How to increase the volume of the speaker on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 during a conversation: from settings to engineering menu

Why Redmi Note 5 has a quiet conversational sound and how to fix it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) often face the problem of low volume of the speaker, even at maximum audio settings, the voice of the interlocutor can be barely heard, especially in noisy rooms or on the street, the reasons for this lie in both the hardware limitations of the model and in the software settings of MIUI.

The main factors affecting the volume:

• 🔊 Hardware limitations – the Redmi Note 5 speaker has a fixed power (0.8 W), which is lower than the flagship models of Xiaomi.
• 📱 Programme limits MIUI — firmware artificially lowers the volume to protect the speaker from overload.
• 🔧 Dynamic pollution - dust and debris in the lattice reduce acoustic permeability.
• 🔄 Failures after updates - some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 10.2. and MIUI 11) had sound bugs.

In this article, we'll look at 7 working ways to increase the volume of a speaker, from basic settings to deep changes to the engineering menu. Importantly, some methods require root rights or may void warranty. Start with the safest options!

Method 1: Checking basic sound settings in MIUI

Before you take any drastic measures, make sure that all system settings are set up correctly, often because of the wrong settings or the disabled features.

Open Settings → Sound and vibration and do the following:

Make sure the "Call Volume" slider is at maximum |

Enable the option "Amprovement of sound" (if available)|

Turn off "Do Not Disturb" and energy saving modes |

Check if the "Silent Mode" profile is activated"-->

Please note the section Additional settings → Audio effects. Here you can include:

• 🎧 Voice amplifier – improves speech intelligibility in noisy conditions.
• 🔊 Equator – raise the slider at frequencies of 1-3 kHz (responsible for the human voice).
• 📞 In the car mode – automatically increases the volume when connected to a Bluetooth headset.

⚠️ Warning: If the sound becomes distorted or "wheezed" after the settings change, return the equalizer parameters to the original state.

Method 2: Cleaning the dynamics from dust and debris

Physical pollution is one of the most common causes of silent sound, with the Redmi Note 5’s speaker at the top of the body (near the front camera), which eventually gets clogged with dust, clothing fibers, and even potassium deposits.

To clean up, you will need:

• 🧹 Soft brush (for example, for makeup) or toothpick.
• 💨 Compressed air container (optional).
• 🔦 Lighting lamp.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the flashlight to the speaker at an angle - this will help to see the contamination.
3. Carefully walk the brush along the grille, moving from the center to the edges.
4. If you have a lot of pollution, use a toothpick wrapped with a wet napkin (not wet!).
5. Dry the speaker for 10-15 minutes before turning on.

After cleaning, check the volume in hands-free mode (Phone → Three dots → Loud). If the sound is cleaner but still quiet, go to software methods.

Method 3: Use the Engineering Menu (#4636##)

The Engineering Mode allows you to manually adjust sound settings that are not available in standard settings, a method that does not require root rights, but changing some parameters can lead to unstable phone performance.

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. Select Hardware Testing (Equipment Testing).
4. Go to Audio. → Loudspeaker Mode.

In this section you will see sliders for volume control:

• 📞 Sph - microphone.
• 🔊 Sph2 — speaker (our case).
• 🎵 Media - Multimedia speaker.
• 🎧 Ring - volume of the call.

The maximum value for Sph2 is 160. Increase it gradually (10-20 units at a time), testing the sound after each change. If you set the value above 200, the speaker can start to wheez or completely fail.

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu are not saved after the phone is restarted. To fix the settings, use applications like MTK Engineering Mode (available on Play Market).

Method 4: Apps for sound amplification (without root)

If the engineering menu seems complicated, you can use third-party utilities that work on top of the system and amplify the sound programmatically.

Top.-3 volume-boosting:

• 🔊 Volume Booster GOODEV — Increases volume by 20 to 30 percent without distortion, supports separate settings for calls.
• 📞 Speaker Boost specializes in conversational dynamics, has preset profiles for different conditions (street, car, room).
• 🎛️ Equalizer FX — allows you to fine-tune the equalizer for voice, enhancing the desired frequencies.

How to set up Volume Booster GOODEV:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Launch and give access to the sound settings.
3. Select the Call Volume tab.
4. Move the slider 20-25% (value 125).
5. Activate the Safe Mode option to avoid distortion.

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If the sound is intermittent after installing the app, turn off battery optimization for it. Go to Settings → Applications → Volume Booster → Battery → No restrictions.

The downside of these applications is that they only work when the process is active, and if the application is closed by the system (for example, due to a lack of memory), the volume will return to normal.

Method 5: Modification of files mixer_paths.xml (root)

For users with unlocked bootloader and root rights, the most effective method is available - editing the system file. mixer_paths.xml. This file contains volume limits set by Xiaomi, and changing it allows you to remove software limits.

Step-by-step:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Cross the path: /system/vendor/etc/mixer_paths.xml.
3. Make a backup copy of the file (copy it on the SD-map).
4. Open the file in a text editor (e.g. QuickEdit).
5. Find the following lines: <path name="handset-mic"> <ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" /> <ctl name="RX2 Digital Volume" value="84" /> Replace value="84" with value="92" (maximum 95).
6. Save the file and restart the phone.

Changing values above 95 can cause physical damage to the speaker, and the optimal range for the Redmi Note 5 is 88-92.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing mixer_paths.xml It can cause: Total loss of sound, cyclical reboot of the phone, microphone problems during calls, if after the changes the phone stopped ringing, restore the original file from the backup.

Method 6: Alternative firmware (Custom ROM)

If none of these methods worked, consider installing custom firmware. Some builds (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS) have more flexible audio settings and eliminate the limitations of MIUI.

The advantages of custom firmware for sound:

• 🔊 No artificial volume limits.
• 🎛️ Advanced equalizer settings.
• 🔄 Regular updates (as opposed to official updates) MIUI Redmi Note 5, which is no longer supported).

Cons:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🔧 Difficulty of installation for beginners.
• 📱 The risk of “bricking” the phone in case of an error.

Recommended firmware for Redmi Note 5:

Before installing the firmware, it is necessary to:

Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool|

Make a full backup of data (including IMEI) |

Check firmware compatibility with the model (whyred)|

Charge your phone at least 70 times%-->

Method 7: Hardware solutions (if nothing worked)

If the software methods fail, the problem may be a physical malfunction of the speaker or audio track.

Diagnosis of malfunctions:

• 🔧 Check contacts speaker – over time they can oxidize or move away.

How to check the speaker yourself:

1. Connect the headphones - if they sound clear, the problem is dynamics.
2. Call your phone from another device and turn on speakerphone, and if the speaker is quiet and the headphones are normal, the speaker is defective.
3. Shake the phone near your ear – if you hear a noise (such as rattling), dust has accumulated inside.

To replace the speaker, you will need:

• 🛠️ Set of screwdrivers (star) T3, T4).
• 🧲 Screen suction cup.
• 🔥 Hazel-softening.
• 📱 New speaker (article: Xiaomi) 1605-00016).

If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact a service center.The average cost of replacing a speaker in Moscow is 1000-1500. ₽ (spare-part).

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Before visiting the service, reset settings (Settings → About Phone → Reset) This will eliminate software causes of malfunction and save you time.

FAQ: Frequent Volume Up Questions on Redmi Note 5