[Q] S5 Enter recovery mode despite a broken power button? - Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

My Galaxy S5's physical power button has stopped working. I've rooted the phone and reconfigured the keyboard configuration file so that my physical "home" button now serves as a power button. I've also disabled the two backlit buttons on either side of the physical home button and have enabled the stock Android softkeys for navigation. (The backlit buttons were malfunctioning as well, so I disabled them.)
The phone currently works great... the problem is when I try to change batteries. Since the normal power button doesn't work, I can't use it to turn on the phone. (The keyboard configuration tweak kicks in when the phone boots up, so the central button doesn't wake the phone after the battery swap... the phone has go through its boot procedure before that button would work.)
I figured out that if I can get to recovery mode, I can select the reboot option and the phone will turn on just fine.
The problem is that I can't usually get to the recovery mode, since the power button usually doesn't work. Sometimes it seems to work (and I can press power-home-up volume to reach the recovery mode).
Is there anyway that I can reach recovery mode without using the power button? Is there any tweak I can make to a BIOS or other pre-boot configuration so that the phone can reach recovery mode (or just turn on) without using the power button?
I can't take the phone back to Samsung for repair because I broke the screen and had it fixed by a third party. I've rooted the phone in order to reconfigure the navigational buttons, so I do have root capabilities. I'm using the stock Samsung firmware, which I'd prefer to keep using since it has the best camera driver for the phone.
Thanks!

There are apps that let you boot to recovery, check Play Store
Also ADB commands you can use, a quick google should find them, I can't remember them off hand

*Detection* said:
There are apps that let you boot to recovery, check Play Store
Also ADB commands you can use, a quick google should find them, I can't remember them off hand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I browsed the app store, but the apps seem to be widgets that let you enter recovery mode. My problem is that after the battery is swapped, the phone needs to be turned on before I can get to an app. I can't seem to reliably turn on the phone because the power button usually doesn't work.
Is there an app or configuration process that will let me configure the physical home button to have the power to turn on the phone? Currently, I have the home button configured to wake the phone, but to get the button to that state the phone must first boot up and go through the key mapping routine. So, the home button currently won't start up the phone if the phone is fully powered down (not just screen off).
I'm open to any other suggestions for how to restart the pone when it's truly fully powered off.
Maybe I just need to take the phone to a repair shop for them to repair the power button, but I was hoping to avoid the expense through reconfiguring the phone, if possible.

Ah I see, does connecting the charger not power it on ?

*Detection* said:
Ah I see, does connecting the charger not power it on ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When plugged into the charger, the phone lights up to show the battery charge level (green battery with bubbles rising from the Home key). To get the phone to boot up, I still need to use the power button, which usually doesn't work. It's really frustrating, because the power button is temperamental. I basically have to keep trying to get it to boot or go to recovery mode, but it can take a long time and I fear that the power button will give out completely soon. Currently, it seems to work maybe 5% of the time.
Otherwise, my phone is fine, so long as I don't swap batteries or fully power it down.
The problem is that I often need to swap batteries in the wilderness, while on backpacking trips etc., so I don't have a laptop or charger handy to help out. I was hoping to reconfigure the phone somehow so I could start it from a full power off state without any external helping device, like a laptop or USB cable. I use the phone for topo map navigation. I'm pretty good with map/compass navigation, but I'd really like a reliable way to reboot the phone in the wilderness.
Thanks again

trinkner said:
When plugged into the charger, the phone lights up to show the battery charge level (green battery with bubbles rising from the Home key). To get the phone to boot up, I still need to use the power button, which usually doesn't work. It's really frustrating, because the power button is temperamental. I basically have to keep trying to get it to boot or go to recovery mode, but it can take a long time and I fear that the power button will give out completely soon. Currently, it seems to work maybe 5% of the time.
Otherwise, my phone is fine, so long as I don't swap batteries or fully power it down.
The problem is that I often need to swap batteries in the wilderness, while on backpacking trips etc., so I don't have a laptop or charger handy to help out. I was hoping to reconfigure the phone somehow so I could start it from a full power off state without any external helping device, like a laptop or USB cable. I use the phone for topo map navigation. I'm pretty good with map/compass navigation, but I'd really like a reliable way to reboot the phone in the wilderness.
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1
With your phone turned off, press and hold the Volume down and Home buttons.
2
While holding the Volume Down and Home, use a USB data cable to connect your phone to your computer.
3
Continue holding the Volume Down and Home button to until your phone will boot to Download mode.
4
Once your phone boots to Download mode, press on the Volume Down button to cancel the Download mode.
5
Once the Download mode has been cancelled, your Galaxy S5 will reboot.
Wait for your phone to completely start.
6
You have successfully turned on your Samsung Galaxy S5 without using the Power button.

Thanks. That sequence of steps will work great when I have my laptop handy. Do you know of a solution that would work in the wilderness without a laptop, USB cord, or power outlet? Generally, when I need to swap batteries and power down the phone, I'm in the wilderness.

I don't unfortunately, that was the only workaround I could find
Maybe you could fool the phone into thinking it is connected to a PC with some clever rewiring of a USB cable? Not sure how you would wire it, but Im thinking there may be a way to connect just a cable up so connecting it to the phone outside will make the phone think it's connected to a PC and allow download mode

It's possible that a USB 'jig' might help.......
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/help/guide-how-to-make-usb-jig-reset-binary-t1604707
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 stocKK SM-G900F S5

keithross39 said:
It's possible that a USB 'jig' might help.......
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 stocKK SM-G900F S5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking now that I should visit the repair shop to see how much they would charge to fix it properly. I really depend on this phone in the backwoods and wouldn't want a work-around to fail me when I need it most.
I'll keep you posted on the repair/cost. Thanks for the help.

trinkner said:
I'm thinking now that I should visit the repair shop to see how much they would charge to fix it properly. I really depend on this phone in the backwoods and wouldn't want a work-around to fail me when I need it most.
I'll keep you posted on the repair/cost. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've watched a couple of 'teardown' videos for the S5, and from what I've seen, the screen has to be removed in order to get to any of the power, home or volume buttons.......and it's very difficult to remove the screen without risking damage........I certainly wouldn't want to try, and that's speaking as someone who has repaired a number of Samsung phones......
In the short term, you could try the jig.....I know it works on the S2, just can't remember if it boots the phone *fully* into download mode or just to the screen where you have the 2 volume button options to either enter download mode or restart.......
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 stocKK SM-G900F S5

I took the phone to the repair shop yesterday. It turns out that the S5's power button is just a thin tab with two metal contact squares inside the phone. There are prongs on the interior of the phone that make contact with these squares. If the prongs aren't properly aligned or properly bent to make contact with the tab's squares, the power button won't work. The technician was able to get the button to work by pressing his thumb on the screen by the power button while pressing the button. He's confident he can realign the prongs to make good contact. You do have to take off the screen to access the prongs, but since mine is a replacement screen already, he said it's pretty easy to remove.
My capacitive buttons were also dying and I had configured the keyboard boot files to disable the capacitive buttons. I had enabled the stock softkeys instead. The repair shop will be able to replace the "dock" component (which includes all the stuff at the bottom of the phone, like the capacitive keys, the charging port, etc.). That, too, requires removal of the screen, so while replacing the dock he'll fix the power button prongs. The entire repair is estimated at about $100.
I'll let you know if the repair succeeds. Yesterday I popped my SIM into an old Windows Phone (Lumia 521 running WP 8.1), and was reminded again at how much I dislike Windows Phone and how much I like Android. Absence makes the heart grow fonder... After a few hours of fiddling discontentedly with the Windows Phone, I put my SIM into my trusty Nokia 808 Symbian phone, which I'll use until the Sammy is ready.

Lol.....I moved from 'dumbphones' straight to Android.....so I've never had the experience of windows phones....though if it's anything like their PC OS, I'd have probably ended up embedding the phone in the wall........
Good luck with the repair, I hope they get it sorted for you.
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 stocKK SM-G900F S5

keithross39 said:
Lol.....I moved from 'dumbphones' straight to Android.....so I've never had the experience of windows phones....though if it's anything like their PC OS, I'd have probably ended up embedding the phone in the wall........
Good luck with the repair, I hope they get it sorted for you.
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 stocKK SM-G900F S5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny. Yesterday evening, I switched to my Symbian because I knew I was about to hurl the Windows Phone across the room if I kept using it.... The WP phone can do much more than the Symbian phone in theory, but in practice the old Symbian phone does everything it does really well and predictably, including multitasking. With WP, I'm never sure what the phone is up to as its multitasking is a joke. Some apps do in fact multitask, but others don't, and as a user, you can't tell which is operating in the background and which isn't, until you return to a background app and discover whether or not its been processing.
I've never used an iPhone, so I can't compare WP to iOS. But compared to Symbian or Android, WP will lead you to drink, and probably to drink heavily.

Lol.....having never experienced it's delights, I can't comment, but if it's anything like W8 on my wife's laptop I can see where you're coming from
(I'm a die hard XP user lol)
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 stocKK SM-G900F S5

Did you get anywhere with this? I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 G900F, the fingerprint scanner is for someone else's credentials and I don't have the login password etc. ADB is not an option as I cannot boot the phone to enable debugging mode. I have tried all methods of booting into recovery including Vol Up + Home + Power, this does not work.
Any suggestions would be appreciated
Have a good Easter bank holiday weekend!
-Si

trinkner said:
I'm thinking now that I should visit the repair shop to see how much they would charge to fix it properly. I really depend on this phone in the backwoods and wouldn't want a work-around to fail me when I need it most.
I'll keep you posted on the repair/cost. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are travelling this method also works with a battery booster (i have a bud one from a beer case...you charge it and take it with you..... ) it s stored energy backup battery that you plug in for a crappy charge)
so... when your on the road or in th woods, any power supply that you can connect (car charger, booster, etc will trigger the download mode and enable this solution. )
THANKS!!! MADE TWO USELSESS PHONES USEFUL AGAIN!!!

Related

Got a future N1 problem I would like some input on...

All of us N1 owners know that the power button can be prone to failure over time.
Right now I use the "NoLock" app as well as the Lock Widget to make sure I don't have to push the power button that much (I instead use the volume keys to wake up the phone and the Lock Widget to put it to sleep)
I was wondering though... If in the future (like a year from now) when/if my power button fails... How do I turn on my phone once it powers off? Is there a way to do this if the power button doesn't work anymore?
Also is there a way to do this WITHOUT rooting? Really don't like rooting my phone
You could always get a replacement flex cable including a new power button.
ap3604 said:
All of us N1 owners know that the power button can be prone to failure over time.
Right now I use the "NoLock" app as well as the Lock Widget to make sure I don't have to push the power button that much (I instead use the volume keys to wake up the phone and the Lock Widget to put it to sleep)
I was wondering though... If in the future (like a year from now) when/if my power button fails... How do I turn on my phone once it powers off? Is there a way to do this if the power button doesn't work anymore?
Also is there a way to do this WITHOUT rooting? Really don't like rooting my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its been almost a year and my power button is fine. Don't worry about things that might or might not happen
Remove the battery, plug in the USB/power cable and put the battery back in. Something like that anyway, I've already forgotten how I did it 2 months ago (lots happening here in Japan, many things aren't that important anymore in my memory! haha), and got my power button repaired anyway, but it worked.
siddharthsai said:
Its been almost a year and my power button is fine. Don't worry about things that might or might not happen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. I believe only a very limited number of phones have this failure. Don't worry about it, if you've made it a year without issue, it is very unlikely you're going to ever see it.
I'm pretty sure this problem only affected the initial batch of N1's. So only those who bought in January would have this problem.
If you have the flat volume rockers you don't have an initial N1. Apparently the first lot have volume buttons that stuck out more and some other visible changes that I can't remember. They should be on these forums somewhere.
But correct me if I'm wrong...
My power button is almost dead, but the combination of trackball wake (with cyanogenmod) and screen off and lock (market app) assigned to long-press search is quite painless.
The only remaining problem is iPhone users making fun of you when you explain the issue to them ...
Yeah,
With roms like CM7 (vol- equals wake from sleep) and Quick Boot, the pwr button and TB almost become unneeded
I never turn my phone off--charger at work, home, and in car
I've had 2 power button cables die on me.
one, I sent back, and when I got a replacement, it died on me within a month. I still have a second n1 which is ok.
basically, if your button starts to get to the point where you have to do multiple pushes, then cable failure is imminent.
you can get the phone to turn on, by plugging in the charging cable, and removing/ inserting the battery. after that, you need to have no lock or some other way of unlocking your screen without the power button.
I just ordered a new flex cable today, I was going to sell off parts for my other n1, but figure that I might as well fix it.
I plugged my N1 in to charge while it was off and it booted into recovery. Not sure if this is related to Amon_Ra or not, but I figured it wasn't a bad thing. The DZ does this too, so I'm getting used to it
seydhe said:
The only remaining problem is iPhone users making fun of you when you explain the issue to them ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At which point you remind them of the SMS bug that allowed hackers to take over their precious iphones. Also, antennagate.
crachel said:
I plugged my N1 in to charge while it was off and it booted into recovery. Not sure if this is related to Amon_Ra or not, but I figured it wasn't a bad thing. The DZ does this too, so I'm getting used to it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess some SW has to control the charge. It's a function that is done in the stock recovery (phone charging when it's off), on many Android phones.
I ordered three of the AT&T N1's - one for myself when they were first released, then two more (for my wife and a friend) just before they stopped selling them. None of us have had a problem with the power button, and none of us use trackball wake.

Won' t turn on! Tried all suggestions

Yes I have read all posts regarding "Screen Of Death" issue and i have tried all the suggestions. But still, my 10.1 won' t turn on. I have left it drain the bat for 2 days now.
Even if i plug it to the charger there is no sign of battery charging. Hence just blank black screen. any other idea before I have to go to the Service Center. Thanks. Any help would be appreciated.....
Connect the USB to a Windows computer and press Power + Volume Up for 30seconds. Do you hear a Windows "new hardware found" sound?
Thanks... Tried... Still fail. My PC only signaling found new hardware but fail the installation process. I guess because the tab is still not ON. Help....
It seems my PC recognizes the tab but can't find the driver. I can also feel "warm" near the power button area when i connect it to any electricity but still no TURN ON or BATTERY CHARGING INDICATION.
Have you tried to charge it with the wall charger for at least 2hrs and then unplug it and hold powerbutton 10 sec?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
AndreBrian said:
Thanks... Tried... Still fail. My PC only signaling found new hardware but fail the installation process. I guess because the tab is still not ON. Help....
It seems my PC recognizes the tab but can't find the driver. I can also feel "warm" near the power button area when i connect it to any electricity but still no TURN ON or BATTERY CHARGING INDICATION.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, that is what I was expecting as result.
The Power + Volume Up enables the nvflash APX mode, the screen remains totally black. I simply wanted to know if the tablet works and the culprit is just the screen. From what you say, we get the expected results... Windows detects the new hardware so the tablet works.
Now try the opposite: Power + Volume Down, hold it for 30seconds.
If you don't see nothing on the screen, it is probably a screen contact that got lose... you need to service it by Samsung.
yes done that. Still not ON. When I plug it I can feel it is working since I can feel "the warm" but screen still is blank
Then you already know what to do.
No biggie, Samsung will send you a replacement for sure.
yqed said:
Actually, that is what I was expecting as result.
The Power + Volume Up enables the nvflash APX mode, the screen remains totally black. I simply wanted to know if the tablet works and the culprit is just the screen. From what you say, we get the expected results... Windows detects the new hardware so the tablet works.
Now try the opposite: Power + Volume Down, hold it for 30seconds.
If you don't see nothing on the screen, it is probably a screen contact that got lose... you need to service it by Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes. In fact now the APX is still working trying to find " a new hardware ". Should I cancel it and try the POWER+VOL DOWN now?
Yes, go ahead.
DONE the Power + Volume Down still not ON. BTW the APX Could not find any driver? Is it normal. Before this happens in fact i can transfer any file with my PC through MTP. Thanks again for your help. Hopefully you still know any other solution.... Keep waiting
The APX driver is included into nvflash package, it does not matter if you install it or not at this point. The advantage of this test is that the APX mode keeps the screen off in purpose, while allowing you to flash the tablet through a CMD window (only if you have an unlocked bootloader). We used this trick to determine if the core of your tablet works... we wanted to isolate the problem related to your screen.
I recommend you to contact Samsung and have the tablet serviced. Some screens lose a contact point when you drop the tablet by accident or if a soldering point is weak... The heat generated inside is enough sometimes to sever a lose circuit connection. Either ways, you do NOT want to keep this tablet.
I hope you did not flashed the tablet with some custom ROM, or else Samsung might void your warranty.
OK. Then the only thing i can do is go to SC.......Hmmmmm I am still using stock rom but unfortunately i did root the tab already. Is it bad judgement??? Thanks anyway.
I really hope it is only the screen connection lose issue. But just for curiousity. If only the screen keeps OFF, does it mean I actually can still check that my gtalk on the tab still connects? How this thing works??? since i just check with my phone my gtalk on tab is off.
You ordered the tablet online from Samsung or you bought it from a retailer like Best Buy?
I bought it from retailer. BTW is there any kind of USB JIG for the tab similar to SGSII? I just thought maybe this can help solve the screen of death issue. Ha ha ha ....
Perfect, just go see the store and explain to them nicely the issue. I'm sure they will exchange it for you.
Forget about the JIG or anything else, your screen is gone wacko... What you do now is try to force a blind guy drive a car... Just go exchange the tablet.
Ok I' ll do that. Thanks for your info and help. Hopefully problem will be solved soon.
I had the same issue but I couldn't return to the store so I went through support. They don't have parts yet so they just send you a different unit. In total it took 2.5 weeks for me and I ended up with an unlocked unit
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk
x-ravin said:
I had the same issue but I couldn't return to the store so I went through support. They don't have parts yet so they just send you a different unit. In total it took 2.5 weeks for me and I ended up with an unlocked unit
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, it took 2.5 weeks to get a new unit?
The good news is, it's recoverable. The bad news is, it's going to take a long time.
Keep it off the charger.
Hold down the power button to get it cycling through APX mode while plugged into your PC (can hear the USB connection sound in Windows).
Tape the power switch down, verify it's still going into APX mode after taped, then unplug it.
Leave the tablet alone for a few days. Think about puppies, chocolate, bouncing breasts, whatever makes you happy, and forget about the Tab.
Come back, plug it back into the PC, see if you still hear it connect. If so, walk away again, come back the next day.
When it finally stops going into APX mode, plug it into a wall charger and leave it alone for about an hour, it should start charging normally, and once it's got charge showing, it'll power up normally.
Rule of thumb is it'll take about a full day for every 10% of charge that was on the battery when it went down, if you keep the power button taped down.

Can anybody please try this

My power button just stopped working. It is all in and will not pop up, I tried to gently pick it up with a small tool but it won't come up. I am about 2 weeks out of warranty but still Ok as I have extended warranty from my AmEx. My problem is I am getting out of town for a week next week and will be dependent on the phone. It works fine except for the power button. So I am worried that if for some reason the phone powers down I won't be able to power it up without the power button. If I find a way to do that I should be good - I put a screen lock widget and can wake it up with the touch pad (hopefully it does not die on me too ). I found one post claiming that you can power up the phone with the wall charger and the home button but am afraid to try it - if it does not work I'll be stuck with a dead phone. So, can anybody please try this and write back whether it works:
if the mt4g is off, plug it into the wall charger, after you see the "charging" light and light in the optical pad, press and hold the "home" button for a few seconds (5-10) and the phone should boot into recovery just like that, at which point you can reboot from the recovery menu
Here's the link to the post - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11581315&postcount=17
I am unrooted on 2.3.4 with the latest OTA update (2.32.531.1) if that matters.
Thanks a lot!
rtwhtever said:
My power button just stopped working. It is all in and will not pop up, I tried to gently pick it up with a small tool but it won't come up. I am about 2 weeks out of warranty but still Ok as I have extended warranty from my AmEx. My problem is I am getting out of town for a week next week and will be dependent on the phone. It works fine except for the power button. So I am worried that if for some reason the phone powers down I won't be able to power it up without the power button. If I find a way to do that I should be good - I put a screen lock widget and can wake it up with the touch pad (hopefully it does not die on me too ). I found one post claiming that you can power up the phone with the wall charger and the home button but am afraid to try it - if it does not work I'll be stuck with a dead phone. So, can anybody please try this and write back whether it works:
if the mt4g is off, plug it into the wall charger, after you see the "charging" light and light in the optical pad, press and hold the "home" button for a few seconds (5-10) and the phone should boot into recovery just like that, at which point you can reboot from the recovery menu
Here's the link to the post - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11581315&postcount=17
I am unrooted on 2.3.4 with the latest OTA update (2.32.531.1) if that matters.
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How you get stuck?It just say boot in to bootloader.
crazykas said:
How you get stuck?It just say boot in to bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know, something might have broken or displaced inside, the key is down and seems stuck down. So, did you get to the bootloader? Could you restart from there? Thanks for the effort.
I tried it. I got nothing. Doesn't start with out the power button. You better get that out for repair or carry a charger and car charger at all times until then.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
jayb222 said:
I tried it. I got nothing. Doesn't start with out the power button. You better get that out for repair or carry a charger and car charger at all times until then.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Darn, that's a bummer! Thanks.
I'm wondering could this be ROM dependent - work for some ROMs and not for others?
I also found one good MT4G to try it on and can confirm that it does not work.

Power button behaving funny on Focus ...

My samsung Focus is about 1.5 years old.. I plan to switch carriers at the end my of contract since AT&T is giving me lots of dropped call at the new place we moved to.. The phone is obviously out of warranty, so I am looking to see if I can fix it myself.
The power button on my Samsung focus is behaving very funny lately. When I hit the power button with the phone awake, it thinks I did a "long press" of the power button and shows me the shutdown pull-down image! If I pull-up the image, the phone still reboots...
If I press the power button when the phone screen is OFF, instead of turning on the phone, it again shows the pull-down image, and the same behavior ensues - regardless of what direction I pull the image in, it shuts down the phone.
Some things I have already tried:
I have tried a hard-reset (camera+volume+power, and format the device), but the behavior continues.
I have removed my SD Card (I am using the AT&T approved one), performed hard reset, and problem continues
I have tried a different battery (from my wife's focus), and problem continues
At this point, I am guessing that most likely, the power button connector is loose.. but I am not 100% sure.. Any suggestions on things to try?
Seems like the spring in the power button is gone. I suggest when you want to press it, lean the phone to the right (with the power button towards the ground) so when you press it, gravity helps popping it back.
Or replace the power button.
EnderPsp said:
Seems like the spring in the power button is gone. I suggest when you want to press it, lean the phone to the right (with the power button towards the ground) so when you press it, gravity helps popping it back.
Or replace the power button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried the first trick... didn't seem to help..
Any tips on where I can find a replacement power button and how I can replace it?
See my response here (and the thread referenced in my second reply). Seems to be one of the issues that appear in time... And in another case it was the battery...
EnderPsp said:
See my response here (and the thread referenced in my second reply). Seems to be one of the issues that appear in time... And in another case it was the battery...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks EnderPsp!
I have ordered a new battery for now to see if it helps.. its a non-OEM battery off eBay.. Don't want to spend too much without knowing if that is indeed the problem..
I can't find a power button replacement part anywhere... I went over the video and the instructions to reach the power button housing does not seem very bad.. definitely do-able if I can find a replacement part..
walletless said:
Thanks EnderPsp!
I have ordered a new battery for now to see if it helps.. its a non-OEM battery off eBay.. Don't want to spend too much without knowing if that is indeed the problem..
I can't find a power button replacement part anywhere... I went over the video and the instructions to reach the power button housing does not seem very bad.. definitely do-able if I can find a replacement part..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The button itself is plastic (you can find some on ebay), and I don't know how it works, actually (If it's a spring or otherwise).
I suggest you watch a take apart guide and maybe, just maybe it's just dirt, which you can clean.
You'll know more and afterwards please share the result with us.
EnderPsp said:
The button itself is plastic (you can find some on ebay), and I don't know how it works, actually (If it's a spring or otherwise).
I suggest you watch a take apart guide and maybe, just maybe it's just dirt, which you can clean.
You'll know more and afterwards please share the result with us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And now its completely gone... the power button won't respond at all.. the phone has been shut all day. If I take the battery out and put it back in, the SAMSUNG logo shows up for a few seconds and then the phone turns off again.. No way to turn it back ON using the power key..
I sat down to open the circuit yesterday only to realize that I don't have a #000 screwdriver... the smallest one I have is #00 which is too big for the 7 screws that hold the back panel
Off to Grainger today to see if I can find a 000 driver.. It can't get any worse now, so might as well open the phone!
Sure thing - I will update the post later with what I find...
walletless said:
And now its completely gone... the power button won't respond at all.. the phone has been shut all day. If I take the battery out and put it back in, the SAMSUNG logo shows up for a few seconds and then the phone turns off again.. No way to turn it back ON using the power key..
I sat down to open the circuit yesterday only to realize that I don't have a #000 screwdriver... the smallest one I have is #00 which is too big for the 7 screws that hold the back panel
Off to Grainger today to see if I can find a 000 driver.. It can't get any worse now, so might as well open the phone!
Sure thing - I will update the post later with what I find...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't say if the same happens with the wall charger connected.
Now, If you're going out, try and drop near a phone shop. Ask them if they can help you test with one of their batteries, either for a Focus i917 or from a Galaxy S i9000
Good luck mate.
Dang i thought i was the only one with this issue...
Mine started acting up about 3 weeks ago and it was seriously annoying especially when driving. I would press the lock button to change songs, but it thinks i did a long-press and does the "slide down to power off" thing. Even if i swipe up, the phone would switch off.
Then today, i take my phone out my pocket to send a text and find it's powered off. Won't even switch on now
Ender:
Plugging the phone in does NOTHING. The screen remains black.
Reinserting the battery causes the SAMSUNG logo to appear on-screen but again, goes black after 4-5 seconds.
Holding down the power/lock button has no effect, it's unresponsive.
I'm so pissed off this is happening 6 months before my contract is up. -_-
Don't know what else to say... I hope you still have warranty?
EnderPsp said:
Don't know what else to say... I hope you still have warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not extended no... :/
I've managed to get it into "download mode" now though, and my laptop recognises it as "SAMSUNG CDMA Technologies"... Huh?
---------- Post added at 05:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:45 PM ----------
If i have it plugged into my laptop,
hold vol down, power, and camera while inserting the battery i get to the hard reset screen. But then that disappears in the same 4-5 second window.
Ok, it's working again... I left the battery out for a few hours (literaly about 3), then pressed hard on the power button, and placed it (the battery) back in the phone.
Let it turn on and then back off by itself, then pressed hard on the power button.
pressed the button normally, and it booted up no issues. So far works fine.
I expect this issue is partly the power button, and something else unknown
EnderPsp said:
You didn't say if the same happens with the wall charger connected.
Now, If you're going out, try and drop near a phone shop. Ask them if they can help you test with one of their batteries, either for a Focus i917 or from a Galaxy S i9000
Good luck mate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes' same thing with wall power. New battery arrived and did not help. Went to a local cellphone repair and the guy said main board needs replacement.. he suggested to buy another phone since repair will be more expensive.. he said that he needs to remove soldering on the board reinforce an auxillary power button battery and resolder it in.. no guarantees and will cost atleast $150
Jfran71 said:
Ok, it's working again... I left the battery out for a few hours (literaly about 3), then pressed hard on the power button, and placed it (the battery) back in the phone.
Let it turn on and then back off by itself, then pressed hard on the power button.
pressed the button normally, and it booted up no issues. So far works fine.
I expect this issue is partly the power button, and something else unknown
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lucky you!! This seems like a common problem with several Samsung phones based on a quick google search
Also bummed that this happened with 6 months remaining ...Now I am somewhat stuck since I want to switch from AT&T due to call issues with several months remaining.. and dont want to buy one till wp8 is out...
Just for fun... I am going to find a 000 screwdriver and try to re-jig the power button.. nothing to loose with the phone refusing to start anyway!
For what it's worth, my power button had been getting increasingly creaky over the course of the last few months, and although not sticking, was requiring ever more pressure to operate. Also, the sound of rusty bedsprings every time I went to use my phone was getting somewhat embarrassing.
I found the sturdiest piece of paper that I could wedge in between the button and the rest of the phone, put a bit of PB Blaster on the paper, and wedged the paper in. The button has since been as good as the day I took the phone out of the box for a couple of months now.
*Edit: Should probably mention that the paper isn't supposed to stay in there - it was just used to apply the lube without soaking the phone.
Jfran71 said:
Ok, it's working again... I left the battery out for a few hours (literaly about 3), then pressed hard on the power button, and placed it (the battery) back in the phone.
Let it turn on and then back off by itself, then pressed hard on the power button.
pressed the button normally, and it booted up no issues. So far works fine.
I expect this issue is partly the power button, and something else unknown
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So its working completely fine now? No issues? I'll try that but im not hopeful.
I've been having the same issue, started yesterday. There appears to be no issues with the actual button itself, it doesnt appear to get stuck or anything to cause this, even without the external shell and just compressing the sensor itself.
walletless, you said that you tried reformatting it and everything? Damn. I was expecting it to be a software issue. I'll mess with the button mechanism a bit and see if theres anything weird with it
Phone is dead
re-jigging and cleaning around power button did not help.. I ended up ordering a chinese knock-off of HTC Note instead
Does any have this problem, but on a normal stock rom?
I was thinking it might be just custom roms, I don't think that would have anything to do with it
Its worth a shot though
titanhydro said:
Does any have this problem, but on a normal stock rom?
I was thinking it might be just custom roms, I don't think that would have anything to do with it
Its worth a shot though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone died last month. I only installed updates that came through Zune up to 7.5. I went into AT&T and they told me too bad because it was out of warranty. I called Samsung, and they wanted me to 'volume down, camera, power' reset my phone, which didn't work. Samsung told me to send it to them for $70 because I was out of warranty.
Instead I entered a developer competition for a Lumia 800 and won. Now I just have a dead focus, and a new 800. I'd still be interested if anyone finds out a way to fix the focus problem.

Dead motherboard?

Got a couple s4s that won't do anything. ..won't even show the Samsung splash screen for its entirety. ..switched batteries no luck....what's causing them to seemingly fail?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Free mobile app
Could you provide some additional information? How did you acquire these S4's? Do you know their history? Were they non-functioning when you got them? Can you put them into download mode. Have you tried flashing stock firmware?
One I bought myself the other was brought to me by a customer. Mines was working fine root with safestrap, nj4...idk about his but both experience the same symptoms. Won't turn on with the Power button. Nor charge when plugged in. Will only attempt to boot when battery is inserted. Mines would show the Samsung custom padlock, his the original Samsung s4 logo. Both shut off before the logos dissappear on their own.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Free mobile app
None won't make it to download or recovery mode..I even charge the batteries in this working s4 I'm using as we speak so I know the batteries are good.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Free mobile app
There's not much you can do yourself if you are unable to get the phones into download mode. Normally, when there is some sort of life in the phone, such as seeing the logo, etc, then it is recoverable. But you need to get into download mode.
I don't know the S4 very well as I've never had one apart, but on the SII the power button is soldered onto the mother board. On the SII, the symptoms of a failed power button include the exact symptoms you describe on your phones, the power button ineffective but boots when battery inserted. That could be similar on the S4 I suppose. Also, the fact you can not get into download mode or recovery mode, both of which require the power button, suggests that the button is faulty.
I was unable to find a replacement part for an S4 power switch with a quick search, or any info. You might look into a service like mobiletechvideos.com. They offer power button repair for the S4 for $40.00. I can highly recommend Jeff Groce, the owner.
trouty said:
One I bought myself the other was brought to me by a customer. Mines was working fine root with safestrap, nj4...idk about his but both experience the same symptoms. Won't turn on with the Power button. Nor charge when plugged in. Will only attempt to boot when battery is inserted. Mines would show the Samsung custom padlock, his the original Samsung s4 logo. Both shut off before the logos dissappear on their own.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My S4 is having this same issue. It's the power switch. You can try opening the phone and cleaning it with a cotton swab and alcohol, pressing the switch to make sure it gets any debris out of the switch. Otherwise, it may be possible to try pressing the button a few times, then remove and put the battery back in. If it doesn't turn on automatically, plug it in while holding volume down, and then hit cancel when download mode comes up. It will boot and run fine as long as you don't press the power button.
It takes many tries to get it to start like this, and it may be easier to just remove the switch from the board. There are definitely replacements available, I've seen a video of someone replacing it but it requires soldering tools of course.
took the ****in button off im as good as gold...may i recommend gravity screen for those with screw power buttons? put that gyroscope to work ppl.
trouty said:
took the ****in button off im as good as gold...may i recommend gravity screen for those with screw power buttons? put that gyroscope to work ppl.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you got it working. I have gravitybox installed so I just set long presses of menu and back to Power Menu and Sleep respectively. Works great for me.

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