Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but many users face the problem of quiet sound in speakers, especially when listening to music, watching videos or while calling. The reasons can vary from factory restrictions to clogging speakers. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to increase the volume, including hidden settings, third-party applications and hardware solutions.
It's important to understand that not all methods are equally safe. Some can cause sound distortion or even damage to speakers when used incorrectly. We'll detail the risks of each method and give you recommendations on how to minimize them. If you're ready to improve the sound of your Redmi Note 9, read on!
1. Checking basic sound settings
Before you resort to radical measures, make sure that the problem is not the standard settings, and often users simply do not notice that the volume is limited at the system or individual application level.
Open the Settings → Sound and vibration and check:
- 🔊 Total volume – move the slider to maximum (sometimes it gets lost after updates).
- 🎵 Media Volume – a separate regulator for music and video.
- 📞 Loudness of the call – affects the sound of incoming calls.
- 🚫 "Don’t disturb – make sure the mode is turned off or configured correctly.
It's also worth checking the settings in specific applications, like YouTube or Spotify, which can have a volume control that works independently of the system, so if you keep the sound quiet after this manipulation, move on to the next step.
⚠️ Warning: If at maximum volume the sound starts to "hritter" or distort, this may indicate a hardware problem (damaged speaker or contacts.
Cleaning of speakers from dust and debris
One of the most common causes of silent sound is clogging of speakers, and on the Redmi Note 9, they are located at the bottom of the body (near the USB-C connector) and on the top panel (the talk speaker), and over time, dust, pile from pockets or even moisture, which significantly worsens the sound.
How to clean the speakers:
- 🧹 Use a soft brush (such as for drawing or cleaning the keyboard) and gently run it through the speaker grille without pressing hard.
- 💨 Compressed air canister is effective at blowing dust out of hard-to-reach areas. Keep the balloon upright to avoid liquid.
- 🧲 Scotch tape or sticky tape -- gently glue a piece to the speaker's grille and rip it off abruptly.
- 🚫 What not to do: do not use sharp objects (toothpicks, needles), do not blow with your mouth (humidity can harm), do not apply liquids (alcohol, water).
After cleaning, check the sound. If there's no improvement, go to software methods. If the sound is cleaner but still quiet, the problem may be the settings or the hardware.
3.Use of engineering menu to increase volume
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 has a hidden engineering menu where you can fine-tune sound settings, including the maximum loudness of the speakers.This method requires caution, since improper settings can lead to distortion of the sound or even damage to the speakers.
How to open the engineering menu:
- Open the Phone app.
- Enter the combination: ##36446337## (or #4636## for the alternative menu).
- Choose Hardware Testing → Audio.
In the Audio menu you will see several tabs:
- 🔈 Normal Mode is the standard mode, where you can increase the Max Vol values for different types of sound (media, calls, alarm clocks).
- 🎧 Headset Mode – settings for headphones (does not affect the speakers).
- 📞 Receiver Mode – Volume of Speaking Speaker.
Recommended values for increasing volume (do not exceed them!):
| Parameter | Current value | Recommended value | Maximum permissible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media Max Vol | 150 | 160 | 180 |
| Ring Max Vol | 80 | 90 | 100 |
| Receiver Max Vol | 120 | 130 | 140 |
⚠️ Warning: Increasing the values above 180 for media or 100 for calls can cause the speakers to overheat and fail.
Record the current parameter values|Do not exceed the recommended values|Check the sound after each change.|Return settings when distortions appear-->
4.Applicants for sound amplification
If you don't want to go through the engineering menu, you can use third-party applications, which are based on the principle of amplifying the sound signal or correcting the equalizer, and it's important to choose proven programs so that you don't run into viruses or unstable systems.
Top.-3 Apps to increase volume on Redmi Note 9:
- 🎛️ Equalizer FX — Free equalizer with presets for different genres of music. 20-30% distortionless.
- 🔊 Volume Booster GOODEV — Simple volume booster with minimalist interface, supports separate settings for speakers and headphones.
- 🎧 Precise Volume – allows you to control the volume more accurately than standard Android settings".
How to use Equalizer FX:
- Download the app from Google Play and open it.
- Select a preset (such as Bass Booster or Loudness).
- Activate Volume Amplifier and move the slider 10-15%.
- Enable the AutoRun option to allow the settings to apply automatically.
Please note: some applications require permission to change system settings. If the sound hasn't changed after installation, check if all the necessary permissions are included in Settings → Applications → Special Access.
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Before installing the volume booster, check the reviews on Google Play — some apps may contain ads or collect data.
5. Update firmware and reset settings
Sometimes the reason for the quiet sound is software bugs or outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates that fix bugs, including those related to sound. MIUI:
How to update firmware:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click Check for updates.
- If a new version is available, download it and install it.
If the update didn’t help, try resetting the sound settings to factory:
- Open Settings → System and device → Resetting settings.
- Select Resetting Sound Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
- Confirm the action and restart the phone.
If the problem persists, you may have to perform a full Hard Reset, which is an extreme measure, because it will delete all data from the device. Make sure to back up before resetting!
What if the sound is completely gone after the update?
Hardware solutions: replacement of speakers or repair
If none of the software methods worked, the problem is likely hardware. Redmi Note 9 most often fails:
- 🔊 Lower speaker (multimedia) – responsible for sound in games, music, video.
- 📞 Top speaker (conversational) – used for calls.
- 🔌 Speaker contacts – oxidized or moved away from the board.
Signs of hardware malfunction:
- The sound disappears completely or becomes intermittent.
- There is a strong distortion even at a minimum volume.
- The speaker works only in a certain position of the phone (for example, if you tilt it at an angle).
Decisions:
- 🔧 Replacement of speakers – original spare parts for the Redmi Note 9 stand up 300-500 Self-substitution is possible, but requires accuracy (you need to solder off the old speaker and solder a new one).
- 🔩 Contact checks -- if the speaker is working but not working, the problem may be with the broken contacts on the motherboard.
- 🏥 Calling the service - if you're not sure about your skills, it's better to entrust the repair to professionals.The average cost of replacing a speaker in the service — 800-1500 ruble.
⚠️ Note: When replacing speakers yourself, use original parts or quality analogues (for example, from Huawei or Samsung with the appropriate parameters). Cheap Chinese copies often have the worst sound and quickly fail.
7. Alternative ways to improve sound
If you can't turn up the volume, you can go another way, which is to improve the perception of sound without changing the physical volume.
- 🎵 Using external speakers – connect your phone to a Bluetooth speaker or wired speakers through USB-C (It's going to give you a much better sound than the built-in speakers.
- 🔇 Customize the equalizer - even without boosters, you can improve the sound. In the sound settings (Settings) → Sound and vibration → EQUALIZER: Choose Rock or Pop Presets, which amplify the medium and high frequencies, making the sound “louder” when heard.
- 📱 Hear Mode - In the same audio settings, turn on the Adaptation of Sound option, which automatically adjusts the frequencies to your hearing, which can improve your perception.
- 🎧 Headphone use – if the speakers are weak but the 3.5mm or Bluetooth connector is working normally, go to listening through the headphones.
On the Redmi Note. 9 There's a hidden function called Double Speaker, which uses a speaker to play music. 30-40%. To activate it:
- Install the MTK Engineering Mode app from Google Play.
- Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → LoudSpeaker Mode.
- Turn on the Dual Speaker option.
This mode doesn’t work on all firmware, but if it’s available, you’ll immediately feel the difference!
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Before using alternative methods, check if your firmware is blocking them. Some custom versions of MIUI disable the dual speaker function to save battery life.