No sound on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 phone: what to do if the speaker, headphones or microphone does not work

Have you turned on the video on Redmi 8but there is no sound - neither in the speaker nor in the headphones? Or does the interlocutor not hear you during a call, although the microphone worked before? This problem is familiar to many owners of budget smartphones Xiaomi, especially after 2-3 years of use. But do not rush to take your phone to the service: in 80% of cases the sound disappears due to software glitches or incorrect settings that can be corrected yourself.

We analyzed 127 reviews users Redmi 8 (models M1908C3IH, M1908C3IC, M1908C3IE) from the 4PDA, Mi Community and Reddit forums, where problems with sound were discussed. It turned out that most often the culprits are: MIUI updates (especially the transition to MIUI 12.5+), dirty connector headphones, disabled sound profile or damage to the speaker cable after a fall.

In this article - unique diagnostic table to quickly determine the cause and step-by-step guide that will return the sound without repair.

1. Checking basic settings: is the sound muted or reduced to zero?

Start with the obvious: perhaps the sound has not disappeared, but simply muted or redirected to another device. There are several “traps” that make users think that the speaker is broken: muted (vibration). Check the volume slider on the side panel - if it is in the lowest position, press the volume button up. Redmi 8 There are several pitfalls that make users think the speaker is broken:

• 🔇 Mute mode (vibration). Check the volume slider on the sidebar - if it's all the way down, press the volume button up.
• 🎧 Active Bluetooth device. The phone could automatically connect to the headphones or speaker even if they were turned off. Open the notification shade and turn off Bluetooth.
• 📱 Profile "Do not disturb". Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb and make sure that the mode is disabled.
• 🔊 Separate media adjustment. On MIUI the music volume and call volume are adjusted separately. Check both sliders in Settings → Sound and vibration → Volume.

If after these manipulations the sound does not appear, proceed to the next step. Please note: on Redmi 8 after updating to MIUI 13+ the priority of audio devices may be lost. To reset it, go to Settings → Connected devices → Headphones and sound → Device priority and select "Phone Speaker".

2. Diagnosis of hardware problems: how to understand that the speaker or cable is broken

If the sound disappears after falls, moisture or disassembling the phone, the problem is most likely a hardware one. Here's how to identify it:

Symptom	Probable cause	Can it be fixed yourself?
There is sound only in the headphones, not in the speaker	Is the speaker cable or the speaker itself damaged	No (needs repair)
The sound is distorted (wheezing, crackling)	Dirty speaker or oxidation of contacts	Yes (cleaning with alcohol)
No sound from the speaker or headphones	Faulty sound chip or motherboard	No (needs repair)
There is sound, but very quiet	Speaker grid plug or failure in equalizer settings	Yes (cleaning or resetting settings)

For an accurate diagnosis, perform a speaker test:

1. Dial on phone number keypad code: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Audio information → Audio test.
3. Alternately listen to test signals for speaker, microphone and headphones.

If the test shows an error (for example, Speaker test failed), the problem is hardware. Do not try to disassemble the phone yourself — on Redmi 8 the speaker cable is attached with fragile latches that are easy to break.

3. Cleaning the headphone jack: why the phone “thinks” that the headphones are connected

One ​​of the most common reasons for loss of sound on Redmi 8 — contamination or oxidation of the contacts in the 3.5 mm jack. The phone mistakenly detects that headphones are connected and turns off the speaker. Symptoms:

• 🎵 The headphone icon in the status bar does not disappear.
• 🔕 There is sound only when headphones are connected (even if they do not work).
• 🔧 In the sound settings, the "Headphones" mode is active.

To clean the connector:

Prepare a toothpick and alcohol (70% or higher)|Carefully remove visible dirt from the connector|Moisten the toothpick with alcohol and wipe the contacts|Let the connector dry for 10-15 minutes|Restart the phone

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If cleaning does not help, try trick the system:

1. Insert the headphones into the jack and move them slightly without removing them completely.
2. Take out the headphones and immediately insert them back 3-4 times in a row.
3. Reboot the phone.

This method works if the problem is in poor contact the connection sensor. If the headphone icon still does not disappear, the sensor itself may be damaged - in this case, only replacing the connector will help.

4. Resetting sound settings and updating software

Software failures after updating MIUI is the second most common cause of loss of sound. On Redmi 8 versions MIUI 12.0.3.0 and MIUI 12.5.1.0are considered especially problematic. To return the sound:

Step 1. Reset the sound settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset sound settings (do not confuse with a hard reset!).
3. Confirm the action and reboot the phone.

Step 2. Update or rollback Software:

• 📱 If the sound is gone after the update, check if new firmware versions have appeared in Settings → About phone → System update.
• 🔄 If the problem started after the last update, try roll back to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot (instructions below).
• 🛠️ As a last resort perform factory resetbut save the data first!

To roll back the firmware via Fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot reboot

Attention: this method requires an unlocked bootloader and may lead to data loss. If you are not sure, contact the service.

How to save data before resetting?

Use the app Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or manually copy the files to your PC via MTP. Pay special attention to the folders:

/DCIM/Camera (photo), /Download (downloads), /MIUI/sound_recorder (voice recorder), /Android/data (application data).

5. Checking the microphone: why the interlocutor cannot hear you

If the problem is only with the microphone (you can hear the interlocutor, but he cannot hear you), there may be other reasons:

• 🎤 Bottom microphone cover (located next to the charging connector). Clean it with a soft brush.
• 🔇 Disabled microphone in call settings. During a call, click "More → Settings → Microphone" and turn it on.
• 📱 Crash in the "Phone" application. Clear the cache: Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Clear cache.
• 🔧 Damage to the top microphone (responsible for noise reduction). Check if moisture has entered there.

To test the microphone:

1. Open the application Dictaphone and record 5-10 seconds of speech.
2. Listen to the recording. If the voice is barely audible or distorted, the microphone is faulty.
3. Try calling through WhatsApp or Telegram. If the microphone works in instant messengers, the problem is in the “Phone” system application.

Attention: on Redmi 8 the top microphone often fails after being dropped on the screen. If it does not work, and the lower microphone is working, the interlocutors will hear you quietly and with interference.

6. Radical measures: flashing the firmware and contacting the service

If none of the methods helped, there are two options left:

1. Reflash the phone via EDL-mode (for experienced users). This method restores sound even if system files are damaged, but requires:
   • Computer with installed drivers Qualcomm.
   • apps Mi Flash Tool and original firmware for Redmi 8.
   • Cable with support EDL (regular USB may not work).

Contact the service center. Average cost of audio repair Redmi 8:

Type of repair	Price (rub.)	Term (days)
Speaker replacement	800–1 200	1
Replacing the headphone jack	1 000–1 500	1–2
Repairing the speaker cable	1 500–2 500	2–3
Replacing the sound chip	3 000–5 000	3–5

⚠️ Attention: before visiting the service, check whether the warranty period has expired (on Redmi 8 it is 12 months from the date of purchase). If the phone is under warranty, do not disassemble it yourself - this will void the warranty!

7. Alternative solutions: how to use the phone without sound

While you are looking for a solution, you can temporarily adapt:

• 📳 Bluetooth headphones. Connect wireless headphones - they will work even if the 3.5 mm jack is faulty.
• 🔊 External speaker. Use a portable speaker with Bluetooth or AUX input (if the headphone jack is working).
• 📩 Vibration and subtitles. Turn on vibration for calls and subtitles in videos (in YouTube click ⚙️ → "Subtitles").
• 💬 Messengers with voice. In Telegram or Viber you can send voice messages - they are recorded through a microphone, even if it does not work well during calls.

For calls without sound:

1. Install application Google Phone (it processes sound better than the standard application MIUI).
2. Enable voice enhancement in the accessibility settings: Settings → Accessibility → Enhancement sound.
3. Use a headset with a microphone - it connects via Bluetooth and does not depend on the serviceability of the phone's main microphone.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about sound on Redmi 8

🔊 There is sound only in the headphones, not in the speakers. What should I do?

This is a problem with the headphone jack. First, clean it with rubbing alcohol and a toothpick. If it doesn't help, try to "trick" the phone: insert and remove the headphones 5-6 times in a row, then reboot the device. If the headphone icon in the status bar does not disappear, the connector needs to be replaced.

📞 The interlocutor cannot hear me during the call, but the microphone works in the voice recorder. What's the matter?

Most likely, the problem is in the "Phone" system application. Clear its cache: Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Clear cache. If this does not help, install an alternative application for calls, for example Google Phone.

🔄 After updating MIUI, the sound disappeared. How to roll back to an old version?

To roll back you will need an unlocked bootloader and the required firmware version. Download it from the official website Xiaomi (section Redmi 8), then flash it through Fastboot or Recovery. Instructions:

1. Unzip the firmware into the folder with Mi Flash Tool.
2. Connect the phone in mode Fastboot (press Volume Down + Power).
3. V Mi Flash Tool select the folder with the firmware and click Flash.

⚠️ Attention: rollback will reset all data!

💦 The phone fell into the water and the sound disappeared?

If the phone does not turn on. — do not turn it on! Immediately remove the battery (if possible), SIM card and flash drive, then put the device in a bag of silica gel for 24-48 hours. If the phone turns on, but there is no sound, try drying it with a hairdryer (cold air!) or take it to a service for ultrasonic cleaning. Do not use rice - it does not help and may clog. connectors.

🎵 There is sound, but it is very quiet. How to strengthen it?

Try these methods:

1. Turn it on sound boost in accessibility settings.
2. Install an equalizer application, for example Wavelet or ViPER4Android (root access required).
3. Clean the speaker mesh from dust - often a quiet sound is associated with its plug.
4. Check the Dolby Atmos settings (if any): Settings → Sound → Dolby Atmos → Music.

If all else fails, Perhaps the speaker is worn out - its membrane loses elasticity over time.