Xperia 1 ii - Ear proximity sensor Failure/Fault - Possibly Solved

[monkey_matt]

So received my Xperia 1 ii today, and after a few issues that I've sorted, I've come across one which is causing a massive problem.

The Ear Proximity sensor doesn't work, which is causing the screen to switch off the instant I press the call button, even with the phone still in my hand nowhere near my face. This causes an issue if I need to press the keypad for numbered options, or hang up, or switch to the loudspeaker, etc.

I've cleaned the area of the sensor multiple times, but still to no avail, using the onboard 'test' shows that the sensor isn't functioning correctly at all and the image either stays black or flickers rapidly. For information, the phone has no screen protector on it at the moment, or case (two issues that will be resolved soon)

Anyone else having issue? 

[monkey_matt]

Guessing not, didn't think I would have an issue with it that would require me to return it for repair less than 24 hours after I got it!😞

[Lord_viridis]

Not repair, replacement.

Though I imagine you're with o2 and not sure if the stock is in yet.

Give them a call on 202 in the morning.

[monkey_matt]

Yep that's the plan, and like everywhere, their stock is low/non-existent, could be interesting to get a replacement at the moment!

[monkey_matt]

Possibly have a solution to this, my HTC Vive base stations could be interfering with the IR Proximity sensor on the phone, have disconnected the base stations completely, so will see over the next few days if the problem re-appears 

[Lord_viridis]

Very interesting, could actually be the reason for so many proximity errors.

As I said on o2, check it out for a few days and post back, quite interesting fix if it checks out.

[Stepel86]

Hi,

I think I have also some problems with this sensor.
In my case during the conversation sometimes i Hear some "weird" sounds like "ticks" , it looks like this sensor is going to "crazy". General the screen is off when I have phone close to my ear but this behaviour is not really weird. First I thought that i have problem with phone speaker..but it looks like this sensor makes some problems 😞

[monkey_matt · Accepted solution]

So after having my Vive Basestations/Lighthouses unplugged over the weekend to ensure they were off, I'm pleased to say that I've had no issues using the phone, has worked flawlessly (bar some software issues that I'm sure will be sorted in the coming months with updates). Just powered the base stations up again, and the issue returned instantly.

So it looks like that the IR light being emitted from the base stations/lighthouses was tricking the phone into thinking it was seeing the reflected light from its own IR light. The good news is that I don't have to return the phone, the bad news is I have to try and sort this conflict out between the two devices somehow.

[Lord_viridis]

You know, in a million years I'd have never linked those two events.

I'll be sure to add this knowledge to any proximity troubleshooting I do in future.

What an amazing outcome!

[mazymoozy]

Hi, I've some problems with proximity sensor too. Actually it works but the problem is that it is too sensitive. When I'm on a call and and get the phone close to me head, the screen goes off but if my hands move just for few millimeters, then the sensor goes crazy and the screen turns off and on,so it will be touched by my ear. But if I hold the phone exactly at the same location the screen stays off. Can you please confirm if your sensor is as this sensitive? Or there is something wrong with my phone. Course on my older Xperia phones it is not like this.