NFC on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro 128GB does not work: all the reasons and solutions

Why NFC on the Redmi Note 8 Pro may not work?

If the NFC module on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro 128GB suddenly stopped responding, it doesn't always mean hardware failure. 60 percent of the time, the problem is software failures, misconfigured MIUIs, or firmware conflicts. This model is equipped with an NXP PN547 chip that is integrated into the motherboard and is responsible for contactless payments, data transfer, and tagging. But even reliable hardware can malfunction due to external factors.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible causes, from a simple menu shutdown to serious hardware malfunctions that require repair, how to diagnose a problem yourself, which settings to check first, and when to contact a service center. Particular attention will be paid to the specifics of firmware for Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia), where errors in the module. NFC Often associated with unofficial builds or updates via Fastboot.

1. NFC disabled in MIUI settings

The most obvious but often overlooked reason is that the function is simply turned off in the system. In MIUI, the path to NFC settings may differ depending on the firmware version. For example, in MIUI 12.5 and later, the menu is moved to Connections and Sharing, whereas in older versions it was in Additional Features.

To check:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing → NFC.
• 🔄 Make sure the slider is NFC active (blue).
• 💳 If contactless payments are disabled, turn it on (bank card binding is required).
• 🔍 Check if the In-plane mode is activated (it disables all wireless modules, including the NFC).

If the NFC slider is gray and does not respond to pressing, this may indicate a failure in the MIUI services. Try restarting the phone or resetting the network settings:

⚠️ Attention: Network reset will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords and associated Bluetooth devices. → The phone. → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings.

2. conflict with firmware or update

Redmi Note 8 Pro is known for problems with NFC after updates via OTA or manual firmware through Fastboot. Especially often bugs occur when you switch from MIUI 11 to MIUI 12+, when the drivers of the NXP PN547 module are not correctly integrated into the new system.

• 🔴 NFC It is switched on but does not detect tags or terminals.
• 🔄 The function spontaneously shuts down after restarting.
• ⚠️ A notification “Error” appears NFC» when attempting to use.

Decisions:

1. If the problem has occurred after the update, return to the previous stable version via the Mi Flash Tool (instruction below).
2. Cache cleanup. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (menu) → Show system → NFC Service. Click on Clear Cache and Erase Data.
3. Patch Installation: The 4PDA and XDA Developers forums have modified libnfc-nci.so files for the Redmi Note 8 Pro that fix driver errors.

For firmware rollback:

Download the stable version of MIUI for begonia from the official website

Install Qualcomm and Mi Flash Tool drivers on PC

Backup data (rollback erases everything!)

Battery charge of at least 60%-->

1. Turn off the phone and press Power + Vol− to log into the Fastboot.


2. Connect to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.




3. Select the downloaded firmware file (.tgz format).




4. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off USB!).

Hardware malfunctions of the NFC module

If the software methods don't work, there's a physical breakdown. In the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the NFC chip is located next to the wireless charging antenna (if installed) and can fail for the following reasons:

You can independently diagnose hardware breakdown using the engineering menu:

1. Enter the dialer code ##4636##.
2. Go to the Hardware Testing section → NFC.
3. If the test shows Failed or Not Supported, the chip is faulty.

⚠️ Do not try to disassemble the phone yourself – chip NFC Unprofessional repairs can damage other components (e.g., camera module or Wi-Fi).

4. Conflict with banking applications

If NFC is enabled but does not work with payments (e.g. Google Pay, SberPay, Mir Pay), the problem may lie in:

• 🔒 Firmware incompatibility: Some custom builds (e.g. Pixel Experience) don't support firmware HCE (Host Card Emulation for contactless payments.
• 📱 Xiaomi won't certify all regions for Google Pay - check your country's support here.
• 🔄 App crash: Clear the data and cache of Google Play Services and the payment app.

Instructions for Google Pay:

1. Remove all added maps in the app.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Google Pay → Storage → Clear the data.
3. Reboot your phone and add the card again.
4. If the error persists, check if Contactless payments are enabled in the NFC settings.

💡

Before adding a card to Google Pay, turn off the VPN and make sure the region in your phone settings matches the region of your credit card.

5. The influence of covers and accessories

Many users are unaware that metal cases, magnetic holders or thick bumpers can block the NFC signal.The module antenna is located at the top of the phone (near the camera), and any interference in this area impairs communication.

What to check:

• 📱 Take off the case and try to attach the phone to the terminal.
• 🧲 Remove magnetic mounts (for example, for a holder in the machine).
• 🔋 Check if the battery is swelling - it can press the antenna NFC.
• 📶 Try to bring the phone to the terminal from different angles (directional antenna!).

If the problem disappears after removing the case, replace it with a model with a neck for NFC or without metal inserts. For the test, you can use an NFC tag (for example, a transport card): if the phone reads it without the cover, but does not read it with it, the accessory is to blame.

6.Reset to factory settings

If all previous methods failed, the last software method is a complete reset, which will delete all data, but return the MIUI settings to the "out of the box" state, which often resolves deep system conflicts.

Instructions:

1. Make a backup of the data through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
3. Enter the password (if set) and confirm the reset.
4. After the reboot, set your phone up as new and check for the NFC.

⚠️ Note: If you have installed TWRP or rooted the phone, resetting through the settings menu can lead to stuck on the logo MI. In this case, you need firmware through Fastboot.

💡

Factory reset deletes all data, including accounts, photos, and apps, and only use this method if other methods have failed.

7. When to contact the service center

If none of the methods have restored NFC, it's likely hardware.

• 🔧 NFC It does not turn on at all (gray slider in settings).
• 🔥 The phone gets overheated when you try to use it. NFC.
• 💥 There were physical injuries (fall, water inhalation).
• 🔄 After firmware, the phone does not load or gives out errors.

Cost of repair:

• 🔧 Chip replacement NFC: from 1500 to 3000 rubles (depending on the service).
• 📡 Replacement of antenna: ~1,000 rubles.
• 🔋 Diagnosis: usually free if the repair is done in the same service.

Xiaomi’s official service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com. Before visiting, check if they work with the Redmi Note 8 Pro model – some services refuse to repair phones older than 3 years.

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC on Redmi Note 8 Pro