Nexus 5 - Hardbrick ? - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys,
I need some urgent help.
My Nexus 5 device is not booting. It stucks at the bootlogo then powers off and restarts again.
Normally it wouldnt be hard to fix such an issue but the problem is :
I can't boot into bootloader (bootloader appears for 1 second then phone powers off)
I can't boot into Recovery mode (Recoverymode appears for a second then phone powers off)
I can't get my phone into fastboot mode, - it appears for a few seconds durign the bootloop as an "unknown device", but I am not able to flash a new bootloader/factoryimage.
I tried like every possible option what I can do, but nothign worked for me.
What else can I try since I can' get my phone into fastbootmode?
Bootloader is unlocked
Secureboot is enabled
(from what i can see in these 2 seconds where the bootlaoder pop's up)
Is there a way to recover my nexus5?

Symptoms of broken starter button
Posté depuis Nexus 5 / Miui7 by Miui-France

Remove the motherboard and clean around the power button. When you have cleaned around the power button, quickly press and release the power button using more pressure than normal a few times, try to boot again.

Thanks for the tips!
I never thought that a broken Button could cause this issue.
I will check it as soon as I am home.
But how am I supposed to clean the motherboard, and I don't understand how cleaning the button from the outside
of the case should help to solve this problem.
Can you guys explain it a bit more detailed please? ^^
Are there good and very detailed tutorials for this?
And yes, you ideas definitely make sense because some days earlier when the Nexus5 was still
booting fine, I remember that I sometimes had the issue when I turned of the display with the power button
it instantly turned on again and I had to turn it off like 3-5 times until it really was off (standby).

To clean around the power button, you'll have to disassemble the phone which is not hard to do it you take your time and use the right tools.
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nexus+5+Teardown/19016

I noticed that the issue really was the powerbutton, - however the button was broken and
not repairable by cleaning. To repair the phone I would have to purchase a new motherboard.
In the end I decieded to purchase another phone, just saying that if someone will have the same issue in the future
try to clean first, if that wont help the powerbutton is most likely broken, and this results in a new motherboard-purchase because
the button is not repaireable by hand

The power is replaceable if the damage is confined to the power button itself.

Related

(FIX) Can't boot into rom, recovery, or download/constant restarts

Hey guys,
This is a possible fix for anyone who is experiencing all of the following issues. If you are NOT experiencing all of these issues then my fix is most likely not the cause of your problem.
1) Can't boot into ROM (phone will get no farther than GALAXY S III logo)
2) Can't boot into RECOVERY (phone will try to boot into recovery but will never make it)
3) Can't boot into DOWNLOAD (you may get as far as the caution screen but phone will turn off)
4) Phone starts, then turns off after about 3 seconds.
The solution that worked for me involves the power switch. It turns out that the reason you are unable to boot is because your power button is constantly being pressed due to a "sticky" button. This is a hardware flaw with only a temporary solution.
Steps to FIX issue.
1. Use fingernail to gently remove POWER BUTTON from phone. Notice that the bumps in the middle of the button are a little off-center.
2. Use a pair of fine tip tweezers to gently PULL on the yellowish/white POWER SWITCH inside the phone.
3. Test the fix by reinserting the battery. If the phone doesn't auto boot then press the POWER SWITCH with the end of your tweezers.
4A. If phone continues to power cycle then return to step 2.
4B. If phone properly boots then reinsert the POWER BUTTON with bumps in the middle aligned with the POWER SWITCH. If you don't align the bumps then the button will not function properly.
Once again, if this fix did not work for you then your problem is most likely in software (bootloader) and not hardware.
Hope this helps someone. Cheers! :highfive:
Think this post might help
This is the problem I'm having from the sound of it. I haven't had any problems for the last three weeks I've been using LiquidSmooth and it doesn't act like a ROM problem. I noticed the power button wouldn't shut my screen off today out of the blue. I thought it was strange so maybe wipe cache and dalvik just in case... No Dice.
Stuck in a vibrating boot loop from there even after each attempted battery pull. However somehow I was able to finally get the phone to boot by holding the right button combo to get download mode... Waiting for it to restart right away then doing another battery pull... This let's it boot and has worked half a dozen times tonight...
Soooo... pull the power button off with fingernails? Serious? I've had the phone a month and a half maybe so would like to know this happens without breaking any additional connections or whatever if that makes sense... Thanks for the post.

[Q]Can't get into Recovery Mode,possibly due 2 "sticky" power button.It got worse

[Q]Can't get into Recovery Mode,possibly due 2 "sticky" power button.It got worse
Couple of things first to lay down the situation.
I'm on BEAN Builds 19,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1973982
I'm also using ClockworkMod Recovery. Not sure what version.
Now my power button is one of those "sticky" ones, where it's not springy. This has caused me a few problems in which I can't seem to use the button to turn on my phone anymore. If the phone is off, I have to pull the battery, and then re=insert it to turn the phone back on. Also I'm not sure if button is "being held down", since it's so sticky, but the quick toggle options in the ROM for Restart and Recovery don't work. When I use the quick toggle for restart, my phone just turns off, and doesn't restart. As for recovery, I'll touch on that below.
Today I wanted to flash myself a new modem. So I tried to get into Recovery mode. I go into there once after a couple of tries, but the Power Button , being in the down position from the "sticky button", hit the option to restart the phone before I could flash anything/do anything. After a couple of tries of unsuccessfully getting into Recovery Mode the normal holding down buttons way, I decided to try the quick toggle in the rom to get into Recovery mode.
But just like hitting the restart option, it didn't do what I wanted it to do. My phone shut off, but that was it. Now when I try to battery pull and reinsert to get the phone to turn back on, all it does is show the Samsung Logo, turn black, and that's it. I'm assuming that it's trying to boot into Recovery Mode since that's what it was last told to do before I shut off my phone, and I also think that the "sticky power button" is throwing off the phone's attempts to do that.
Any help or direction would be great and much appreciated. Thank you for your time you took to read this.
Bang ur fone on a table. Seriously ppl been doing that on ur situation to pop out the power button. Try to cover ur fone or put a cloth on table so ur fone wont get scratch and stuff
Sent from my d2lte using Tapatalk
VigilanteM2 said:
Couple of things first to lay down the situation.
I'm on BEAN Builds 19,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1973982
I'm also using ClockworkMod Recovery. Not sure what version.
Now my power button is one of those "sticky" ones, where it's not springy. This has caused me a few problems in which I can't seem to use the button to turn on my phone anymore. If the phone is off, I have to pull the battery, and then re=insert it to turn the phone back on. Also I'm not sure if button is "being held down", since it's so sticky, but the quick toggle options in the ROM for Restart and Recovery don't work. When I use the quick toggle for restart, my phone just turns off, and doesn't restart. As for recovery, I'll touch on that below.
Today I wanted to flash myself a new modem. So I tried to get into Recovery mode. I go into there once after a couple of tries, but the Power Button , being in the down position from the "sticky button", hit the option to restart the phone before I could flash anything/do anything. After a couple of tries of unsuccessfully getting into Recovery Mode the normal holding down buttons way, I decided to try the quick toggle in the rom to get into Recovery mode.
But just like hitting the restart option, it didn't do what I wanted it to do. My phone shut off, but that was it. Now when I try to battery pull and reinsert to get the phone to turn back on, all it does is show the Samsung Logo, turn black, and that's it. I'm assuming that it's trying to boot into Recovery Mode since that's what it was last told to do before I shut off my phone, and I also think that the "sticky power button" is throwing off the phone's attempts to do that.
Any help or direction would be great and much appreciated. Thank you for your time you took to read this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got a very similar issue. Only difference is my power button is not stuck at all. However regardless of how I try to enter recovery/Download/ or simply to restart my phone I often times have to try 10 - 15 times before anything other than the Samsung splash screen into black screen of ??? Happens. Up until 5 minutes ago and hopefully for good something somehow decides to let the phone do as I had asked(told) it to do. Wish I had an answer or some help for you instead of reporting the same problem. Hopefully someone out there does.
Sent from my unknown using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
johnsgone said:
I've got a very similar issue. Only difference is my power button is not stuck at all. However regardless of how I try to enter recovery/Download/ or simply to restart my phone I often times have to try 10 - 15 times before anything other than the Samsung splash screen into black screen of ??? Happens. Up until 5 minutes ago and hopefully for good something somehow decides to let the phone do as I had asked(told) it to do. Wish I had an answer or some help for you instead of reporting the same problem. Hopefully someone out there does.
Sent from my unknown using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you open up your phone and meter the button? If not its probably sticking. The button you see on the outside is just a contact not the actual button so it won't look compressed. Sounds like your problem is super sensitive button which is related to the sticking button in fact it was what happened to me beforeit started sticking.
ThePagel said:
Did you open up your phone and meter the button? If not its probably sticking. The button you see on the outside is just a contact not the actual button so it won't look compressed. Sounds like your problem is super sensitive button which is related to the sticking button in fact it was what happened to me beforeit started sticking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No sir, I've not looked into that. Indeed I will now, and I thank you for your response.
Sent from my unknown using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] Bootloop when power button sometimes pressed

Hi everyone!
I think my bootloop problem may be a unique one because it only occurs whenever I press the power button (and I've kinda searched other threads and couldn't find a bootloop issue like mine). But before I explain in depth, here are my specs:
Stock 4.4.4 rom
Rooted, with xposed + gb
ElementalX 1.00 kernel
This problem is a randomly occurring one; when my phone is fine and I press the power button, it almost usually goes into a bootloop. It can either stay on the google screen or last all the way up to the x-boot one. Sometimes from the x-boot screen, it'll reboot again. So I realized that if I randomly press the power button a few times (usually trial and error), the problem goes away sometimes and I boot normally again. However, if I hit the power button again for any reason, the bootloop issue relapses.
Also another thing to note is sometimes when my phone is switched on and operating normally and I press the button, it doesn't always reboot immediately. Sometimes it behaves as if the power button is held down and the power menu pops up in the lockscreen... then subsequently it boot loops.
So I'm not sure if this is a hardware issue to do with the button itself (because I very rarely ever drop my phone. Perhaps about 3 times in the past 8-9 months since Dec 2013?) or it's a software issue...which will mean I've to reflash my stock rom.
Anyone with a similar issue please help! It's kinda driving me nuts cos I can't even unlock my phone without triggering a bootloop...:crying:
ultimaflux said:
Hi everyone!
I think my bootloop problem may be a unique one because it only occurs whenever I press the power button (and I've kinda searched other threads and couldn't find a bootloop issue like mine). But before I explain in depth, here are my specs:
Stock 4.4.4 rom
Rooted, with xposed + gb
ElementalX 1.00 kernel
This problem is a randomly occurring one; when my phone is fine and I press the power button, it almost usually goes into a bootloop. It can either stay on the google screen or last all the way up to the x-boot one. Sometimes from the x-boot screen, it'll reboot again. So I realized that if I randomly press the power button a few times (usually trial and error), the problem goes away sometimes and I boot normally again. However, if I hit the power button again for any reason, the bootloop issue relapses.
Also another thing to note is sometimes when my phone is switched on and operating normally and I press the button, it doesn't always reboot immediately. Sometimes it behaves as if the power button is held down and the power menu pops up in the lockscreen... then subsequently it boot loops.
So I'm not sure if this is a hardware issue to do with the button itself (because I very rarely ever drop my phone. Perhaps about 3 times in the past 8-9 months since Dec 2013?) or it's a software issue...which will mean I've to reflash my stock rom.
Anyone with a similar issue please help! It's kinda driving me nuts cos I can't even unlock my phone without triggering a bootloop...:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might want to send it in for repair. Mine had the same symptoms about a month ago--spontaneously displaying the power menu, boot loops where I'd need to do a hardware reboot (or whatever it's called, vol up + power) and sometimes it won't wake the screen when I press the power button and act as if I turned it off. Tried to reflash recovery and change roms, same banana. Then suddenly it won't go out of bootloop, sometimes gets to the x-boot and sometimes only until the Google logo. Sent it for repair and lo and behold, hardware problem. I think this is really inherent on some older Nexus 5's with the wobbly power button.
I suggest you do a nandroid backup while you have the chance. Never had a chance myself
kisetsu17 said:
Might want to send it in for repair. Mine had the same symptoms about a month ago--spontaneously displaying the power menu, boot loops where I'd need to do a hardware reboot (or whatever it's called, vol up + power) and sometimes it won't wake the screen when I press the power button and act as if I turned it off. Tried to reflash recovery and change roms, same banana. Then suddenly it won't go out of bootloop, sometimes gets to the x-boot and sometimes only until the Google logo. Sent it for repair and lo and behold, hardware problem. I think this is really inherent on some older Nexus 5's with the wobbly power button.
I suggest you do a nandroid backup while you have the chance. Never had a chance myself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sigh, i reflashed stock rom and the problem persisted. i can't even stay on the bootloader screen without it rebooting itself all over again. i guess it's an old nexus 5 hardware problem like you said :/ thanks for sharing!
ultimaflux said:
sigh, i reflashed stock rom and the problem persisted. i can't even stay on the bootloader screen without it rebooting itself all over again. i guess it's an old nexus 5 hardware problem like you said :/ thanks for sharing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...lease-stop-talking-hardware-versions-t2597276
Sounds like the power button is getting stuck, or shorting out.

[HELP] Unrooted Nexus 5 randomly shut off, now frozen on Google logo at startup

I didn't drop it or get it wet or anything, it was just sitting on my desk and it randomly shut off. I've tried shutting it off and on again but it just comes back to the google screen where it sits frozen for about 30ish+ minutes before it shuts off, I can't turn it off otherwise, if I try turning it off it just turns itself back on so I can't shut it off. Is there anything I can do to save my data (or even better, fix my phone) or am I screwed? I also don't have USB Debugging turned on so I can't get stuff back that way either. My phone is not rooted and running stock android 5.1.? (Don't remember my exact version but I think I've missed the last 2 minor updates)
AWantula said:
I didn't drop it or get it wet or anything, it was just sitting on my desk and it randomly shut off. I've tried shutting it off and on again but it just comes back to the google screen where it sits frozen for about 30ish+ minutes before it shuts off, I can't turn it off otherwise, if I try turning it off it just turns itself back on so I can't shut it off. Is there anything I can do to save my data (or even better, fix my phone) or am I screwed? I also don't have USB Debugging turned on so I can't get stuff back that way either. My phone is not rooted and running stock android 5.1.? (Don't remember my exact version but I think I've missed the last 2 minor updates)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like your power button failed, like mine
markdapimp said:
Sounds like your power button failed, like mine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I has an issue with it a few months ago with the power button but it was stuck in a constant bootloop (I later found out that the power button was physically stuck, and a few hard flicks fixed it) , now it's just frozen on the google logo for 30-40ish minutes and then it shuts off by itself. Could that still be an issue with the power button?
AWantula said:
I has an issue with it a few months ago with the power button but it was stuck in a constant bootloop (I later found out that the power button was physically stuck, and a few hard flicks fixed it) , now it's just frozen on the google logo for 30-40ish minutes and then it shuts off by itself. Could that still be an issue with the power button?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, my LG warranty expired so I found a seller on eBay doing it for 25$ (replacing the switch inside)
markdapimp said:
Yeah, my LG warranty expired so I found a seller on eBay doing it for 25$ (replacing the switch inside)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm kinda confused on how this is the power button. On a working Nexus 5, if you hold the power button down the phone just continually resets, now it freezes on bootup and doesn't shut off for a really long time. Then after it shuts off, you have to manually turn it back on (then it just freezes again). I feel like this is could be a software issue but I might be wrong.
I've seen posts saying to reset the cache partition. Will that wipe the data on my phone?
I went into recovery mode (Does this mean the power button is fine, since I could successfully navigate the boot menu) and tried to format the cache and it says it was wiping /cache for about 20 minutes then it shut off and the notification light started blinking red and the phone wouldn't turn on at all when I held the power button. I assumed this meant the battery died during the cache wipe (Is that what the red light means, if so is that bad?) so I plugged the phone in. After about 30 seconds I could turn it on again, but it just holds at the google screen again. I'm really starting to freak out as I have some unbacked up data. Even if I can't fix the phone, is there any way I could save the data? I have a locked bootloader and USB debugging is turned off (Yes, I'm an idiot).
It does sound like a faulty power button. Since it's very cheap to fix, I would first find a local lab to change the button. At least rule out that..
If you can't fix the phone, you cannot get the data.
Also, be carful with bootloader and adb, so you don"t accidentaly erase your data.
eross said:
It does sound like a faulty power button. Since it's very cheap to fix, I would first find a local lab to change the button. At least rule out that..
If you can't fix the phone, you cannot get the data.
Also, be carful with bootloader and adb, so you don"t accidentaly erase your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The nearest phone-repair shop is like 45 minutes to an hour away from me so I want to be sure this is it. How exactly would a faulty power button cause this to happen? The phone isn't acting like the power button is permanently held down or not held down at all and I was able to get through the boot menu to the clear cache partition menu which requires use of the power button (And has the shut-off and blinking red light interrupting the cache clear made things worse), all that seems to be happening is the phone freezes during boot-up.
AWantula said:
The nearest phone-repair shop is like 45 minutes to an hour away from me so I want to be sure this is it. How exactly would a faulty power button cause this to happen? The phone isn't acting like the power button is permanently held down or not held down at all and I was able to get through the boot menu to the clear cache partition menu which requires use of the power button (And has the shut-off and blinking red light interrupting the cache clear made things worse), all that seems to be happening is the phone freezes during boot-up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sentence points all fingers at the power button
"I've tried shutting it off and on again but it just comes back to the google screen where it sits frozen for about 30ish+ minutes before it shuts off, I can't turn it off otherwise, if I try turning it off it just turns itself back on so I can't shut it off"
If you turn it off and it comes back on. it's the power button
Some symptoms of a faulty power button
If your LG Nexus 5 keeps rebooting for no reason to the Google Logo only
you cannot lock the screen
screen locks on its own
phone turns off for no reason during regular use
Lock/power Button is VERY sensitive to touch
AWantula said:
The nearest phone-repair shop is like 45 minutes to an hour away from me so I want to be sure this is it. How exactly would a faulty power button cause this to happen? The phone isn't acting like the power button is permanently held down or not held down at all and I was able to get through the boot menu to the clear cache partition menu which requires use of the power button (And has the shut-off and blinking red light interrupting the cache clear made things worse), all that seems to be happening is the phone freezes during boot-up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The power button is not dead, it's faulty, and behaves erratically. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. It's an educated guess. If you put in a lab, and it's not the power button, perhaps they will know what else could be wrong. It's your call.
Just got back from the repair shop, it's not the power button, it's some unknown software issue. They can't fix it. Anyone have any ideas?
This is very odd. I am not aware of any software issue that can prevent a physical shutdown of a phone. Was this a reputable lab?
eross said:
This is very odd. I am not aware of any software issue that can prevent a physical shutdown of a phone. Was this a reputable lab?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone shut itself off after a period of time, but holding the power button just restarts it. They replaced the power button just to be sure and it didn't fix it.
When you connect the phone to a PC does it show up? Can you copy your data? If not, I don't think you can save the data.
One more thought: If you put the phone in bootloader state, does it still shut down or restart by itself?
I just talked to the phone repair people and they said they just found out it's not software, a circuit in the motherboard got fried and they only way they could fix the phone would be to swap out the motherboard.
That is a 200$ reapair. Before you do that or give up on your phone try my guide here http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/nexus-5-stuck-boot-loop-lollipop-t3098632
I had a different problem but was also told by the local LG lab that it was the motherboard. It wasn't,
If my guide does not help, it probably is a hardware issue. See if the lab has an insurance deal. Over here they suggested to sell me a one year insurance for 150$ , and change the motherboard. That would have saved me 50$....

Nexus 5 rebooting continuously and don't start without power source

Hello everyone,
I was flashing MIUI official on my nexus 5, and I was in bootloader, and I was just simply press power button then devices just turned off and
wont start again. after turned off, device dont start using power button, then I connect power source, device just started and rebooting again and again, without power source device dont start, and when it starts on power source, device just rebooting continuously,
Service center said you need to change mother board.
It is necessary to change board or this is just a problem of power button stuck inside
Any sujection?
I suggest removing the motherboard. Then, quickly press and release the power button several times in a row using more pressure than normal. Not too much pressure as you don't want to cause any further damage.
If that doesn't solve the problem, it could be a battery issue.
Nexus 5 drops power
razor17 said:
Hello everyone,
I was flashing MIUI official on my nexus 5, and I was in bootloader, and I was just simply press power button then devices just turned off and
wont start again. after turned off, device dont start using power button, then I connect power source, device just started and rebooting again and again, without power source device dont start, and when it starts on power source, device just rebooting continuously,
Service center said you need to change mother board.
It is necessary to change board or this is just a problem of power button stuck inside
Any sujection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not flashed my phone but have kept it up to date. I have version 6.01 build MMB29Q. I have had the issue during the last two weeks with it restarting but then just going off again. I have a separate Nexus 5 I user for parts for these situations. I replaced the motherboard got it up and running, everything seemed fine but then the power would just go off for no reason. The only way I could get it to restart was by holding the volume down for 10 seconds and then selecting the power button. The difference with this motherboard is that it will at least start up. I did change the battery as well and that did not make any difference. At this point I am thinking about flashing with a different OS to see if that fixes it. I unfortunately do not have a fix but I am at least at a point where I know how to keep it functional. Any further fix suggestions would be appreciated. I think my next step will be to flash it with a different OS to see if this issue persists.
dkongmaster said:
I have not flashed my phone but have kept it up to date. I have version 6.01 build MMB29Q. I have had the issue during the last two weeks with it restarting but then just going off again. I have a separate Nexus 5 I user for parts for these situations. I replaced the motherboard got it up and running, everything seemed fine but then the power would just go off for no reason. The only way I could get it to restart was by holding the volume down for 10 seconds and then selecting the power button. The difference with this motherboard is that it will at least start up. I did change the battery as well and that did not make any difference. At this point I am thinking about flashing with a different OS to see if that fixes it. I unfortunately do not have a fix but I am at least at a point where I know how to keep it functional. Any further fix suggestions would be appreciated. I think my next step will be to flash it with a different OS to see if this issue persists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that bro, I searched on google I tried everything, hold power button for 10 seconds, and more pressure and lot of things, I think I have to check power button and battery, I will give my phone in shop not in service center xD
Thank you
audit13 said:
I suggest removing the motherboard. Then, quickly press and release the power button several times in a row using more pressure than normal. Not too much pressure as you don't want to cause any further damage.
If that doesn't solve the problem, it could be a battery issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am confused, its battery issue or power button issue, I will try to repair my phone in shop not in service center
Chances are that you have the same problem I had with the power button.
My N5 had this behavior and was about to be replaced when I found something that worked. Try this: press and hold the power button several times with more pressure than usual. If no luck, smack it a few times (no kidding) in a table - I suggest you to do it with a cover. The main problem is with the switch soldered on the motherboard and the above steps is to 'unlock / release' the internal parts of this switch - the main culprit.
Several people had this issue and the spank showed to be useful: LINK
My N5 is working just fine, almost two weeks now. Good luck!

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