How to rejuvenate the proximity sensor (back to 8cm value) in a Lollipopped SM-N900.

[Fulani Filot]

My proximity sensor's performance has declined a lot. I understand (and stand to be corrected) that it has a sensory range of up to 8cm, where it detects the moving hand. Now I practically have to touch -sometimes even press- the upper ⅓ of the phone/screen area to trigger its proximity sensing (thereby making it less of a proximity sensor and more of a tactile/pressure sensor).

I dialed *#0*# and tapped on "Sensors". In the "Proximity" section, I waved my hand within the 8cm-0cm distance range and the sensor readout did not register for all my hand movements (it did for some).

I'm now under the impression that the proximity sensor components/assembly may be loose. Is there a way to fix this?

P.S. Many months back, I had to replace the antenna array of the GPS because it wasn't feeding the GPS radio enough signals for it to do its work properly...that repair was simple and successful.

 

[Rukbat]

The proximity detector works by light, so if it's gotten dirty, the range would decrease. Can you fix it yourself?? I don't know.