Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but many users are faced with the problem of insufficient volume of speakers or headphones. Even at maximum settings, the sound can appear quiet while watching videos, listening to music or talking on speakerphone. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to increase volume, from standard settings to hidden functions of the engineering menu and third-party applications.
It's important to understand that the volume limits are often set by the manufacturer for a reason: they are designed to protect against damage to speakers or user hearing. However, if you are sure that your Redmi Note 9 can do more, follow our recommendations. We will also look at individual cases: how to increase the volume in headphones, via Bluetooth speakers or when calling.
Before you start setting up, make sure that the problem is not hardware malfunctions. If the speaker is wheezing, the sound is interrupted or completely lost, it may need repairs. Otherwise, our methods will help you get the most out of your device.
1. Checking basic volume settings
Start with the obvious: it’s possible that volume is limited at the system or app level.The Redmi Note 9 has separate regulators for media, calls and alarms, as well as additional settings in some apps (like YouTube or Spotify).
Open the Quick Settings panel with your finger down from top to bottom across the screen, and here you'll see a volume slider -- tap the down arrow next to it to expand all categories:
- 🔊 Media – volume of music, video, games;
- 📞 Calls - volume of conversations;
- ⏰ Alarm clock - volume of signal;
- 🔔 Notifications — message sounds.
Make sure all sliders are set to maximum. If the problem persists, check the settings in the app itself. For example, YouTube may have a separate volume controller inside the player, and messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) may have a "No Sound" option for chats.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The volume slider in the notification panel resets after rebooting. If this is your case, try changing the volume directly in the sound settings (Settings) → Sound and vibration).
2. Enable the "Sound Amplifier" mode in MIUI
The MIUI firmware on the Redmi Note 9 has a hidden feature called "Sound Amplifier" that increases volume through software processing, an option that isn't always on by default, but can be activated through settings.
Go to: Settings → Sound and vibration → Advanced settings → Sound amplifier
Turn on the switch and select one of the profiles:
- 🎵 Music – Optimized for listening to tracks;
- 🎬 Movies – enhances dialogue and bass;
- 📞 Loud communication – improves legibility of voice.
The effect will be noticeable immediately, but note that at maximum volume, distortion may occur. If the sound becomes "husky", reduce the volume by 1-2 divisions or turn off the amplifier for a specific scenario.
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If you're in your version MIUI No audio amplifier, upgrade to the latest stable version. MIUI 12 and newer.
3. Equalizer adjustment to improve sound
Sometimes the problem is not the volume, but the frequency response, for example, if there are too many low frequencies in the track, the Redmi Note 9 speakers can "choke" and make the overall volume seem lower, in which case the built-in equalizer will help.
To set it up:
- Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Equator.
- Select a preset profile (such as Rock or Pop) or create your own.
- Raise the sliders by 1–3 kHz (the range of the human voice) and 10–15 kHz (high frequencies for air).
- Reduce your bass (60-250 Hz) if the speaker starts to wheez.
For headphones, setting the equalizer is even more important: the right frequencies can make the sound not only louder, but also clearer. Experiment with settings depending on the genre of music or type of content (movies, podcasts).
| Frequency (Hz) | Impact on sound | Recommendation for Redmi Note 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 60–250 | Bass, heavy sounds | Reduce by 2-3 dB if the speaker is wheezing |
| 250–500 | Lower middle, body of sound | Leave unchanged or raise by 1 dB |
| 1-3 kHz | Voice, legibility | Increase by 3-4 dB for calls and podcasts |
| 10-15 kHz | Upper frequencies, air. | Increase by 2 dB for music |
4.Use of engineering menu to increase volume
If standard methods don't work, you can go to the Engineering Mode, which is a hidden settings section where you can manually change the volume limits for speakers, headphones and microphones. Be careful: the wrong settings can damage the speakers!
To open the engineering menu:
- Open the Phone app.
- Enter the code ##36446337## (or #4636### for older versions of MIUI).
- Choose Hardware Testing → Audio.
In this menu you will see several categories:
- 🔈 Speaker - speaker;
- 🎧 Headset - headphones;
- 📞 Receiver – a conversational speaker;
- 🔊 LoudSpeaker Mode – loud communication.
For each category, you can change the Max Vol (maximum volume) and Current Vol (current). By default, Max Vol is usually set to 160 or 170. Raise this value gradually (for example, to 180-200), testing the sound after each change.
⚠️ Note: Max Vol's increase above 220 may cause distortion or damage to the speakers. If the sound becomes hoarse or intermittent after the changes, return the settings to the factory settings.
Remember the original values of Max Vol.
Increase the volume by no more than 20 units at a time.
Check the sound after each change.
Do not change the microphone settings (echo risk)
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5. Third-party applications for sound amplification
If you don't want to go through the engineering menu, you can use the apps from Google Play, which are software amplifier-like, and they're volume-boosting by processing the audio signal.
1. Volume Booster GOODEV
A simple app with a single slider that increases volume to 200 percent of the standard one, supports separate profiles for speakers, headphones and Bluetooth, minus, you can get background noise at maximum settings.
2. Equalizer FX
A powerful equalizer with presets for different music genres, not only to enhance the sound, but also to improve the quality of the sound, and there is a plugin for Spotify and YouTube Music.
3. Precise Volume
It gives you precise volume control in 1% increments and also allows you to bypass the system constraints, useful if the standard MIUI "jumps" or resets.
Check reviews before installing, some apps may conflict with MIUI or contain ads, and remember that software amplification does not increase the physical power of the speakers, but only stretches the audio signal, which can lead to distortion.
What to do if the application does not work?
6 Bluetooth problems: why the sound is quiet in the speaker or headphones
If the volume drops when connected via Bluetooth, the problem may be due to the data protocol or device-side restrictions (columns/earphones).There are several ways to fix this on the Redmi Note 9:
1. Change the Bluetooth codec
By default, MIUI uses an SBC codec, which doesn't always deliver maximum volume. Try switching to AAC or aptX (if your headphones support them):
- Connect the Bluetooth device.
- Open Settings → Connected devices → Settings of the gear next to the device → Sound quality.
- Choose AAC or aptX.
2. Turn off "Absolute Volume"
This feature synchronizes the volume level between the smartphone and the Bluetooth device, but sometimes it doesn't work properly.
- Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
- Open the settings → Additional → for developers.
- Find the option to turn off absolute volume and activate it.
3.Reset Bluetooth settings
If the sound is gone or quieter after the update, reset the settings:
Settings → Connected devices → Settings (three dots) → Reset Bluetooth settings
7 Hardware Problems: When Software Methods Don't Help
If none of these methods worked, the problem may be the hardware:
- 🔊 Contamination speaker - dust or debris can block the sound. Clean the speaker hole with a soft brush or compressed air.
- 💧 Moisture intrusion - even after drying, the contacts can oxidize.
- 🔋 Wearing the speaker -- over time, the membrane loses its elasticity, and the sound becomes quieter.
- 🔌 3.5mm connector problems – if the sound is quiet only in headphones, check the connector for damage or oxidation.
To check if it's a hardware problem, connect the Redmi Note 9 to an external speaker or headphones via USB-C (using an adapter). If the sound is quiet, it's the firmware or settings. If it's normal, the speaker or connector problem.
⚠️ Warning: If you notice that the speaker is wheezing or making extraneous sounds (cracking, whistling) - immediately return the volume settings to standard. This is a sign of overload that can disable the speaker.
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Before you visit the service center, make a factory reset (Settings → About Phone → Reset) that sometimes solves software problems with sound.