When a customer hears you perfectly, but you don't hear it while you're talking on a Xiaomi smartphone, it can be a problem for even a smart user, because it makes it impossible to communicate fully, turning the phone into a useless piece of plastic, and most often it's not because the speaker is broken, but because of a software failure or an accidental switch of the output mode.
Before you panic and carry the device to the service center, you need to conduct a basic diagnosis. Auditor is a miniature component that is easily clogged with dust or shut down software due to a conflict of applications. Owners of Redmi and POCO often experience the sound switched to speakerphone or Bluetooth headset without the user's knowledge.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the possible causes of lack of sound in the conversational speaker and provide step-by-step instructions for eliminating them, learn how to check MIUI settings, clean audio drivers, and determine if hardware intervention is required.
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In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by software methods or cleaning the speaker grid without requiring replacement of parts.
Checking volume settings and operating modes
The first thing to do if you lose the sound when you call is to make sure that the volume level of the speaker is not twisted to zero. In the MIUI shell, a separate slider is responsible for this, which is not related to multimedia volume. To check this, call the support number or another caller and press the volume button on the side of the conversation.
You'll see an adjustment scale with your phone icon on the screen. Make sure the slider is raised to its maximum value. Sometimes users accidentally drop it during a conversation by touching buttons in their pocket. It's also worth checking if no sound or no disturb mode is activated, which can block audible incoming notifications, even though the conversation itself usually goes well.
Notice the speaker icon during a call. If it is crossed out or the Bluetooth icon is burning nearby, the sound goes to the external device. Click on this icon to switch the audio output back to the phone. In some cases, the system can stick on the Bluetooth headset even if it is turned off, so forced switching over the call menu often solves the problem.
- 🔊 Press the volume button "up" directly during an incoming or outgoing call.
- 📱 Check if the “In your pocket” mode is activated in the notification curtain.
- 🔇 Make sure the call volume slider is not in the minimum position.
If the volume sliders are at their maximum and the silence is maintained, the problem may lie deeper in the audio system settings. Try restarting the device is a standard but effective procedure for resetting the audio driver's temporary errors.
Bluetooth and third-party headset conflicts
Modern Xiaomi smartphones aggressively look for connected devices. If you have a previously paired Bluetooth headset, smartwatch or car system in range, the phone can automatically redirect the audio stream there. Even if the device is in another room or is discharged, the residual signal sometimes makes the system think that the accessory is active.
To rule out this factor, turn off the Bluetooth module completely. Don't just turn it off the curtain, go to Settings → Bluetooth and put the switch to the off position. Then make a test call. If the sound comes up, then the problem was redirecting the audio.
Why does sound go to a non-existent device?
It's also worth checking the list of paired devices, and if there are old gadgets that you haven't used in a long time, you'd better remove them from your phone's memory, click on the gear next to the device name, and select "Disable" or "Forget the device," which will prevent automatic connection in the future.
Another nuance is with VoIP applications like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber. They may have their own audio output settings that conflict with system ones. If the problem is only seen in messengers, check the privacy and microphone access settings for a particular application.
Auditory speaker contamination and mechanical damage
The most common, but common, cause of silent or missing sound is physical pollution, and the mesh of the speaker at the top of the screen is in constant contact with the ear, skin fat and dust, and over time, the holes get clogged, and the sound becomes deaf or disappears altogether.
To clean, use a soft dry toothbrush or a special sticky electronics tape. Walk carefully on the grid, trying not to damage it. It is strictly forbidden to use sharp objects such as needles or pins, as you can pierce the speaker membrane, which will lead to its complete breakage.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use alcohol or other liquid to clean the speaker directly.The liquid can get inside the case and cause corrosion of contacts or short circuit of the board.
If the cleaning didn't work, check the phone for signs of a fall. Even if the screen is intact, the internal plume of the speaker could have moved away from the connector on the motherboard. Knock lightly on the top of the case (not much!) and check if there's a sound. If so, the problem is poor plume contact.
Owners of moisture-protected models (IP68) should be aware that after water hits, the sound may temporarily disappear due to the surface tension of the water in the grid, in which case special sound signals that push water out, which can be found in applications for cleaning speakers, help.
MIUI software failures and resetting sound settings
The MIUI shell, like any complex operating system, is prone to software failures. An error in the Audio HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) service can cause sound to stop feeding to the speaker, often after a system upgrade or installation of heavy applications.
Try resetting your sound settings. To do this, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Sound Effects. If you can reset your equalization settings or sound effects (like Dolby Atmos or Dirac), do this. Sometimes the sound enhancers that are included conflict with the basic functions of the call.
A more radical but effective method is to reset your network settings, which won't delete your photos or contacts, but will return to factory settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile networks. Path: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
- 🔄 Restart your smartphone to Safe Mode to eliminate the impact of third-party apps.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of the Phone application through the application management menu.
- 📲 Check for system updates in the About Phone section».
If the problem occurs after installing a particular application, try to remove it. Some call recording or voice change programs may intercept the audio stream and not give it back to the system correctly.
Diagnostics through engineering menu and tests
Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in tool for diagnosing hardware components. To run the speaker test, open the Phone app and dial the code ##6484##. The CIT (Customer Integration Test) will open the CIT (Customer Integration Test) engineering menu.
In the test list, look for "Receiver" or "Speaker." Run a test. If you hear a melody or a voice in Receiver mode, the hardware is good and the problem is software. If the silence is likely to break.
☑️ Diagnostics of sound
You can also use third-party frequency testing applications, like Speaker Test, run low and high frequency sound generation, and if the speaker is wheezing or silent at all frequencies, it's a sure sign of failure.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The sound is only on speakerphone. | Failure of the conversational speaker | Replacement of the speaker module |
| The sound comes and goes. | Emission plume or oxidation | Reconnecting the plume, cleaning contacts |
| A quiet, distorted sound | Grid contamination or rupture of the membrane | Cleaning or replacement |
| Sound is in apps, but not in calls | Software failure or driver conflict | Resetting, flashing |
The engineering menu also allows you to check the proximity sensor, so if the sensor is stuck or not working properly, it can "think" that the phone is in the ear, and silence the main speaker, switching the sound on barely audible mode, or vice versa, block it completely.
When repairs are needed: signs of hardware breakdown
If all the software, cleaning and rebooting methods have failed, you'll probably need a wizard to intervene. A conversational speaker is a consumable that wears out over time. The membrane loses its elasticity, the coil burns out or the contacts oxidize.
Signs indicating the need for replacement:
1. complete absence of sound even at maximum volume after reset.
2. the appearance of strong coding, hissing or wheezing instead of voice.
3.The phone warms up at the top during the conversation (a sign of a short circuit in the speaker circuit).
⚠️ Warning: If the phone falls into water, don't try to dry it with a hair dryer. Hot air drives moisture deeper into the board.
Replacing the speaker with Xiaomi is a low-cost and fast procedure. In most models (Redmi Note, Xiaomi Mi/Poco), the speaker is a separate module or part of a plume with sensors. The cost of the spare part is usually low, and the replacement itself takes 15-30 minutes.
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When replacing the speaker, always ask the wizard to check and clean the contact pad on the motherboard, as oxidation could spread to the board.
Don't try to disassemble the phone yourself if you don't have the experience and tools. Modern Xiaomi smartphones have adhesive bezels and brittle plumes that are easily damaged if you unscrupulously open them. It's better to entrust this to professionals, especially if the device is warranted.