Redmi Note 8 common issues and how to solve them

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Xiaomi doesn’t play around and the output of devices they introduce yearly is crazy for all industry standards. Not even 8 months after the Chinese giant introduced the Redmi Note 7 (and its variations, 7S, and 7 Pro), the Redmi Note 8 (along with 8 Pro and 8T) hit the market.

This appears to be a great device, just like its predecessor, with the Penta-camera (if we include the selfie cam) setup being the major upgrade over the Redmi Note 7. The device has its flaws but they are hard not to look over considering the price point of Note 8.

Today, we made sure to provide you with the list of the most common Redmi Note 8 issues with applicable solutions. If you have any problems with the device, continue reading below or just jump to a section of your interest.

Note: All the issues mentioned in this article are individually reported cases, which doesn’t mean any of the problems will occur on other devices. If you’re looking to buy this phone, DO NOT consider these problems.

Table of contents:

  1. Touchscreen is laggy
  2. Battery drain issues
  3. SIM card won’t activate
  4. Notification icons not showing
  5. Low sound volume on headphones
  6. Google Assistant not working
  7. The Call recording option is missing
  8. Delay on Lock Screen
  9. GCAM not working on Note 8
  10. Tips: How to wipe cache partition or factory reset Redmi Note 8

1. Touchscreen is laggy

Some users reported that the touchscreen (display) is laggy and that was later identified as a software issue on the official global ROM. To our knowledge, the problem is dealt with in later updates.

Nonetheless, if the display is laggy or animations are slow, make sure to follow these instructions:

  • Navigate to Settings > My device > System and check for updates. Install an update if available.Redmi Note 8 issues
  • Enable Developer options (Settings > My device > All specs and tap 7 times on the Build number). Then navigate to Additional Settings > Developer options and disable MIUI Optimization at the bottom.
  • Get back in Developer options and reduce Animation from 1 to 0.5.
  • Reset the device to factory settings (the procedure is explained at the bottom of this article).

2. Battery drain issues

Although the 4000 mAh battery should be big enough to give the Redmi Note 8 an exquisite Screen-on Time, users are reporting issues with battery drains. Multiple things might affect battery life but, when it comes to MIUI-powered devices, our first suspect is a lack of optimization on the current ROM.

Updates cause battery drains and new updates usually solve them. So, first of all, make sure that your Redmi Note 8 is up to date in regards to the firmware. After that, you can check these tips to reduce battery drains significantly:

  • Turn off Wi-Fi and Mobile Data overnight.
  • Disable Face Unlock.
  • Disable unused apps from starting automatically. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Manage apps and individually disable Autostart on apps.
  • Use manual brightness settings, it will save you a lot of battery.Redmi Note 8 issues

3. SIM card won’t activate

Moving on, there are reports about the SIM card not working. Namely, it seems that the SIM card won’t activate on this handset for some European and Asian users. Now, we need you to ensure that your device is on the Global MIUI ROM where all necessary bands are available.

If that’s the case, try reinserting the SIM card into the alternative socket and try again. Make sure to reboot your device after doing so. If the problem is still persistent, update the firmware or reset your device to factory settings.

There’s a slight chance that we are looking at the manufacturing defect, so you can also contact your retailer for service.

4. Notification icons not showing

Missing notifications on MIUI is probably the longest-running problem Xiaomi/Redmi users experienced. The fact that someone in their software development department decided that it’s a good idea for notification icons to disappear after a few seconds from the Status bar is preposterous.

Luckily, you don’t have to worry about that the moment MIUI gets available. Which already is, although based on Android 9 Pie instead of Android 10.

The problem with notifications is completely solved on MIUI 11, but if you are still not seeing notification icons, here’s how to enable them with ease:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Open Display.
  3. Select Notch & status bar.
  4. Under the Status bar section, enable Show icons for incoming notifications.Redmi Note 8 issues

5. Low sound volume on headphones

This is also quite a common occurrence, especially on wireless (Bluetooth) headphones or buds. Users say that the volume on their headphones is not high at all, even on the highest settings. Seemingly, there is a workaround to it and we already wrote about it.

What you need to do is toggle on the Disable absolute volume option in the Developer options menu.

An alternative is to tweak the audio output with certain Magisk modules, which requires root. We don’t recommend that approach if you are not experienced with modding ROMs.

6. Google Assistant not working

Another quite common problem reported on various forums concerns Google Assistant which won’t work on the Redmi Note 8. The Voice Match for Google Assistant’s voice commands appears greyed out for some users.

This problem seems to be related to MIUI, both 10 and 11, and we don’t have any official response from Xiaomi. There are some things you can try to resolve this but, as we said already, this is a widespread issue and, until Xiaomi resolves the problem with their OS skin, we can mainly wait.

Follow these steps to try and solve Google Assistant not working on Redmi Note 8:

  • Navigate to Settings > Apps > Manage apps > Google and clear cache and data.
  • Leave the Google Beta program from the Play Store.
  • Uninstall Google updates and reboot your device.
  • Get back to Settings > Apps > Manage apps. Tap on the 3-dot menu and open Default apps. From there, open Assist & voice input. Under the Assist app, select Google.
  • Delete and retrain the Voice model.

7. The Call recording option is missing

This isn’t a bug or anything similar. Namely, due to rules in different regions and Google’s privacy regulations (they paid a hefty fee for a privacy infringement case), Xiaomi won’t deliver their Contacts and dialer app with an option to record calls. This option is not allowed in Europe and various other regions around the globe.

So, if you badly want this option, consider unlocking the bootloader and flashing either an official ROM from supported regions or flashing Xiaomi EU ROM that has it.

8. Delay on Lock Screen

This can fall into the overall lag issues with the device but we decided to give it a separate spot on the list. Namely, some users have said that there’s an unexpected 4-second delay when they are on the Lock Screen and just after unlocking the device.

For the time being, we don’t have many insights to offer but you can try disabling Tap to wake and disabling the double-press Power button to start a camera. Alternatively, you should ensure that the firmware is up to date or reset your device to factory settings.

9. GCAM not working on Note 8

One of the best things about the Redmi Note 8 is that it supports Google Camera ports without rooting your device. Although you won’t be able to utilize all lenses with GCAM, the standard mode photography along with the Night Mode are much better than on the stock camera app.

However, since the device is (still) new, users run into a lot of GCAM ports that crash or won’t work in certain mods. We recommend downloading the GCAM from an acknowledged developer.

Just make sure to, before you run the app for the first time, clear all cache and data. That will prevent crashes.

10. Tips: How to wipe cache partition or factory reset Redmi Note 8

Finally, we made sure to provide you with two valuable procedures that, if things go awry, might help you get your device in working condition again.

Here’s how to wipe the cache partition on Redmi Note 8 and solve certain issues:

  1. Power off your device.
  2. Press and hold the Power button + Volume Up until the MI welcome screen appears. Let go of the Power button and keep holding the Volume Up button.
  3. Once you get into Recovery mode, use the Volume buttons to get to the Wipe Cache Partition option. Press the Power button to confirm the selection.

And this is how to reset your device to factory settings:

  1. Backup all important data to Google Drive, your PC, or external storage.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Choose My device.
  4. Open Backup & reset.
  5. Choose Erase all data (factory reset).
  6. Tap Erase all data and confirm the selection when prompted.Redmi Note 8 issues

Additionally, if you dislike bloatware that comes with MIUI, we have just the right article for you. Learn how to easily debloat your Redmi Note 8. No unlocking bootloader or root is needed.

With that side note, we can conclude this article. Thank you for reading and we hope this piece shed some light on the issues you experienced. If you want to discuss this article further, but also find more articles like this, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Editor’s note: This article was initially published in December 2019. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.

Aleksandar Ognjanovic

I’m in awe of the advancements and forever curious about the next big thing in the smartphone industry, and how it will reshape our lives. Lives that already heavily depend on those portable pocketable devices. That’s the main reason why I found myself writing instructive content on the subject for users who are not as familiar with all the bells and whistles. Besides smartphones, I love reading fiction and non-fiction, watching a plethora of sports, and learning new languages. Also, cats! Twitter: @lemmingspain

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57 thoughts on “Redmi Note 8 common issues and how to solve them”

  2. My phone volume is going down even when i don’t put headphones on and i dont even touch anything. The power button also doesn’t work

  4. i have problems when i am playing. if i dont turn on aeroplane mode while i will start playing onlene games have very high pings(biiiig) someone can help me to describe how to fix it? pleaaaazeeeee its soo annoying

  5. my problem is that the volume himself getting low and cant hear any voice of it and the volume is again and again appearing in the screen

  6. Hi, before when m play YouTube it is playing in a short screen at the Mobile Desktop screen now it get stops, kindly advice.

  7. I cannot open my phone after it recently updated, it’s not responding at all, it keeps on rebooting ? please someone help me

  9. 12 am auto refresh everything refresh
    Im using the mobile and i type the message and then automatically 12 am refresh . Please solve this .

  11. I have a problem when making or receiving a call :sometimes the phone is paralyzed and “Redmi”appears on the screen and I cannot do any anything. I have ro wait until “Redmi Note…”appears to shut down the phone (it takes come time) after pressing the hole on the right side and then turning it on>

  13. Note 8 has WiFi isue it does not give great ping in pubg at other side on same WiFi other phones give 20 ms this gives me 500

  17. I had been using the Redmi Note 8 pro for the last few months and have recently noticed some issues. The link to see these problems is attached below.

    The first issue is the touch issue on Redmi Note 8 Pro, which I had noticed quite unexpectedly. Redmi Note 8 Pro display is sometimes unresponsive along the edges of the screen. I had thought that this touch problem would be a bug or defect on my device, but came to know that a lot of people have experienced this too. This might be due to the cheap quality touch digitalizer used by Xiaomi on this phone.

    You can search for ” Redmi Note 8 Pro touch issue ” on YouTube and see the video that I had made.

    The second issue is the heating issue on Redmi Note 8 Pro. This phone was widely advertised by Xiaomi as a device with liquid cooling to prevent overheating of the phone. However, after playing PUBG mobile for a short while in an air-conditioned room, the phone started heating up. On testing, it showed a temperature up to 46 degree Celsius ! This means that the Mediatec chip used produces enough heat even with the new Redmi Liquid Cooling Technology.

    https://youtu.be/0elP5IqZ-nw

  18. My phone goes dim whenever I call anyone and i find it difficult to end the call after I dail out.pls what is the solution.

  19. Wireless display is not working. When i select cast option it show anycast name but after selecting available anycast it try to connect for few sometimes but didn’t get connected and again anycast name display in available device…

  20. Just 1 month only .I purchased Note8 …but the problem is starting from the second week onwards….

    1. Volum control is not working properly , if i make volume up it will effect on mic volume even i didnt connect any mic on tht.
    2. some times earpiece will act as loudspeaker…
    3. heating issue while charging
    4. BT earphone connection issue…

  21. When I make phone calls or talking on the phone, it breaks up and only hear parts .. That’s not normal, or, got it April time frame

  22. Hi had my note 8 from march and from day one keeps random rebooting multiple times a day. Always when left not whilst being used . It is on the latest version M 11. There are sometimes it will go for a week and no rebooting but then starts again. Occasionally it just shuts off completely. Apart from this annoying fault it works fine and love it. Has anybody found a fix for the rebooting issue ? Many thanks in advance.

  25. Hello… i hv network issues in my phone…once it gets off…n whn i switch it on thn there is no network…i hv to keep on reinserting my sim…plz help

  26. My new Redmi note 8 has just frozen: all the buttons and features suddenly not working with some grainy motions on the screen. Kindly help

  27. Redmi note 8 internal storage increase cause apps catch High data. Please solutation

  28. Redmi note 8 internal storages increase. Cause apps cathes high data. Solutation please

  30. hello ..need your help , after moving to Pro section of Camera in my Note8T, it began show some lines are moving when direct my camera to my computer which was not the case before

  31. MI NOTE 8 WITH 50% CHARGE GOT SHUTDOWN AND NOT RESPONDING,
    TRIED TO HARD RESET AND RECOVER BY PRESSING POWER+VOL UP TOGETHER BUT NO RESPONSE FROM DEVICE. NO INDICATION FOR CHARGE EVEN. MOBILE IS JUST ONE MONTH OLD. PLEASE ADVICE WHAT CAN BE DONE.

  32. Hello… need your help!. I just got my new redmi note 8 pro, yet to my despair, upon activating, it suddenly warms up and has black screen display. What’s going on? How can this be solve? Thanks.

  33. My redmi note 8 screen will become black or white automatically, after that I want to press direct home button and come back to the app.

  34. In my phone after I change my settings to something else it goes back to previous setting by itself. For example if I have disabled auto brightness after a while auto brightness is enabled again, if I have enabled vibrate on tap after a while the settings goes back to disabled I cannot understand the problem.

  35. Hi, I have brought a redmi note 8 (Global Version) a week ago. but today morning, it started working alone for few seconds like torch on off, screen scrolling and others. Afterwards, it has automatically recovered. After seeing it, i rebooted it. Now it’s okay. Now i am asking, would it carry any problem later? or anything else? or should i replace it?

    Thanks in advance. i am waiting for any suggestions?

  36. Hi, my camera has recently stopped working, I get a Camera error message where it cannot connect, and suggests I restart the device. I have cleared the cache and checked updates but no joy.

  38. Hi readers. I’ve a very annoying problem with the lock-screen…Sometimes (when it happens it’s so frustrating) after I unlock the device, using the finger print or face ID, i am not able to use the mobile at all… I mean it unlocks as always but the touchscreen doesn’t seem to react at all, and I have to lock it and try again. Am i the only one who’s getting this problem? Has anybody a soulution?

  39. Hi guys,my redmi 8 just changed all the reddish colors to a sort of brownish color,and I can’t get it back to red

  40. Hi…There seems to double images in the phone and m confused.i mean,the deleted photos are still there when we press the attachment as in WhatsApp.help!

  41. an error occured in com.android.phone close this app in redmi note 8
    every time this error showing but i close every app but errror is showing can me help me

  42. Is there anyone that can help me? I just got the Redmi Note 8 a couple days ago. It’s my first time with MiUi so I’m kind of confused on how it works. It took a few hours and to factory resets to get notification sounds. I’m pretty much set up the way I want it but cannot move icons to another page. When I install an app it creates a new page and I can’t move the icon where I want it. In short, I can’t arrange my apps as I’d prefer, remove unwanted pages, and organize my phone. Any help on this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration!

    • Hi, Bobby. Hm, if you can’t move apps on the Home screen, make sure that they are not locked in the Launcher settings. Tap and hold on an empty area of your screen. You should see 3 options at the bottom: Wallpaper, Widgets, and Settings. Open Settings. Then just toggle off the “Lock Home screen layout”. Alternatively, you can download a third-party launcher from the Play Store (Poco launcher should do) and run it instead of the default launcher. It might be easier to use.

      Alex

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