Why when you call Xiaomi black screen and you can not see who is calling: a complete guide to elimination

You take your phone out of your pocket, you hear the vibration or the melody of an incoming call, but the screen is black — no subscriber name, no acceptance/deflection buttons. The problem is familiar to many Xiaomi owners, especially on models with MIUI 12-14 and Redmi Note/POCO series. In 80% of cases, it is not the hardware defect, but the software settings or failures. But how to distinguish the "glitch" of the system from the failure of the proximity sensor? And why after the MIUI update, the screen goes out when the call was used to work?

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible causes of black screens when calling on Xiaomi, from the banal (In your pocket mode turned on) to the rare (display plume damage), you’ll learn how to diagnose a problem in 2 minutes, which settings to check first, and when to carry the phone to the service. And for the Redmi 10/12, POCO X3/X5 and Mi 11/13 models, we’ve prepared separate instructions for their “diseases”.

1.The proximity sensor: why the screen goes out when you call

The main reason for black screens when you call Xiaomi is because the proximity sensor is not working properly, and this sensor turns off the display when you hold the phone to your ear to avoid accidental taps, and if the sensor is "glutching," the screen can stay off even when you're looking at the phone.

How to check the proximity sensor:

• 📱 Testing through the Engineering Menu: dial ##6484## → Choose Proximity Sensor. Cover the top of the phone with your hand - the value should change from 5.00 cm to 0.00 cm.
• 🔦 Visual inspection: the sensor is located to the right of the front camera (on models with bangs) or under the screen (on Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
• 🛠️ Check in Safe Mode: Press the power button → Hold on to "Switch off» → If the sensor is running, it's the third-party app's fault.

Typical sensor failures on popular models:

⚠️ If the proximity sensor is physically damaged (for example, after impact), it will cost 1,500–3,000 to replace it. ₽ It's in the service center. 12S Ultra and newer sensor integrated into the display – will require replacement of the entire module.

2. MIUI settings, due to which the incoming call is not visible

Often, the black screen when you call is the result of incorrect interface settings or energy saving, and MIUI 13/14 adds features that may conflict with call processing:

• 🌙 In your pocket mode: automatically locks the screen when you call if the phone is down. → Display. → “In the pocket” mode».
• 🔋 Ultra-power saving mode: limits sensor performance. Check settings → Battery → Energy saving regime.
• 📵 Do Not Disturb: Can hide call notifications. Eliminate contacts from the rules in Settings → Sound and vibration → Don't disturb.
• 🔄 Adaptive brightness: sometimes resets backlight to 0% when calling. → Display. → Adaptive brightness.

Critical setting for Xiaomi 2023-2026: Show incoming calls on locked screen. In recent versions of MIUI, it can be disabled by default to check:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone» → «Notifications».
3. Activate the option “Show on a locked screen”.

Turn off "In your pocket" mode"|Check the exceptions in "Do Not Disturb"|Turn off the ultra-energy saving mode|Reset Adaptive Brightness Settings|Update the "Phone" appendix"-->

3. failures of the “Phone” application and system services

If the proximity sensor is working normally and the MIUI settings are not working, the problem may be in the Phone system app or Google services.

• The screen flashes when you call, but does not turn on completely.
• There is a call sound, but there is no interface to respond.
• The problem appears after the MIUI or Google Play Services update.

How to diagnose and correct:

1. Cleaning the cache of the Phone app: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Storage → Clear the cache For Xiaomi on Android 13+ the way may differ: Settings → Apps → Show all applications (3 points) → System → Phone.
2. Reset application settings: In the same menu, click Reset Settings (does not delete call data, only display options).
3. Reinstall Updates: If the problem started after the update, roll back: Settings → Apps → Phone → 3 points → Remove the updates.
4. Check Google Play Services: Update Services in Play Market → My Apps or clear their cache similar to point 1.

On POCO F3/F4 and Redmi K40/K50 models, it often helps to disable the “Double Push to Wake Up” function, which conflicts with call processing. Find it in Settings → Display → Double-Tap to Wake Up.

4. Conflicts with protective glass, covers and accessories

On Mi Community forums, users often complain that the black screen appeared when the call was made after sticking the protective glass or installing the case.

• 📱 Glass without a cutout for the sensor: blocks the infrared sensor approach.
• 🧲 Magnetic cases: can affect the operation of sensors (relevant to Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 and folding models).
• 🔋 Battery cases: sometimes overlap the antenna, which leads to malfunctions when calling.

How to check:

1. Take off the cover and the safety glass, call the phone, and if the problem is gone, the accessory is to blame.
2. For glass: check if there is a cutout at the top (above the front camera). If not, replace the glass.
3. For cases: try a case without a magnetic fixator or with a cutout for sensors.

List of "problem" accessories for popular models:

⚠️ Warning: If you use a mirrored film (e.g., to protect against peeping), it will 100% block the infrared proximity sensor, which is incompatible with most Xiaomi smartphones.

5. Hardware malfunctions: when you need help from the service

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be a physical breakdown.

• 🔌 Display plume damage: After falling or hitting, the plume may move away, causing the screen to flicker when vibrating (call).
• 🔋 Battery bloating: presses on motherboard, leading to sensor failures.
• 📡 Antenna module malfunction: phone "sees" call, but can't process signal correctly.
• 💧 Oxidation of contacts: after moisture hits (even if the phone did not sink, but was in a damp room).

How to diagnose a hardware problem:

1. Trail Check: When connected to a PC (in Fastboot mode), the screen can flash or show artifacts.
2. Battery test: If the phone turns off when you press the screen or body, the battery is likely to swell.
3. The antenna vertebrae: the service will check the resistance of the antenna module (for this you need a special tester).

Cost of repair in official Xiaomi services (2026):

On Xiaomi models 12/13 series 4 sensor approaching soldered into the display - its replacement will require replacing the entire screen (from the 10 000 ₽). Before repair, check the warranty: if the phone is warranty and the problem is caused by a factory defect (for example, a detached plume), the repair will be free.

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If the phone falls and then a black screen appears when you call, do not shake it or knock on the body - this can aggravate the damage to the plume.

6. MIUI Updates and Firmware: How to roll back changes

In 30% of cases, the black screen appears when the call is made after the MIUI update. For example, MIUI 14.0.3 for the Redmi Note 11 had a bug with the approach sensor processing, and MIUI 13.0.6 for the POCO X3 Pro had a problem with the display of the call interface. If the problem started after the update, try:

• 🔄 Retracement to the previous version MIUI: Download the firmware from Xiaomi Firmware (select your model and region). update.zip And put it in the root of the phone's memory. + Power, select Recovery → Install update.zip.

Installation of custom recaveri (TWRP)

For power users, it allows you to flash a clean version of MIUI or LineageOS.

Manual calibration of sensors

From the Engineering Menu (#36446337##) select Proximity Sensor Calibration.

If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to wait for the next update - often bugs are fixed within 1-2 weeks. For Xiaomi 13/13 Pro models and a newer firmware rollback, the bootloader can be blocked (you need to unlock through Mi Unlock).

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Before rolling back the firmware, back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup. The MIUI update can erase photos and contacts!

7. Alternative solutions: what to do if nothing has worked

If all of the above methods do not work, try non-standard methods:

• 📞 Headset usage: Connect wired or Bluetooth headphones – sometimes the call is displayed on the lock screen if calls are going through the headset.
• 🔊 Voice response: Enable the function in Settings → Special facilities → Voice assistant. You can now take calls by voice ("Accept" or "Downline»).
• 🤖 Automatic Respondent: Configure in Settings → Annexes → Phone. → A voicemail to avoid missing important calls.
• 📲 Duplication of calls to another device: Mi Cloud or Google Voice (requires a second phone).

If you are using a double SIM-map, check the settings for each of them separately. SIM not displayed due to operator conflict (especially relevant for Tele2 and virtual operators).

FAQ: Frequent black screen questions when calling on Xiaomi