Dead Nexus: Color Noise Screen - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

My nexus was working fine, I received a call, answer it, after the call my nexus screen was unresponsive. After that the screen only shows a colored noise.
I thought it was the screen, but I replaced with a broken glass (working) screen a it have the same symptom. The problem seems to be a hardware one, I hard reset it, disconnect everything, replaced the usb board, but it looks is the main board the problem or (2 bad screens?)
Does anyone have seen this?
I attached a pic of the problem.

I would definitely say its a problem are you on stock are you rooted?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Pretty sure it's the display ribbon port or cable. I've seen this a few times in the last couple of months.

spinninbsod said:
I would definitely say its a problem are you on stock are you rooted?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm rooted on android L, but it doesn't seem to be software because as soon as I turn on the phone it shows the noise instead of the Google logo and android animation
Sandman-007 said:
Pretty sure it's the display ribbon port or cable. I've seen this a few times in the last couple of months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you call the display ribbon? The one that connect to the usb board on the bottom of the battery? Can it be replaced?

2fastkuztoms said:
I'm rooted on android L, but it doesn't seem to be software because as soon as I turn on the phone it shows the noise instead of the Google logo and android animation
What you call the display ribbon? The one that connect to the usb board on the bottom of the battery? Can it be replaced?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the ribbon cable from the motherboard to the LCD. Yes it can be replaced.

Either the screen or flex cable. In extremely rare cases it could even be the motherboard.

Lethargy said:
Either the screen or flex cable. In extremely rare cases it could even be the motherboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suspect a bad ground or something related with the cable. When I touch the cable the screen start working. Ordered the flex cable, let see if it fix it, i let you know.

2fastkuztoms said:
I suspect a bad ground or something related with the cable. When I touch the cable the screen start working. Ordered the flex cable, let see if it fix it, i let you know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've actually seen this happen when a device overheats (I'm looking at you Droid Razr >.>)
Custom Kernels sometimes have this issue as well.
However, if it's constant, a hardware issue is more likely, I'm just giving out a possible idea.

Beauenheim said:
I've actually seen this happen when a device overheats (I'm looking at you Droid Razr >.>)
Custom Kernels sometimes have this issue as well.
However, if it's constant, a hardware issue is more likely, I'm just giving out a possible idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About 5 or so people have had such issue. None were because of custom kernels (and I don't think overheating either). Either a replacement screen or flex cable fixed it for them. Hardware issue, happens.

Thanks to all.
Todays update:
The flex cable arrived today, installed it, assembled the rest of the phone and bingo! Phone is working fine!!!
Happy again with my nexus, i was almost convinced to jump to the g3 but I really love my red nexus.

I had the same issue reported here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/hbo-screen-death-t2811070
FlexCable was broken
Cheers
Tom

Related

LCD still not working after replacement?

Just wondering if anyone here could shed some light on this matter. My daughters shift LCD appeared to stop working. So I replaced it to no avail. Still not working.
sent from my future SPH-L900
Asthmatik said:
Just wondering if anyone here could shed some light on this matter. My daughters shift LCD appeared to stop working. So I replaced it to no avail. Still not working.
sent from my future SPH-L900
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you do it the replacement yourself ? Or did you have it done ? The reason I'm asking is because if you replaced it yourself, did you happen to check the Flex Cable ? That is usually the cause of the Screen acting weird, or not responding. If the Flex Cable is cracked, or Split it does not work correctly.
prboy1969 said:
Did you do it the replacement yourself ? Or did you have it done ? The reason I'm asking is because if you replaced it yourself, did you happen to check the Flex Cable ? That is usually the cause of the Screen acting weird, or not responding. If the Flex Cable is cracked, or Split it does not work correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I did it, I've had plenty of experience changing lcds and digitizers so no issue there. Guess ill have to open it back up and check the other cables.
sent from my future SPH-L900
Check out THIS thread. The Cable you want to really take a look at is partially shown in Figures One / Two where it connects. It is the Flex Cable that connects to the Keyboard. They are know to wear / crack over time form the KB being slid in, and out.

Screen Problem

Hi,
My phone has a problem, i hope someone can help me, it started about a month ago,
When i slide the keyboard the screen would freeze, the image would freeze or sometimes it would become like this:
http://www.esato.com/board/img.php?id=140762 ( this is not my phone its just a pic i found)
This problem would be solved it i gently slide the keyboard back in, the screen would be back to normal, sometimes i had to slide it out and it
alot of time to make it work.
Well, today i woke up, with the screen of my phone all messed up ( like in the picture), i slide it out and in alot of times but no luck.
I turned my phone off, when i turned it on, the screen doesnt lighted up or showed something, the phone just vibrates, i took off the battery and tried again but no luck.
I read somewhere that i could be the flex cable, so i ordered one, but its gonna take some time to arrive.
Anyone had this problem before that can help me?
I didn't encounter such problems on MT4GS yet. But being a slider phone enthusiast I could 100% say it's a flex cable thing since I encountered that problem more than a dozen times already on other phones(nokia).
Riyal said:
I didn't encounter such problems on MT4GS yet. But being a slider phone enthusiast I could 100% say it's a flex cable thing since I encountered that problem more than a dozen times already on other phones(nokia).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info , when my new flex cable arrive i'll let everybody know what was the problem.
ShadyGame said:
Thanks for the info , when my new flex cable arrive i'll let everybody know what was the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would strongly recommend that you get a cable with the speaker already soldered in place....
+1 to that, get as much pre assembled as possible, this is about the most pain in the butt phone I've ever had the pleasure to disassemble. Read the last few posts here!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35109055
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
GoPadge said:
I would strongly recommend that you get a cable with the speaker already soldered in place....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is this one okay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121037327256?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
ShadyGame said:
is this one okay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121037327256?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. That one has the speaker, it's the black bar at the top with the silver sticker.
GoPadge said:
Yup. That one has the speaker, it's the black bar at the top with the silver sticker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, that the one i ordered, thanks for your help, ill report later how everything went when i receive the flex cable
I know this thread is from quite a while ago, but how did everything go? I'm having a similar issue.
GoPadge said:
I would strongly recommend that you get a cable with the speaker already soldered in place....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for this bit of advice.
Disassembling the front of the phone is a pain. I'm a fan of spending $40 on ebay on a broken phone (where the screen still works just fine) and swapping out the fronts. That will get you a new flex cable as well. Otherwise, you risk having to get a new flex cable *and* a new LCD.
Agreed. First time disassembling front I was scared not to OVERheat phone internals. I ripped in half trackpad ribbon, damaged lcd back cover and got a lot of problems from it.
Then I bought broken phone with good front, but dead LCD. Second time I just lost it, I heated phone so hard that I got burns on my fingers, but it was worth it, LCD glue came off soo nice.
So better to overheat, then underheat when disassembling front LCD.

Broken lcd screen/digitizer

So, a few weeks ago my phone started acting weird. When I would open the keyboard, my screen would turn off. It did this for a few days, then it got worse. I couldn't even use my keyboard. Then, my screen would randomly start flickering... and now it just won't come on at all. The phone comes on, I can see the notification light blinking, but the screen won't come on at all.
I'm going to buy a replacement part for it, but I'm not sure if it's the digitizer or lcd screen. Anyone know which one it would be?
...at first...no digitizer, no display.
open the phone and check flex cable connection - maybe is poor connected.
If this not help then check flex cable.
CornholioGSM said:
...at first...no digitizer, no display.
open the phone and check flex cable connection - maybe is poor connected.
If this not help then check flex cable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i was thinking it could be the flex cable, but i haven't played with it much yet. maybe i will tonight and see if my flex cable is disconnected/bad... but i couldn't find any replacement flex cables (without a lcd display or digitizer) anywhere.
IF it was the lcd, what would the symptoms be?
check flex connection and let me know
Was you photon disassembled?
CornholioGSM said:
check flex connection and let me know
Was you photon disassembled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
previous to the screen ****ing up it was never disassembled
Where would you be finding replacement parts?
Thanks
the internet is an amazing tool
Someone in the forums directed me to this: http://www.etradesupply.com/motorola/android-models/motorola-photon-q-4g-lte-xt897.html
Maybe it'll help.
Egoista said:
Someone in the forums directed me to this: http://www.etradesupply.com/motorola/android-models/motorola-photon-q-4g-lte-xt897.html
Maybe it'll help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmmmm good prices - keyboard with cover for $12 is very good.
....or you can simple use ebay
i have a spare Photon Q in working order for parts.
Because simcard mod didn't work, it's a pda lol hahahah
if you still need a screen, let me know, we work a prize out incl sending
Gojira-r32 said:
i have a spare Photon Q in working order for parts.
Because simcard mod didn't work, it's a pda lol hahahah
if you still need a screen, let me know, we work a prize out incl sending
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
....why not work???
Resistor gone after fail sim mod
Gojira-r32 said:
Resistor gone after fail sim mod
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...this is not big problem...post me photo on PM
PM will send tonight after an hour or 2
flex cable
Corn,
Can i post photo of my flex cable, to let know what you think if its broken or not,
the black coating of the cable were ripped off caused by the heat and friction to the metal clip and body,
often i play game application and while xt897 condition is heat i slide it to reply an incomming message,
and im about also to but the parts from etradesupply.com is it recommended or is there another supplier you recommend for xt897 flex slide cable, this damage also happen to my xt862 the previous year.
CornholioGSM said:
...this is not big problem...post me photo on PM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jspdjanggo said:
Corn,
Can i post photo of my flex cable, to let know what you think if its broken or not,
the black coating of the cable were ripped off caused by the heat and friction to the metal clip and body,
often i play game application and while xt897 condition is heat i slide it to reply an incomming message,
and im about also to but the parts from etradesupply.com is it recommended or is there another supplier you recommend for xt897 flex slide cable, this damage also happen to my xt862 the previous year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yessss no problem
i've always wondered if there is actually some way to buy flex cables replacements in case they break... so far, i have only found the whole frontal assembly which costs quite a lot and that includes the flex cables, turning what would have been a couple $ repair into a very expensive (and probably not worth) one
i got an old working photon q that i was keeping myself for spares in case...
if you want a part then PM me. x
need advise
CornholioGSM said:
yessss no problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
helo corn,.
can you please have a look to this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2580958
i'm confused how to release replace my flex cable
Is there a tutorial how to replace the flex cable with front camera as selled by parts4repair? Or is it really foolproof?
It seems to me like I'm facing the same issues as described in the start post, only in an earlier stage of degeneration of the flex cable:
1. Suppose, the Photon Q is turned on and in operation. When sliding out the keyboard only some millimeters, the screen goes black. If I press the power button at this stage (keyboard slid out some millimeters, screen black), the phone seems to crash and reboots.
2. Suppose again, the Photon Q is turned on and in operation. This time I slide out the keyboard all the way (no matter how fast). The screen goes black. Pressing the power button at this stage doesn't show any effect. Only after pressing it a second time, the Photon Q is awake again, showing me the lock screen - apparently no crash and no reboot!
3. Suppose, the Photon Q is turned on and in operation. I turn the screen off by pressing the power button once, then I wait for some seconds and slide out the keyboard all the way. When I turn on the screen this time by pressing the power button, the lock screen appears as expected and everything is working fine.
All these scenarios also work the other way round, i.e. you assume the keyboard is already slid out all the way and you perform the slide-in movement. Also, this is not a software issue as it behaves analogously during reboot or in recovery mode. Furthermore, I opened my phone. The flex cable was connected properly and I couldn't see any damage to the flex cable. So it seems to be an internal loose connection of the flex cable.

[Q] White screen of death?

Has anyone encountered the following issues with their SHIELD?
Mine was working just fine after updating to 4.3 and rooting with CWM. I performed multiple reboots in this configuration, played games, etc. - everything was fine.
I had a pretty busy weekend so didn't touch the SHIELD at all for a few days. When I got back:
When I opened it up, I saw the screen backlight turn on but nothing displayed on the screen. The SHIELD button was glowing green.
I long-pressed the SHIELD button to turn off the device. When I turn it back on, I get a white screen that is dark around the edges (mostly vignetting around the corners). The brightness of the screen here and degree of vignetting seem to change every time I try and turn on the device.
If I enter fastboot mode via the key combo, the same thing happens - white vignetted screen. The device DOES appear to enumerate as a fastboot device on my PC in this configuration.
At one point I figured it might be due to a low battery, so plugged it into the charger. 30 minutes later, when I opened the lid, I actually came up to a launcher screen with 65% battery.
However, after closing the lid and reopening it again - black screen again, with the "white vignette of death" coming back if I reboot.
Has anyone else seen similar behavior? Searching results in no one complaining about a white screen like this, at least not on this device.
Screen of Death
This just happened to me today. Did you find a fix for this problem?
Entropy512 said:
Has anyone encountered the following issues with their SHIELD?
Mine was working just fine after updating to 4.3 and rooting with CWM. I performed multiple reboots in this configuration, played games, etc. - everything was fine.
I had a pretty busy weekend so didn't touch the SHIELD at all for a few days. When I got back:
When I opened it up, I saw the screen backlight turn on but nothing displayed on the screen. The SHIELD button was glowing green.
I long-pressed the SHIELD button to turn off the device. When I turn it back on, I get a white screen that is dark around the edges (mostly vignetting around the corners). The brightness of the screen here and degree of vignetting seem to change every time I try and turn on the device.
If I enter fastboot mode via the key combo, the same thing happens - white vignetted screen. The device DOES appear to enumerate as a fastboot device on my PC in this configuration.
At one point I figured it might be due to a low battery, so plugged it into the charger. 30 minutes later, when I opened the lid, I actually came up to a launcher screen with 65% battery.
However, after closing the lid and reopening it again - black screen again, with the "white vignette of death" coming back if I reboot.
Has anyone else seen similar behavior? Searching results in no one complaining about a white screen like this, at least not on this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be just bad luck for me.....
nmerc001 said:
This just happened to me today. Did you find a fix for this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So ive already gotten two shields and they both got the same effect. my guess is the ribbon cable when you open and close the screen, is wearing off? because when i open my shield in a certain way, it works... when i open it at around 100 degrees or open correctly then tilt it forward, the screen tears and slowly shows the white screen. I do admit that i open and close the screen more than i should, but i do it carefully. Ill look over at the ifixit site to see how the cable is connected to the board.
This is what has me worried about buying a shield, the ribbon cable, did you confirmed this was the problem?
DJNinja1625 said:
So ive already gotten two shields and they both got the same effect. my guess is the ribbon cable when you open and close the screen, is wearing off? because when i open my shield in a certain way, it works... when i open it at around 100 degrees or open correctly then tilt it forward, the screen tears and slowly shows the white screen. I do admit that i open and close the screen more than i should, but i do it carefully. Ill look over at the ifixit site to see how the cable is connected to the board.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a tech by trade and bought one of ebay for 40 bucks cuz it would not power up so the guy claimed. After getting it I found the issue was actually the display was not coming on and once it did. Then went out in a few moments. Connect it to HDMI and the unit runs all day of you want to be cabled. ]
So I tore it down and found that the issue is the flex cable. The problem is that the flex cable is part of the LCD and you cannot just replace the cable. Also since the unit is so new there are no sources as of yet to by the LCD from.
So if you have this issue I suggest just holding out till a source of LCD's at hopefully a reasonable price become available.
So it's soldered to the screen and not replacable right?
nex86 said:
So it's soldered to the screen and not replacable right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct.. The flex cable is actually an integral part of the display and even has much of the driver circuitry placed right on it at the LCD. In the business we call it a flex circuit since it is a flexible circuit board and not just a cable.
I pretty much know what you mean.
On my old Archos Gamepad I ripped the flex that connected the left side of the controler to the logic board by accident.
It was a pain in the ass to fix it by soldering seperate wires, I guess it's impossible to do this with the display connection in the Shield.
nex86 said:
I pretty much know what you mean.
On my old Archos Gamepad I ripped the flex that connected the left side of the controler to the logic board by accident.
It was a pain in the ass to fix it by soldering seperate wires, I guess it's impossible to do this with the display connection in the Shield.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be possible if you used 32 gauge magnet wire. It is enamel coated so it won't short, but it to will break over time.
hi, flash factory image
Sent from my LT25i using XDA Free mobile app
dragxdk said:
hi, flash factory image
Sent from my LT25i using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you supposed to flash a factory image when the screen won't let you see what you are doing? When you are in the bootloader screen the HDMI drivers are not loaded yet so not even hooking it to an external monitor will work. You might want to fully read and understand the problem next time before offering advice.:good:
fastboot tells you if you were sucessful or not.
just for relocking the bootloader you have to do some button combinations, you can look up some tutorial videos to see what you have to press.
nex86 said:
fastboot tells you if you were sucessful or not.
just for relocking the bootloader you have to do some button combinations, you can look up some tutorial videos to see what you have to press.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even still, it is not a software problem that causes this. I know because if I move my display to a certain angle it will start to work sometimes. A software issue would not cause this. I also have taken my apart since I am a tech and can actually see the traces in the flex cable that have broken..
Any device with a folding display is a bad idea and a failure waiting to happen. Flex cables have a limited number of flex cycles that is even usually published. So the idea of using them in a device that may get heavy use is just dumb.
Solarenemy68 said:
Any device with a folding display is a bad idea and a failure waiting to happen. Flex cables have a limited number of flex cycles that is even usually published. So the idea of using them in a device that may get heavy use is just dumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, they used flex in the Nintendo DS and 3Ds as well, but they don't break that fast.
I find it still better if they have used recular cables like what they use for Laptops.
Solarenemy68 said:
Even still, it is not a software problem that causes this. I know because if I move my display to a certain angle it will start to work sometimes. A software issue would not cause this. I also have taken my apart since I am a tech and can actually see the traces in the flex cable that have broken..
Any device with a folding display is a bad idea and a failure waiting to happen. Flex cables have a limited number of flex cycles that is even usually published. So the idea of using them in a device that may get heavy use is just dumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you are saying is the EXACT same thing that happened to my SHIELD. I can tell its a hardware problem because when I tilted my screen it would work, and sometimes it wouldn't. Now my SHIELD's display does not even show any signs of picture. HDMI still works, however. Like one of the previous posts said, there is not a screen available for purchase, so my next step is NVIDIA customer support. Maybe if they would sell these screens, I wouldn't even have to have a warranty claim. sigh.
White screen of death?
yes mine too same as
i tried connecting my via HDMI from power cable to large HDMI to plug it works fine on my galaxy tab
thought id be clever try it on nvidia shield never worked sould of bought mini HDMI so now White screen of death
i cant get into recovery or anything i had this on charge for 12 hrs yesterday still no green button on charge only orange .. i too cant find anything on internet to help with this White screen of death situation
Solarenemy68 said:
How are you supposed to flash a factory image when the screen won't let you see what you are doing? When you are in the bootloader screen the HDMI drivers are not loaded yet so not even hooking it to an external monitor will work. You might want to fully read and understand the problem next time before offering advice.:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. I'm having a similar issue. My wife's SHIELD has an unresponsive touch screen. So I tried to flash the factory image (It was never rooted to begin with) and I got the white screen issue when in the bootloader screen. I have to keep restarting it to get the screen to show up as normal when the device boots to the home screen. But the bootloader screen is still blank and white. I was able to watch a video and mimick the steps to flash the factory image but that did not fix the issue. It's definitely a hardware issue. I live in Cincinnati OH, anywhere I can go to have this fixed? I have a portable myself and i know this is going to happen to mine soon.

[Q] nexus 5 colorful dots all over screen... PLEASE HELP!?!?!?

Hello, I am a newbie on this forum.. I have been having issues with my Nexus 5 and was wondering if yall could help me figure out what is going on.
When I turn my Nexus 5 on sometimes the display comes on and sometimes it doesn't. When it does come on, all I get is a screen full of dots. Tiny little dots covering the entire screen. It also doesn't usually go into fastboot mode, but it has twice in what seems like 100 million times trying since this happened. I just replaced the display as it was shattered from a drop, I thought that could be the issue but that didn't help.. So maybe the gpu? I don't know... I'm much more familiar with desktops than phones.. So please help, I'll do anything at this point, even if it takes forever.
Pull it apart again and check all connections.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
In order from most likely to least likely, as well as cheapest repair to most expensive:
- Flex cable
- Screen
- Motherboard
A lot of people have had such issue and it's mostly been the flex cable.
Lethargy said:
In order from most likely to least likely, as well as cheapest repair to most expensive:
- Flex cable
- Screen
- Motherboard
A lot of people have had such issue and it's mostly been the flex cable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much, I hadn't even thought about that. I will get back to you after I order a flex cable. hope you're right. thanks again.
Nothing has changed. I got a new flex cable and the exact same thing is happening. What do I do now?
dvandevelde1 said:
Nothing has changed. I got a new flex cable and the exact same thing is happening. What do I do now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then its the screen or motherboard. I would just send it in to LG for repair rather than guessing between the two and possibly wasting money.

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