Anything else I should try before declaring my phone dead? - Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers

- Bought new October 2016, unlocked Exynos Galaxy S7
- Have been using it without issues until roughly one month ago, when it started to randomly freeze reboot itself, sometimes after corrupting the graphics of whatever screen it was on just prior to rebooting. I chalked it up to it needing a Factory Reset, which I was planning to do shortly.
- Last week I had the issue where the phone worked but the screen didn't turn on; the LED worked, I could hear notifications etc but the screen would remain unlit. I forced it to reboot by holding power and volume down, and it seemingly returned to normal after the reboot.
- Yesterday morning I was browsing Facebook when the phone froze and I got a corrupted screen, except this time instead of rebooting it just shut down itself and became unresponsive. Plugging it on wasn't doing anything, no orange charging LED; power and volume down didn't work.
Went on the phone with a Samsung rep and they told me to plug it to the charger and hold power + home + volume down for 15 seconds; A blue screen came on warning about installing a custom OS, rep told me to push volume down and decline the installation. I did, the phone turned itself off, then the battery charging icon on the middle of the screen came on as well as the orange LED. I let it charge up to about 30% and then tried to turn the phone on; the phone started bootlooping at the point where it animates the Samsung logo.
- Thought I'd try to wipe the cache partition, so I pressed power + home + volume up and it came to the blue maintenance screen with the white droid, but instead of proceeding to the part where it shows a dead droid, several black rectangles started to blink in and out across the whole screen, not always on the same places. Then shortly the phone went dead again, without responding to anything.
- After maybe half an hour I could get it to the blue custom OS screen again with power + home + volume down, and upon pressing volume down to decline I could get the battery charging icon again, but after a few seconds the green animated dots that come up when it's charging just froze, the phone went black, and that's it.
- Let it sit plugged in the charger for a few hours, but can't get it to respond to anything since; power + home + vol [up/down] doesn't do anything. Connect it to a computer doesn't do anything. Samsung rep has no help to offer except suggesting I take it to an authorized repair center.
Anything else I can try?

firesinis said:
- Bought new October 2016, unlocked Exynos Galaxy S7
- Have been using it without issues until roughly one month ago, when it started to randomly freeze reboot itself, sometimes after corrupting the graphics of whatever screen it was on just prior to rebooting. I chalked it up to it needing a Factory Reset, which I was planning to do shortly.
...........................................
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mate
I could be a hardware problem ...but before saying so lets try flashing the firmware again
Check this thread as a guide .
If you can boot , first do a backup of all your things
Find out what CSC you have , use an app like phoneinfo
Now go to Sammobile or from the thread i gave you and download a firmware with your CSC.
When flashing use AP, BL , CP and CSC ( not home_csc) why? because we want to format all partition , see here how to select re-partition , step 6.
If is a firmware issue this should take care of it

Hi,
Hardly doubt that this is a software/firmware problem. Probably the mainboard or the battery went faulty. Just send it to the repairing service. I suppose it is under warranty. Good luck!

MAX 404 said:
Hi mate
I could be a hardware problem ...but before saying so lets try flashing the firmware again
Check this thread as a guide .
If you can boot , first do a backup of all your things
Find out what CSC you have , use an app like phoneinfo
Now go to Sammobile or from the thread i gave you and download a firmware with your CSC.
When flashing use AP, BL , CP and CSC ( not home_csc) why? because we want to format all partition , see here how to select re-partition , step 6.
If is a firmware issue this should take care of it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I can't try that because I can't put the phone in Download Mode, it doesn't respond to vol down + power + home for whatever many seconds.

firesinis said:
Unfortunately I can't try that because I can't put the phone in Download Mode, it doesn't respond to vol down + power + home for whatever many seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear that..
Not to many options left , you could try to use a USB JIG to get it into download mode......but it looks more and more like a hardware issue..

Related

[Q] Cannot get download mode - HELP

I was trying to get 2.2 on my captivate. It got hung and after about an hour, I powered down phone (battery out).
I'm now getting [phone... (!).. COMPUTER] picture
Trying to get back to stock ROM 2.1, but I cannot get device in download mode
I had to use adb to get in download mode originally.
Is it possible I got a phone that doesn't go into download mode based on button combinations? If so, what do I do?
Unplug your phone from USB
Pull battery
Close Odin
Open Odin
Put in battery
Hold both volume buttons (NO POWER) and plug in USB
Hopefully this gets you into download mode
Still Fail
I've been trying that, but without open/close of Odin.
Still failed when I added that step.
get to that screen again: hold volume up/down and power at the same time.
When the screen goes black, then release power button but keep holding down volume up/down
Zilch25 said:
Unplug your phone from USB
Pull battery
Close Odin
Open Odin
Put in battery
Hold both volume buttons (NO POWER) and plug in USB
Hopefully this gets you into download mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and remember to keep the volume buttons pressed in while plugging in the USB... I always hold them in until the droid/caution sign comes up.
alabamaroping said:
I was trying to get 2.2 on my captivate. It got hung and after about an hour, I powered down phone (battery out).
I'm now getting [phone... (!).. COMPUTER] picture
Trying to get back to stock ROM 2.1, but I cannot get device in download mode
I had to use adb to get in download mode originally.
Is it possible I got a phone that doesn't go into download mode based on button combinations? If so, what do I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the methods prescribed. There are several minor variations but you may have a phone that doesn't do three button recovery. In order to tell, we need some history on your phone. What is the RF Cal date? Were you able to three button into download before? Do you know if it was one of the ones that had the three button problem?
autocorrelation,
I tried that with the usb cable plugged in and without it plugged in.
Still no good.
joeybear23,
I've been trying that all afternoon. Probably about 50 times.
ianwood,
How do I get the RF Cal date? I don't see it under the battery where the S/N is located. I tried to do 3 button recovery to put phone into download mode when trying to install 2.2, but it wouldn't work. I had to use "adb reboot download".
I've never tried it before today. The only issue I've had was that it could NEVER connect to AT&T server to check for an update.
can you get it into recovery mode?
no recovery
No. It won't go into recovery mode either.
The only thing it WILL do is respond to all 3 buttons being pressed by the black screen flash after about 8 seconds.
If you keep holding all 3 buttons will it flash again after the initial black screen? Try releasing the power button and keeping holding vol up/down after the second black screen.
If I keep holding all 3 buttons, it just keeps flashing.
Also tried to let it flash twice (and even more) and releasing power right when it goes to black 2nd (or 3rd) time. Also tried releasing power half way through black screen, and right before black screen re-appears and also just as the screen powers back up. None of them work.
I ran into this yesterday and about freaked out. Don't panic - apparently one of the guys had this happen to them a lot. Take a deep breath, have ODIN open, plug your USB cable in, hold the volume buttons down at the same time, press and hold the power button till you see the phone to computer, and let go. You should get to the download screen again. Good luck; sucks when something like that happens and you don't know what's going on.
I know this wont help much, but I have one of the no 3 button phones, and after 20 minutes of trying all these methods, it did go into d-load mode. Unfortunately, I don't know exactly which combo I used since my brain went into overload when I finally saw the triangle appear. There is hope though, and please PLEASE post which one works for you(I'm afraid to mess with mine until I find a foolproof method)
I had a phone that wouldnt respond to ANY 3 button combo I tried. I bricked it (sorta on purpose) to the phone-!-computer screen and went and replaced the phone at AT&T (under the 30 day deal).
It didnt initially work with the 3-button but after the JH7 OTA DL mode and recovery mode work perfectly now. Also, GPS has been completely spot on when testing on my motorcycle with the phone in my backpack running my tracks.
If you are under the 30-day return policy, bring it in and come up with a good reason as to why they should give you a new phone. If not, then you're sorta SOL....
Zilch25 said:
Unplug your phone from USB
Pull battery
Close Odin
Open Odin
Put in battery
Hold both volume buttons (NO POWER) and plug in USB
Hopefully this gets you into download mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This method just saved my butt!!!
I have never had trouble getting into recovery or download mode until today when I did a dumb thing. The phone would lock at the ATT screen when trying to power on and if the phone was off and I plugged it in to charge it would freeze and the circle logo that comes up before the green charging battery does.
Every method of getting into download or recovery failed up till now.
Thanks Zilch!!!
Hey guys gonna move this to Q&A.
I had this problem a few days ago after updating to 2.2. I tried every single button/usb/battery combo and nothing worked. FORTUNATELY I was within 30 days of purchasing it (I guess there's a silver lining when diving right into "hacking"), and I brought it to the store with the box and receipt and just told them it gave me an error when turning it on (played dumb) and they swapped it out without even testing. If you're over the 30 days then I think you're pretty much SOL... gotta pay for a replacement.
bricked
I declared it to be bricked and took it back to the store. I have only had it 2 weeks, so I basically pulled the same move of playing dumb and they gave me another one without any problem.
I'm wanting to try to see if I can put it in recovery mode and/or download mode with the buttons without even attaching it to anything, but now I'm paranoid about bricking it.
itsjustaphone said:
I know this wont help much, but I have one of the no 3 button phones, and after 20 minutes of trying all these methods, it did go into d-load mode. Unfortunately, I don't know exactly which combo I used since my brain went into overload when I finally saw the triangle appear. There is hope though, and please PLEASE post which one works for you(I'm afraid to mess with mine until I find a foolproof method)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buddy, we need you to remember I'm in the exact position, no combo works and I bricked it after trying to load 2.2
Going into recovery or download will not brick it, its only everything after that point that might get you bricked.

Phone (semi?)Bricked and Wont Go into Download Mode after Voodoo failed

I decided to install VooDoo lagfix on my new captivate when it still didn't have anything on it to minimize potential loss of information. I downloaded the lagfix, got it started, then the damn battery popped out when I got off my bed a few min into the mod. Immediately I felt like an idiot. Now, when I start my phone I get this sequence: ATT world phone screen, then a GALAXY S / GT-I9000 / SAMSUNG screen which it freezes on.
I have odin3 v1.7, but I'm unable to get it to Download Mode with any of the methods I've found (I don't know what I need for adb or what it is though...).
If I attempt to go go into download mode with Vol + & Power it shows a circle of radial lines, then it goes to a battery with the circle of radial lines (and I'm still holding both Vol + & power), then a black screen, then repeats what seems an indefinite amount of times. If I release the Power or Vol buttons it stays black for a couple seconds then it goes to the charging battery screen.
If I plug it in and turn it on with odin3 running, the phone stays on the frozen GALAXY S screen, odin3 recognizes it as COM6 but wont allow Start.
Any help would be great. My intuition says it has to be fixable if it's software.
Not sure if this will help, but earlier today I installed a theme on my phone that wasn't supported by my kernel by accident. The phone went to the AT&T World Phone screen then hit the Samsung Galaxy S screen and froze. I pulled the battery out to unfreeze the phone and then I put it back in after a few seconds and turned the phone on. I immediatly did the three button method and held it down so the phone did the AT&T World Phone/Samsung Galaxy S thing. I kept my fingers on them and the phone rebooted again (which is supposed to happen) and I kept the three buttons held down so again, it rebooted. After the second reboot I immediately took my fingers off the buttons when the AT&T World Phone screen popped up and I got into recovery. Now, this is a theme so it's totally different, but it's worth a shot and hopefully it works for you.
But if that doesn't work I still wouldn't worry as you most likely didn't brick your phone. If it was bricked it wouldn't be turning on at all and Odin is reading it at least so I'm sure with the right help if my method doesn't work, you can fix it.
Hopes this helps you man!
No power, just volume up and down plus in usb
Get a Jig. I was in the same boat. Worked like a charm.. You can make one (I did)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=841512
or you can buy a jig. Will surely work. Good luck

[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 - Hardbrick ?

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.

Nexus 5 Android Power UP

Hi,
First I hope I'm posting this in the right place - to get assistance/direction that will help my situation. If not my apologies - please send me to the right place.
I have a Nexus 5, Android 5.0.1, Rooted.
- My device was charging then suddenly went into boot cycle - showing the Google logo then powering off and repeating the same. Trying to get into recovery mode was impossible - would power cycle out of there too.
- I have tried doing the multiple fast press, and sticky button clean solution (actually taking the back plate off etc.) posted out on the net but that has not resolved my issue.
- Left my phone to charge overnight. The problem still persists. More accurately. Turning it on without it plugged in to the charger does nothing.
All the following is the behavior when its plugged into the charger:
- Without pressing any button just shows a full battery charge icon for about 8 sec then the screen turns black for two seconds and that keeps on repeating. If I press the power button it shows the Google logo for a 1.5 seconds and shuts of, going back to the battery charge icon flashing cycle.
- Now if I press the power and volume down button It takes me to the fast boot mode screen where can cycle through the menu's <Start, Restart Bootloader, Recovery mode, power off>. None of the options work. No matter which I chose the phone shuts of and goes back to the full battery icon cycle.
- I was thinking a battery issue but, when in recovery mode the phone will not turn off. I can use the volume buttons to go through the menu as pointed above but using the power button just takes me back to the battery icon cycle. Now I'm not sure, battery, power button or software. What could it be?
I am thinking, try a new battery or, damn buy a new phone (my phone has outlived its warranty). If there are any ideas on fixing this I'll appreciate your opinions. If i have to get a new phone is there any hope of salvaging data. I have a 4 month backup on my computer, but my latest is stored on my phone.
Thanks.
If you run into this issue and none of the solutions in my original post apply, read on in case my final solution helps you out (you might not even have to get paid help if you know how to work on the fault I was experiencing). If not - nothing more for you to gain if you read on.
As it stands:
I took my device to a reputable cell repair shop. After describing to them the symptoms of my device the out ruled the stuck power button issue and tentatively diagnosed it as a firmware bug or nand memory corruption issue which would require a nand mem flash which they had the tools to do. I went for it.
When I went to pickup the device. They reported that the device was functional and they did not even have to do the flush. My data is safe. Issue was a loose battery contact which they detected and fixed. It's been 8 hours and all looks good. These guys were going to charge me a $80 bill to do the flash if the recovery was successful, but I had to leave a $56 deposit after tax for them to begin the work and pay the balance if the procedure was successful. When closing the deal they just gave me the device and said since they did not have to do what they anticipated, the deposit I left them was satisfactory.
I have my device back and working (at least for now) and have the chance to make external backups incase the issue reoccurs. I'm happy. Cheers.

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