Ear proximity sensor always on => black screen during phone calls

[Jirina666]

I have just run the ear proximity test on my Xperia X Compact and the vibration that should start whenever the area above the display is covered starts immediately and does not stop, even though nothing is covering the display and nothing is in its proximity. This means the proximity sensor is always on.

As a very unpleasant consequence, whenever a phone call is started, the screen goes black and it is not possible to end the phone call. Also, when the phone call is ended by caller, the screen stays black and it is not possible to do anything; even the power button does not do anything.

I have a glass protector, see e.g. this link, on the display.

What can I do to make my ear proximity sensor work normally again?

[CameronT · Accepted solution]

Hi @Jirina666,

In most cases, it's the screen protector that is causing the issue. I recommend you remove it and see if the same thing is happening.

[Jirina666]

I removed the screen protector and the ear proximity sensor seems to have been working well since that time. Thank you for your valueable tip.

I am thinking how I can protect the display now. The screen protector was from the company RoxFit that claims to produce covers and protectors for Xperia only, so I hoped everything would work well.

[YoGem]

Proximity sensors shouldn't be covered at all, if a screen protector doesn't have a small rectangular area cut where the sensor is (it's that small black area on the right of the top earpiece) then search for another one. Also pay attention when you install it to clean the surface, apply it correctly and pay attention that dust isn't collecting over the sensor.

[CameronT]

@Jirina666, I am glad to hear it is working!

It is indeed as @YoGem says. You can still use a screen protector, just make sure the screen is clean and nothing, including the screen protector, is covering the proximity sensor.