You make a phone call but your voice is barely audible and your voice is interrupted or sounds like it's a barrel? The problem with poor hearing on the Xiaomi Mi8 is one of the most common complaints of the 2018 flagship, and can be attributed to software failures (like the MIUI update) and hardware malfunctions, from a clogged speaker to a damaged microphone plume.
In this article, we will discuss all possible causes of poor hearing in the Mi8 — From the trivial (mud in the headphone jack) to the serious (audio codec failure), you will receive step-by-step diagnostic and repair instructions, and you will also learn when to contact the service center. Mi8: The problem often arises from a firmware conflict with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 communication module, which requires a specific solution.
Don't rush to carry your phone for repairs -- 80 percent of the time, you can fix it yourself in 10 to 30 minutes.
1. Check basic sound and network settings
Before disassembling the phone, make sure that the problem is not in the settings. On the Xiaomi Mi8, bad hearing can appear after updating the MIUI or resetting to factory settings when the sound parameters are confused with default.
First, check:
- 🔊 Speaker Volume: Press Volume Up button during the call. Sometimes the sound level is reset to a minimum after connecting Bluetooth headphones.
- 📶 Network Mode: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network settings and select Only 4G (preferably, on Mi8 mode 3G/2G There are often interferences with calls.
- 🛠️ Engineer Mode: Enter ##4636##, select Phone Information and check the Set preferred network type setting.
If the sound hasn't improved after this manipulation, move on to the next step. Note that the Mi8 with MIUI 12+ firmware can be affected by a bug when the volume of the speaker automatically decreases due to the Smart Assistant feature. To turn it off, go to Settings → Special Features → Smart Assistant and deactivate the Volume Auto Adjustment option.
⚠️ Note: If after changing the network settings, the phone stopped catching the signal at all, return the parameters to the original state or reset. APN. Nana Mi8 This is done in the settings → SIM-map → Access points (APN) → Reset to factory.
2. Diagnostics of hardware problems: speaker, microphone, connectors
If the software settings didn't work, it's time to check the hardware. On Xiaomi Mi8, most often fail:
- 🔈 Speaker (clogged with dust or damaged after falling).
- 🎤 Lower microphone (responsible for transferring your voice to the interlocutor).
- 🔌 Headphone jack (oxidation of contacts leads to false operation of the headset mode).
- 📱 Audio module plume (passes away after disassembly or mechanical impact).
For diagnosis, perform the following tests:
- Speaker check: call another phone and listen, if the sound is quiet or distorted only in the tube, and through speakerphone everything is fine, the speaker is to blame.
- Microphone test: Record the voice memo in the standard Dictaphone app, if the recording is quiet or with interference, the microphone is a problem.
- Check the 3.5mm connector: plug in the headphones, and if the sound is normal and not in the speaker, it may be that the phone thinks the headset is permanently connected (a common problem after moisture is injected).
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The interviewer hears you badly, your voice is interrupted. | Lower microphone malfunctioned. | Cleaning from dust or replacing the microphone |
| You can’t hear the other person, the sound is quiet. | Conversational speaker clogged or damaged | Purging compressed air or replacing the speaker |
| The sound is distorted, wheezing. | The audio module plume is damaged. | Disassembly and replacement of the plume |
| Phone "can't see" headphones, sound goes into the speaker | Oxidation of contacts in a 3.5 mm connector | Cleaning with alcohol or replacing the connector |
Nana Mi8 The speaker and microphone are located at the bottom of the case. To check them visually, point the flashlight into the slot next to the camera. USB-If dust or debris is visible, carefully remove them with a wooden toothpick (do not use metal objects!).
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If the sound is better after cleaning the speaker, but not perfect, try ultrasonic cleaning (available in service centers), which will remove the microparticles of dust that are not available for mechanical cleaning.
3. Reset network and sound settings
If hardware checks show no problems, try resetting your audio and communication settings. On the Xiaomi Mi8, you can do this without completely resetting your phone to factory settings.
Resetting instructions:
- Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
- Select Network Settings Reset (this will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and mobile network settings).
- Then select Reset sound settings (will return volume and sound profiles to factory values).
- Reboot the phone.
After restarting, check the sound during the call. If the problem persists, reset all settings (without deleting the data):
Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings → Resetting all settings⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13+ Network resets can lead to loss IMEI. Before the procedure, write it down: enter in the dialer *#06# and save the displayed number.
Write it down. IMEI phone|Save passwords from Wi-Fi|Make a backup copy of contacts|Charge your phone to 50% or more-->
4. Update firmware and fix MIUI bugs
Poor hearing on the Xiaomi Mi8 is often associated with firmware bugs, especially if the phone was updated "over the air" (OTA). in versions of MIUI 10-12 there was a well-known bug with Qualcomm audio driver WCD9340, which led to distortion of sound during calls.
To fix this:
- Check out the current version of MIUI in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
- If the version is older than MIUI 12.5, upgrade your phone through Settings → System Update.
- If there are no updates or the problem remains, install the firmware manually: Download the latest stable version of MIUI for Mi8 from Xiaomi's official website. Rename the file to update.zip and place it at the root of internal memory. Go to Settings → System Update → Three dots (menu) → Select a firmware file.
If the sound is gone after the update, roll back to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot. This will require an unlocked bootloader and a PC with the Mi Flash Tool installed.
How to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Mi8?
5. Checking for conflict with applications and services
Sometimes, the hearing loss is caused by third-party apps that interfere with the audio system. On the Xiaomi Mi8, the most common conflicts are:
- 🎵 Applications for uniform volume (Volume Booster, Equalizer).
- 📞 Alternative Calls (Truecaller, Drupe).
- 🛡️ Antivirus and Optimizers (Clean Master, 360 Security).
- 🎮 Streaming apps (Twitch, Discord) that occupy the audio channel.
To identify the culprit:
- Launch your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → long tap on "Switch off" → "Safe Mode").
- Call someone. If the sound is normal, there's a problem with one of the apps installed.
- Return to normal mode and alternately remove suspicious programs, checking the sound after each deletion.
Pay particular attention to permission apps Change system settings and Access to the microphone. You can find them in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Special permissions.
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If the problem disappeared in Safe Mode but returned after it was released, one of the user apps is to blame. Start checking with those that requested access to the microphone or audio settings.
6. Hardware repair: when without service can not do
If all previous methods have not worked, the problem is probably hardware. On the Xiaomi Mi8, the most common is that it requires repair:
| Malfunction | Signs. | Cost of repair (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Conversational speaker damaged | The sound is quiet or absent, but the headphones are fine. | 800–1 500 ₽ |
| Lower microphone malfunctioned. | The interviewee does not hear you or hear you with interference | 600–1 200 ₽ |
| The audio module plume is severed | The sound is interrupted when pressed on the body or is completely absent | 1 500–2 500 ₽ |
| Qualcomm WCD9340 audio codec is defective | Sound distortion, wheezing, total lack of sound | 2 000–3 500 ₽ |
Before you carry your phone to the service, try to check the plumes yourself.
- Turn off your phone and remove the back cover (it's glued to the Mi8, so use a mediator or plastic shoulder blade).
- Unscrew 10 T3 screws and gently raise the fee.
- Check if the plumes fit tightly to the J1002 (speaker) and J1003 (microphone) connectors. Reconnect them if necessary.
⚠️ If you have never taken down your phone, it is better not to risk it. Mi8 The plumes are very fragile and the fee is many times. contact the service with good reviews for repairing Xiaomi.
7. Alternative solutions: headset and VoIP
If repairs are delayed, and you need to call urgently, use the following ways:
- 🎧 Bluetooth Headset: Connect wireless headphones – sound will go through them, not through a damaged speaker.
- 📱 Loud communication: during the call, click on the speaker icon to turn on the external speaker.
- 💬 VoIP calls: Use WhatsApp, Telegram or Skype – they transmit sound over the Internet, bypassing hardware problems.
- 🔄 Call forwarding: set up a redirect to another number in Settings → SIM-map → Call forwarding.
For Mi8 fit USB-C headset (if the 3.5mm connector is defective) The main thing is to choose models with support CTIA-standard (e.g. Xiaomi Hybrid or Sony) MDR-EX150AP).