Why Xiaomi screen doesn’t light up when you call in: 7 reasons and how to fix it

You're waiting for an important call, but when it finally arrives, Xiaomi's screen stays black, even though the phone vibrates or makes a sound. The situation is familiar to many smartphone owners of this brand. The problem can manifest itself periodically or become permanent, causing you to miss important calls. In this article, we will examine all possible causes - from trivial settings to serious hardware malfunctions - and give specific solutions for each of them.

The problem is not always a problem, often because of software failures, conflicting applications, or even standard energy-saving features that don't work well on some Redmi, POCO, or Mi models. We've analyzed user feedback, technical documentation, and service protocols to make the most complete guide. You don't have to guess -- just follow the instructions in order, starting with the simplest steps.

1. Check basic screen settings and calls

Before you sin on iron, make sure that the problem is not in the standard settings. Xiaomi is known for its abundance of power saving features that sometimes work too aggressively.

• 🔍 Do Not Disturb Mode: Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb and make sure that the mode is turned off or configured to skip only notifications, not calls. Especially check the schedule - it is possible that the function activates automatically at a certain time.
• 📱 Lock screen settings: Go to Settings → Lock screen → Lock screen style and select any style other than "No lock screen" and sometimes crashes occur when using minimalist themes.
• 🔋 Adaptive brightness: In Settings → Display. → Adaptive brightness disable this function during testing. Even if the brightness is set to maximum, the adaptive algorithm may misdetect the lighting conditions.

If you've done this, it's great! But if you haven't, you can move on to the next step. Note that the POCO F3 and Redmi Note 10 Pro often have a bug with a light sensor that blocks the screen from turning on in low ambient light.

2. Application conflict: who is to blame?

One third of black screen problems are caused by third-party apps, especially those that are responsible for:

• 🛡️ Antiviruses and optimizers: Clean Master, 360 Security, Avast – these programs aggressively block background processes, including system call services.
• 🔒 Screen lock apps: AppLock, Smart Lock, or even the standard Google Smart Lock may conflict with the system.
• 📞 Alternative calls: Truecaller, Drupe or ExDialer sometimes intercept calls incorrectly.

To identify the culprit:

1. Launch the phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → long tap on "Switch off" → "Safe Mode").
2. Call your phone – if the screen is turned on, it is the fault of third-party software.
3. Alternately remove suspicious apps, testing after each.

If the problem disappeared after removing an application, but you need it, try:

• Update it to the latest version
• Clean the cache in Settings → Apps → [name] → Storage
• Disable Autostart in Settings → Permissions → Autostart

3. firmware failures and system bugs

Xiaomi regularly releases updates, but sometimes they bring new bugs.The black screen when calling is a typical problem after updates on:

• MIUI 12.5 (especially versions 12.5.3-12.5.7)
• MIUI 13 (first builds for Redmi Note 11 and POCO X4)
• HyperOS (New Beta Versions)

Decisions:

1. Clean the cache system: Settings → About phone → Memory → Clean (the icon with a broom at the top) Select "Clear the cache of applications" and "Clear the cache system".
2. Resetting network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings This will remove stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, but often helps with call problems.
3. Update rollback (if the bug appeared after the update): Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Click on the version. MIUI 10 times → Additional settings → Reverse the update ⚠️ Warning: Retracement is only possible within 72 hours after the update.

Hardware problems: sensors and plumes

If the software methods didn't work, it's probably because of the hardware, and it's mostly because of the iron.

• 📱 Approximation/light sensor: It's next to the front camera, and if it's contaminated or damaged, the phone thinks you're holding it to your ear, and it doesn't turn on the screen.
• 🔌 Display plume: Over time, it oxidizes or moves away from the connector, resulting in a partial loss of screen functionality.
• 🔋 Battery: With heavy wear (capacity) < 70% may not have enough power to operate the screen and the communication module simultaneously.

Diagnosis:

1. Sensor test: Dial ##6484## (on some models ##0*##) → select "Test Proximity Sensor." Put your hand to the top of the screen - the value should change from 5 (far) to 0 (close). If there is always 0 or 5, the sensor is faulty.
2. Train check: Carefully tap the top of the screen (near the front camera) during the call. If the screen flashes or turns on, the plume is the problem.
3. Battery Diagnostic: Install AccuBattery and check for wear. If > 30%, consider replacing.

Decisions:

• 🧹 Clean the sensor: Wipe the area around the front camera with an alcohol wipe. Sometimes it is enough to remove the dust.
• 🔧 Reconnecting the plume: In a service center, it takes 15 minutes and costs ~500 rubles.
• 🔋 Battery replacement: The original battery for Redmi is worth it 1000-1500 ruble — 1500-2500 ruble.

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If the proximity sensor is contaminated but you are afraid of damaging it when cleaning, use a compressed air canister (like a keyboard). Keep it 10 cm away and blow the area around the camera with short presses.

Conflicts with SIM-map-and-net

It is rare, but sometimes the problem is not with the phone, but with the phone. SIM-by the card or operator:

• The screen is not turned on only when calling from certain numbers.
• The problem arose after the shift. SIM-map
• In 3G/4G, the screen works, but in 2G it doesn’t (or vice versa).

What to do:

1. Restart your phone in manual network selection mode: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [yours SIM] → Choice of network → Manual Search Choose Your Operator Manually, Even If It’s Already Marked.
2. Check SIM compatibility: Is the phone installed nano-SIM? Did you insert it through an adapter? Xiaomi is sensitive to the quality of contacts - adapters often cause crashes.
3. Test with another SIM: Insert a card from another carrier. If the problem has disappeared, ask your provider to check the USIM profile.

Tele2 and Iota are particularly affected by these problems because of their network protocols. SIM-maps, try them:

• Turn off VoLTE in Settings → SIM-map → [yours SIM] → VoLTE Challenges
• Enable "3G Only" mode in network settings

Extreme methods: resetting and flashing

If nothing has worked, radical measures remain, and they should only be applied if:

• 🔄 You tried all the previous steps.
• 📱 The problem interferes with normal phone use
• 🔧 You are ready for data loss (take a backup copy!)

Option 1: Soft reset (without loss of data)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds.
3. When the Mi logo appears, release the buttons.
4. The phone will reboot with a cleaned cache.

Option 2: Hard discharge (full cleaning)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Recovery menu appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirm – power button).
4. After reset, perform Reboot.

Option 3: Fastboot flashing (for advanced)

If the reset didn't work, you'll have to go through the phone.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clamp Volume down + Power).
4. Follow the instructions of the firmware program.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot flashing deletes all data, including photos in internal memory. If you don't have a screen on but your phone is determined by a computer, try extracting data through the computer first. ADB: adb pull /sdcard/ This will copy all files from internal storage to the PC.

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Before resetting or firmware, be sure to remove SIM-card and memory card, which can rarely be damaged by a hard reboot.

7. When to contact the service center

If you've tried all the methods, but the screen still doesn't turn on when you're calling, it's time to carry the phone for repair.

• 🔧 After a fall or impact, other symptoms appeared (touchscreen does not work, spontaneous reboots)
• 💧 The phone was in contact with the liquid (even if it was externally dry - corrosion could reach the plume)
• 🔥 The screen flashes, artifacts or stripes appear when ringing
• 📉 Diagnosis showed a malfunction of the approach sensor or plume

The cost of repair in official Xiaomi services:

Before the service visit:

1. Make a backup of the data (if the phone still works).
2. Write down your phone's IMEI (type *#06# or look at the box).
3. Check if the service has original parts for your model.

If the phone is warranty, do not consider disassembling it yourself - this will void warranty obligations.

FAQ: Frequent questions