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[BUG] Home and Back button problems (phantom long press)

I've been experiencing an issue with the Home button since the day I got the device.
A few times the Recent Applications screen has popped up seemingly on its own, while I was in the middle of doing something else. At first I thought it was just a software glitch and carried on. The haptic feedback pulses twice quickly. The backlight of the Home button turns off, the backlights for the Back, Menu and Search buttons stay on, the Back, Menu, Search and Home buttons no longer respond to touch or generate haptic feedback, essentially paralyzed. It remains this way for approximately nine seconds before the Home button lights up again and the all of the shortcut buttons become responsive again, otherwise the only way to get out of the Recent Applications screen is to either cycle the power button and unlock the screen, or select one of the recent applications.
I have figured out how to reproduce this problem by pressing around with the very tip of my thumb along the seam where the glass and plastic lip meet with a little more pressure than normally necessary to register a touch. I am careful to avoid touching the normal hot zone for any button. I start from the far left corner under the search button, and make my way towards the home button little by little. Somewhere between the Menu and Search buttons when I release my thumb after pressing firmly, the haptic feedback pulses twice and the issue occurs. I can reproduce this issue anywhere along the edge on the bottom right half of the phone and about 1" up the right side of the phone, far from the Home button.
I suspect there is something wrong with the capacitive layer of my screen.
Please see if you can reproduce this or something similar on your phone, just bear in mind that you will need to press firmly (not too hard but not soft).
The unfortunate thing about this problem is that it can be activated inadvertently while gripping the phone during normal operation, interrupting whatever you are doing for the time it takes to resolve itself.
This is literally the only issue I've had with the phone in the week I've owned it and I am considering whether or not I want to play russian roulette with exchange units (and other issues like bad screens and bad weak back buttons) because everything else seems to be perfect.
Video of the issue in action here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gqqeVbePYA

Same thing happens with me on the swap unit I got today. Bummed like no other.

Tried replicating this with my device with (thankfully) no results.

one and one... I wonder how many other phones are affected then, and how many people have it but haven't noticed yet, e.g.; "you're holding it wrong".

Hm. Just tried to replicate this on my Nexus S, no issues.

Mine did the same thing at least twice a day. However, it has not happened again since the GRH78 update. (Knock on wood).
Have your received the update?

This just happened to me for the first time about an hour ago. I have the new update too, sadly.

Yes I have the update.

I can't replicate this problem, but nonetheless, it still happens.

I have this same problem with my back button. I can't replicate it but it just randomly happens to me. I have the update and I also tried using Paul's Tom and it still happens.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

This happens with my back button.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

happens to mine too, also the home button. doesn't bother me too much, though. and I also have the update.

I had something even weirder tonight.
I did a factory reset, then proceeded to install everything back on when I noticed that my home key wasn't doing its job at all. Still had the haptic feedback so the input was received, but it did absolutely nothing. So I did another factory reset and that seemed to have cured the problem. My home button is working again (but i still have the other problem from time to time)

Had it happen again inadvertently today, if you notice from my video the spot where it can be activated next to the Maps icon also happens to be conveniently where your finger ends up when swiping to unlock. I was holding the phone one handed and unlocking with my thumb and it triggered the problem. Might try for an exchange this week. It shouldn't behave this way.
For those of you who are experiencing it with your Back button, does the backlight turn off for 9 seconds on your Back button?
I don't know everything about how the hardware works but I'm guessing that there is some kind of short, the controller for the capacitive layer gets confused and resets. Could explain why it takes the same amount of time to come back to normal every time. It also seems like it might be related to case/screen flex, where pressing on a part of the case bends the capacitive layer just enough to short the circuit.

This issue came on my two days old Nexus S too, but with the back button. It has happened two times now. I think that's a software issue that come along with Gingerbread. It's something like it registering a touch and sometimes the OS think it was the buttons that were pressed...

ViLANDER said:
This issue came on my two days old Nexus S too, but with the back button. It has happened two times now. I think that's a software issue that come along with Gingerbread. It's something like it registering a touch and sometimes the OS think it was the buttons that were pressed...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does your back button black out for ~9 seconds?

I haven't had any button issues whatsoever since I got mine on the 24th.

No, more like two seconds.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

selectormoldy said:
Does your back button black out for ~9 seconds?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, more like two seconds.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

Here's a new video shot today showing the issue occurring with only normal light touching:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6YFcOZwX2o
Also last night it happened while I was inserting a cable into the headphone jack.

[Q] Major problems with Sensation screen

Having problems with the touch screen on my sensation and this has now happened on my secound phone! both phones were ok out of box but after a few days first noticed problems from lockscreen as phone would not always unlock when draging app icon into circle then slowly geting worse until would take several swips on screen to even unlock! then started noticing similar problems in norm opperation? sometimes works ok but some times freezes up have tried factory reset and no differance. very strange having this problem on two phones?

Does the touch screen stop working completely?
Mine did that on Monday, had to get a replacement.

it seams to stutter once awake works slightly better? but still not responsive

I've noticed that the proximity sensor and gyroscope are being used aggressively to filter accidental screen presses.
For example, if I place my sensation flat on a table, the lock screen is very hard to unlock. If i place my other hand near the proximity sensor at the same time (or tilt the phone towards me) it unlocks easily. Until I identified this functionality I was beginning to think my right index finger was unsuitable for touch screens (since when placed on a table I tend to use my right hand, but otherwise use my left to unlock).
Hopefully this will be tweaked with future updates.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App

Many thanks I hope itd that simple?

I am having the exact same problem, for example on the lock screen I would swipe up but the ring will move slightly, and one icon I.e the camera icon will move towards the ring, another grip which is buggin me is that it will miss screen taps, I.e when texting or clicking an icon one tap will go unnoticed by the device resulting in either a missed letter, or the app not opening. This also goes for the 4 command buttons at the bottom, it happens on these too. I also get the occasional lock up.
Factory reset did not work

All of you are you using Sense, and no other launcher?

i900frenchaddict said:
All of you are you using Sense, and no other launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the exact same issue on my first phone but i was using adw launcher, not installed it on my second phone and had no issues at all
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App

I am currently using launcher pro, but even using the htc stock launcher the problem still arises. When I did a factory reset, the problem was still apparent when entering my pin number for the first time.

Kurisu87 said:
I am having the exact same problem, for example on the lock screen I would swipe up but the ring will move slightly, and one icon I.e the camera icon will move towards the ring, another grip which is buggin me is that it will miss screen taps, I.e when texting or clicking an icon one tap will go unnoticed by the device resulting in either a missed letter, or the app not opening. This also goes for the 4 command buttons at the bottom, it happens on these too. I also get the occasional lock up.
Factory reset did not work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I stated before, I experience this problem but it only occurs when the phone is laid flat and my hands are well away from the proximity sensor at the top left of the screen. I can say that the part you are describing with the lock screen is 100% the same problem I come across in certain situations.
Please test to see if the problem is still present when the phone is tilted in your hand and, if you are laying the phone flat when you experience the problem, try putting your other hand near the proximity sensor when you try to unlock.
If this happens as I describe then it is most likely a software bug which only affects users who have particular phone use habits.
Saying that, as you are having quite severe symptoms, during general use, it may be that you have a faulty proximity sensor in your phone - leading to missed screen taps when the phone thinks you are not touching the phone.

Well I laid the phone flat and unlocked it no less than 20 times, each worked flawlessly no problems at all..... Seems to have me baffled

Yes I've been having the same problem. First noticed it when trying to unlock it (phone was lying down), couldn't get the circle to move. Have had one complete touch-freeze. No input possible, however volume and power button worked. Took the battery out, restarted, and it worked fine.
I notice that input can be difficult sometimes, hit and miss or just have to push harder. Strange. Seems like a software issue to me.
edit: just had the same issue - circle wouldn't move. After picking the phone up I was able to unlock it, however still not as easy as it should be, a bit jerky.

Both my evo and my g2 had a grounding issue, for example if I had the phone laying down on the couch or bed, the screen would not respond to touch but if touch the phone with a finger and try to unlock it with my other hand it would work normally. So it seems to be a common problem with some HTC devices
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

aim1126 said:
Both my evo and my g2 had a grounding issue, for example if I had the phone laying down on the couch or bed, the screen would not respond to touch but if touch the phone with a finger and try to unlock it with my other hand it would work normally. So it seems to be a common problem with some HTC devices
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The wildfire (my friend's got one) has this problem too. You have to keep touching the metallic housing for it to detect any taps.

You are correct, aim1126. I never considered grounding to be the cause but after re-testing it clearly is.
I guess it is a side effect of having a conductive unibody. So basically there will be no software fix, we just have to keep constant contact between our hands and the unibody. I wonder whether a rubber bumper would actually make this problem worse?
Edit:
Actually, the screen seems to adapt to not being grounded properly after a couple of presses. It works fine for me by the third time I touch the screen - weird. Well at least it is only a minor annoyance!
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App

aim1126 said:
Both my evo and my g2 had a grounding issue, for example if I had the phone laying down on the couch or bed, the screen would not respond to touch but if touch the phone with a finger and try to unlock it with my other hand it would work normally. So it seems to be a common problem with some HTC devices
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My wife uses a G2 and I wouldnt call it a grounding "issue" honestly seems like more of a feature to make sure you ment to engage the screen.. Its kinda cool IMO
As far as the screen being laggy this sucks since I wanted to upgrade from my Vibrant to the Sensation.. I also am not sure its a software issue you guys are having.. I am running Sense 3.0 with gingerbread on the G2 and it is very smooth.. The option to silence a call or tirning on speaker phone by turning the phone over is neeto torpedo..

I'm having the same issue, from lock screen I drag the circle up and it just stutters. After a few tries it usually works, once unlocked the touch screen appears to work fine. I'd expect the issue would continue after unlock if it was a hardware issue.

mr_wi said:
I'm having the same issue, from lock screen I drag the circle up and it just stutters. After a few tries it usually works, once unlocked the touch screen appears to work fine. I'd expect the issue would continue after unlock if it was a hardware issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made a video about the issue here, where you can see that the touchscreen problems do indeed persist after unlocking. Especially when typing and scrolling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk1BlXZQDrU

bcpk said:
I made a video about the issue here, where you can see that the touchscreen problems do indeed persist after unlocking. Especially when typing and scrolling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk1BlXZQDrU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very bad. Flaky lock screen is not good, and the example of not being able to scroll through apps without it running one is a killer. There are many times when scrolling through a list of selectable items is necessary.
Are you going to exchange the phone?
Have my hopes set on the Sensation, so would really like to find out what the resolution is.

happens in the pocketnow review that brandon just put up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlSvcOkoEwk&hd=1&feature=player_detailpage#t=143s

[Q] Power Button Intermittent Problem

I have had my Sensation a while now and generally pleased, we all know that Sense 3 is a bit laggy especially if you want a live wallpaper.
Over the last few days though I have noticed an issue with the power button when pressing to wake the phone up it doesn't always work first time, pressing a second time usually works but sometimes needs 3 presses.
I thought it was software rather than hardware as I have noticed the capacitive buttons at the bottom lighting up for a split second when pressing the power button but the screen doesn't come on.
What is wierd though is that pressing the power button to go into standby always works without fail...
A factory reset today has not fixed the problem.
Anyone else heard or experienced this? before I contact HTC.
I really don't wanna be without a phone if they want it back for repair..

same problem bud, not sure what it is. very annoying.

ravigodhwani said:
same problem bud, not sure what it is. very annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 had same prob...i replaced my fone coz sm issue with power button

Does it work normally without the cover? If yes, it could be an issue with the back cover
Swyped from my HTC Sensation

New issue? On/Off button seam to "flicker"?

Hey ya all
Ive tried to google for this issue but haven't found anything. I got it yesterday evening, about 1-2 hours after OTA update to 2.3.4.
So what happens is when I hit the on/off button to turn of the screen, it sometimes goes black for about half a second and then turns back on. Same when I try to wake it, goes light and then goes dark. So it seams like a dubbleclick almost.
Sometimes I've also got the issue that my Home button just keeps making screen shots, took me a while to figure out thats conected to the power button. How am I supposed to take a screenshot? Could it be a simple hardware issue where the button gets stuck? I've tried to remove the backcover and clean up, but it all seams fine for my untrained eye.

How are you holding the phone when this happens? This same thing happens to me sometimes if I kind of wrap my hand around it when I pick it up. I unconsciously hit the volume button like half a second before I hit the power button, and the volume button wakes the phone & then the power button turns it right back off.

It can happen whatever way Im holding it im afraid, and it has only occured since last night. Lets see if someone else got this after 2.3.4 or if its just a wierd coincidence.
And also, as I said, it seam to bug out my screenshot function.

That's not a coincidence, happens to me as well.
My guess is that's because of the new screenshot feature (hold Power+Home). Can anyone hazard a guess as to how to turn it off?

Well, guess it's a good thing it aint then, hopefully it'll get fixed.

No one else with this issue? It anoyys me alot

I have this issue, but it only happens if I press the button too fast or something. I don't know how to explain.

happens to me too

Randomly enough, just tried the screenshot function and it said saved to Camera folder but it's not there. What app is used to take it? Someone said it was MySketcher but I don't know

I spoke to HTC support sweden today and they didnt seam to be aware of this issue atleast. Keeps happening to me about 30% of the times i hit the button.. I dont think its hardware issue but didnt care to factory reset the phone yet.. Anyone of you with the issue has other than stock rom? Did it only happen after you upgraded to latest firmware? Ive only had it since 2.3.4.

I'm getting this exact same issue since upgrading to 2.3.4. I have a stock ROM too. It's really annoying, press the on/off button and it doesnt always turn it off, it does exactly the same as what the op says.
Also getting it take screen shots when I press the home button.

isak888 said:
Hey ya all
Ive tried to google for this issue but haven't found anything. I got it yesterday evening, about 1-2 hours after OTA update to 2.3.4.
So what happens is when I hit the on/off button to turn of the screen, it sometimes goes black for about half a second and then turns back on. Same when I try to wake it, goes light and then goes dark. So it seams like a dubbleclick almost.
Sometimes I've also got the issue that my Home button just keeps making screen shots, took me a while to figure out thats conected to the power button. How am I supposed to take a screenshot? Could it be a simple hardware issue where the button gets stuck? I've tried to remove the backcover and clean up, but it all seams fine for my untrained eye.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well for same issue i got my power button changed...now its fine... i had this issue and was mad... so after change its gud... itz mostly coz of overstressed power button...c ur power button is fine... in recovery also it must b mis-behaving?
Edit : i am on 2.3.4 stock as of now

lalitsehgal21 said:
well for same issue i got my power button changed...now its fine... i had this issue and was mad... so after change its gud... itz mostly coz of overstressed power button...c ur power button is fine... in recovery also it must b mis-behaving?
Edit : i am on 2.3.4 stock as of now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was abit tricky to understand you, well anyway, so you had it repaired then? Id love to avoid that, hate being without the phone. But maybe thats the only solution.
Thanks for your input.

Yea I'm not so sure if this is a software thing. I haven't experienced this during regular use, but I have experienced a double-press effect while in Clockwork Mod. If I press the button on the leftmost part and do it slowly, I can get a double click without actually clicking it twice. Scares the crap out of me when I'm flashing roms and kernels.
So maybe something is up with the power button itself? Too sensitive maybe?

same issue here, was afraid it was my button. first i thought it was crt animations that were causting it. i have to go in to build.prop and turn off power+home screen shots because half the time i hit home it take a screenshot. not sure what's up with the power button.
have the issue on both bulletproof and eaglesblood, both 2.3.4

Happens to me as well and drives me absolutely insane.. The problem is definitely hardware.. I got a replacement back cover under warranty and after two weeks the problem is back just as bad.
To somewhat remedy the screen off/on flicker, i use 'screen off and lock' for long press of search button.. Not the same I know, but at least it doesn't flicker back on.
As for recovery, you can use home/menu for up/down, back for back and search for select.. I find this light years easier than having to ninja push the power button to avoid a double press.
I wish there was some way to fix the damn button tho.. I don't understand how HTC screwed it up so bad.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App

Having the same problem. Is the problem with the back cover or the phone itself? I looked at the button underneath the case and it looks bent. I was thinking maybe a tiny piece of paper inside would help, if it does, I'll report back
EDIT: playing with the button with the case off shows no problem. It has to be the way the case interacts with the button
EDIT 2: A piece of paper doesn't completely relieve the problem but does make it much harder to reproduce, and in my opinion, it's much nicer to press now
EDIT 3: Thicker paper=issue solved. I'll send HTC an email about it not reaching the button all the way, maybe they can do a recall on affected backings

Flippy125 said:
Having the same problem. Is the problem with the back cover or the phone itself? I looked at the button underneath the case and it looks bent. I was thinking maybe a tiny piece of paper inside would help, if it does, I'll report back
EDIT: playing with the button with the case off shows no problem. It has to be the way the case interacts with the button
EDIT 2: A piece of paper doesn't completely relieve the problem but does make it much harder to reproduce, and in my opinion, it's much nicer to press now
EDIT 3: Thicker paper=issue solved. I'll send HTC an email about it not reaching the button all the way, maybe they can do a recall on affected backings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont understand exactly what you did, but id be glad to know!

isak888 said:
I dont understand exactly what you did, but id be glad to know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ripped off a little piece of paper from a paper cd case about the width of the button inside, I then folded it until I found the perfect thickness and set it on top. I just carefully put the backing back on. It pushes the power button up about double what it was. I'd take pics but all it is is a piece of paper sitting on top XD
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

Got an email back from HTC saying they'll use the information for "future devices"
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

HTC One X - Home Screen/Restart Issues

First off, apologies if these have been covered. I tried searching and couldn't find anything the same as what I am getting but it may be that it is buried in another thread.
Couple of issues with the One X
LOCK SCREEN RESTART
Most people will probably know already that holding the power button for long enough on the Lock Screen will restart the phone. To me, this is ridiculous. Having no kind of confirmation screen means that the phone is constantly restarting in my pocket as it presses against my leg.
Is there any way to disable this function?
HOME SCREEN NOT SAVING
I add the bookmarks widget to a home screen. It stays there nicely until my phone is restarted (usually due to the issue above). When the phone comes back on the widget is gone and an app (a different one each time) has been added instead.
Anyone else having this issue or know what may be causing it?
Again, sorry if these have been covered and thanks in advance for your help.

Haven't noticed the widget issue, but I don't use rhe bookmarks widget so maybe its specific to that particular widget.
But there have been a couple of times where I've had my phone in my pocket and pulled it out only to have it be turned off. Not sure why considering holding down the lock button on the lock screen is supposed to restart the phone, not turn it off completely.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

The home screen issue appears to have been fixed with the latest update.
The lock screen restart is still driving me mental though so if anyone knows of a way to stop it would be appreciated.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

akhedraki said:
Haven't noticed the widget issue, but I don't use rhe bookmarks widget so maybe its specific to that particular widget.
But there have been a couple of times where I've had my phone in my pocket and pulled it out only to have it be turned off. Not sure why considering holding down the lock button on the lock screen is supposed to restart the phone, not turn it off completely.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re: the phone being off - i have the same problem. For me it seems to be a power issue - if i check the battery use stats, it's completely zeroed out. I'm still troubleshooting that issue.

sjmaceyful said:
so if anyone knows of a way to stop it would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) get a case that either partially covers the power button or covers it completely but making it harder to press.
2) get a belt pouch
In either cases your phone will only benefit and may last longer
I personally use horizontal belt pouch and have access to the phone in any position I may be in without awkwardly stretching or leaning, well, unless I'm laying on left side...no issues with pressing buttons ever.

Hi all ,ive resurected this thread to see if anyone has found a way to stop the restart button from working when the phone is locked as its becoming a real pain,ive searched but not found anything....

bump,any ideas anyone, surely just software ? ....

I secomd that.
I've had the same problem from the start. The One X is too easy to unlock. I got some relief with Widget Locker by allowing me to disable the notification bar as a method of unlocking but I still get regular restarts when phone in my pocket and press against power button. Restart should be restricted to an unlocked screen...just like my original HTC Desire. Why do some phone features go backwards?

Italo5 said:
I've had the same problem from the start. The One X is too easy to unlock. I got some relief with Widget Locker by allowing me to disable the notification bar as a method of unlocking but I still get regular restarts when phone in my pocket and press against power button. Restart should be restricted to an unlocked screen...just like my original HTC Desire. Why do some phone features go backwards?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The restart feature is there to force the phone to restart should it become unresponsive. It's a handy feature to have, it's essential, it's not backwards. Buy a case that limits your access to the power button and hey presto, problem solved.

timmaaa said:
The restart feature is there to force the phone to restart should it become unresponsive. It's a handy feature to have, it's essential, it's not backwards. Buy a case that limits your access to the power button and hey presto, problem solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah If the phone froze on the lockscreen and the power button didn't work when the phone was locked there would be absolutely no way to recover it since it doesn't have a removable battery. The only solution is buy a case the makes the button harder to press or don't carry it in your pocket.
Sent from Xparent Red using my Venomized Evita

Okay got the picture......reluctantly I will need to buy a case..........Can I make a suggestion for future HTC models.....have a reset button in the form of a tiny hole-identical to the SIM eject hole but obvious on another side of the phone so as not to get them mixed up. This will satisfy everyone.

That's a great suggestion, but I highly doubt it will ever be implemented by HTC. They save money on manufacturing by having the power button doing this operation.
Sent from my One XL using XDA Premium

sjmaceyful said:
First off, apologies if these have been covered. I tried searching and couldn't find anything the same as what I am getting but it may be that it is buried in another thread.
Couple of issues with the One X
LOCK SCREEN RESTART
Most people will probably know already that holding the power button for long enough on the Lock Screen will restart the phone. To me, this is ridiculous. Having no kind of confirmation screen means that the phone is constantly restarting in my pocket as it presses against my leg.
Is there any way to disable this function?
HOME SCREEN NOT SAVING
I add the bookmarks widget to a home screen. It stays there nicely until my phone is restarted (usually due to the issue above). When the phone comes back on the widget is gone and an app (a different one each time) has been added instead.
Anyone else having this issue or know what may be causing it?
Again, sorry if these have been covered and thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have the same problem, tnx

norman.cricket23 said:
have the same problem, tnx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should have just pressed the thanks button instead of digging up this old thread.
Sent from my Evita