How to remove the inscription “Do not close the speaker area” on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 working ways

Why does the speaker alert appear on Redmi 9 and whether it can be turned off?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face an annoying notification “Do not close the speaker area”, which pops up when listening to music, watching videos or even while calling. This is not a system failure, but protection against overheating of the speaker and distortion of sound. The fact is that the smartphone analyzes the acoustic load: if the speaker is closed with his hand, lying on a soft surface or pressed to the ear during loud playback, the sensors detect the risk of damage to the membrane.

However, persistent pop-ups are annoying — especially when you are sure that nothing is blocking the sound. Fortunately, the warning can be turned off completely or partially, but with reservations: some methods require superuser rights (root), while others work only on certain versions of MIUI. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, from safe to radical, and explain the risks of ignoring protection.

The easiest way is to use the Engineering Mode, which is on all Xiaomi smartphones, which allows you to fine-tune hardware components, including speaker settings. Importantly, changes in this menu can affect sound quality, so be careful.

Instructions:

📱 Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##36446337## (or #3644633## for some firmware).
🔧 Go to the Hardware Testing section → Audio → LoudSpeaker.
🔇 Find Speaker Protection (or similar, such as Dynamic Gain Control) and turn it off.
🔄 Save the changes and restart the smartphone.

If the combination didn't work, try the alternative code: ##4636## → Audio Information, where you can reset the audio settings to factory, which sometimes removes the warning.

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Before you change the settings, write down the current values in the engineering menu (take a picture of the screen) and this will help you return the settings if the sound gets worse.

Method 2: Use of the ADB-commands without root)

If the engineering menu did not give a result, try to turn off the speaker protection through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method doesn't require superuser rights, but it will require a computer and a computer. USB-It's a cable. MIUI 12–14.

Step-by-step:

🖥️ Install. ADB-Drivers on PC and enable Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the assembly number → Return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
🔌 Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and type in the command line:

adb shell settings put global speaker_protection_enabled 0

🔄 Reset the device.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

⚠️ Warning: The second command resets some system settings, but does not delete user data.

Install ADB on PC|

Enable USB debugging on Redmi 9|

Connect the phone with the original cable |

Check the connection of the team `adb devices`-->

Method 3: Configure with MIUI Hidden Settings (only for Android 10–11 firmware)

MIUI 12-13 firmware based on Android 10/11 has a hidden menu MIUI Hidden Settings, where you can turn off some system warnings.

🛠️ Install the app MIUI Hidden Settings (requires included debugging on the USB).
🔍 Go to the System section → Sound.
🔇 Find the Disable Speaker Protection option and activate it.
📱 Reboot the phone.

If you don't have an option, your version of MIUI doesn't support this method, so try updating your firmware or using ADB (method 2).

MIUI 12 (Android 10)|

MIUI 13 (Android 11)|

MIUI 14 (Android 12/13)|

Castom firmware |

I don't know.-->

Method 4: Editing system files (root required)

For experienced users willing to risk the stability of the system, there is a radical way - file editing. mixer_paths.xml, This method requires root rights and data backup.

Instructions:

📁 Install a root-enabled conductor (such as Root Explorer).
🔍 Cross the path: /vendor/etc/mixer_paths.xml.
📝 Find the lines with the parameters: <path name="speaker"> <ctl name="Speaker Protection Enable" value="1" /> and replace value="1" value="0".
💾 Save the file, set the rights 644 (rw-r)--r--) and reboot the device.

⚠️ Attention: incorrect editing mixer_paths.xml If the speaker stops working after the changes, restore the original file from the backup.

What if the sound is lost after editing?

If the speaker stops working, return the original file. mixer_paths.xml from the backup or download the original firmware version for your firmware from the Xiaomi.eu forum.If the phone doesn't boot, stitch the stock firmware through Fastboot.

Method 5: Alternative solutions (if nothing worked)

If none of these methods worked, consider alternatives:

Decision	Description	Risks.
🔄 Update MIUI	In newer versions of firmware, warning bugs are often fixed. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.	Minimal (new bugs are possible).
🎧 Use of headphones	Connect Bluetooth or wired headphones – the warning appears only when using the built-in speaker.	Nope.
📱 Reset to factory settings	Deletes all data, but returns system settings to default, sometimes helps if the alert is caused by a software failure.	Data loss if no backup is made.
🛠️ Reflashing to custom MIUI	Firmware like Xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience may not have this protection. It requires unlocking the bootloader.	Risk of "bricking", loss of guarantee.

If you decide to reflash your phone, check out the guides on thematic forums (e.g. 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu). Remember: unlocking the bootloader resets all data!

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The warning "Do not close the speaker area" is not a mistake, but a protection against acoustic damage. Turn it off only if you are sure that the speaker is not overheating or distorting the sound.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to disable speaker protection, users often make mistakes that lead to new problems.

🚫 Ignore backup before editing system files. Always create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or TWRP.
🔧 Incorrect file access rights after editing. mixer_paths.xml right 644.
📱 Use of non-original cables for ADB. This can cause connection errors.Always use Xiaomi's proprietary cable.
🔄 Skip the reboot after the changes. Many settings only apply after the reboot.

If the speaker starts wheezing or the sound is gone, return the standard settings immediately. Prolonged operation with the protection turned off can cause physical damage to the membrane, which will require repair.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

❓ Why does the warning appear even when the speaker is not closed?

It could be caused: 📉 Pollution speaker (dust, hair blocks the netting). 🔊 Failure of the proximity sensor (check its operation in the engineering menu). 📱 Software bug in the current version MIUI. Try brushing the speaker with a soft brush or resetting the sound settings.

❓ Can I turn off the warning forever without root?

Yeah, but not on all firmware, the most reliable ways to rootlessly: ADB-Adb shell settings put global speaker_protection_enabled 0). Update MIUI Up to the latest version (sometimes fixes the bug). MIUI Hidden Settings (if available) If nothing helps, you just have to accept or get rooted.

❓ Will the guarantee be effective after the speaker protection is turned off?

Technically, the warranty is maintained if you have not received root and edited system files. However, if the speaker fails, the service center may refuse to repair, citing "emergency use." Tip: before visiting the SC, return all settings to the factory.

❓ Does the shutdown affect the sound quality?

Yes, but not always for the worse: ✅ Increase the maximum volume (by 5-10%). ⚠️ Risk of distortion at high frequencies during long-term reproduction. ❌ If you're listening to music at full volume for more than 30 minutes, you'd better leave the protection on.

❓ Does this work on other Xiaomi models?

Most of the ways (ADB, Engineering menus are suitable for: 📱 Redmi Note 8/9/10; 📱 Poco X3/M3; 📱 Mi 9/10/11 (base MIUI 12–14). New models (e.g. Redmi) 12) A different approach may be required due to the updated software.