I can’t hear the interlocutor on the phone Xiaomi Redmi 5: what to do

The situation when the Xiaomi Redmi 5 is not able to hear the interlocutor is one of the most common complaints of the owners of this popular model: the smartphone was released several years ago, and during active operation its acoustic system could suffer from dust, moisture or natural wear.

Owners often panic, believing that the problem lies in the expensive breakdown of the motherboard. However, in most cases, it is solved by simple cleaning or software setting. The speaker is an consumable element that requires periodic maintenance. Before you carry the device into service, you need to conduct a series of self-manipulations that in 80% of cases return the volume to its previous level.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of sound attenuation, from the banal contamination of the grid to a failure in the MIUI operating system. We will look at an algorithm of actions that will help you diagnose a malfunction and fix it without the involvement of third-party specialists. It is important to act consistently so as not to aggravate the situation with the wrong actions.

Diagnostics of the problem: software or hardware?

The first step is always to make a precise diagnosis, and you need to understand why Redmi 5 has a quiet sound, whether it's hardware or a firmware failure, so you can turn on the recorder and record a few seconds of silence, holding the phone to the source of the sound, or just play a voice message in the messenger, and if you play it through the speakerphone or the headphones, the sound is clear and loud, then the problem is localized to the top speaker or its contacts.

Often users forget the basic volume settings. On Android, volume levels are divided into categories: multimedia, alarm, ringtone and call volume. You may have accidentally lowered the level of the conversational speaker during a conversation. Check the side buttons of the adjustments directly during the incoming or outgoing call.

⚠️ Warning: If the problem with the silent sound persists after resetting the settings to the factory (Hard Reset), the probability of a software error is minimal.

It’s also worth checking if In-Pack mode or third-party equalizer apps are activated, which may conflict with standard audio drivers. Disabling all unnecessary effects and returning to standard sound profiles often helps identify the source of the conflict.

Mechanical cleaning of the conversational speaker

The most common reason why Xiaomi Redmi 5 is hard to hear is the banal clogging. The speaker grid is a small sieve that traps not only dust, but also skin fat, villi from clothes and microparticles of dirt, which eventually turns into a dense plug that silences the sound.

To clean, you'll need a soft bristles toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol (or a special electronics cleaning fluid) and it's strictly forbidden to use water or aggressive solvents, as they can damage the adhesive base of the speaker membrane. Gently moisten the brush in alcohol, shake off the excess and walk around the grid in light circular motions.

After cleaning, let the device dry for 5-10 minutes before turning on. If the alcohol gets inside and you turn on the phone right away, a short circuit may occur. You can also use sticky tape (scotch) to pull softened dirt from the mesh holes.

Sometimes the problem is not the grid itself, but the protective glass or film that was not pasted correctly. If the protective coating covers the speaker hole even partially, the sound will be deaf and quiet. Take the film and see if the situation has improved.

Customization of sound and codecs in MIUI

The MIUI Operating Shell offers many settings that can affect voice quality. Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Sound Effects. It's worth experimenting with the equalizer settings. Sometimes standard "Bas" or "Bright" presets distort the frequencies of the human voice, making speech indistinct.

Pay special attention to the Sound Improvement feature. In some firmware versions, this option may not work properly, suppressing useful frequencies. Try turning off all enhancements and leave the sound in Original or Normal mode. Also check for system updates, as security patches often fix audio drivers errors.

Another important thing is to work in Safe Mode, load your phone in this mode (usually by pressing the shutdown button on the lock screen) and check the sound. If you hear it perfectly in Safe Mode, then some third-party app you installed is causing the problem.

Network and operator verification

Sometimes users look for a problem in dynamics when the quality of communication is really to blame. If Redmi 5 is bad only in certain places (basement, elevator, suburban area), then it is the coverage of the network. Try calling another subscriber or asking to call you from another operator's number.

Voice technology is an important factor. In mobile network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred network type: Try switching from 4G/LTE on 3G or 2G. Sometimes voice traffic (VoLTE) is unstable and the transition to the old standard is not sustainable. 3G Makes sound louder and stiffer, although internet speeds will drop.

⚠️ Note: If the problem with quiet sound is only observed when calling via messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram), check the microphone settings and permissions for these applications.

Older SIM cards that are over 5-7 years old may not work properly on modern networks, causing interference and loss of voice packets. Contact the salon for a free replacement of the SIM card with a new 4G support.

Hardware repair: replacement of the speaker

If the cleaning and settings didn't help, most likely the speaker physically malfunctioned. Xiaomi Redmi 5 uses a modular conversational speaker that is attached to two-way tape and connected by a plume or contacts. Over time, the speaker membrane can break or oxidize contacts.

To replace, you'll need a new speaker (compatible with the MDE5/MDG5), a set of screwdrivers and a suction cup. The Redmi 5 disassembly process requires care, as the back cover is plastic and can crack if you unguardedly open it, first you need to unscrew the two screws from the bottom, then gently snap the lid.

Once the back cover is removed and the battery is removed (be sure to unplug the battery plume before work!), you will have access to the motherboard. The speaker is usually located in the top corner. Unscrew the mount screws, unplug the connector and install a new part. The cost of the spare part is low, making repairs cost-effective.

When you build it, it's important to press the speaker tightly against the body so there's no gaps, otherwise the sound will walk and lose bassiness. Use the new two-way tape to fix.

Engineering menu and testing

For deep diagnostics, you can use the Android Engineering Menu, and type in the code ##6484### (or #4636##) to open the CIT (Customer Information Test) menu, where you can test all the components of the device.

Find the item "Receiver" or "Audio" in this menu, you can run a test sound that will play at maximum volume, which will help to finally make sure that the speaker is working (or not working) at the hardware level, eliminating the influence of third-party applications.

adb shell service call audio 1 i32 3 i32 100

This command (for advanced ADB users) allows you to force the loudspeaker to maximum in software, but use it with caution so as not to damage the speaker with overload.

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Before disassembling the phone, be sure to back up the data. Even when working with the speaker, there is a risk of accidentally hitting the plume and losing data or damaging the system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by cleaning the speaker mesh from dust or replacing the cheap speaker module in the service center.