Quiet speaker on Xiaomi phone during a conversation: reasons and solutions

You're making an important call, but your interlocutor is constantly asking you if you're complaining about a quiet sound or not hearing you at all? The problem with low volume speakers during conversations on Xiaomi smartphones is more common than you think, and the fault can be both software failures in the MIUI shell and hardware malfunctions - from a clogged microphone to damaged contacts on the board. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of quiet sound when calling and give clear instructions how to return normal volume without going to the service center.

Xiaomi phones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) have hidden audio settings that are not always obvious to the user. For example, some MIUI firmware has a separate volume controller for the conversational speaker that resets after updates. The problem may lie in the malfunction of Google services or conflict with applications for recording calls. We tested the solutions on devices from Redmi Note 10 Pro to Xiaomi 13 Ultra — most methods are universal and work on all models.

Before you carry your phone for repair, go through our checklist, and 80 percent of the time, you can restore the volume yourself in 5 to 15 minutes, and start with the simplest of methods, and gradually move on to more complex settings.

1. Check the basic volume settings

The first thing you need to do is make sure that the problem is not the basic settings, and when you talk, you have a volume slider on the screen, but it only adjusts the media sound (music, video) and not the volume of the speaker, to change it.

1. During the call, press the up/down volume button on the side panel of the phone.
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) next to the slider - this will open the advanced sound settings.
3. Make sure that the call volume or volume of the conversation is set to maximum.

If this method does not help, check the general sound settings in the system:

• 🔊 Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration → Loudness.
• 📞 Make sure that the Call (or Conversation) is not muted.
• 🔇 Turn off Do Not Disturb or Quiet if they are active.

Some Xiaomi models (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi K40) have a separate option called Amplify the sound in the call settings to find it:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Settings.
3. Check for the sound enhancement or speaker and activate it.

2. Clean the microphone and speaker of contaminants

One of the most common causes of silent sound is a clogging microphone or speaker, and dust, a pile of your pocket, or residues of cosmetics (if your phone is in your powder bag) can block the sound holes.

• 📍 Bottom of the body (near the connector) USB-C).
• 📍 On the upper end (some models, for example, Xiaomi) 12T).
• 📍 Next to the main camera (secondary microphone for noise reduction).

To clean the holes:

1. Take a toothpick or plastic card (not metal objects!).
2. Carefully scrape dirt from the surface of the holes.
3. Use a spray of compressed air (to clean keyboards) or a soft brush to blow out the dust.
4. Wipe the area around the microphone with an alcohol napkin.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use cotton cotton cotton swabs - fibers can stay inside and make the problem worse. Also avoid liquids (such as hydrogen peroxide) that can damage internal contacts.

If the sound doesn't improve after cleaning, check the speaker for physical damage. Hold the phone to your ear while you're talking and listen.

• 🔊 Wheezing or crackling - a sign of a damaged speaker membrane.
• 🔊 Muffled sound with echo – possibly detached contacts or damaged soundboard.

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To test the microphone for performance, record a voice message on WhatsApp or Recorder, and if the recording is silent or distorted, the problem is with the microphone, not the speaker.

3.Reset the sound and network settings

If the problem isn't pollution, the next thing to try is resetting your audio and mobile network settings, which helps when:

• 📱 The sound disappeared after the update MIUI.
• 📱 The phone stopped working normally after installing the app (for example, to record calls).
• 📱 The volume drops on its own.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
2. Select Network Settings Reset (this will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and mobile internet settings).
3. Then go back and select Reset App Settings → Confirm the action.

After you restart your phone, check the volume during the call. If the problem persists, try a deeper reset — a factory reset. Make sure to back up the data before you do it!

Save contacts in a Google account|Copy photos and videos on PC|Write down passwords from apps|Make sure your phone is 50 times charged%+-->

To reset the phone to factory settings:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter your password (if required) and confirm.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) After the reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

4. Update or reinstall the MIUI firmware

If a quiet sound appears after a system update, a firmware bug may be to blame. Xiaomi regularly releases patches to fix such issues, so check for updates first:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, download it and install it.

If the update didn't work or it didn't, try manual flashing.

• 📥 Download the latest stable version MIUI For your model from the official Xiaomi website.
• 📁 Save the file in the phone’s root folder (not in downloads!).
• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update system, press three points (⋮) → Select a firmware file.

If the sound is still quieter or wheezing after the update, the firmware may not be installed correctly, and then a full Fastboot flashing (computer required) will help. You can find instructions for your model on the 4PDA forum.

5. Check settings for people with hearing impairment

MIUI has hidden features for people with hearing problems that can affect the volume of the speaker, such as the option to amplify the sound in the headphones sometimes conflicts with the main speaker, to turn off these settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Select Hearing or Sound Settings (name depends on the version of MIUI).
3. Turn off the following options: 🔊 Sound amplification 🔊 Mono-audio (if included) 🔊 Left/right channel balance

Also check the settings of Google Phone (standard calling app):

1. Open the phone. → three-point (⋮) → Settings.
2. Go to Sound and Vibration.
3. Turn off Sound Improvement or Noise Reduction (if any).

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 11T Pro), there is a separate volume control for the speaker in the engineering menu. To get there, type the phone code ##4636## → Select Phone Information → Battery settings, usage history and statistics → Sound testing.

6. Check for hardware malfunctions

If all software methods have been tried and the sound is quiet, the problem is probably hardware.

To diagnose a hardware problem:

• 🔧 Check if the speaker is running in hands-free mode. If so, there's a problem with the speaker.
• 🔧 If you put your headphones on, if they sound normal, the speaker or his contacts are faulty.
• 🔧 Light a flashlight into the speaker hole - if rust or moisture is visible, disassembly is required.

If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service center. The average cost of diagnosis in official Xiaomi services is 500-1000. ₽. Replacement of the speaker on Redmi models can be done in 1500-2500 ₽, on flagships (Xiaomi 13, Mix 4) – up to 4000 ₽.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone was in water or humid environment, don't turn it on and try to dry it with a hair dryer! This can cause a short circuit. Take the device to service within 24 hours - the chances of recovery will be higher.

7.Alternative solutions: applications and external devices

If repairs are delayed and you need to call urgently, use temporary solutions:

• 📱 Sound Amplifier (from Google) – amplifies the sound in headphones. Volume Booster – increases the volume of the speaker (caution, can cause distortion!). Hear Boost – improves audibility in noisy places.
• 🎧 Use a Bluetooth headset or wired headphones with a microphone. This completely bypasses the speaker speaker.
• 🔊 Turn on speaker (button in the call interface) if there are no outsiders around.

For Xiaomi models with IR-port (infrared transmission) can be connected to an external speaker via Bluetooth or FM-It's a transmitter in the car, and it's also a smart connection. TV via Miracast (if you need to have a long conversation).

If you make frequent calls in noisy places, consider buying an external microphone with a USB-C connector or Lightning (for older models). BOYA BY-M1 or Rode VideoMic will significantly improve sound quality.

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Before using audio amplification apps, check reviews — some contain malicious code or turn up the volume too aggressively, which can damage the speaker.

FAQ: Frequent questions about quiet sound on Xiaomi