If you start to notice that while calling on Xiaomi Redmi 8, the interlocutor is silent, with interference or not at all to make out the words, the problem can be hidden in hardware malfunctions and software failures. This model, released in 2019, does not receive official MIUI updates, but most of the causes of bad sound can be eliminated without going to the service center.
In this article, we will look at all possible causes, from the banal clogging of the speaker to damage to the plume, and give step-by-step instructions with illustrations and videos (where appropriate), pay special attention to the hidden settings of MIUI, which affect the sound quality during calls, but about which few people know. If after checking all the points the problem remains, you will know exactly whether the hardware or software is to blame, and you can make an informed decision about repair.
1. Check basic sound settings and modes
Before you disassemble the phone or reset your settings, make sure the problem isn't in the banal settings of the system.There are several "pitfalls" on the Redmi 8 that can affect the volume of the speaker.
Start with a check:
- 🔊 Call volume: Press the volume button during a conversation – sometimes users accidentally reduce it to a minimum with side keys.
- 📵 Do Not Disturb Mode: Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb and make sure that the mode is turned off or does not block calls.
- 🎧 Connected devices: check if the Bluetooth headset profile is active (even if it is physically disabled). → Connected devices → Bluetooth and disable all associated devices.
- 🔄 In-car mode: in MIUI There's a hidden feature that automatically switches the sound to the speaker when it detects movement. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Car mode.
If the sound hasn't improved after this manipulation, move on to the next step. Note: there's a bug on Redmi 8 that, once you've connected your Bluetooth headset, the sound of calls can get stuck on it even after you've turned it off, and then rebooting your phone will help.
2. Cleaning of the speaker and microphone
One of the most common causes of hearing loss is a clogging speaker or microphone. On the Redmi 8, the speaker is located at the top of the screen (near the front camera), and the microphone is located at the bottom, next to the USB-C connector. Dust, pile from the pocket or cosmetics can block the sound holes.
How to clean:
- 🧹 Soft brush: use a soft bristling toothbrush or makeup brush. Carefully swipe the speaker and microphone holes.
- 💨 Compressed air canister: spray in short bursts (hold the balloon vertically so as not to freeze parts).
- 🧲 Scotch or sticky tape: Cut a small piece and press gently against the holes - this will help remove fine dust.
- ❌ What NOT to do: Do not use toothpicks, needles, or wet wipes – this can damage the speaker mesh or microphone.
How to check if the speaker is clogged?
If the sound has not improved after cleaning, the problem may be damage to the speaker membrane (for example, after a phone fall) or oxidation of the contacts on the plume, in which case you will need to disassemble the device.
3. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions
If the software settings and cleaning didn't work, it's time to check the hardware. On Xiaomi Redmi 8, the sound when calling is answered:
- 🔈 Speaker (located at the top of the screen).
- 🎤 Main microphone (below, next to the USB-C).
- 🔌 Dynamic/microphone plume (connects them to the motherboard).
- 📱 Audio codec (a chip on a board that processes sound).
How to check:
- Speaker test: Call your phone and put your ear on top of it. If you have a sound, but it's very quiet, it's a problem with the dynamics. If there's no sound at all, maybe you've got a plume or an audio codec damaged.
- Microphone test: record a voice memo or call another phone, and if the person can't hear you, the microphone is faulty.
- Physical damage check: inspect the body for dents, cracks, or traces of moisture (oxidation) around the speaker/microphone.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The interviewer can be heard quietly, but the sound is | Clogged speaker or damaged membrane | Cleaning or replacing the speaker |
| The sound is interrupted, clicks are heard. | Poor plume contact or oxidation | Reconnecting the plume or replacing |
| The interviewee can’t hear you, but you can hear him. | Misfunctional microphone. | Replacement of microphone |
| No sound at all (neither in the dynamics nor in the headset) | The audio codec or plume is damaged. | Diagnostics in the service |
If you suspect a hardware malfunction, but do not have experience disassembling phones, it is better to contact the service.
💡
Before visiting the service center, back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup. Some workshops reset the phone to factory settings for diagnostics.
4.Resetting the sound and network settings
Sometimes, the reason for poor hearing is failures in the settings of the mobile network or sound profile. On Redmi 8, this can manifest itself after updating MIUI or installing third-party applications that change sound parameters (for example, equalizers).
How to reset your settings:
Open Settings → System and device → Resetting settings
Select Network Settings Reset (this will remove saved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices)
Select Resetting of sound settings (will return volume and profiles to factory)
Reboot the phone.-->
If you have a problem after reset, try to turn on the plane mode for 30 seconds, then turn it off. This will force the communication modules to restart.
Also check if apps like ViPER4Android or Dolby Atmos are installed on your phone (if so, remove them) and they may conflict with the built-in MIUI audio drivers.
💡
Resetting network settings will also help if the problem is due to poor operator communication quality (e.g., switching between 3G/4G).
5. Update of firmware and core
Although Xiaomi Redmi 8 no longer receives official MIUI updates, some users are facing sound problems due to outdated software or conflicts with the system’s core.
Options for action:
- 🔄 Check the current version: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. The latest stable version for Redmi 8 — MIUI 12.5 (Android 10).
- 📥 Update via Recovery: Download the official service pack from Xiaomi’s site, transfer it to the root of the phone’s memory, and update via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select the update file.
- 🛠️ Custom firmware installation: If official updates don’t help, you can try LineageOS or Pixel Experience, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may deprive you of warranty (if it is still valid).
Before updating it is necessary:
- Make a backup copy of the data.
- Charge your phone at least 60%.
- Disable the antivirus (it can block firmware files).
What to do if the update is suspended?
Verification SIM-map and operator
Sometimes the problem is not the phone, but the quality of the operator's communication or malfunction. SIM-On Redmi 8, it manifests as:
- Poor hearing only in certain places (for example, in the subway or on the outskirts of the city).
- Distortion of sound, "robotization" of the voice of the interlocutor.
- Lost sound when switching between 3G/4G
How to diagnose:
- Check the signal level: the status bar should be at least 2-3 If the signal is weak, try switching to 3G manually: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred type of network → 3G.
- Testing with another SIM-card: insert the card of another operator, if the sound improves, the problem is in your tariff or coverage.
- VoLTE Check: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Voice communication through 4G. Turn off this option if it is enabled – sometimes VoLTE is unstable.
If the problem is confirmed by the operator, contact support and request a line diagnosis. Some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) provide a free service to check the quality of communication.
💡
Redmi 8 has a VoLTE bug that can take 1-2 seconds to lose sound when switching between networks.
7.Extreme measures: reset to factory settings
If all previous methods failed, you'll have to reset your phone completely, which will delete all the data, but it will return the system to its original state, which often resolves software conflicts.
How to reset Redmi 8:
- Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
- Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Delete all data.
- Choose to erase everything and confirm the action.
- After restarting, set your phone as new.
If the problem persists after the reset, it's almost guaranteed to be a hardware malfunction.
- Please contact the authorized Xiaomi service center (the list is available on the official website).
- If the phone is warranty, do not open it yourself - this will cancel the warranty.
- The cost of replacing the speaker or microphone with the Redmi 8 in 2026 is about 800-1500 rubles (depending on the region).
💡
After reset, don't restore the data from the backup immediately -- first check if the sound problem has been solved. Sometimes it's the old settings that cause the conflict.
FAQ: Frequent questions about the sound on Xiaomi Redmi 8
Why does the person hear me quietly and I hear him normally?
The sound is only lost when you use the headset.
After the phone fell, the person was not able to hear.
Can you replace the speaker with a Redmi 8?
Does flashing help with custom firmware (like LineageOS)?
If none of these methods worked, it's probably hardware, and you can't do it without repairs. But 90% of the time, bad hearing on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 is done by software or by cleaning the speaker. Start with the simplest steps and gradually move on to the more complex ones, and it saves you time and nerves.