connection of the headphones.

Solution: Replacement of the audio codec (expensive repair, 2000–3500 ₽).

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Warning: If the phone falls into water, don't dry it with a hair dryer or a battery, it will speed up the corrosion of the contacts, and take it to the ultrasonic cleaning service right away.

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Before visiting the service, back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup. After repair, you may need to reset to factory settings.

6.Problems on the part of the operator

It's rare, but it's not the phone that's to blame, it's the mobile operator.

• 📡 Incorrect routing of calls (voices are on a poor channel).
• 🔄 VoLTE malfunctions (especially in Tele2 and Yota).
• 📵 Audio stream blocking (occurs in suspected fraud cases).

How to check:

1. Call the same SIM- card from another phone, and if the problem recurs, it's the operator's fault.
2. Try calling via Wi-Fi Calling (if supported), if voice is transmitted normally, it's on the mobile network.
3. Insert the SIM- card of another operator into your Redmi. If everything works, contact your provider for support.

Decisions:

• 📞 Call the operator support and report a voice transmission problem (check if your calls are blocked).
• 🔄 Re-register online: type ##4636##, select Phone Information → Select Network Type → LTE only.
• 📱 If you use VoLTE, turn it off in the SIM- card settings.

7. Alternative means of communication if the problem is not solved

While you are looking for a reason or waiting for repairs, you can use workarounds:

1. Calls via messengers:

• 📱 WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber — use the Internet to transmit voice, bypassing the standard audio track of the phone.
• 🔊 The quality depends on the speed of the Internet, but the microphone of the phone is used differently.

2. Bluetooth headset:

• 🎧 Connect wireless headphones to a microphone. Many Redmi models correctly switch audio stream to Bluetooth.
• 🔋 Make sure the headset is charged - when the charge is low, the sound may disappear.

Speaking:

• 🔊 Turn on speaker while you're talking. Sometimes it helps you bypass a problematic audio feed.
• ⚠️ Minus: The interlocutor may hear echoes or extraneous noises.

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Attention: If you use instant messengers temporarily, turn off voice compression (on WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Call Quality → No Compression) to improve legibility.

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If the problem occurs only in a standard phone application, but everything works in messengers - MIUI settings or firmware failures are to blame, not the hardware part.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the microphone problem