How to increase the volume of headphones on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: safe and risky methods

Why the Redmi 9C is too quiet and what to do about it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9C often face the problem of insufficient volume in headphones - whether it is wired EarPods, bluetooth headsets or even branded Mi Basic. The reasons can lie both in the hardware limitations of the smartphone (the weak sound amplifier in the MediaTek Helio G35 chip) and in the software settings of MIUI, which artificially lower the volume to protect hearing.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to increase volume, from basic audio profile settings to profound changes in the engineering menu. Importantly, some methods can cause sound distortion or overheating of headphone speakers if used thoughtlessly, we will specify the risks for each option and give recommendations for safe use.

So let's start with the simplest solutions that don't require superuser rights or third-party apps, and if they don't work, we'll move on to more radical measures.

1. Check basic sound settings in MIUI

Before digging deeper, make sure the problem isn't with the trivial settings.There are a few places on the Redmi 9C where you can accidentally turn down the volume:

• 🔊 Volume Controller: Press the physical volume button and check if the slider is at a minimum. Sometimes it gets knocked off after connecting new headphones.
• 🎧 Individual volume for headphones: In Settings → Sound and vibration → Volume is a separate regulator for wired and wireless devices.
• 🚫 Do Not Disturb Mode: Is a rule Active that mutes the media? Check in Settings → Don't disturb.
• 🔄 Resetting of sound settings: In the same section, Sound and vibration is the option "Reset settings" - it will return all parameters to the factory.

Pay special attention to the item "Adaptive sound" (if you have one in your version of MIUI), which automatically adjusts the volume depending on the level of external noise, but sometimes it malfunctions. Try to turn it off during the test.

2. Enable the Mi Sound Enhancer mode

Xiaomi has built in Redmi 9C proprietary sound enhancement technology - Mi Sound Enhancer (or "Mi Dira" in Russian firmware), this feature increases volume due to software signal processing, but by default can be disabled.

How to activate:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the Music app (a standard player from Xiaomi) and run any track.
3. Slip on the balance icon (three stripes) in the lower right corner.
4. Select Mi Sound Enhancer and move the slider to the maximum.

The effect will be noticeable immediately, but note:

⚠️ Attention: At maximum settings Mi Sound Enhancer may appear distortion of sound at high frequencies (hisping, wheezing). If you hear artifacts, reduce the gain to 70-80%.

If you don’t have a standard player, but Spotify or YouTube Music, try enabling a similar feature right in these apps (usually called “Equalizer” or “Bas Amplifier”).

3. Use of third-party equalizers

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, it's time to turn to third-party apps.The best options for Redmi 9C are:

• 🎛️ Equalizer FX: Free equalizer with presets (Rock, Pop, Bass) Allows you to turn up the volume to +15 dB.
• 🔊 Volume Booster: Simple app with one slider to amplify sound. risk of distortion is higher than equalizer.
• 🎧 Poweramp Equalizer: Paid, but the highest quality option with support for hi-res formats.

Instructions for setting up (for example, Equalizer FX):

Important: Once you have set the equalizer, go to Settings → Applications → Equalizer FX → Permissions and access the "Change System Sound Settings" access. Without that, the app will not be able to affect the volume.

4. activation of the engineering menu (for experienced users)

The Redmi 9C has a hidden engineering menu where you can manually adjust the sound card settings, which maximizes volume, but requires caution that the wrong values can damage the earphone speakers.

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##36446337## (code for MediaTek).
3. Select the Hardware Testing option → Audio.

In the Audio menu, we are interested in two sections:

Once you change the values, press Set and restart the phone, and you'll notice the effect immediately, but:

⚠️ Warning: Values above 150 for the Headset Max Vol can cause the speakers membrane to burn out on cheap headphones. Start at 140 and gradually zoom in by checking for distortions.

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Before you change the settings in the engineering menu, write down the current values on paper, and if the sound goes away, you can return the original settings.

5. Modification of the file mixer_paths.xml (root)

For the most advanced users who are ready to get root rights, there is a way to change the volume limits at the system file level, which gives maximum amplification, but also maximum risk.

What needs to be done:

1. Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Cross the path: /vendor/etc/mixer_paths.xml.
4. Find the following lines: <path name="headphone"> <ctl name="HPHL Volume" value="60" /> <ctl name="HPHR Volume" value="60" />
5. Change the value from 60 to 80-90 (no more!).
6. Save the file and restart the phone.

Results:

• ✅ The volume will increase by 30-50% compared to standard settings.
• ❌ Risk of damage to headphones during long-term listening at maximum.
• ⚠️ Possible problems with Widevine certification L1 (Netflix will not be working in the future. HD).

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Change of change mixer_paths.xml — The only way to get around the hardware limitations of the MediaTek Helio chip G35. But this method irreversibly violates the integrity of the system partition, which can lead to problems with the system partition. OTA-update.

6. Checking hardware problems

If none of the software methods worked, the problem could be a physical malfunction:

• 🔌 Nest 3.5 mm: Contact oxidation or mechanical damage. Check if the jack wobbles when the headphones are connected.
• 🎵 Cheap models (especially no-names from China) often have low resistance (16 Ohms instead of the standard 32 Ohms), which is why Redmi is so popular. 9C automatically reduces volume.
• 🔋 Battery: With a discharge below 15% MIUI It's a dimming sound to save energy.

Quick test for hardware problems:

1. Connect your headphones to another device (laptop, second phone), and if the sound is the same, the headphones are a problem.
2. Try other headphones on the Redmi 9C. If everyone is playing quietly, the phone is a problem.
3. Record the sound from the microphone of the headphones (for example, in the app Dictaphone). If the recording is silent, the microphone or plug is defective.

If the 3.5 mm jack malfunctions are confirmed, it will cost 800-1500 rubles (2026) to replace it at the service center. Alternatively, use a USB-C adapter for headphones (for example, Xiaomi Type-C to 3.5mm).

7.Alternative solutions: Bluetooth and external amplifiers

If the fight against quiet sound in wired headphones has not been successful, consider alternatives:

• 📶 Bluetooth headphones with AAC/aptX: Wireless headsets (e.g., Redmi Buds) 4) Often sound louder than wired ones due to digital signal processing.
• 🔊 External sound amplifier: Devices like FiiO A1 Xiaomi Headphone Amplifier connects to 3.5 mm connector and amplifies signal without risk to the phone.
• 🎧 High sensitivity headphones: Models with a sensitivity of 105 dB/mV and higher (e.g, KZ ZSN Pro X) will sound louder at the same signal level.

The advantage of the external amplifier is that it takes over the sound processing, unloading the Redmi 9C processor. This is especially noticeable when listening to music in FLAC or WAV formats, where the phone can "choke" and artificially turn down the volume.

If you choose Bluetooth headphones, pay attention to codec support:

For the Redmi 9C, headphones with AAC or aptX are the best choice. The LDAC phone does not support, and the SBC gives mediocre quality.

FAQ: Frequent questions about volume up on Redmi 9C