How to increase volume on Xiaomi Redmi 9S: from settings to engineering menu

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9S often face the problem of insufficient loudness of speakers — whether while watching videos, listening to music or talking on speakerphone. The reasons can lie in both the software limitations of MIUI and hardware features of the budget model. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to increase the volume, from basic settings to advanced methods using engineering menus and third-party utilities.

It's important to understand that the Redmi 9S has a single, power-limited bottom speaker, which is a budget solution that you can't physically overcome, but the right setup and tweaks allow you to get the most out of the hardware. We'll also look at the hidden MIUI 12/13 settings that the manufacturer doesn't advertise, but that directly affect the sound.

Before you start changing your settings, make sure that the problem is not related to mechanical damage to the speaker (such as dust or moisture) or blocking the sound due to the connected headphones. Check this out simply: connect a Bluetooth headset — if the sound is normal, the problem is precisely in the main dynamics of the smartphone.

1. Basic volume settings in MIUI

Start with the obvious, checking the standard volume controls. Redmi 9S has separate sliders for media, calls and alarms, and hidden options for notifications. Here's how to find them:

• 🔊 Quick volume menu: swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar, then tap the volume icon (or use physical buttons on the sidebar.
• ⚙️ Advanced Settings: Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Loudness. You can fine-tune the balance between notifications and multimedia.
• 🎵 equalizer MIUI: In the same section, select Sound Quality and Vibration. → Equator. Try Basa's preset or Rock, which artificially amplifies the low frequencies, creating a higher volume effect.

Note the Adaptive Sound option (if your version of MIUI has one), which automatically adjusts the volume based on the noise level in the environment, but sometimes it doesn't work correctly - try turning it off if the sound seems unstable.

⚠️ Warning: If the equalizer settings change, the sound becomes distorted (wheezing, interference), return the settings to the factory settings. This is a sign that the speaker is working at the limit of its capabilities.

2. Engineering menu: hidden parameters of sound

The Redmi 9S, like other Xiaomi smartphones, has a hidden engineering menu where you can fine-tune the speaker settings. This method requires caution - incorrect values can lead to audio distortion or even damage to the speaker.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##36446337## (or #4636## for the alternative menu).
3. Select the Hardware Testing → Audio section.

In the engineering menu, pay attention to the following parameters:

• 🔇 Max Vol: limit maximum volume. Try increasing the value by 5-10% from the current one (for example, from 150 to 165).
• 🎛️ Speaker Gain: increase signal amplification on the speaker. Increase by 1-2 dB (no more, otherwise there will be distortions!).
• 🔄 Headset Mode: If the speaker is quiet, check if the headphone mode is activated (should be Speaker Mode: On).

After the changes, restart your smartphone. If the sound gets worse (wheezing, crackling), return the values to the original. The engineering menu is reset after the firmware update, so you have to repeat the procedure after the MIUI update.

Record the initial values of the parameters|Do not change more than 2 parameters at a time|Reboot your phone after the changes|Check the sound at different frequencies-->

3. Sound amplification applications

If the system settings don't work, you can use third-party utilities, which work on two principles: either amplify sound at the software level (which can lead to distortion), or optimize frequency range. 9S:

• 🔊 Volume Booster (by Good Mood Apps): a simple booster with pre-profiles for music, video and calls, allows you to increase the volume to 20% without critical distortion.
• 🎛️ Equalizer & Bass Booster (by Smart Android Apps): Combines equalizer with low frequency amplifier. Effective for bass music (hip-hop, electronic music).
• 🎧 ViPER4Android (requires root: the most powerful instrument, but it's hard to set up, allows you to finely adjust the sound by frequency, add environmental effects, and even emulate the acoustics of the concert hall.

Before installing applications, check their compatibility with your version of MIUI. Some utilities (for example, ViPER4Android) require Magisk and may conflict with system updates. Also remember that artificial audio amplification reduces the speaker's life - do not use maximum settings constantly.

⚠️ Note: Applications like Volume Booster often request permission to access notifications and microphones. Denie access to the microphone if the utility does not require it to work, this will reduce the risk of data leakage.

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Before installing a sound booster, check its ranking on Google Play. Apps with a score below 4.0 stars often contain aggressive advertising or malicious code.

4. Cleaning dynamics from dust and debris

One common reason for the quiet sound on the Redmi 9S is that the speaker is clogged with dust or villi. In Xiaomi's budget models, the speaker grid often has large cells that can be easily penetrated by debris.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Take a soft toothbrush (preferably a baby toothbrush, with soft bristles) and gently clean the speaker grille with circular movements.
3. To remove dust from the inside, use a can of compressed air (sold in electronics stores). Keep the balloon vertically to avoid liquid.
4. Check the sound after cleaning – if there is no improvement, the problem is not the clogging.

Do not use sharp objects (needles, toothpicks) - they can damage the membrane of the speaker. Also avoid wet wipes: liquid trapped under the net can cause corrosion of contacts.

5. Checking for software failures

Sometimes, the silent sound is not caused by hardware limitations, but by errors in MIUI operation.

• 🔄 Reboot: trivial but often helps. Hold the power button for 10 seconds to force the device to restart.
• 🛠️ Resetting sound settings: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Reset the app settings. That'll bring all the audio profiles back to the factory.
• 📱 Safe Mode: Press the power button, then hold your finger on the "Stop" option, and you'll be prompted to go to Safe Mode. If the sound is normal, the problem is in one of the installed applications.

If the crashes started after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous firmware version.

1. Download the desired version of MIUI from the official Xiaomi website (section Redmi 9S → Stable ROM).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of the phone.
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.

Running back the firmware will reset all settings, so pre-back up the data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

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If the silent sound appeared after the MIUI update, the fault is most likely in the audio driver, in which case either a rollback or waiting for the next patch from Xiaomi will help.

6. Hardware modifications (for advanced)

If the software methods didn't work, there are two radical options: replacing the speaker or plugging in an external amplifier, both of which require disassembling the phone and soldering skills.

Replacing the speaker will cost 800–1500 RUB (depending on service center) Original speaker for Redmi 9S catalogue XM10-01-01. When replacing, make sure the craftsman uses the original part – Chinese counterparts often have the worst sound quality.

Connecting an external amplifier (e.g., based on a TPA3110 chip) is possible, but requires a body modification.

• 🔋 Reduces battery life (amplifier consumes) ~0.5-1 W).
• 📦 Requires space inside the housing (usually the amplifier is fastened instead of the NFC-The antenna that's in Redmi. 9S no).
• 🔊 Can produce background noise at maximum volume.

These methods are recommended only for advanced users. For most owners of the Redmi 9S, the best solution will be a combination of software settings and cleaning the speaker.

7.Alternative solutions: Bluetooth and external speakers

If you can not increase the volume of the built-in speaker, consider alternatives:

• 🎧 Bluetooth speaker: even budget models (like Xiaomi Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker) sound louder and cleaner than the built-in speaker.
• 🔌 Active columns with AUX: plug in through the adapter USB-C → 3.5 mm (e.g, UGREEN 20539).
• 📱 Speak Mode: When watching YouTube or Netflix videos, turn on this mode – the sound will be output through the upper conversational speaker (it is quieter, but sometimes clearer).

For Redmi 9S owners who often watch movies or listen to music, buying external acoustics may be a smarter investment than trying to squeeze the most out of the built-in speaker, especially since even after all the manipulations, its power will remain limited by physical parameters.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the sound on Redmi 9S