Why Xiaomi’s screen doesn’t turn on when you call and how to fix it

Do you call or someone tries to call you, but the Xiaomi screen is black — is there sound, the vibration is working, and the display is not responding? This problem occurs on models from Redmi Note 10 Pro to POCO X5, and the causes can be both software (firmware failure, application conflict), and hardware (damage to the plume or proximity sensor). 80% of the time, the fault is fixed without visiting the service center, just perform several checks and settings.

In this article, we will discuss all possible reasons why the screen does not turn on when calling, as well as give step-by-step instructions for diagnosis and repair. You'll learn how to check the proximity sensor, reset to factory settings, update the firmware manually, and even replace the display plume if there's a problem. AMOLED-screens where the fault is often associated with lighting.

Before you start repairing, answer one question: does the problem only appear when incoming calls or does the screen not turn on at all (even when you press the power button)?

1.Approach sensor check is the main reason for black screen

In 60 percent of cases, the proximity sensor, the little sensor next to the front camera that turns off the screen when you hold the phone to your ear, and if it's contaminated, damaged, or miscalibrated, the screen can stay off even after the call is over.

How to check the operation of the sensor:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: shine a flashlight on the area next to the front camera, the sensor looks like a small hole (sometimes covered with glass). If it is contaminated, gently wipe with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 📱 Testing through the engineering menu: dial ##6484## (on some models #4636###), select Proximity Sensor. Cover the sensor with your finger - the value should change from 5.0 cm to 0.0 cm.
• 🔄 Calibration: If the sensor is working but the screen isn’t turning on, try calibrating it through the Sensor Test app (available on Google Play).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12T Pro and Redmi. K50 The proximity sensor is aligned with the light sensor, so if you've had a problem after cleaning, maybe the plume or the sensor itself has been damaged, you'll need to replace it.

2. Software failures: reboot, safe mode and reset

If the proximity sensor is fine, but the screen still doesn't turn on when you call, it could be an application conflict or a system failure.

1. Forced reboot: Press the power button + volume increase for 10-15 seconds until the phone vibrates and reboots. This will reset temporary OS errors.
2. Safe Mode: Hold the power button, then press and hold "Stop Power" → "Safe Mode." If this mode is the screen on when you call, it's the third-party app's fault (remove the recently installed ones).
3. Cache Clear: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone, click “Clear Cache.” Repeat for Contacts.

If nothing helps, reset your settings (without deleting data):

Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Reset Network Settings / All Settings

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 13+ After reset, you may need to re-assign your Xiaomi account. If you forget your password, restore access in advance.

3. firmware update and rollback to stable version

Screen bugs often appear after the MIUI update, for example, MIUI 14.0.3 for the Redmi Note 11 had a crash that caused the proximity sensor to fail, the solution is to upgrade to the latest version or roll back to stable.

How to update firmware:

• 📲 Through Settings: Settings → The phone. → Update the system. If you have an update, install it.
• 🔗 Manual: download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website, rename the file to update.zip and download through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a firmware file.

If the problem has occurred after the update, roll back to the previous version:

1. Download stable firmware (e.g. MIUI 13.0.5 for your model).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the phone’s memory.
3. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip → Reboot.

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Check for feedback on forums (e.g. 4PDA) before updating – sometimes newer versions of MIUI contain critical sensor bugs.

Hardware malfunctions: plume, display, battery

If the software methods did not help, the problem may be physical damage:

• 🔌 Display plume: on Redmi models 9A/9C and POCO M3 The plume often fades after falls, signs that the screen is flashing, artifacts are appearing, or it's not turning on at all.
• 🔋 Battery: If the battery is swelling, it can push against the plume or motherboard, causing malfunctions.
• 📱 Display module: on AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 12) often fails backlighting – the screen works, but remains black.

How to diagnose:

1. Train check: connect the phone to the computer. If the screen lights up when you connect to a charger, but not when you call, the problem is in the plume or the sensor.
2. Display test: light a flashlight on the screen when you ring, and if you see a weak image, the backlight is faulty.
3. Battery check: If the phone turns off when you press the case or does not hold a charge, replace the battery.

Critical information: On models with LCD-screens (e.g. Redmi) 8A) The backlight inverter often fails, and it costs 3-5 times less to replace than the entire display.

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If the screen doesn’t turn on even when you’re connected to charging, and the phone makes sounds, it’s a 90% chance that the problem is in the plume or display module.

5. Application conflict: calls, instant messengers, launchers

Sometimes the screen doesn't turn on because of third-party apps that block the proximity sensor or intercept control of the display.

• 📞 Calling apps: Truecaller, Google Phone, Drupe.
• 💬 Messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram (if you use calls through them).
• 🎨 Launchers: Nova Launcher, POCO Launcher.
• 🔒 Screen locking applications: AppLock, Smart Lock.

How to find the culprit:

1. Boot in Safe Mode (as described above) and check if the screen is turned on when you call.
2. If yes, remove the app one at a time, starting with the last ones installed.
3. Check permissions: Settings → Apps → Permissions → Other permissions → Change system settings. Disable access for suspicious programs.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Google Phone is in conflict with your native phone, and if you installed it, delete or disable auto-update.

6. Energy saving and optimization settings

Xiaomi aggressively optimizes background processes, which sometimes leads to crashes.If the screen doesn't turn on when you call, check:

• ⚡ Power saving mode: turn it off in Settings → Battery. → Energy saving regime.
• 🔄 Autocleaning RAM: In Settings → The phone. → Advanced settings → Optimize: Disable “Memory Cleanup When Locked».
• 📵 Restrictions for calling: in Settings → Battery. → Select applications, find the "Phone" and set "No restrictions».

Also check the adaptive brightness settings:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Adaptive brightness.
2. Turn off the option or reset the calibration settings.
3. If the screen dims when you call, try manually setting the brightness to maximum.

On models with MIUI 14+, add a call to the optimization exceptions:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Battery → Without restrictions

7. When to contact the service: prices and warranty

If you have tried all the methods, but the screen still does not turn on when you call, it is time to contact the service. Here are the approximate prices for repairs (for Moscow, 2026):

⚠️ Warning: If your Xiaomi warranty, do not disassemble it yourself! Opening the case will void the warranty. Contact the official Xiaomi service - repair warranty (if the problem is not the fault of the user) free.

Before the service visit:

• Make a backup of the data (Settings → About Phone → Backup).
• Write down the IMEI (type *#06#).
• Check if the service has original parts for your model.

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If the phone is warranty-free, and the problem is firmware, ask for a free reflash, which is a warranty under the Consumer Protection Act.

FAQ: Frequent black screen questions when calling