Screen Doesn’t Turn On During Calls Due to Broken Proximity Sensor? Here are The Fixes

Android smartphone proximity sensor difficulties are nothing new. Screens have been known to light up during calls, and this problem persists even on high-end Android devices. The experience is much worse if you have a damaged screen in your possession. Users claim that after minor damage, the proximity sensor is affected and the screen does not turn on during calls. You must wait for the call to end on the other end while the display consistently goes dark. In conclusion, it’s a frustrating situation. Therefore, use the instructions below to disable the proximity sensor during calls on Android smartphones.

How to Fix Screen Doesn t Turn On or Off During Calls (2022)

In this lesson, we’ve covered five different solutions for the proximity sensor issue that affects many Android phones. Please take note that the methods listed below are not all-inclusive and are not simply confined to that segment. So, in order to find more solutions, I would advise starting with the fundamental fixes before gradually moving on to the next technique.

1. Basic Fixes

The Accessibility Settings on Android smartphones can usually resolve the problem for people who have a damaged proximity sensor. It works with Android 6.0 and later smartphones. Here’s how you approach it.

1. Find Accessibility under Settings on your Android smartphone. Open the Accessibility page at this time. As an alternative, you can find the aforementioned menu by going to Settings -> System. Find Power button stops call by scrolling down. Turn on this switch. Even when the screen is off, you can end the call by pressing the physical power button.

2. You may also receive calls with the Volume Up button on some Samsung handsets. The Volume Up button will allow you to answer the call if the screen is not turning on even before you receive it. Therefore, be sure to turn on this toggle. Users with devices from other OEMs should seek under the Accessibility tab for this setting. For your knowledge, this feature is not available on stock Android smartphones.

3. While the aforementioned steps allow you to answer or finish calls when the screen is off, you can also turn the screen on while you are on a call by following this step. The majority of Android devices have the ability to double-click the power button. By pressing the hardware power button twice, you can start the camera. Turn on this option if you have it. The camera will override the proximity sensor and compel the screen to turn on when a call is in progress. You can also enable the Loudspeaker mode or open additional apps at this point.

2. TapTap App

Kieron Quinn created the TapTap app to give Android smartphones more functionality, but it can also be a wonderful solution for devices with proximity sensor problems. With the TapTap app, you may activate numerous system functions by double- or triple-tapping the rear of your phone. This feature will be used to activate the screen during calls.

1. First, download the TapTap app by clicking on this link. Android 7.0 and later smartphones can use it. Install the app on your Android device after that.

2. To test the sensitivity, it will ask you to double-tap on the back during setup. The sensitivity and device size should be adjusted if the programme is unable to recognise your tap. Additionally, double-tap the fingerprint sensor on the back of the device if it has one.

3. Next, accept the accessibility permission by according to the on-screen instructions. Make sure to turn off battery optimization after that.

4. After completing the previous procedure, go to Gates and turn off all the toggles, especially the Display Off and On call options.

5. Next, hit Add action after opening Double Tap Actions. If actions have already been added, hold down the button while removing them.

6. Next, select Launch, followed by addLaunch camera. When you are on a call, you will be able to start the camera by double-tapping the back. I explicitly ask that you open the camera during the conversation because it has the power to override the proximity sensor, which is preventing the screen from going on.

7. You may now make a call and give yourself a double-tap. The camera has been opened, and the screen has been switched on. From the notification shade, you can end the call or activate the loudspeaker mode. Any app can be launched directly from the launcher.

8. If the previous step isn’t working for you, I suggest adding a new action. Add a new action and delete the current one. Select Actions, and after that, addWake device. On devices running Android 10 or higher, this is probably not going to work, but if you have a smartphone running Android 9 or lower, it might.

9. Check to see if this is operating now. Otherwise, open Advanced and switch on the Legacy Wake Device technique.

10. The TapTap app worked flawlessly in my experience, however it was overly sensitive to taps and would trigger the camera even with a light touch. Open Gesture and lower Sensitivity to change the sensitivity.

3. Install a Modified Dialer App

Some programmers have a fresh concept to entirely disable the proximity sensor while on calls. The proximity sensor on most dialers is set up to turn off the screen when you receive a call and put it back on when nothing is nearby. Therefore, we have come up with the proposal to completely remove the proximity sensor-related source code from the AOSP Dialer app. In this approach, calls won’t trigger the proximity sensor to activate. It’s fantastic, isn’t it? So, this is how you can move forward.

1. The modified AOSP Dialer app is available for download from XDA Forums for Android 8.0 users. Install the app now and give it all the necessary rights. Verify that the changed Dialer is configured as your default caller app.

2. The modified AOSP dialer is available for download from here for Android 9.0 users. To set the app as your default dialer, instal it and follow the on-screen directions. The proximity sensor won’t turn the screen off during calls going forward.

4. Use Switch Access Under Accessibility Settings

With the use of hardware buttons, the Android UI may be navigated using the accessibility tool known as Switch Access. All Android cellphones can use this strategy.

1. Open the Accessibility section of the Settings page and turn on Switch Access. Choose between a USB or Bluetooth device when prompted. Don’t make any motions; simply tap the Exit button.

2. After that, activate the Switch access shortcut. If a prompt appears, choose “Hold volume keys” and save it.

3. Next, select Assign switches for scanning from the Settings menu on the Switch Access page.

4. Tap the hardware volume down button after selecting this. It will note when you press a button. Save it now. By clicking the volume down button, you will be able to choose a UI button that is equal to the Enter key.

5. Tap Next and then push the hardware volume up button in a similar manner. Save it now. Basically, you may switch between different UI buttons by pushing the volume up button.

6. You can now click the volume up button to switch to the Speaker button when the screen is off during a call due to a damaged proximity sensor. The speaker button is at position number 2, as shown in the figure below. The menu button is at position one, while the speaker button is at position two. Your dialer’s button layout will be different, so make sure to check where the speaker is before dialling.

7. I’ve now entered Speaker mode after hitting the volume up button twice. Simply tap the volume down button that we designated for menu selection now. Additionally, it will activate the speaker mode, which will eventually take the place of the proximity sensor and activate the screen. Therefore, in order to activate the Speaker mode while on a call, you must hit these button combinations. With the aid of Switch Access, you are able to activate the screen during calls in this manner.

5. Disable Proximity Sensor (Requires Xposed)

On Android smartphones, it is possible to completely disable the proximity sensor, but you must first have the Xposed framework set up. Although this technique is not for everyone, you can follow these steps if you are familiar with Android development and rooting. Also keep in mind that this Xposed module only functions on Android 7.0 and lower-powered devices. Additionally, keep in mind that Android 10 and higher has a feature that allows you to turn off all sensors, but doing so also turns off the microphone, which is something you wouldn’t want while on a call.

1. You can instal the Xposed framework by according to the XDA Forums’ guidelines. Install the Sensor Disabler app from the Play Store following that (it’s free). Your Android device’s proximity sensor can now be turned off.

Disable Proximity Sensor During Calls on Your Android Smartphone

These are some of the methods for resolving the Android smartphone proximity sensor issue. I have experienced similar annoying problem in the past. Android need to have a native toggle to turn off the proximity sensor, in my opinion, as smartphones start to malfunction after a while. That’s all we have to say, though. If Play Services is causing your battery to drain, for example, then follow the instructions in our linked tutorial. Additionally, please leave a remark below if you have any questions.