Why the screen on Android turns off during a call: all the reasons and fixes

You are talking on the phone, and suddenly the screen goes blank - you have to point your finger blindly to return the image or end the call. The situation is familiar to many owners of Androidsmartphones, from budget Redmi to flagship ones. The problem is not only annoying, but also creates real inconvenience: it is impossible to use additional functions during a call, buttons are accidentally pressed, and in the worst cases, the call is interrupted altogether. Samsung Galaxy. The problem is not only annoying, but also creates real inconvenience: it is impossible to use additional functions during a call, buttons are accidentally pressed, and in the worst cases, the call ends altogether.

In 80% of cases, incorrect energy saving settings or software conflictsare to blame, but sometimes the reason lies deeper - in hardware faults or firmware features. In this article we will analyze all possible scenarios why Android screen turns off during a calland give step-by-step guide for diagnosing and fixing the problem. From simple actions in the settings menu to radical measures like resetting to factory settings.

We’ll warn you right away: if the problem appeared after the phone fell, got wet or self-disassembly - most likely, the problem is damage to the proximity sensor or display cable. In such cases, you cannot do without a service center. In all other situations, try the solutions from this article.

1. Screen timeout: why the display goes off during a call

The most common reason is automatic screen shutdown by timer. In normal mode, this is a useful feature to save battery, but during a call it only gets in the way. Many users are not even aware that the timeout can be configured separately for different scenarios, including conversations.

By default, on most smartphones (for example Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo), the screen turns off after 30-60 seconds of inactivity - even if you are talking. To avoid this, you need to:

• 📱 Open Settings → Display → Screen timeout (on some models the path may differ: Settings → Lock screen → Sleep).
• ⏳ Set the value Never or the maximum possible time (for example, 10 minutes).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone for the changes to take effect.

If your model does not have the option Never, try an alternative method:

1. Install a third-party application like Keep Screen On or Caffeine from Google Play.
2. Enable the mode in it During calls (or similar).
3. Give the application permission to Overlay on top of other windows in the accessibility settings.

2. Proximity sensor: how it affects the screen

The proximity sensor is a small but critical element that is responsible for turning off the screen when you bring the phone to your ear. Normally it should turn the display backwhen you move the device away. If the sensor is dirty, damaged or incorrectly calibrated, the screen may go out randomly or not turn on at all.

You can check the operation of the sensor using the engineering menu or special applications:

• 🔍 Install Sensor Test or Phone Doctor Plus iz Google Play.
• 📊 Run the proximity sensor test. Raise your hand to the top of the screen (where the front camera is located) - the value should change from 5.0 cm (or similar) to 0.0 cm.
• 🛠️ If the sensor does not respond, try cleaning it from dust with a soft brush or compressed air.

On some smartphones (for example, Huawei or Honor) the sensor can be recalibrated manually:

Enter the code in the phone application: ##2846579## → ProjectMenu → Proximity Sensor → Calibration

If calibration did not help and the sensor is clearly faulty (for example, after a fall phone), it will have to be replaced. The cost of repairs at a service center is from 800 to 2500 rubles, depending on the model.

3. Energy saving mode and battery optimization

Aggressive power saving settings are the second most popular reason why the screen goes dark during a call. Manufacturers like Xiaomi, Oppo or Vivo often enable Ultra saving modeby default, which limits the operation of the display and sensors. As a result, the phone "thinks" that you are not actively using the screen and turns it off.

To check and fix this:

1. Open Settings → Battery → Mode energy saving.
2. Disable all saving modes (for example, Super saving, Adaptive battery).
3. Find the section Battery optimization and add the application Phone (or Calls) to the exclusion list.

On smartphones Samsung the path may look like this:

Settings → Device Maintenance → Battery → Settings → Power Saving Modes and Features → Disable "Adaptive Battery"

If the problem persists, check the settings for specific applications:

• 📞 Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Battery.
• 🔋 Select No restrictions or Allow background activity.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone.

4. Software conflicts: viruses, updates and “crooked” firmware

If the screen starts to go dark after installing a new application, updating Android, or resetting the settings, the software is to blame. Most often, the problem occurs due to:

• 🦠 Viruses or malware that interfere with the operation of the sensors.
• 🔄 Unsuccessful system update (especially true for Android 13/14, where the display control logic has changed).
• 📱 Custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), where the proximity sensor parameters are incorrectly configured.

Diagnostics and solutions:

1. Check for viruses: Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light, perform a full scan. Remove suspicious applications.
2. Rolling back updates: If the problem appeared after the update, try rolling back:

   Settings → System → Software update → Click on the three dots → Rollback update

   ⚠️ Attention: Rollback is not possible on all models. On some smartphones (for example Google Pixel), this will require unlocking the bootloader and resetting the data.

3. Reset to factory settings: A last resort if other methods have not helped. Make a backup copy of your data first!

If you are using custom firmware, try:

• 🔧 Reflash the phone to the official software version.
• 📥 Update the kernel (kernel) or sensor modules.
• 💬 Ask for help on forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers (indicate the phone model and firmware version).

5. Hardware faults: when repairs are unavoidable

If all software methods have been tried, but the screen still goes off during a call, the problem is hardware failure. The most common reasons:

It is difficult to diagnose hardware problems on your own, but you can check a few things:

• 🔦 Shine a flashlight at an angle on the top of the screen - if moisture or corrosion is visible, this is a clear sign of liquid penetration.
• 📱 Check if the battery is swollen (carefully press on the back cover - if it "plays", the battery may put pressure on the cables).
• 🛠️ If the phone has been dropped, inspect the case for cracks near the front camera - the sensors are located there.

⚠️ Attention: If the screen goes out and does not turn back on even after pressing the power button, do not try to disassemble the phone yourself. Incorrect actions can lead to a short circuit or complete failure of the device.

6. Features of firmware from different manufacturers

Each brand customizes it Android for itself, and sometimes these modifications lead to bugs. Let's consider typical problems and solutions for popular brands:

Samsung Galaxy (One UI)

On smartphones Samsung (for example, Galaxy A54, S23 Ultra) the screen may go dark due to the function Adaptive display. To disable it:

Settings → Display → Adaptive display → Disable

Also check the settings Movements and gestures → Raise for awakening —sometimes they conflict with the proximity sensor.

Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI)

In MIUI the problem is often related to battery hyper-optimization. Solution:

1. Open Settings → Battery → Application selection.
2. Find Phone i Contact, select No restrictions.
3. Disable Background limitation to save battery.

Google Pixel (Stock Android)

On "pure" Android usually to blame Adaptive brightness mode. Try:

• Disable Settings → Display → Adaptive brightness.
• Reset application settings Phone (Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Reset).

Huawei/Honor (EMUI)

In EMUI the screen may turn off due to the function Smart screen. To disable it:

Settings → Smart assistance → Movements → Smart screen → Disable

1. Make a backup copy of your data

2. Write down the phone's IMEI (dial *#06#)

3. Remove password/pattern (if possible)

4. Prepare a check or guarantee card (if any)

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7. Alternative solutions: if all else fails

If all of the above methods did not work, try non-standard approaches:

• 🔄 Temporary solution: During a call, turn on Speakerphone —the screen will remain active. Inconvenient, but it will help to wait for repairs.
• 📱 Replacing the launcher: Some shells (for example, Nova Launcher) allow you to turn off the screen with a gesture. Try changing the launcher to a standard one.
• 🔧 ADB commands: For advanced users - disable the proximity sensor via Android Debug Bridge:

  adb shell settings put global proximity_delay 2500

  (where 2500 is the delay time in milliseconds).

• 🛠️ Replacement of glass/display: If the screen is cracked, even a small crack can interfere with the sensors. The cost of replacement is from 2000 rubles.

If you decide to contact a service center, choose official or trusted workshops. On smartphones with OLED screens (for example, Samsung Galaxy S or Google Pixel) poor-quality repairs can lead to matrix burnout or uneven illumination.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the problem

adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 1