I can’t hear the interlocutor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: why it happens and how to fix it

You make a phone call and you barely hear the other person — the voice is interrupted, the sound is distorted or disappears altogether? This is a problem that many Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 owners (codename whyred), especially after several years of use. In 70% of cases, it is not hardware breakdowns that are to blame, but software failures, improper settings or external interference. But how do you know exactly where the root of evil lies — in the microphone, speaker, SIM card or firmware?

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible causes of poor hearing on the Redmi Note 5, from the banal contamination of connectors to hidden network settings. You’ll get step-by-step instructions from the photo, SIM card compatibility tables, and diagnostic tips to determine whether you need to carry your phone to the service or can solve the problem in 5 minutes at home.

1. Check basic settings: volume, call mode and sound profile

Before digging deeper, make sure the problem isn't with the rudimentary settings. There are a few "pitfalls" on the Redmi Note 5 that make the sound seem quieter:

• 🔔 Quiet or No Sound Mode: Check the volume slider during a call - it may reset after updates MIUI.
• 📞 Incorrect call profile: in Settings → Sound and vibration → Call profile should be selected as “Usual” rather than “Quiet” or “On the street».
• 🔊 Adaptive volume: function in MIUI automatically reduces the volume in noisy places. Turn it off in Settings → Special facilities → Audio/visual → Adaptive volume.
• 🎧 Connected headphones: Even if you don't use them, your phone may "think" they're connected. Restart the device or clean the 3.5mm connector.

If the sound hasn't improved after this manipulation, move on to the next step. Importantly, Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 10-12 sometimes gets the equalizer settings for voice calls. To reset them, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Equator → Reset.

Mic and Dynamics Diagnostics: How to Know What's Broken

Poor hearing can be associated with both your microphone (the interviewee can't hear you) and the speaker (you can't hear the interlocutor).

1. Check the microphone: record a voice message to the recorder or call another phone, if the recording is quiet or with interference, the microphone is a problem.
2. Speaker check: turn on music or video. If the sound is distorted or lost, the speaker is to blame.
3. Speaker check: When you call, press your ear against the top of the phone (where the front camera is) and if the sound gets better, the main speaker is clogged.

The Redmi Note 5 is most often broken:

• 🎤 Lower microphone (near the connector) USB-C) — responsible for noise reduction, but when pollution begins to "muffle" the voice.
• 🔈 Talking speaker (top grille) - clogged with dust or burns out from moisture.
• 📡 Antenna module – if the problem only manifests itself in certain places (for example, in the elevator), the network is to blame.

If tests show that the microphone or speaker is not working, try cleaning them with a soft brush or compressed air.Never use wet wipes or alcohol - this can damage the microphone membrane on the Redmi Note 5.

3.Cleaning connectors and checking the SIM card: external causes of poor communication

The poor communication quality on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is often due to poor SIM contact or contamination of antenna connectors.

Remove the SIM card and inspect it for scratches|Blow the tray with compressed air or clean with a soft brush|Check if the SIM card is inserted correctly (chip down)|Try inserting the SIM card into another slot (if 2 SIM cards are used)|Wipe the SIM card contacts with a smoother (carefully!)|-->

Also note:

• 📶 SIM card type: Redmi Note 5 supports nano-SIM, but some carriers issue universal cards with cut out contacts. If the SIM card is hanging in the tray, put a piece of tape for a tight fit.
• 🔄 Network mode: c Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Select the network settings Only 4G (preferably, if 4G Not catching - try it 3G.
• 🌐 Roaming: If you are on a trip, turn off automatic roaming and select a carrier manually.

If the problem persists after cleaning, try inserting the SIM card into another phone. If the connection is stable, your Redmi Note 5 is to blame. If the problem recurs, contact the operator (possibly an IMEI lock or a station problem).

4. Reset network settings and update firmware

Mobile network failures are often solved by resetting APN settings or updating the firmware. On Redmi Note 5, this is how:

1. Reset APN: Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN). Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Reset to default. Reset the phone.
2. Update MIUI: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If a new version is available, download and install it. After updating, reset the network settings: Settings → System and Device → Additional → Reset → Network settings Reset.

If the update doesn’t work, try to roll back to the old version of MIUI (if the problem has appeared after the update).

1. Download the necessary firmware from the official Xiaomi website (choose Redmi Note 5 → whyred).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times on the version number to turn on the developer mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer → Update by Air and select the downloaded file.

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If the speaker is missing after the update, try turning off the dual speakers feature in Settings → Sound and Vibration → Double speakers. Sometimes it conflicts with voice calls.

WARNING: If you install firmware manually, make sure it's designed specifically for the Redmi Note 5 (whyred).Firmware from the Redmi Note 5 Pro or other models can turn the phone into a "brick."

5. Engineering menu and hidden communication settings

Redmi Note 5 has a hidden engineering menu where you can manually adjust network and audio settings to get there:

1. Open the phone app.
2. Dial ##4636## (code works on all Xiaomi with MIUI).
3. Select the tab Phone Information.

Please note here:

• 📶 Set preferred network type: install LTE only if 4G stable) or WCDMA preferred if 3G better).
• 🔊 Volume: Check the volume levels for Voice Call and Media if the slider is not moving, reset the sound settings.
• 📡 Signal Strength: If the signal level is lower than -100 dBm, the problem is network coverage, not the phone.

Also in the engineering menu you can include registration logs for diagnosis:

1. Go to the Logs and Reports tab.
2. Click Log Record and play back the problem (call someone).
3. Save the log and send it to support Xiaomi or the carrier.

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If the Voice Call → Audio Mode option is set to Normal in the engineering menu, try switching it to Handsfree or Headset, which sometimes solves the problem with quiet sound.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. Incorrect settings can lead to network loss or damage IMEI.

6. Hardware breakdowns: when without service can not do

If all the software methods have been tried and the problem persists, it's probably the hardware that's to blame.

• 🔧 Microphone/dynamic soldering contacts – move away from vibration or overheating.
• 💧 Oxidation of the board - due to moisture (even if the phone did not sink, condensate can accumulate under the screen).
• 📡 Antenna switch - responsible for switching between 2G/3G/4G, When the phone is broken, it “hangs” on a weak network.
• 🔋 Bloated battery – presses on board and disrupts microphone contacts.

Signs of hardware breakdown:

⚠️ Attention: If you press the bottom of the phone (where the microphone) the sound improves, it is a sign of a contact that is leaving. Do not try to fix it yourself: on the Redmi Note 5, the microphone is soldered to the board, and without a soldering station it is easy to tear it off.

If you're considering taking the phone to service, check if they have original parts for the Redmi Note 5. Many workshops put in universal microphones that are worse at catching sound. Also ask to check the IMEI after repairs - sometimes it gets lost when soldered.

7.Alternative solutions: messengers and external devices

If repairs are delayed, and you need to call urgently, use the workarounds:

• 💬 Voice Call Messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, or Viber often deliver a more stable sound than regular calls.
• 🎧 Bluetooth Headset: Connect wireless headphones – they use a separate audio channel that can work better.
• 🔊 External speaker: If the problem is in the conversational speaker, connect the phone to the speaker via Bluetooth or AUX-cable.
• 📱 Second phone: Use Redmi Note 5 as a modem and call from the second device via Wi-Fi Calling.

The Redmi Note 5 is particularly relevant for Wi-Fi Calling to enable:

1. Make sure your operator supports the technology (check on the website of Beeline, MTS, MegaFon or Tele2).
2. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Additionally. → Wi-Fi Calling.
3. Turn on the function and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Wi-Fi Calling may not work if the phone has custom firmware installed or unlocked the bootloader. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about sound issues on Redmi Note 5