The Proximity Sensor on your smartphone is one of the most underrated pieces of hardware on the device. Every time you receive a call, this sensor kicks in and locks the screen when you bring your phone close to your ear. This completely eliminates any chance of accidental touches registering on the screen. When you move the phone away from your ear, the screen gets activated automatically. In this article, we bring you the top 6 ways to fix a faulty proximity sensor on your Android smartphone.

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Perform a diagnostic test

To be absolutely certain that the issue lies with the sensor hardware on your phone, perform a quick diagnostic test. Dial *#0*# on your phone and tap on ‘Sensor’. Now, cover the proximity sensor with a finger. Its position may depend on your smartphone model, but it is usually situated on the top right section of your phone. If the Virtual Proximity Sensing section on the screen says ‘Working’, it means nothing is wrong with the proximity sensor on your device. The dialer code for this diagnostic test may vary among different smartphone manufacturers.

Wipe the sensor with a cloth

Your smartphone’s screen is prone to a lot of smudges and fingerprints. If the area near the proximity sensor is covered in smudges, they may keep it from triggering at the right moment. Take a micro fibre cloth and clean the top border of the screen. This is where the proximity sensor usually is. If you dont have a microfibre cloth around, you can also use a cloth napkin to clean the screen.

Remove the screen protector

Screen protectors are notorious for messing with the screen sensitivity and the proximity sensor. If the proximity sensor on your phone gets triggered at random times, try taking off the screen protector. When buying a screen protector, always make sure to avoid the ones that aren’t approved by your smartphone’s manufacturer. 

Remove the smartphone case

Like screen protectors, smartphone cases can also mess with the proximity sensor. This is more so the case with flip covers and other novelty accessories for your phone. Remove the case to check if the proximity sensor has returned to normalcy.

Recalibrate the sensor

Step 1: Install the Proximity Sensor Reset app on your device.

Step 2: Tap the Fix It button on the app’s home screen.

Step 3: Bring your finger close to the proximity sensor. Once the red icon turns green, hit the forward arrow.

Step 4: Now, remove your hand and tap the forward arrow once the green icon goes back to red.

Step 5: Hit the tick icon to recalibrate the sensor. 

Step 6: Restart your device.

Disconnect any audio devices

The proximity sensor on your phone only works when it is not connected to an external audio device like a Bluetooth headset or a pair of wired headphones. When you’re taking calls using a pair of headphones, your phone’s screen won’t turn off when you bring it closer to your face. Remove any headphones connected to your device and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I confirm that the proximity sensor on my phone is not working?

To run a diagnostic test on the proximity sensor, dial *#0*# (or the relevant code for your smartphone)  and select ‘sensor’. Now, cover the proximity sensor on your phone using a finger. If the screen turns green it means that the sensor is working.

How do I fix the proximity sensor on my phone?

If the proximity sensor on your phone is not working properly, give the screen a quick wipe and check again. Make sure that the screen protector is not inhibiting the functioning of the sensor.

Which app should I use to recalibrate the proximity sensor?

Use the Proximity Sensor Reset app to recalibrate the proximity sensor on your phone.

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Conclusion 

This is how you can fix the proximity sensor on your Android smartphone. If the fixes listed in this article didn’t work for you, take your phone to the professional repair centre to get the sensor replaced. If you’re finding it hard to use your smartphone with a faulty proximity sensor, turning on accidental touch protection might help.

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