[Q] Proximity sensor issues with flap case - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I bought three N5 for my parents and myself. The flap cases for the first two of them work well: when the flap is lifted up, the screen wakes up; when the flap is folded, the screen shuts down. However, the third one doesn't work well. Sometimes it works like the other two, but most time it doesn't.
The proximity sensor works well when I make calls. I also installed "Proximity sensor finder" to test the sensor, which actually detects the case accurately. But for some reason I don't know, the Android system doesn't shut down the screen even when the sensor detects a folded case. Anybody knows what the problem might be and how to fix it? Thanks.

Most proximity sensor cases have a magnet near where the volume rocker is. Do all three of your cases have that?

No, none of them has a magnet.
jd1639 said:
Most proximity sensor cases have a magnet near where the volume rocker is. Do all three of your cases have that?
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pb1153 said:
No, none of them has a magnet.
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Would the phone in question happen to have a screen protector? Sometimes the screen protector can cause this issue if it isn't installed correctly. Make sure the proximity sensor/light sensor isn't covered by the screen protector.
sent from my neXus 5

pb1153 said:
No, none of them has a magnet.
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Click to collapse
They have to. That's the way they turn off the screen. It's not the same sensor that turns off the screen when you're on the phone.

Yes, there is a screen protector, which has a whole at the location of the proximity sensor, so it shouldn't be a problem. What baffles me is that "Proximity sensor finder" is able to detect the case cover accurately, but the system cannot respond correctly.
OuncE718 said:
Would the phone in question happen to have a screen protector? Sometimes the screen protector can cause this issue if it isn't installed correctly. Make sure the proximity sensor/light sensor isn't covered by the screen protector.
sent from my neXus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I see. This explains the problem. It seems that the tiny magnet in my case is not effective as it doesn't fold perfectly. Thanks a lot!
jd1639 said:
They have to. That's the way they turn off the screen. It's not the same sensor that turns off the screen when you're on the phone.
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pb1153 said:
Yes, there is a screen protector, which has a whole at the location of the proximity sensor, so it shouldn't be a problem. What baffles me is that "Proximity sensor finder" is able to detect the case cover accurately, but the system cannot respond correctly.
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Click to collapse
If you're 100% sure that the screen protector isn't obstructing the sensor then I would then clean around the area where the sensor is with a micro fiber cloth. If that doesn't doing anything then I would temporary switch the flip case with the one on your parents N5. It is possible that the case on one phone can be faulty. If that still doesn't work then I'd factory reset the phone.
And if that doesn't work... I'd get a warranty replacement. More than likely you have a faulty case.
sent from my neXus 5

OuncE718 said:
If you're 100% sure that the screen protector isn't obstructing the sensor
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Its not relevant. They don't work with proximity. They use the hall effect magnetic sensor
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

rootSU said:
Its not relevant. They don't work with proximity. They use the hall effect magnetic sensor
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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You're actually right come to think of it.
sent from my neXus 5

I think I should blame the faulty case, as jd1639 and rootSU also pointed out. The magnet in the case is not effective. I believe what jd1639 has said, screen on/off during calls uses proximity sensor, but the response to case flap relies on magnet.
OuncE718 said:
If you're 100% sure that the screen protector isn't obstructing the sensor then I would then clean around the area where the sensor is with a micro fiber cloth. If that doesn't doing anything then I would temporary switch the flip case with the one on your parents N5. It is possible that the case on one phone can be faulty. If that still doesn't work then I'd factory reset the phone.
And if that doesn't work... I'd get a warranty replacement. More than likely you have a faulty case.
sent from my neXus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Related

Proximity sensor covered by screen protector

Anyone has any experience with screen protector that covers the proximity sensor? will it mess up the sensor?
Thanks
No..i had my screen covered for 10 month now..
Sent from my Google Nexus S using xda premium
forzanetti said:
Anyone has any experience with screen protector that covers the proximity sensor? will it mess up the sensor?
Thanks
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Click to collapse
No a screen protector is transparant, so it will let all light go trough.
Don't be afraid it will still work.
Try calling anyone, hold u phone near ur head, the screen will go off, and after, it will go on again
The proximity sensor does not depend on light to work though, try your phone in complete darkness and you're proximity sensor will still work.
no mine has worked perfectly with a screen protector since i have got the phone
Thanks for all the reply!!
It was very hard finding SP that covers the whole screen but with a small opening on the upper left for the sensor.. now I'll just get those that covers the whole screen

Don't buy ElecShield screen protectors

Don't buy these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A1V33J8
They break the proximity sensor (phone thinks it's near your head all the time). This is my experience, YMMV.
I guess you could cut a hole but it's bit of a PITA.
Mine are already on the way. What's the fit like excluding this problem?
mys3 said:
Mine are already on the way. What's the fit like excluding this problem?
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They're a little on the small side but not too bad, I had mine fitted perfectly and it covers only the actual live area of the screen width wise, and is a little short of the top and bottom of the glass height wise, maybe 2 or 3mm.
I just did a little testing of the proximity sensor with my hand, without the protector on, and it seems that the proximity sensor only turns the screen off when the phone is vertical not when laying flat. Might test some more with the protector. I had to rip it off to end a call earlier!
Just done a bit more testing and indeed, hold the phone vertical while on a call and put the screen protector on, screen turns off, take it away, screen turns on. When the phone is flat the proximity sensor does nothing so if you put the phone flat while in a call you can access the keypad etc.
SGP ultra clear blocks the proximity sensor too
burrrcub said:
SGP ultra clear blocks the proximity sensor too
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I spoke to an SGP UK agent on Tuesday. He said SGP are revising their design to allow for this. Said should have the new version sometime next week.
I have some cheap screen protectors that used to cover my SGS2 proximity sensors and had no problems, guess I'll report back when I get my phone ):
I have a BSE on order. I hope that doesn't do it :'(
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
If any protectors do cover it, a hole puncher should take care of it pretty easily. It may not result in the prettiest results, but it will get the job done until all of the manufacturers revise their designs to not cover it.
That works well enough for now
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
I bought from same seller in ebay, not a good fit (very short) and have proximity sensor issue as well.

Proximity Sensor for Newbies

Since I am a newbie in this technology, what is a proximity sensor and what is it used for when it detects or does not detect something?.. I installed the proximity sensor finder app on my Nexus 6 and I could not tell any details except timer started when portion of phone front was covered YET the measurement displayed did not say anything other than 0 or 5.00000 etc.. I also use the phone in speaker mode ..
The proximity sensor is there to turn the screen off during a phone call when you move the phone to your head. It turns the screen back on when you move it away from your head after. On the 6P it is located below the speaker grill.
Thank you,, so the proximity sensor serves a power saving function? I just tested this with my Nexus 6 using a TruShield TGSP and it worked fine.. I find it strange that a clear glass screen protector would not work on the Nexus 6P ??
painfree said:
Thank you,, so the proximity sensor serves a power saving function?
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Click to collapse
No, the purpose of it is to deactivate the screen when it's against your face on a call so that you don't press things on the screen with your ear/face.
Yes, it does save a little power (you can power off the screen while on a call), but is really helps the screen know when you have the phone to your face. This allows it to disable input so you don't hit buttons on the screen while on a call.
It's a neat feature, but adds some difficulty because not all screen protectors are cut out to allow it to function fully. Like those above said, it helps you by not pressing buttons while you're talking.
I would also assume that android uses the proximity sensor for "on body detection" to tell if it's in your pocket or out in the open etc.
I am having similar sort of issue, I have glass protector on nexus 6P and when I dial any number the screen will go black and will not come back until the other person hangs up. even the phone is not near my face, how strange. not sure how to resolve
I also have a problem of my screen not turning on if I move it away from my face. At first I thought it was proximity sensor dead, but I used the proximity sensor finder app and was able to see that it works fine if I cover it. So it could be a bug with dialer/caller app in Marshmallow. Or maybe there's a setting somewhere.
How to turn off the proximity sensor? I have a tgsp that does not have a cut out for the sensor.
Return the tgsp because it's defective. The newer revisions do not suffer from the defect.
DeathmonkeyGTX said:
Return the tgsp because it's defective. The newer revisions do not suffer from the defect.
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Click to collapse
My screen does not go dark when I put my 6P by my ear. How can I check if my sensor is on or off? TThanks

Case blocking fingerprint sensor solution

After I have read the complaint about fingerprint sensor problem with plastic case. I figured out the case blocks out the conduction between hand and the metal sides.
Solution: make a conductor on the case with the following method
a. Aluminum foil
b. Metal tape
c. Conductor wire from cable
d. PCB silver paint
The best location to apply is by the bottom-right of the screen.
Pictures?
jay8302 said:
Pictures?
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Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63697731&postcount=94
You could also carve/cut out the bottom lower edges on either side, so you hand can make contact with the sides.
Spigen tweeted that LG in Korea already has a software fix, just depends on when it will be released in the US.....
I'm not getting any fingerprint sensor issue at all with my ringke fusion case on my device. I tap the sensor quickly after turning on the device and it unlocks every time. Where is this fingerprint sensor not reacting to a touch? I can't reproduce it.
I noticed that placing a finger on the screen before attempting to use the fingerprint scanner helps with detection. It's not the best solution but it's been working well for me so far.
Raztrax said:
I noticed that placing a finger on the screen before attempting to use the fingerprint scanner helps with detection. It's not the best solution but it's been working well for me so far.
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Click to collapse
Holy carp, that worked 10 out of 10 times. Brilliant.
Raztrax said:
I noticed that placing a finger on the screen before attempting to use the fingerprint scanner helps with detection. It's not the best solution but it's been working well for me so far.
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Click to collapse
Wow, good find. Mine was in a Incipio case and now in a otterbox case. Both have the issue with the finger print sensor. Your trick on placing a finger on the screen first works every time for me.
I am on T-Mobile so hopefully we get the software fix soon.
Thanks

Proximity sensor not working

My device worked smooth for a while, when I applied tempered glass the proximity sensor not working, any solution?
Sent from my M2007J20CI using Tapatalk
deva_noah said:
My device worked smooth for a while, when I applied tempered glass the proximity sensor not working, any solution?
Sent from my M2007J20CI using Tapatalk
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Taking off tempered glass
deva_noah said:
My device worked smooth for a while, when I applied tempered glass the proximity sensor not working, any solution?
Sent from my M2007J20CI using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
check if the tempered glass is not at top, i do and my proximity sensor stop working, then moved down the tempered glass and work again.
I use tempered glass full coverage and no problem with proximity sensor.
With my Sony phone, I got a screen protector applied by a phone stall employee in a mall, however it seemed that they didn't have the specific type for my phone and so the protector they applied was covering half my proximity sensor located on the left of my top speaker and brand logo. That's when I noticed having calling problems such as when I dial or call someone, my phone screen immediately turns black and it doesn't want to turn on even when I press the power button. So what I did after much thinking, I just went for it and broke off the piece of screen protector that was blocking my sensor. Worked 100%

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