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Bad Proximity Sensor?

Is anyone else having an issues when on a call to someone you take it away from your ear and look at your phone and the screen doesn't come back on. I have to hit the power button to make the screen wake up. I'm all stock (4.4.2) with unlocked bootloader. I m trying to see if this is a hardware problem where I need to RMA or software problem.

Mine works perfectly well. Are you sure you don't have anything that might be affecting the proximity sensor, like smudges or a screen protector?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

No, I don't have any screen protector not any smudges. I saw similar issues on other phones and someone said to clear data and cache on the phone app so I don't know if that will work or not.

ProBird79 said:
Is anyone else having an issues when on a call to someone you take it away from your ear and look at your phone and the screen doesn't come back on. I have to hit the power button to make the screen wake up. I'm all stock (4.4.2) with unlocked bootloader. I m trying to see if this is a hardware problem where I need to RMA or software problem.
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What time out do you have your screen set to? Sounds like it's simply locking after the designated time.
I've noticed the screen turning on and off occasionally when talking. Almost like the sensor isn't sure if I'm holding it to my head or not but then I do hold it away from my face.

I have the same issue...
I can't hang a call because the screen simply don't turn on when I remove my phone from the ear.
In add at this issue, seems like the proximity sensor turn off the backlight screen only.
When I finish a call, I found the clock screen opened, in my case the settings screen of advanced clock widget...
It's really annoying...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Do you guys have a screen protector applied by any chance? Everyone had this issue with the nexus 4 because the sensor is really sensitive and picks the protector up, not letting it turn the screen on. Try removing a section of the protector where the sensor sits, this will fix your issue.

Surprisingly, I don't have this problem
Team Nexus 5 sucks. Underpowered battery for a 5inch 1080p screen that is non-removable. Weak generic antenna that drops signal. Worst speaker of any device on the market. Cheap plastic build.

dalton8 said:
Do you guys have a screen protector applied by any chance? Everyone had this issue with the nexus 4 because the sensor is really sensitive and picks the protector up, not letting it turn the screen on. Try removing a section of the protector where the sensor sits, this will fix your issue.
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Click to collapse
My phone is naked... No screen protector, no cover...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

bblzd said:
What time out do you have your screen set to? Sounds like it's simply locking after the designated time.
I've noticed the screen turning on and off occasionally when talking. Almost like the sensor isn't sure if I'm holding it to my head or not but then I do hold it away from my face.
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I have it on 15 seconds. Shouldn't that feature be bypassed when a call is in progress so that the proximity sensor is usable. This is the first phone that I've had that has done this to me. On all others the proximity sensor stays live even after the predetermined sleep time.

After 15 seconds you're screen is simply turning off as you have set. Mine does so after 1 minute, which is my screen time out setting.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I have 30 minutes of inactivity...
The proximity sensor is broken...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

bblzd said:
After 15 seconds you're screen is simply turning off as you have set. Mine does so after 1 minute, which is my screen time out setting.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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During a call shouldn't the screen timeout be bypassed then go back to the default setting once the call has ended? That makes much more sense to me.

ProBird79 said:
During a call shouldn't the screen timeout be bypassed then go back to the default setting once the call has ended? That makes much more sense to me.
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This seems to be the built in functionality of the phone and not a bug. I can't really say if one way is better then the other but I just turn the screen off during calls now.

This is the bug...
really annoying

same problem
ProBird79 said:
Is anyone else having an issues when on a call to someone you take it away from your ear and look at your phone and the screen doesn't come back on. I have to hit the power button to make the screen wake up. I'm all stock (4.4.2) with unlocked bootloader. I m trying to see if this is a hardware problem where I need to RMA or software problem.
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Click to collapse
Same problem here do any one have solution for this..

Nexus 5 randomly turns on

I haven't been able to find this problem documented anywhere so I thought I'd ask.
It seems that my Nexus 5 has suddenly began turning on when being held at a certain angle. I believe that the proximity sensor has something to do with it. It started to happen after I was on the phone for a couple of hours. I've tried restarting, and switching from Art to Dalvik.
Is anyone else familiar with this problem or a solution? It's driving me nuts!
Thanks

onewaylife4all said:
I haven't been able to find this problem documented anywhere so I thought I'd ask.
It seems that my Nexus 5 has suddenly began turning on when being held at a certain angle. I believe that the proximity sensor has something to do with it. It started to happen after I was on the phone for a couple of hours. I've tried restarting, and switching from Art to Dalvik.
Is anyone else familiar with this problem or a solution? It's driving me nuts!
Thanks
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Click to collapse
Are you using a case? it might be pressing the power button.

I have using a case, but there is an oversized cutout around the power button. I am almost certain that this is related to a bug with the proximity sensor.

Mine, when using stock kernel would sometimes turn on by itself after pulling it from my shirt pocket..
Hasn't happened since I stopped using stock kernel.
Doesn't seem too common another poster, think whozilla saw this behavior as well.
No biggie.just odd.
WR
Sent from my Nexus 5

onewaylife4all said:
I have using a case, but there is an oversized cutout around the power button. I am almost certain that this is related to a bug with the proximity sensor.
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does it turn ON after you power the phone OFF
or you mean that it wakes up from sleep state randomly?

GUGUITOMTG4 said:
does it turn ON after you power the phone OFF
or you mean that it wakes up from sleep state randomly?
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No, it won't turn on if the phone if OFF. I'm referring to it "waking up". It will wake up simply by holding the phone at a certain angle and distance away from the body.

onewaylife4all said:
No, it won't turn on if the phone if OFF. I'm referring to it "waking up". It will wake up simply by holding the phone at a certain angle and distance away from the body.
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Are you using a custom Rom/kernel? if so, try installing a new Rom
If that happens to be a hardware problem, It could be more related to the power button than the P.sensor
Most common issues related to the sensor is that screen stays off. Eventually, a screen protector can produce that, but not in your case.
The proximity sensor won't notice the angle you tilt the phone at (compass sensor does). It needs to detect something in front of it closer than +-1 inch to act up and should
turn off the screen when in a phone call. There's no much reason to turn on screen because it is not its function and much less if not phone call is happening.
Maybe the USB port is dirty and thinks you plugged a charger
or power ribbon/connector is loose inside, if any.

Nexus 5 really weird screen problem

Hi,
I have this really weird stuff going on with my Nexus 5 screen. I cracked it a couple months ago and bought a legit replacement screen for it and installed it myself (glass, lcd and frame). I fixed it with good instructions and it worked properly for two months. However though, now when I take it out of a pocket and try to turn screen on, sometimes it just doesn't light up. It's still on and every button works but the screen doesn't turn on. I have to give it a light tap or two on the back in order to make it light up again. Same thing happens sometimes when I'm using the phone normally, the screen just goes black and goes on after tapping it couple of times. Otherwise the phone works normally like it did when I bought it two years ago and after running couple of tests with screen, everything seems to work from touch interface to the graphics card.
Tried looking it up, no results.
I've noticed that the front camera doesn't work for some reason (probably just broken) and the battery lasts in use only 2-4 hours which isn't that much of an issue since I'm looking for a new phone. I just want this one to last long enough till I buy a new one.

It comes up when tapping the screen or power button? It could be a power button issue.

The screen comes back on when tapping the screen or the back of the phone. The power button isn't the issue. The screen just goes black but nothing else happens. It doesn't turn off or go to sleep mode.

Strange issue. I've never experienced it and any problems I had were related to the power button.
Could it be a loose connection inside the phone? Maybe an issue related to the proximity sensor?

Thats actually what I've thought. I have checked the phone's insides twice and didn't see loose connections, and the problem feels like it's related to proximity sensor since the screen going black happens exactly same way that when calling someone or doing something else where proximity sensor shuts the screen. It's really weird though...

Huh, I took backplate off and unscrewed the motherboard cover and took everything apart and rebuilt it and now the problem is gone. Seems like there was just some bad connection somewhere.

Glad you got it to work without having to pay someone to fix it

Pixel randomly locks while in use, even in safe mode.

A few weeks after I got my Pixel I started experiencing random screen locks while I'm holding and using the phone.
I have it set to Auto lock after 1 minute of activity but this can happen sometimes immediately after unlocking with the finger print scanner. Ive only noticed it happening while on my hour train commute but that could just be because that's where I'm using it the most consistently.
I talked to Google support via chat and they suggested booting into safe mode to see if it's a third party app causing the issue. Ive currently been using safe mode for an hour and it has happened but only once when it first rebooted.
Has anyone else experienced this? I've contacted Google support again and will update if they find anything.
Thanks

I have experienced this several times. I can't pinpoint what's causing it. I'm just glad someone else is seeing this happen as well. Hopefully someone gets to the bottom of it.

I use an app "Always On" which has a "timeout" feature.
The app uses AMOLED ambient display to put a clock and notifications on the screen.
I use it when going to bed or at night. The timeout feature uses Device Administrator access and causes the screen to go fully off after a while. Sometimes the app causes the Devices Administrator requires password "error," definitely.
I will test more and report, but earlier in week I noticed screen go off as you describe, as I've noticed now and again too, and I realized it was maybe exactly 3 hours since I freshly set a 3 hr timeout in Always On. At that point I was using my phone when the device locked.
Hmm.
Sent from my sailfish using XDA Labs

wilsonic said:
A few weeks after I got my Pixel I started experiencing random screen locks while I'm holding and using the phone.
I have it set to Auto lock after 1 minute of activity but this can happen sometimes immediately after unlocking with the finger print scanner. Ive only noticed it happening while on my hour train commute but that could just be because that's where I'm using it the most consistently.
I talked to Google support via chat and they suggested booting into safe mode to see if it's a third party app causing the issue. Ive currently been using safe mode for an hour and it has happened but only once when it first rebooted.
Has anyone else experienced this? I've contacted Google support again and will update if they find anything.
Thanks
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Maybe a magnet causing interference? http://www.androidheadlines.com/2016/11/the-google-pixel-and-pixel-xls-screens-react-to-magnets.html

tejasm1 said:
Maybe a magnet causing interference?
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OMG you just blew my mind. This is definitely what it is. When I'm sitting on the train I have my satchel on my lap which has magnetic clasps. I'll remember to keep it away from there in future. THANK YOU SO MUCH! :good:

I know this is an old thready but this blew my mind too! I think my juul is causing it, as it has a magnet on the end to snap to the charger. Never would've put two and two together. Thank you!

P4xl - Same random screen locking symptoms, NOT MAGNET related.
All of the responses in this describe the symptoms of the problem I have with my Pixel4xl, but not the description of the cause.
I most DEFINITELY do not have any magnets within any proximity to my phone.
It only has an Otterbox case, and will often lock when being actively used, while behind held at least 6" from any other object (except my hands).
Is anyone else experiencing this (non-magnet related issue)?

djdole said:
All of the responses in this describe the symptoms of the problem I have with my Pixel4xl, but not the description of the cause.
I most DEFINITELY do not have any magnets within any proximity to my phone.
It only has an Otterbox case, and will often lock when being actively used, while behind held at least 6" from any other object (except my hands).
Is anyone else experiencing this (non-magnet related issue)?
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Click to collapse
Yes I have the same issue where the phone locks itself randomly on 4XL. No idea what's going on I have a fabric case... Very annoying it happens all the time

I also have the same issue on the Pixel 4. No case, I'm sitting on my couch, no magnet within 6 feet, no electronics other than a remote control, yet my phone just sometimes locks.

Yes I'm facing this issue on my Pixel 2 as well, and no magnets near me!! Can someone Please help?

Hey guys make sure your buttons arent stuck to the frame

It's happening to me too on my pixel 4 xl. Did anyone determine a cause?

Same issue, no case on it or any magnet nearby. It's super annoying.

I had the same issue on my Pixel XL. Didn't think twice about it since it was an older phone, probably a bug with new os/old phone. But i just upgraded to the Pixel 4a and the same thing is happening! Is it related to smart unlock? The weather? Mars in retrograde?

djared704 said:
Hey guys make sure your buttons arent stuck to the frame
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Definitely not the cause for me.
In my Otterbox case, when pressed, the volume buttons cause the volume interface to appear (which isn't happening),
and the power button has a distinct click when pressed (and when held, activates the nfc card payment interface).
A good guess, but unfortunately isn't the cause, in my situation. ??

Pixel 3 screen flash

Didn't see this posted here yet, but forgive me if I missed it.
Trying to find out if anyone has seen or heard of any acknowledgement from Google regarding this. My new Pixel 3 (Verizon; non XL) since day 1 has had an annoying issue with the screen flashing when ambient screen engages. I have my settings with alwayson set to off, and new notifications set to on. If the screen is asleep and I get a text or any notification, the ambient screen wakes and will initially make the entire screen flash white very quickly.
I do not get a flash of the screen in any other scenario when the phones on, it only seems to be when the screens totally asleep and the ambient screen wakes. I can unlock the phone or hit the power button to fully wake the phone to my home screen with no flashing. Its not every single time, but its very often. I do notice sometimes when it doesn't flash the whole screen, the time or text on the ambient display will be at full brightness when it first wakes for a split second and then will go to the dim text Im used to seeing.
Replaced the phone through Verizon. Got another brand new one with the same exact problem. This one even flashes on reboot occasionally just before the white "Google" screen pops up. Google had me send them a bug report this time and are supposed to be having their dev team look at it.
WHY.

Mine did it once
Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

I've also now noticed mine will flash in Instagram when I "like" something lol. Just the picture flashes within the app itself in that case, not the whole screen. Such a weird thing, that may have something to do with the app on the new pixel? I don't even know anymore.

I just saw the white flash. It was only for a few ms but it looked like a full brightness white flash on the whole screen. I had just set my phone down and I think the AOD was coming on.
Weird.

Yeah I have a feeling this is happening on way more devices than we're reading about. I hope it's addressed. Sometimes my notification audio cuts out real quick too. Hoping it's just all memory related.

I have this weird kind of screen flickering on my device as soon as I use the fingerprint area to turn the phone on. It is very faint and fast but its like static lines for half a second when the screen comes on??

Archangel said:
I have this weird kind of screen flickering on my device as soon as I use the fingerprint area to turn the phone on. It is very faint and fast but its like static lines for half a second when the screen comes on??
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Strange, I haven't had any issues like that using the fingerprint reader or just hitting the power button. Mine are all directly related to ambient screen waking.

My Pixel 3 is doing the same thing when I unlock it. Flashes like taking a selfie... I have even looked for the selfie to no avail.
It does not do this regularly, very random.

edster00 said:
My Pixel 3 is doing the same thing when I unlock it. Flashes like taking a selfie... I have even looked for the selfie to no avail.
It does not do this regularly, very random.
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Same here. Sometimes when I tap the screen to wake it up, it flashes. Just did it a minute ago before I wrote this.
Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

I just charged the Pixel face down; during the charge I picked it up to check the progress and I got the screen flash ~2X out of 10.

edster00 said:
I just charged the Pixel face down; during the charge I picked it up to check the progress and I got the screen flash ~2X out of 10.
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Report it to Google. I feel like it's something they're aware of (I hope) but support certainly isn't saying so if they are.

I saw a post on Android Police about bug trackers and read in some of the comments that people were having problem with screen flashing. Some of them said it was related to the always on display. Mine was flashing like white static lines. But it was only for half a second when you turn on the screen and it didnt happen every time, it was random. I turned off the AOD and it never happened again. Kinda sucks cause I like AOD. But that tells me it is a software problems and not hardware.

I turned off AOD too, for 1 day; the next day I turned AOD back on. I have not had a screen flash since (a few days now).

edster00 said:
I turned off AOD too, for 1 day; the next day I turned AOD back on. I have not had a screen flash since (a few days now).
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Try rebooting. I bet it's still happening you just may not be noticing. I've had my AOD off for a while and as soon as I turn the new notifications option it comes back. Not every time but still often.

I'm having the same issue, doesn't happen all the time but I can reproduce it usually by unlocking the device, locking it then when ambient display comes on, unlock it and the screen flashes/flickers. I've only managed to do it with ambient screen set to always on.
I've RMA'd this morning so I'll report back when the new phone comes.

I hope you RMA's for other reasons too because it is likely that you will get a phone with the same flickering problem. I think it is a software issue esp since it goes away after we turn off AOD.
steslatt said:
I'm having the same issue, doesn't happen all the time but I can reproduce it usually by unlocking the device, locking it then when ambient display comes on, unlock it and the screen flashes/flickers. I've only managed to do it with ambient screen set to always on.
I've RMA'd this morning so I'll report back when the new phone comes.
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Click to collapse

Archangel said:
I hope you RMA's for other reasons too because it is likely that you will get a phone with the same flickering problem. I think it is a software issue esp since it goes away after we turn off AOD.
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I just find it strange that people are having the flicker in different scenarios, like mine is only when ambient is set to always on but other people are having the issue when it's set to double tap etc. Anyway I guess I'll see when the new phone comes.
Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Yeah let us know please once you get the new phone. It seems like it is hit or miss with people so you might get lucky and avoid it.
steslatt said:
I just find it strange that people are having the flicker in different scenarios, like mine is only when ambient is set to always on but other people are having the issue when it's set to double tap etc. Anyway I guess I'll see when the new phone comes.
Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
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Quick update. My new phone arrived this morning and I've managed to get the screen to flash once so far where as my old one would do it 8 times out of 10. I feel like this is a poor display hardware problem rather than software.

I believe or rather am hoping that because it only happens when you turn on AOD that it is a software issue and not a hardware one. The only way something will be done is enough people complain on a bug tracker.
steslatt said:
Quick update. My new phone arrived this morning and I've managed to get the screen to flash once so far where as my old one would do it 8 times out of 10. I feel like this is a poor display hardware problem rather than software.
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