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Huge proximity sensor problem

Guys, I have a problem with the proximity sensor on my Captivate.
The issue is that while on a call, when holding the device between my ear and my shoulder, the proximity sensor causes the screen to turn on, and starts randomly hitting buttons. So I tested it.
The proximity sensor works perfectly when the phone is "standing" on end and the proximity sensor is covered. It does NOT work (the screen does not turn off) when the phone is laying flat and you cover the sensor.
So bottom line, when the phone is standing 90 degrees, the proximity sensor turns the screen off when there's no light. When the phone is 180 degrees (or anywhere near it), even when there is no light, the sensor does not turn the phone off.
Is there any way for me to tweak the sensor at all using an app? Or is my phone defective?
Thanks.

With the phone flat on the table and I make a call, using my finger to cover the sensor the screen goes off. I try to twist and turn the phone in all angles and the screen is still off. Not sure if it's related but I had the same problems with the screen coming on when using my shoulder and cheek to hold phone.
My hair was a little longer and I think the hairs blocked the sensors.

baseballfanz said:
With the phone flat on the table and I make a call, using my finger to cover the sensor the screen goes off. I try to twist and turn the phone in all angles and the screen is still off. Not sure if it's related but I had the same problems with the screen coming on when using my shoulder and cheek to hold phone.
My hair was a little longer and I think the hairs blocked the sensors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did the same thing. With the phone flat on the table and I make a call, cover the proximity sensor with my finger, the screen stays ON. The minute I put the phone up 90 degrees, the screen shuts off.
What's going on?

ajm786 said:
I just did the same thing. With the phone flat on the table and I make a call, cover the proximity sensor with my finger, the screen stays ON. The minute I put the phone up 90 degrees, the screen shuts off.
What's going on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps you are running a different combination of kernel/rom? One that takes into account the devices orientation when engaging the proximity sensor?
I've never actually tested this, but I know I had various degrees of proximity sensor problems running certain ROMs. So maybe try a different combination?

Shammyh said:
Perhaps you are running a different combination of kernel/rom? One that takes into account the devices orientation when engaging the proximity sensor?
I've never actually tested this, but I know I had various degrees of proximity sensor problems running certain ROMs. So maybe try a different combination?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running Cognition 2.3b, if that helps.

ajm786 said:
I'm running Cognition 2.3b, if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't actually sorry...
Haven't used any of the Cognition ROMs in quite a while. DesignGears has a nice IRC channel though where lots of people tend to hang out. Maybe hop over there and politely ask around to see if anyone else has had the same problem? Asking within a group of Cognition users might get you more help than the XDA population in general.
All I can say is that with my i9000 kernel/radio/rom combo, my proximity sensor is not affected by the device orientation. Also, you could try running a proximity sensor test and see what happens, just to rule out defective hardware.
*#*#0588#*#* – Proximity sensor test
Hope that helps.

Shammyh said:
Doesn't actually sorry...
Haven't used any of the Cognition ROMs in quite a while. DesignGears has a nice IRC channel though where lots of people tend to hang out. Maybe hop over there and politely ask around to see if anyone else has had the same problem? Asking within a group of Cognition users might get you more help than the XDA population in general.
All I can say is that with my i9000 kernel/radio/rom combo, my proximity sensor is not affected by the device orientation. Also, you could try running a proximity sensor test and see what happens, just to rule out defective hardware.
*#*#0588#*#* – Proximity sensor test
Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm using the proximity sensor test that it works fine. Proximity sensor only has two states, 1 and 0, correct? No matter the way I hold the phone, the proximity sensor test shows it running perfectly.
Does this mean that there's a problem with the ROM? Is it possible for me to simply replace the phone.apk?
Edit: Here's the EXACT problem I'm having. http://code.google.com/p/cyanogenmod/issues/detail?id=1916

I have this same issue!! I HATE IT! I have considered going BACK to my iphone because of it! I get tired of muting people and ending calls
ETA: I am using the leaked 2.2 Froyo not cognition

Does anyone know how to fix this? It's getting REALLY annoying!!

Does anyone know if dg is going to fix this in Perception?

ajm786 said:
Does anyone know if dg is going to fix this in Perception?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it work if you flash back to the stock ROM? If it works on stock then it's a problem with the ROM, If it doesn't work on stock then it could be a problem with your phone...

jhernand1102 said:
Does it work if you flash back to the stock ROM? If it works on stock then it's a problem with the ROM, If it doesn't work on stock then it could be a problem with your phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Flashing back to stock ROM it works perfectly. Any of the Froyo ROMs, it does not work. Cyanogenmod fixed this in his ROMs, but I am not sure if dg plans to implement this in his ROMs. :-( Unfortunately, this behavior is by design in Froyo. Google decided that during a call, it makes more sense that as soon as your phone is put in a horizontal position, that the accelerometer overrides the proximity sensor and disables it. Their decision makes no sense, because it then invalidates the need for a prox sensor in the first place.

ajm786 said:
Guys, I have a problem with the proximity sensor on my Captivate.
The issue is that while on a call, when holding the device between my ear and my shoulder, the proximity sensor causes the screen to turn on, and starts randomly hitting buttons. So I tested it.
The proximity sensor works perfectly when the phone is "standing" on end and the proximity sensor is covered. It does NOT work (the screen does not turn off) when the phone is laying flat and you cover the sensor.
So bottom line, when the phone is standing 90 degrees, the proximity sensor turns the screen off when there's no light. When the phone is 180 degrees (or anywhere near it), even when there is no light, the sensor does not turn the phone off.
Is there any way for me to tweak the sensor at all using an app? Or is my phone defective?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think its cognition. i didnt test it but i had the problem during calls, i figured it was sesitivity not position but like i said i never tested it . i think its a jj4 bug. now im using perception and it works better.

Dani897 said:
i think its cognition. i didnt test it but i had the problem during calls, i figured it was sesitivity not position but like i said i never tested it . i think its a jj4 bug. now im using perception and it works better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not Cognition. It's Froyo. Google made the choice to have the accelerometer disable the prox sensor as soon as the phone was oriented horizontally. I can't see in what situation that would make any sense at all.

Still no answer for fixing this? I am not using cognition, I am using the leaked Froyo...

FYI, im in stock eclair. I have this issue.
sent from my Captivate

I'm running cognition b7 and have the same issue but just hit the power button to manually toggle the screen in a horizontal position during a call. Hardly an inconvenience.

fooldog01 said:
FYI, im in stock eclair. I have this issue.
sent from my Captivate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eclair does not have the problem at all. Tried, tested and true. If you have the problem with stock Eclair, something is physically wrong with your phone.
silver2wind said:
I'm running cognition b7 and have the same issue but just hit the power button to manually toggle the screen in a horizontal position during a call. Hardly an inconvenience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the point. The point is that they gimped Froyo on purpose, and for what, I don't know. It's counter-intuitive.
Just so you know, my co-worker has the Nexus S, which is basically the exact same phone as ours, except with Gingerbread. Guess what? It's FIXED on Gingerbread. Figures.

[Q] Proximity sensor/backlight bug?

I hate to create a new thread for this, but creating as it didn't get the right attention in the bugs thread.
My Infuse backlight doesn't respond(on or off) to the proximity sensor when I am on a call. The backlight goes off after the preset time of 30 secs in the settings. But the light doesn't come on when I move my ear away from the phone. I have to press the power button to turn the backlight on to end the call. Proximity sensor it self works fine. Tested by covering the sensor with my finger, all the buttons are disabled even when the light is on.
Is there a way to fix this? I never had this issue with any of my Andriod phones before including the latest Inspire & Atrix.
Is this a bug with this firmware or just my Infuse issue?
Can someone please check this?

rapidstar said:
I hate to create a new thread for this, but creating as it didn't get the right attention in the bugs thread.
My Infuse backlight doesn't respond(on or off) to the proximity sensor when I am on a call. The backlight goes off after the preset time of 30 secs in the settings. But the light doesn't come on when I move my ear away from the phone. I have to press the power button to turn the backlight on to end the call. Proximity sensor it self works fine. Tested by covering the sensor with my finger, all the buttons are disabled even when the light is on.
Is there a way to fix this? I never had this issue with any of my Andriod phones before including the latest Inspire & Atrix.
Is this a bug with this firmware or just my Infuse issue?
Can someone please check this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My backlight responds immediately after I pull the phone away from my face. The light turns on about the same time that I pull the phone back infront of me. The problem may be uncommon, or unique to your phone.

bragOS said:
My backlight responds immediately after I pull the phone away from my face. The light turns on about the same time that I pull the phone back infront of me. The problem may be uncommon, or unique to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. I, thankfully, haven't had any problems with the proximity sensor on my Infuse either.

Chika Da China Da Chinese Chicken?
rapidstar said:
I hate to create a new thread for this, but creating as it didn't get the right attention in the bugs thread.
My Infuse backlight doesn't respond(on or off) to the proximity sensor when I am on a call. The backlight goes off after the preset time of 30 secs in the settings. But the light doesn't come on when I move my ear away from the phone. I have to press the power button to turn the backlight on to end the call. Proximity sensor it self works fine. Tested by covering the sensor with my finger, all the buttons are disabled even when the light is on.
Is there a way to fix this? I never had this issue with any of my Andriod phones before including the latest Inspire & Atrix.
Is this a bug with this firmware or just my Infuse issue?
Can someone please check this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you answer an incoming call from a previously screen locked state the backlight does not come back on. It goes back into a screen off locked state.
If you initiate the call from an unlocked screen state, when the call ends the backlight fires up.

Thanks everyone for your response. My phone was defective, got it exchanged at the at&t store this morning & the new one is working fine!
Thank god for the carrier support!

I think I may have this same issue.
As a side note, if my phone is on speaker, and I am talking, then the other person ends the call, shouldn't my phone give some indication? Either a vibrate, a light or something?

knight4led said:
I think I may have this same issue.
As a side note, if my phone is on speaker, and I am talking, then the other person ends the call, shouldn't my phone give some indication? Either a vibrate, a light or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the backlight should come on. You might want to exchange it.

My works perfect..
Sent from my Infuse 4G using XDA Premium

[Q] Dresire S - Proximity Sensor Problem

Got a brand new DS couple of days back and....right from opening the box..the first call..proximity sensor is playing up. Most times i have to pull out the battery to end the call.
Tried the following with no result
1) Installed DHD Proximity re-calibrator
2) Factory reset
3) Installed Vitrous Unity 1.27
4) Back to factory rom, blew hard between ear piece and sensors
5) Removed screen protector and tested
I have S- Off and really dont want to go through the pain of visiting HTC. Would greatly appreciate some help here ...as always !

did you press the back button in between the call?
this has happened to me on stock rom only if i press the back button during the call
i haven't tried it on LBC rom yet

sujitht said:
Got a brand new DS couple of days back and....right from opening the box..the first call..proximity sensor is playing up. Most times i have to pull out the battery to end the call.
Tried the following with no result
1) Installed DHD Proximity re-calibrator
2) Factory reset
3) Installed Vitrous Unity 1.27
4) Back to factory rom, blew hard between ear piece and sensors
5) Removed screen protector and tested
I have S- Off and really dont want to go through the pain of visiting HTC. Would greatly appreciate some help here ...as always !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed that only half the proximity sensor is visible, the other half is covered by what appears like black plastic part. Is this how it is supposed to be?

My proximity sensor is completely visible.

No..i haven't pressed the back button.

mikeyd85 said:
My proximity sensor is completely visible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it the left sensor of the two sensors?

I have exactly the same problem. The issue seems to be that Desire S proximity sensor active distance is 9cm, when on my older Desire ir is only 1cm.
When working with some Proximity sensor tools, I have discovered, that you need to put your phone like 25cm (have no idea, how many inches) away from any obstacle in 30degree radius. If that is followed, I haven't been able to recreate a battery pull ocasion of sensor failure. However in real life talking, it is impossible to guarantee.
That there must be some sensor configuration possibilities, so that we could decrease sensibility to minimum distance. Such change should solve this sensor bug, as it would be normal operation distance.
Maybe some dev knows, how to play with proximity sensor?

Yeah, I have had this problem a long time with this phone didn't happen that much at first then it became more and more apparent.

Found the problem and solution, it lies with the screen protector, yes it might be transparent but the sensor detects it. Using a sensor testing app from the market it suggested the sensor was covered almost all the time.
So the solution was replace the protector with new one but cut an arc at the top just big enough around the sensor at the top left, easy fix now in call screen is more responsive.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA Premium App

Totaly plausable question,but where is the sensor?

bleach1 said:
Totaly plausable question,but where is the sensor?
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Click to collapse
Top left of the screen in opposite place to led, if you tily screen under light you should see the sensor reflect back at you
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA Premium App

Thanks will adapt my screen protector
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA Premium App

Proximity sensor
I've been having the same issue. I gave my DS to the HTC workshop and they said it was faulty hardware. They will be replacing the system board since the sensor is soldered to it (under waranty).
Before sending it in, I tried a few roms and hacks but it was never resolved. I recommend you visit your local HTC warranty center.

I have the same problem with the proximity. I installed an app called Anyunlock which seems to have solved the problem. It seems to be able to wake it when the screen turns off after a call. The app allows you to unlock with the volume key and replaces the lock screen with its own. I hope this keeps working

[Q] Soft key backlight?

The lights for my three softkeys don't always turn on, unless i cover the front cam/light sensor with my finger. any way to fix this so that the backlight turns on when i'm using the phone?

usmelllikecheez said:
The lights for my three softkeys don't always turn on, unless i cover the front cam/light sensor with my finger. any way to fix this so that the backlight turns on when i'm using the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its automatic with light sensor

yeah, i get that...
but, i'm sitting in complete darkness right now, and the soft key lights aren't coming on. the only way it does is if i cover the front camera with my finger.
does that mean it's faulty? or is there something i can do to make the lights come on when they're supposed to?

Mine are hit or miss. Most of the time I find myself covering the sensor like you said. Didn't see an option to adjust sensitivity or anything. Pretty lame.

I noticed this too. They should make settings option to be selected by user...miss the perfection of the NEXUS one

usmelllikecheez said:
yeah, i get that...
but, i'm sitting in complete darkness right now, and the soft key lights aren't coming on. the only way it does is if i cover the front camera with my finger.
does that mean it's faulty? or is there something i can do to make the lights come on when they're supposed to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it is faulty, my key light is on whenever the surrounding light condition is poor. Don't think there is a setting for this but I might miss something here.
Bottom line, if you fully checked the setting cannot find anything, just exchange it.

Mine also seem to be inconsistent. Sometimes they come on immediately (like they should), sometimes I have to open an app, and sometimes they won't come on at all.
One wacky theory that I have is that the sensor is getting tricked by the reflection of the screen from my glasses. It may be in my head, but I feel like the issue comes up less when I am wearing contacts.

Maybe a solution
Have you tried this one? I did on my cm9-ed U8160, maybe it works on your devices too.

Mine are perfect, never have to cover the proximity sensor. Probably just a thing with different batches of devices. Got mine early summer around June.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app

Auto brightness not working?

Running 5.0 on AT&T model. I have auto brightness turned on with baseline at dimmest setting which as most know is bright enough for most indoor situations. When I go outside into broad daylight, the brightness does not change. I can manually increase to full (and then the display is readable) but nothing happens on it's own.
Is this normal, am I missing something else? Defective light sensor?
EDIT: According to the following apps, I don't have a light sensor and my proximity sensor is failing. Can anyone confirm good data from them? -- Sensor Box for Android, Sensor Test, Phone Tester, Sensor Kinetics

If your screens turns off during calls that means the proximity sensor *is* functioning. I tried a sensor test and don't see fail anywhere.
Sent from my LG-H950

Ace42 said:
If your screens turns off during calls that means the proximity sensor *is* functioning. I tried a sensor test and don't see fail anywhere.
Sent from my LG-H950
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, my screen doesn't turn off during calls (unless I knock-knock on my head/ear). Also knock on constantly turns the screen on when I have the phone in my pocket (when proximity sensor should prevent it, right?) There isn't really a "failure" in those apps per se, I am just not getting any type of change in the data from proximity sensor and I am not even getting an option for light sensor test. More or less trying to verify I have a hardware issue before trying to get a replacement or warranty service. I've only had phone for 2 days.
Thanks for the feedback.

Neo42 said:
Yea, my screen doesn't turn off during calls (unless I knock-knock on my head/ear). Also knock on constantly turns the screen on when I have the phone in my pocket (when proximity sensor should prevent it, right?) There isn't really a "failure" in those apps per se, I am just not getting any type of change in the data from proximity sensor and I am not even getting an option for light sensor test. More or less trying to verify I have a hardware issue before trying to get a replacement or warranty service. I've only had phone for 2 days.
Thanks for the feedback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried a factory reset already and is yours rooted?
Sent from my LG-H950

Ace42 said:
Have you tried a factory reset already and is yours rooted?
Sent from my LG-H950
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried factory reset last night with no change. This phone has never been rooted (and I received it new)

This is from the sensor app. I would conclude yours is faulty if resets aren't fixing anything.
http://imgur.com/eudDXuc
http://imgur.com/xMS0hzS
Edit: Sorry about dark screen, using screen filtering to avoid burning my eyes.
Sent from my LG-H950

Ace42 said:
This is from the sensor app. I would conclude yours is faulty if resets aren't fixing anything.
http://imgur.com/eudDXuc
http://imgur.com/xMS0hzS
Edit: Sorry about dark screen, using screen filtering to avoid burning my eyes.
Sent from my LG-H950
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the screen grabs, this confirms my results are abnormal.