Xiaomi Mi 9 SE is a compact flagship with great sound, but over time, even in this smartphone, the speakers start to wheez or sound muffled. The reason is usually the same: the accumulation of dust, pile from pockets or getting moisture into the grille. Many users are afraid to clean the speakers themselves for fear of damaging the membrane or contacts. In fact, the procedure is easier than it seems, if you know the nuances of the design of this particular model.
Unlike newer Xiaomi devices, where speakers are often hidden under a single metal grille, the Mi 9 SE has them separately: the main one is at the bottom of the case, and the conversation one is above the screen. This makes access easier, but requires different cleaning approaches. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, from household life hacks to professional tools, and also tell you what you can not do to not spoil the smartphone.
Signs that the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE speaker needs cleaning
Not always a muted sound means a break. Before you disassemble your smartphone, check for these symptoms:
- π The sound is quieter than before (especially when listening to music or video)
- π΅ There was wheezing or cracking at high frequencies
- π¬ The interviewee complains that he does not hear you during calls (problem with the speaker)
- π«οΈ Visible accumulations of dust or pile in the grille (can be viewed with a flashlight)
- π§ Traces of oxidation after moisture (green or white divorces)
If any of these things match, it's time to act, but first, rule out software reasons: check the volume settings in Settings β Sound and make sure that the "Do Not Disturb" mode is not activated. It's also worth testing the speakers through the engineering menu (which we'll talk about below).
β οΈ Warning: If the sound is lost completely or distorted beyond recognition, the problem may be membrane damage or soldered contact. In this case, cleaning will not help - you need a diagnosis in the service center.
Preparation for cleaning: what will be needed
To safely clean the speakers Xiaomi Mi 9 SE does not need expensive tools.
| Tool. | What do you need? | The alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Toothpick (wooden) | Careful removal of large dust particles from the lattice | Plastic spatula for screening |
| Soft brush (for example, for drawing) | Removal of dust from the surface of the lattice | Clean toothbrush with soft bristles |
| Scotch (paint or stationery) | Removal of pile and fine dust from the grille | Clothing strip |
| Isopropyl alcohol (70% and higher) | Cleaning contacts and grease/oxidation lattice | Vodka (at last) |
| Fen (with cold air mode) | Drying after wet cleaning | Natural drying in a warm place for 12+ hours |
Important: Do not use metal objects (needles, knives, paper clips) - they can scratch the grille or damage the speaker membrane. Also avoid cotton cotton and cotton swabs: their fibers can remain inside and aggravate the problem.
Method 1: Dry cleaning (indiscriminate)
The safest way to keep up is if the Mi 9 SE speaker is just dusty, but there is no serious contamination.
- Turn off your smartphone β this will prevent the sound from accidentally turning on during cleaning.
- Take a soft brush and gently run it along the speaker's lattice along (not across!) the hole line. Movements should be light, without pressure.
- To remove the pile, use Scotch: cut a small piece, press the sticky side against the grille, and sharply tear it off. Repeat 2-3 times.
- If large particles are stuck between the holes, put them under a toothpick, pre-moistened in alcohol (so that there are no wooden fibers left).
For a conversational speaker (above the screen), use only a brush or scotch - access to it is limited and a toothpick can damage the netting.
Is the smartphone off? |
Do you only use soft tools?|
Check the grid for any remaining fibers?|
Do you use excessive force?-->
β οΈ Warning: Don't blow into the speaker with your mouth! saliva contains enzymes that can oxidize contacts, and strong airflow can damage the membrane.
Method 2: Wet cleaning (for persistent contaminants)
If dry cleaning didn't work, and if you see traces of fat or oxidation in the lattice, you're going to need wet treatment, and the key here is not to overdo it with the liquid.
- Moisten the toothpick or cotton pad in isopropyl alcohol (not in water!) and squeeze the excess so that the droplets don't get inside the case.
- Gently wipe the speaker grille, avoiding liquid entering the holes. Use a toothpick for hard-to-reach areas.
- If the alcohol got inside, immediately turn the smartphone grille down and shake slightly so that the liquid leaks out.
- Dry the speaker with a dryer in cold air mode (keep at a distance of 15-20 cm) or leave the smartphone in a warm place for 12 hours.
Critical: Never use acetone, solvents or household chemicals to clean the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE speakers β they destroy the protective coating of the membrane and can cause corrosion of the contacts.
What to do if the alcohol got inside the body?
Method 3: Purging with compressed air
This is effective at removing dust from the depths of the speaker, but requires caution: at home, you can use a can of compressed air (sold in electronics stores) or a bicycle pump with a thin nozzle.
Algorithm of action:
- Hold the canister vertically at a distance of 10-15 cm from the grille.
- Blow the speaker with short pulses (no longer than 1 second). Do not direct the jet at right angles, preferably at an angle of 30-45 degrees.
- After purging, remove the dust from the dust with a brush.
Important: do not use a compressor or vacuum cleaner - too much air flow can deform the membrane. Also avoid cans of freon (read the composition on the label).
π‘
If you don't have compressed air on hand, you can use a rubber pear (e.g., for enemas) that gives you a gentle enough flow of air to keep the speaker from damaging.
Method 4: Cleaning through the Engineering Menu
Before you clean it is worth checking if the problem is software. Xiaomi Mi 9 SE has a hidden engineering menu where you can test the speakers:
- Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
- In the menu that opens, select Audio (or Audio).
- Scroll through to the Speaker section and run tests for each speaker individually.
- If the sound is clear and loud, the pollution is the problem, and if it's distorted or not, it can break.
Also in the engineering menu, you can check the microphone (Microphone section) if the interlocutors do not hear you when calling.
π‘
Testing through an engineering menu helps distinguish the physical contamination of the speaker from software failures or hardware breakdowns.
Method 5: Disassembly of the smartphone (for experienced)
If all previous methods did not help, and the speaker is clearly contaminated from the inside, you will have to disassemble the Mi 9 SE. This is a risky step - without experience you can damage the plumes or lose water protection (if you had one).
Tools required:
- π§ Set of screwdrivers (cross-haul) PH00, flat-foot)
- π§² Screen suction cup
- π± Plastic mediators (to separate the body)
- π₯ Fryer (for softening glue)
Step-by-step:
- Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-map.
- Heat the hair dryer around the perimeter (60β70Β°C) for 2-3 minutes to soften the glue.
- Insert a plastic mediator into the gap between the lid and the case and gently walk around the perimeter.
- Unscrew 10 screws (they are of different lengths - remember the location of each!).
- Disconnect the battery plume, then the speaker plume (it is located at the bottom of the board).
- Clean the speaker from the inside with a brush soaked in alcohol, and replace the sealing gum if necessary.
- Collect the smartphone in reverse order, making sure that all the plumes are connected tightly.
β οΈ Note: After disassembly Xiaomi Mi 9 SE It also has a high risk of damaging flexible plumes of the screen or camera β replacing them will cost more than cleaning the speaker in the service.
How to check the tightness after assembly?
What not to do when cleaning the speakers
Some βfolkβ methods can irrevocably spoil the speakers Xiaomi Mi 9 SE. Here is a list of taboos:
- π« Use sharp objects (needles, knives, pins) - they pierce the membrane.
- π« Wash the speaker with water - even distilled leaves a plaque that oxidizes over time.
- π« Clean the speaker on β vibration from the sound can drive the dust deeper.
- π« Use aggressive chemicals (white spirit, gasoline, acetone) - they destroy plastic and rubber seals.
- π« Drying the speaker with hot air (dryer at maximum temperature) - this deforms the membrane.
Also, do not try to βblowβ the speaker with your mouth β saliva contains salts that, when drying, form crystals and worsen the sound.