Why the screen on Xiaomi Redmi goes out when you call: all the reasons and how to fix it

You make a phone call, you bring Xiaomi Redmi to your ear, and the screen suddenly goes out, leaving you in the dark whether the person heard your voice or the connection was interrupted. This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones brand, but not everyone knows that its causes can be hidden in both trivial settings and serious hardware malfunctions. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios why the Redmi screen dims during the call, from the failure of the proximity sensor to firmware conflicts, and give step-by-step instructions for diagnosing and troubleshooting.

It's important to understand that if the screen goes out only when you call, and the rest of the time it works normally, the proximity sensor or the settings associated with it are most likely to be to blame. If the problem manifests itself in other scenarios (for example, when watching a video or on the menu), it may be a display, a plume or a battery, and we will help you identify the root of the evil without going to the service center - saving time and money.

We warn you right away that some solutions will require tampering with system files or disassembling your phone, and if you're not sure about your skills, you'd better leave the repairs to the professionals, especially if you're dealing with hardware breakdowns, but 80 percent of the time, you can solve the problem software-basedly, and we'll show you how to do it.

1. Approximation sensor: the main cause of the screen that went out

The most common culprit is the proximity sensor, which is responsible for turning off the screen when you hold the phone to your ear. In Xiaomi Redmi (especially in Note 8/9/10, Redmi 5/6/7 and newer models), this sensor often malfunctions due to:

• 📱 Contamination of glass above the sensor (dust, greasy prints, protective film).
• 🔧 Incorrect calibration after update MIUI.
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage (hitting, falling, moisture intrusion).
• 🤖 Conflict with the shell MIUI (especially in custom firmware).

To check the sensor, perform a simple test:

1. Open the Phone app and type ##6484## (some models run ##0*# or #4636##).

If the sensor is not responding, try recalibrating it:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Tap MIUI 7-10 times until you get a message: You’re a developer!
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the Quick Calibration of the Approximation Sensor and execute it.

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If there is no calibration item in the developer menu, try turning off the option to turn off the screen when approaching in call settings. This is a temporary solution, but will help you use the phone without an annoying bug.

2. Software failures: MIUI, firmware, and application conflicts

If the proximity sensor is working correctly, but the screen is still going out, the problem may be in the software.

• 📲 Updates MIUI, After which the sensors are broken down.
• 🔄 Conflicts with third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher).
• 📱 Phone app crashes (especially if it was updated via Google Play).
• 🛡️ Battery Optimizers That Force Disable Display.

The first thing to do is to reset the settings of the phone application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find your phone (or contacts) and open its settings.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

If that doesn’t work, try rolling back MIUI updates (if the issue has occurred after the update):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ (setting) → Remove downloaded updates.
3. If the update is already installed, try rolling back via Fastboot (instruction below).

Hardware malfunctions: plume, display, battery

If the software methods don't work, the problem can be mechanical. Xiaomi Redmi most often fails:

• 🔌 Display plume – oxidized or damaged by falls.
• 🔋 Battery - when bloated, presses on the motherboard, causing failures.
• 📱 The display itself – especially if the phone falls or gets wet.
• 🛠️ Contacts of the proximity sensor - move away from the board.

It is difficult to check hardware malfunctions at home, but there are indirect signs:

If you suspect a hardware breakdown, don't try to disassemble the phone yourself - Redmi plumes are very fragile and easy to damage. Contact a service center, where you will diagnose with a multimeter and a microscope.

4. Conflicts with protective glass and covers

Few people know, but security windows and covers can block the proximity sensor, especially for:

• 📱 Thick glasses (from 0.5 mm) with a metallized layer.
• 🛡️ Cases with magnetic fasteners or metal inserts.
• 🔄 Film with mirror or toning coating.

To check out this version:

1. Remove the protective glass and cover.
2. Call someone and check to see if the screen is going off.
3. If the problem has disappeared, replace the accessories with thinner or no metal elements.

If you do not want to give up your favorite case, you can turn off the proximity sensor completely (but this is inconvenient - the screen will not lock during the conversation).

1. Install the Sensor Disabler app from Google Play.
2. Select Proximity Sensor and turn it off.
3. Or use it. ADB-Adb shell settings put global proximity_delay 2500 (This will increase the screen shutdown delay to 2.5 seconds).

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Even thin glass can block the infrared proximity sensor, and the best option is a film 0.1 to 0.2 mm thick.

5. Resetting and flashing: extreme measures

If none of these methods worked, radical methods remain:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (deletes all data!).
• 📱 Fastboot flashing (if the failure is caused by damage to system files).
• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

Reset to factory settings is performed as follows:

1. Save all important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, check if the problem persists.

If the reset didn't work, try to reflash your phone through Fastboot.

Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi| website

Install ADB and Fastboot drivers on PC|

Unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked) |

Backup data (it will be erased) |

Charge your phone at least 60%-->

Firmware instructions:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool and unpack the firmware into a folder.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.
5. Wait for the finish (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

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If the problem persists after firmware, try to flash an older version of MIUI - sometimes bugs appear in new builds.

6. When to contact the service center?

If you’ve tried all the methods, but the screen of Xiaomi Redmi still goes out when calling, it’s time to contact the specialists.

• 🔧 After falling or getting moisture, the screen began to behave inadequately.
• 📱 The proximity sensor does not respond even after calibration and cleaning.
• 🔋 The phone spontaneously turns off or overheats.
• 🛠️ Artifacts appeared on the screen (stripes, flickering, broken pixels).

Cost of repair in the service center:

Important: if your Xiaomi Redmi warranty, do not open it yourself - this will void warranty obligations.

7 Prevention: How to avoid problems in the future

To prevent Redmi screen from going off accidentally during calls, follow the following simple rules:

• 📱 Regularly clean the proximity sensor with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 🔄 Do not install beta versions. MIUI, unless you're ready for bugs.
• 🛡️ Use thin protective glasses (up to 0.3 mm) without metal coating.
• 🔋 Avoid overheating and discharging your phone to zero – it harms the battery and electronics.
• 📲 Periodically reset the cache of the application “Phone».

If you drop your phone a lot, consider a cushioned case (like the Spigen Tough Armor or UAG Monarch) that protects not only the screen, but also the internal components from impact.

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Even if the problem is solved, keep an eye on the proximity sensor after MIUI updates – crashes may return.

FAQ: Frequent questions about a screen gone out when calling