Why the screen on Xiaomi does not go out when you call – and how to fix it in 5 minutes

The problem of Xiaomi's screen not turning off during a call is familiar to many smartphone owners of the brand: You hold the phone to your ear, and the display keeps glowing, accidentally pressing buttons with your cheek, turning on speakerphone or even hanging up. The situation is annoying, especially if it happens regularly. But why is it happening - and most importantly, how to fix it?

Most of the time, the proximity sensor, the little sensor next to the front camera, is to turn off the screen when you bring the phone to your face. But there may be other reasons, from trivial settings to serious hardware malfunctions. In this article, we'll look at all the possible scenarios, including rare cases that are not even written about in forums, you'll learn how to diagnose a problem, which settings to check first, and when to carry the phone to the service.

Let's warn you right away: 90 percent of cases are software-solved, without disassembling the device or replacing the parts, so don't panic if your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 suddenly stops turning off the screen. Let's start with the simplest.

1. Checking the proximity sensor: how to know if it works

The proximity sensor is the main culprit, located next to the front camera and looks like a small circular hole (sometimes covered by glass), and its task is to detect when you bring the phone to your ear, and turn off the screen to avoid accidental taps.

How to check if the sensor is working on your Xiaomi:

1. Open the Phone app and type ##6484## (some models run ##0*##).
2. You will be taken to the test menu where you need to select the Proximity Sensor.
3. Close the sensor with your hand – the value should change from 5.00 cm to 0.00 cm.

If the values are unchanged or the sensor shows N/A, the problem is obvious. But even if the test is successful, this does not guarantee that the sensor is working correctly during the call. For example, on Xiaomi 11T, there have been cases where the sensor only worked at a distance of less than 1 cm, although it should respond to 3-5 cm.

Another way to check is to use the CPU-Z app, or the Sensors section, if the sensor isn't there, it might be disabled at the firmware level or physically damaged.

2. Software failures: what prevents the sensor from working

Even if the proximity sensor is in good condition, software errors can block its operation, and here are the most common reasons:

• 📱 Outdated firmware MIUI. In the versions below MIUI 13 were bugs with signal processing from the sensor, especially on budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3).
• 🔄 Application conflict: Some programs (e.g. launchers or optimizers) can intercept sensor control.
• 🛠️ The settings are wrong. MIUI There are hidden parameters that can turn off the sensor during a call.
• 🦠 Viruses or malware. Rarely, but there are Trojans that block sensors to display ads.

The first thing to do is update your firmware. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update your system and install the latest version of MIUI. If there are no updates, try resetting your network settings:

→ SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network reset

If the problem persists, check the permissions for the Phone app. Go to Settings → Apps → App Management → Phone → Permissions and make sure that you are enabled:

• 📞 Body sensors (body sensors)
• 🔍 Reading sensor data

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If the screen stops going out after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous version via Fastboot. Instructions are available on the 4PDA forum in the theme of your model.

3. MIUI settings you didn't know about

Xiaomi has hidden options that can affect the operation of the proximity sensor. For example, some firmware has a parameter. screen_off_delay, It's a delay that sets the time before you turn off the screen. 0, The screen will not go out at all.

How to check and change these settings:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the Debugging by USB and turn it on.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB Adb shell settings get global settings screen_off_delay If the value 0, Set delay (in milliseconds): adb shell settings put global screen_off_delay 500

Another hidden option — proximity_delay. It's responsible for the time it takes for the screen to go out after the phone comes close to the ear — 250–300 To change it:

adb shell settings put global proximity_delay 250

If you don’t want to mess with ADB, try resetting all settings to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).This helps in 30% of cases when the problem is caused by a setting conflict.

Physical injury: when the "iron" is to blame

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the hardware, and here are the most common malfunctions.

To check if the glass is to blame, try holding the phone to your ear at different angles, and if the screen only goes out in a certain position, it's likely that the sensor is closed or damaged.

Important: on Xiaomi 12 Pro and 13 Ultra, the proximity sensor is combined with the light sensor, so if you have both functions that are no longer working, the problem is precisely in the hardware.

Check the integrity of the glass over the sensor |

Wipe the sensor with alcohol solution |

Try calling with the speaker on (if the screen goes out - a problem in the sensor)|

Check the camera (if it also glitches - the plume is to blame)-->

5 Conflict with cover or protective film

Sometimes the problem lies in accessories, such as thick covers or poor-quality protective glasses can block the sensor signal, especially for models with a cut-out hole under the sensor (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3).

What to do:

• 📱 Remove the cover and check if the screen goes out without it.
• 🔍 If you use a protective glass, make sure there is a hole above the sensor.
• 🛡️ Check if the sensor covers the label or sticker (sometimes they remain after purchase).

On some models (Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite), the sensor is very close to the edge of the body. If the case has high sides, it can physically lock the sensor, the solution is to trim the case in the area of the sensor or replace it with a thinner one.

The problem may also be magnetic cases (such as automatic sleep) and the magnet may affect the proximity sensor, especially if it is too close.

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If the screen does not go out only in the case, but works without it - the problem is precisely in the accessory, not in the phone.

6. Alternative solutions: if nothing has worked

If all previous methods have failed, try these non-standard methods:

• 🔄 Retrace to old firmware. Sometimes bugs appear after an update. MIUI. On the forum XDA Developers can find stable firmware versions for your model.
• 📱 Using a third-party caller. Apps like True Phone Dialer or ExDialer have their own approach sensor algorithms.
• 🛠️ Manually shut down the screen. You can set up a gesture (e.g., double tap) to turn off the display via Settings. → Screen. → Gestures.
• 🔧 Replacing firmware with custom. LineageOS or Pixel Experience often works better with sensors than stock MIUI.

If you decide to check your phone, remember:

⚠️ Warning: Wrong firmware can turn your Xiaomi into a brick.Always backup through TWRP Check the compatibility of the firmware with your model.

Another radical method is to turn off the proximity sensor altogether, which won't solve the problem, but at least it will eliminate random taps.

1. Install the Sensor Disabler app from Google Play.
2. Find the Proximity Sensor list and turn it off.
3. Set up automatic screen shutdown via Tasker or MacroDroid.

Of course, it's a temporary solution. In the long run, it's better to put the phone in service, especially if the warranty is still in place.

7.When to contact the service: signs of a serious breakdown

There are situations where self-repair is not possible or advisable. Contact Xiaomi Service Center if:

• 🔧 The proximity sensor does not work even after resetting settings and flashing.
• 📱 The screen does not go out under any conditions, even if you close the sensor with your hand.
• 💧 The phone fell into the water or was exposed to severe humidity (even if everything is dry on the outside).
• 🔌 The problem occurred after replacing the display or battery.

The cost of repair depends on the model:

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial services often install unoriginal parts that can fail again in 2-3 months.

If your phone is warranty, do not try to disassemble it yourself - this will void warranty obligations. Contact the authorized Xiaomi service center (the list is on the official website).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the proximity sensor in Xiaomi