You call on the phone, and the person you're talking to is heard as if they're talking from a barrel -- muted, jammed, or even slim -- a problem that's particularly relevant for Xiaomi's smartphones of recent years, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Pro. 80 percent of the time, it's not hardware faults, but software failures or incorrect settings. But how do you tell the software from hardware malfunctions, and what do you do in each case?
In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of sound deterioration during calls - from banal clogging of the speaker to hidden bugs of MIUI firmware. You will learn how to check the microphone and speaker without special tools, what Xiaomi settings affect the quality of communication, and when it is time to carry the phone to the service. And also - exclusive life hacks that you will not find in the official documentation (for example, how to reset the modem settings without losing data).
Spoiler: 60 percent of the time, it's solved in 5 minutes, and let's start with the simplest one.
1. Clogging of the speaker or microphone: how to clean without risk of damage
The most common cause of hearing loss is dust, pile, or fat that accumulates in the grille of a speaker or microphone, especially on Xiaomi because of the design of the case: most models have a conversational speaker located at the bottom (near the bottom). USB-port, where garbage easily gets out of the pocket.
Signs of clogging:
- 🔊 The sound became quieter, but without distortion (as if the interlocutor is speaking through cotton cotton cotton)
- 📞 The problem manifests itself only on speakerphone or in headphones
- 🎤 The interviewee complains that he can not hear you (meaning the microphone is clogged)
How to clean safely:
- Turn off the phone and get it out. SIM-map (if it is near the speaker).
- Take a toothpick with cotton wool (not metal!) or a soft makeup brush.
- Careful, no pressure, walk across the speaker and microphone grille. Movements are strictly along the holes, not across!
- Use alcohol wipes (at least 70% alcohol) to remove fat. Do not pour liquid directly onto the speaker!
⚠️ Warning: Never use compressed air (cylinders) to clean Xiaomi! jet can damage the speaker membrane or drive dust deeper. Also avoid vacuum vacuum cleaners - they create static electricity.
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If you don't have alcohol on hand, you can use regular Scotch tape, cut the piece with the sticky side out and gently press the speaker to the grille, and the dust sticks to the tape.
2. Software failures: how to restart the modem and reset the communication settings
If the problem suddenly appeared (yesterday it worked, today it didn't), the software is to blame.
- 📡 Modem (responsible for communication with the operator's network)
- 🔧 Sound settings (for example, after updating) MIUI)
- 🤖 Service applications (e.g. com.android.phone)
The first thing you need to do is reboot the modem. It's not the same as rebooting your phone.
- Open the dial and enter the code: ##4636##
- Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
- Scroll down and click Select Network Type (don’t change anything!).
- Go back and select Restart Radio (or Restart Radio).
If that doesn’t work, try resetting your network settings (this will remove saved Wi-Fi and passwords!):
- Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Additionally. → Resetting network settings.
- Confirm the action. The phone will reboot.
3.Problems with SIM-The map: why the operator may be to blame
Sometimes it's not the phone that's to blame. SIM-The card or the carrier, here are the signs that the problem is on the provider's side:
- 📶 Poor hearing only in certain places (such as the subway or at work).
- 🔄 The problem arises after the shift. SIM-card.
- 📱 On other phones with the same SIM-map-patch.
What to do:
- Check the signal level in the engineering menu: ##4636## → Phone information → Network signal If the dBm value is below -100, the communication is unstable.
- Switch the network type manually: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Type of network. Just try it. 4G (LTE) or 3G — Sometimes Xiaomi incorrectly selects the network automatically.
- Call the operator and ask them to check: 🔄 Relevance of the service profile (sometimes updates are required). 📡 Settings APN (point). 🔒 Are there any restrictions on your number (for example, due to debts).
⚠️ Note: If you use a virtual operator (e.g. Tele2 based on MegaFon), communication problems may be due to incorrect call routing. SIM-main operator card for verification.
4. Sound settings in MIUI: what could have gone wrong after the update
MIUI is known for resetting user audio settings after updates, such as:
- 🔇 "Silent Sound" mode (reduces the volume of the speaker).
- 🎧 Automatic switching to headphones (even if they are not available).
- 🔊 A strengthening of basses that distorts the voice of the interlocutor.
How to check and correct:
- Turn off all sound effects: Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality → Turn off all sliders.
- Check the call settings: Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Call settings. Make sure that: 🔈 The volume of calls is at its maximum. 🎤 The microphone is not dimmed (Mic should be switched off). 🔄 No active call forwarding.
Reset the settings of the Phone application
Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Resetting settings
Turn off sound effects |Check the volume of calls |Switch off mic muffling |Reset the settings of the Phone app |Reboot the phone-->
5. Hardware malfunctions: when it is time to go to the service
If none of the previous methods worked, the problem is hardware, and here are the signs that the phone needs to be repaired:
- 🔊 The speaker doesn't work at all (no sound in the calls or in the music).
- 🎤 The microphone does not transmit your voice (the interviewer does not hear you).
- 💥 The sound is distorted (wheezing, crackling, interruptions).
- 🔧 The problem appeared after a fall, moisture or disassembly of the phone.
The most common breakdowns in Xiaomi:
| Malfunction | Reason. | Cost of repair (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| The dump of the talk-tank speaker | Fall, contact oxidation | from 1,200 ₽ |
| Microphone damage | Moisture, mechanical action | 800 ₽ |
| Failure of the audio codec | Overheating, short circuit. | 2,500 ₽ |
| Problems with the antenna module | Fall, factory marriage | 1,800 ₽ |
Critical: If the phone has fallen into water or been exposed to extreme humidity, don't turn it on! immediately turn it off and take it to service - corrosion can spread to the motherboard.
How to check if the moisture got into the phone?
6.App conflicts: Who is interfering with your calls
Some apps can block the microphone or speaker during calls, most often to blame:
- 🎮 Game launchers (e.g. Game Turbo in the game) MIUI).
- 🔒 Antiviruses (Avast, 360 Security).
- 📱 Call recording applications (ACR, Cube Call Recorder).
- 🤖 Battery Optimizers (Greenify, AccuBattery).
How to find and resolve conflict:
- Launch the phone in Safe Mode: Turn off the phone. Press the power button until the Xiaomi logo appears, then release and immediately press the volume down button. Hold until the phone boots (at the bottom will be "Safe Mode").
If in safe mode calls work normally - the third-party application is to blame.
Check permissions for applications
Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Microphone
Disable microphone access for suspicious programs.
Turn off battery optimization
Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All applications → Phone → Not Optimize
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If the problem occurs after you install a new app, delete it and check your calls, and most often, conflicts are caused by programs that request access to the microphone or phone functions.
7 MIUI updates: why the sound in the calls disappeared after the update
Xiaomi regularly releases MIUI updates, but sometimes they bring new bugs, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, many users have encountered:
- 🔇 Complete absence of sound in the conversational dynamics.
- 🔄 Spontaneous switching to loud communication.
- 🎤 Distortion of the voice of the interlocutor (robotization, echo).
What to do if the problem occurs after the update:
- Reverse to the previous version of MIUI (if you know how to do it).
- Report the bug through Xiaomi’s official forum: Sign up for https://new.c.mi.com/ru/. Go to your phone model section and describe the problem in as much detail as possible (when you see something you've tried).
If you can't roll back and the reset didn't work, you just have to wait for the patch. Watch for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
8.Battery problems: how low charge affects sound
Few people know, but a dead battery can cause a malfunction of the speaker and microphone, which is due to the fact that at low charge (<15%) Xiaomi begins to save energy by turning off or muting some functions.
Signs that the battery is to blame:
- 🔋 The problem only appears when the charge is below 20%.
- 🔄 The sound is lost or distorted unpredictably (i.e., no).
- 📱 The phone is very hot during calls.
What to do:
- Replace the battery if it is worn out (check Settings → Battery → Battery Status). If the capacity is below 80%, it is time to change.
- Turn off energy saving modes: Settings → Battery → Energy saving mode → Turn off.
- Connect your phone to charge during the call (if the problem only appears on a low charge).
- Check the contacts of the battery (if you can disassemble the phone), sometimes they oxidize, and the battery does not give up enough power.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is turned off when 30-40% This is a sign of a very bad battery, and in this case, the speaker and the microphone may not work as well, even when you're charging.