Database Users

[Q] HELP! No Sound on Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 after flashing stock

Hello,
I have a very serious problem. Recently I have been flashing a lot of ROMs on my phone but I did not like any of the custom ROMs as there wasnt any good ones as I actually liked the apps that came with the stock ROM. So I decided to go back to stock ROM but i found it really hard to find the stock ROMs and after a while of searching I found a stock ROM where i have to flash with ODIN. The file came with four files which I had to flash with ODIN v3.09. It came with files that I had to put into the AP, BL, CP and CSC. I did that but then it failed, then retried without the BL because it kept making it fail and it flashed perfectly but then I noticed that there wasn't any sound what so ever. Any app that uses the speakers would crash, even trying to call someone. Even the microphone did not work. When i went onto S Voice it would say that another app was using the microphone when it wasnt and when i tried playing music it would say that file is not supported by the player and keep going to the next one when it was supported before the flash. So I got really worried and decided to go back to the google edition 4.4.2 ROM that i flashed before but now after I flashed that, there wasnt any sound even though there was sound on that ROM when i used it before. I dont know what i did wrong and what i can do to fix this problem or is it even repairable. I checked some other threads and they said to flash stock ROM with odin with the pit files it will work again but im not sure which stock rom should i flash or what to do exactly because i have flashed so many ROMs already and the problem still remains. The ROM i flashed was I9505XXUEMI8 when i received the problem of no sound.
Please is there any repair for this. I dont care about any warranty or anything. I just want the device fully working with sound on stock ROM. Please is there any solution to this problem, cant find the solution anywhere.

ILoveFarjana said:
Hello,
I have a very serious problem. Recently I have been flashing a lot of ROMs on my phone but I did not like any of the custom ROMs as there wasnt any good ones as I actually liked the apps that came with the stock ROM. So I decided to go back to stock ROM but i found it really hard to find the stock ROMs and after a while of searching I found a stock ROM where i have to flash with ODIN. The file came with four files which I had to flash with ODIN v3.09. It came with files that I had to put into the AP, BL, CP and CSC. I did that but then it failed, then retried without the BL because it kept making it fail and it flashed perfectly but then I noticed that there wasn't any sound what so ever. Any app that uses the speakers would crash, even trying to call someone. Even the microphone did not work. When i went onto S Voice it would say that another app was using the microphone when it wasnt and when i tried playing music it would say that file is not supported by the player and keep going to the next one when it was supported before the flash. So I got really worried and decided to go back to the google edition 4.4.2 ROM that i flashed before but now after I flashed that, there wasnt any sound even though there was sound on that ROM when i used it before. I dont know what i did wrong and what i can do to fix this problem or is it even repairable. I checked some other threads and they said to flash stock ROM with odin with the pit files it will work again but im not sure which stock rom should i flash or what to do exactly because i have flashed so many ROMs already and the problem still remains. The ROM i flashed was I9505XXUEMI8 when i received the problem of no sound.
Please is there any repair for this. I dont care about any warranty or anything. I just want the device fully working with sound on stock ROM. Please is there any solution to this problem, cant find the solution anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download and extract this file , Turn off your phone manually and flash the file with odin by selecting phone/cp

THANKS!!!
THANKS A LOT!!! I will tell you the outcome after I flash it now. THANKS :good:

IT WORKS!!!
Thank you a lot for the reply. The sound is now fully working and now I am on stock. No problems encountered.

ILoveFarjana said:
Thank you a lot for the reply. The sound is now fully working and now I am on stock. No problems encountered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anytime bro .Glad that help. Have a nice day
Sent from Hell ?

Repulsa said:
Anytime bro .Glad that help. Have a nice day
Sent from Hell ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a similar problem. I also flashed the file above, but I did not get sound back. Checked in settings that the modem actually flashed and is running.
I have more info about my setup here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2622744
Can anyone help me out?

jadajada said:
I have a similar problem. I also flashed the file above, but I did not get sound back. Checked in settings that the modem actually flashed and is running.
I have more info about my setup here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2622744
Can anyone help me out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey - did you by any chance get a solution to your issue? i'm having the same problem and can't seem to fix?

skiddie said:
Hey - did you by any chance get a solution to your issue? i'm having the same problem and can't seem to fix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dial *#1234# and write it down here , then boot your phone in Downloadmode and tell me if you have an Entry of Knox Warrant Void 0x0 0x1 , maybe we can fix your issue..

thks
Repulsa said:
Dial *#1234# and write it down here , then boot your phone in Downloadmode and tell me if you have an Entry of Knox Warrant Void 0x0 0x1 , maybe we can fix your issue..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mate. Thanks for the quick reply. I managed to sort myself by running the XXUBMEA wifi-fix.
For anyone else with the same issue, I am on;
AP: I9505XXUAMDE
CP: I9505XXUAMDE
CSC: I9505TELAMD8
No knox on my firmware version.
On a side note, is there a rooted kitkat firmware that i can upgrade to without upgrading my bootloader (and activating knox)?

skiddie said:
Hi mate. Thanks for the quick reply. I managed to sort myself by running the XXUBMEA wifi-fix.
For anyone else with the same issue, I am on;
AP: I9505XXUAMDE
CP: I9505XXUAMDE
CSC: I9505TELAMD8
No knox on my firmware version.
On a side note, is there a rooted kitkat firmware that i can upgrade to without upgrading my bootloader (and activating knox)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, and next time dont flash any latest LTE/WIFI fix mate so you wont loose your sound in a future Flash only GSM Modem .. and about custom kitkat feel free to check them all out here,No need to flash any latest bootloader but read the Dev's Instruction . Have a nice day.

no sound
im having the same issue. after hours of searches. i came across this forum. i tried effortlessly with odin and files in this thread. with no luck. i took my phone to get flashed to metropc. the phone does not have any sound and when some one calls the screen goes white. the dealer who did the flashing said it is a defected phone. i remember clearly that before he flashed it i had sound. now i don't. . any help will be appreciated. ty

Crybabys said:
im having the same issue. after hours of searches. i came across this forum. i tried effortlessly with odin and files in this thread. with no luck. i took my phone to get flashed to metropc. the phone does not have any sound and when some one calls the screen goes white. the dealer who did the flashing said it is a defected phone. i remember clearly that before he flashed it i had sound. now i don't. . any help will be appreciated. ty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its better to open a new thread and tell us everything you can.
What firmware are you on?
Are you rooted?
What is your modem?
What is your bootloader?

Crybabys said:
im having the same issue. after hours of searches. i came across this forum. i tried effortlessly with odin and files in this thread. with no luck. i took my phone to get flashed to metropc. the phone does not have any sound and when some one calls the screen goes white. the dealer who did the flashing said it is a defected phone. i remember clearly that before he flashed it i had sound. now i don't. . any help will be appreciated. ty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dial *#1234# and attach the screenshot pls :fingers-crossed:

Joku1981 said:
Dial *#1234# and attach the screenshot pls :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i followed your instructions. i only get SuperSU no logs. no apps. i do get a few options in settings. did not touch any thing as i do not want to further my phone ability . ty for your time ser.
i am a noob.

Crybabys said:
i followed your instructions. i only get SuperSU no logs. no apps. i do get a few options in settings. did not touch any thing as i do not want to further my phone ability . ty for your time ser.
i am a noob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, if u receive the superSU logs is good. Only press the button BACK and write here what appears. This dont modify nothing of your phone, its only info about. Be relaxed

No sound
Hi,
I also have the no sound problem and I have not been able to solve it by installing the file in the thread
I have a rooted GT-I9505 and flashed the new version of phoenix rom v8, kitkat 4.4.2. Everything was working ok except GSM signal, which I lossed everytime the screen went off. I flashed the modem I9505XXUFNC9_GSM_LTE_Modems.tar as suggested by developer and then I lost all sound.
My bootloader shows the knox void
also:
AP: I9505XXUFCN9
CP: I9505XXUFNA5
CSC: I9505OXEFNC1
Hope somebody can help
Thanks in advance
Repulsa said:
Anytime bro .Glad that help. Have a nice day
Sent from Hell ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Repulsa said:
Dial *#1234# and write it down here , then boot your phone in Downloadmode and tell me if you have an Entry of Knox Warrant Void 0x0 0x1 , maybe we can fix your issue..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am also in similar problem. please help
AP:I9505XXUFNB8
CP:I9505XXUFNB8
CSC:I9505OXAFNB8
KNOX:0x1

Repulsa said:
Download and extract this file , Turn off your phone manually and flash the file with odin by selecting phone/cp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ****ING LOVE YOU SO MUCH DUDE ♥
I´m flashing Roms and tried things for about 5 hours.
This File got my Sound back. I Love YOU !

hi there the microphone has just started playing up on my s4 . i have replaced the usb port which also changes the microphone but still no luck my versions are
ap i905xxuemk9
cp 19505xxuemk9
csc i9505h3gemj2.
any help appreciated

Hi everyone!
I really hope that you can help me.
I have the galaxy s4 gt-i9505. About 3 weeks ago I updated it via OTA to Kitkat 4.4.2, since than I have a lot of problems with my device!
Randomly the sounds stops working. No ringtone, no system sounds, no keypad tone not even the lock sceen tone. After a restart, everything works just fine again. But I have to restart the phone several times a day! After a while I also found out that if the sounds don't work, the phone also doesn't play videos, youtube or the music player. Again after a restart, everything works fine.
I am running the stock firmware from samsung I9505XXUGNE5, I have tried several factory resets, I have wiped the cache, I have re installed the software via odin. Nothing helped solving this problem.
I really don't know what to do any more and would very much appreciate if someone could help me!!!
Guys im desperate, I purchased this phone only a few months ago, please HELP!!!
Many thanks in advance, Please advise me what file exactly I should use.

[Q] Can't root after upgrading to 4.4.2 leaked firmware

Please help! Lost root after upgrading to 4.4.2. When I tried to regain root by flashing CF-Auto-Root-hlte-hltexx-smn9005.tar, boot loop resulted. It seemed I've lost stock recovery too. After removing the battery and switching to download mode, then vol down button, I managed to boot my device normally. Yet I still can't root my phone. Can anyone advise me on this issue? Thanks in advance.

clivediablo said:
Please help! Lost root after upgrading to 4.4.2. When I tried to regain root by flashing CF-Auto-Root-hlte-hltexx-smn9005.tar, boot loop resulted. It seemed I've lost stock recovery too. After removing the battery and switching to download mode, then vol down button, I managed to boot my device normally. Yet I still can't root my phone. Can anyone advise me on this issue? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you have the right CF-Autoroot.

radicalisto said:
Make sure you have the right CF-Autoroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is N9005XXUENA6,

Looks to me like you flashed the one for 4.3, they both have the same name.
Download this file and flash thru odin.

hey_joe said:
Looks to me like you flashed the one for 4.3, they both have the same name.
Download this file and flash thru odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beat me to the punch. Thanks @hey_joe :good: -- was over in another thread dealing with the dreaded trolls haha

hey_joe said:
Looks to me like you flashed the one for 4.3, they both have the same name.
Download this file and flash thru odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm giving it a try and will let you know if it works. Thank you!

radicalisto said:
Beat me to the punch. Thanks @hey_joe :good: -- was over in another thread dealing with the dreaded trolls haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I steer clear of the likes of them as I have a short fuse. I just concentrate on those that need help

clivediablo said:
I'm giving it a try and will let you know if it works. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES yes yes yes ! It works! Thanks a lot, Joe!

clivediablo said:
YES yes yes yes ! It works! Thanks a lot, Joe!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to help out.
Enjoy :good:

[Q] Weird WiFi issues

I could really use some help/advice on this one.. I have been searching xda and google for ages trying every "trick" there is but nothing works. My phone is the Note 3 Sm-N900(exynos)
My problem is that my wifi simply won't start:/ Now let me give you the history of this problem
I was on KitKat and my wifi wasn't working and I was pretty sure it is a hardware problem. I wanted to factory reset it and get it fixed somewhere.
I saw android lollipop and thought oh well if I am resetting everything I might as well flash android 5.0 (russian version)
I did that and baam, WiFi was back! That led me to think that it was just some software issue after all and I was damn happy.
I instantly rooted and installed trwp (made a backup) as I always do.
On the next day, wifi stopped working again, I restored the backup and everything back to normal with working wifi.
Then I decided to install the new cyanogenmod alpha version. Wifi still working fine only sd card wasn't recognized for which I downloaded the fix which is available in the cyanogen thread.
After installing the fix wifi was gone again.
I restored my backup I had made after upgrading to lollipop but now WiFi still isn't working. Is it a hardware problem after all?
That's about it. If you need any logs or any additional information please let me know.
Thanks very much in advance!

letrero said:
That's about it. If you need any logs or any additional information please let me know.
Thanks very much in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dial *#1234# in STOCK Lollipop.

Joku1981 said:
Dial *#1234# in STOCK Lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did that and I got this:
AP: N900XXUEBOA6
CP: N900XXUEBNL6
CSC: N900SEREBOA6
I did a google search on that code and if I understood right the problem is that MODEM is missing. I tried flashing a few different MODEM files (all for sm-n900 and starting with XX which I believe is my country code).
Result was no connection at all, sim card not being recognized and missing IMEI. Now I am back on stock lollipop (rooted and with trwp) so back to normal besides the WiFi issue.

Wifi is from kernel not the modem .

JJEgan said:
Wifi is from kernel not the modem .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh ok thanks. I am not experienced in that area. I read about kernels too somewhere but didn't really find anyone and also don't know much about it so if you could give some advice I'd highly appreciate it.
So 2 more specific questions on this...
1. Do you think flashing a new kernel might solve this problem?
2. What should I look out for when finding the right kernel?
Again I only have experience rooting and flashing stuff so sorry if I am a little noobish on the subject

Flashing a non stock kernel will trip knox .
If already Knox 0x1 then try the Civato kernel posted in this thread .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...t/rom-civz-flexlollipop-rev1-2-aroma-t2987732
Your problem reads as hardware as you have changed kernel via firmware flashes .

JJEgan said:
Flashing a non stock kernel will trip knox .
If already Knox 0x1 then try the Civato kernel posted in this thread .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...t/rom-civz-flexlollipop-rev1-2-aroma-t2987732
Your problem reads as hardware as you have changed kernel via firmware flashes .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I am super careful on this matters so just to clarify..
install just the kernel or the rom?
It says that it is for the SM-N9005 so will it be compatible since I have the SM-N900?
Thanks again and I can't wait to give it a try

Sorry it is my fault did not realize it was not a 9005 .
So don't flash a 9005 kernel .
Have a look here .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/galaxy-note-3-exynos-android-development

JJEgan said:
Sorry it is my fault did not realize it was not a 9005 .
So don't flash a 9005 kernel .
Have a look here .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/galaxy-note-3-exynos-android-development
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already had a look earlier but was mainly looking for roms. Now I believe I found a good kernel which I will try once it's downloaded (slow internet atm:/)
If you don't mind it would be very nice if you could have a quick look at it and tell if I am right or wrong in thinking this one is ok
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...il-6-2015-kernel-n900lollipop-pekaka-t3073666)
EDIT: Flashed that kernel but still no wifi

So I tried flashing various kernels without result. If nobody else has any ideas I guess I will have to take it to a shop and see if I can get it fixed.
Is there anyway to make sure myself if it is hardware or software related?

[I9505] Wi-fi issue with HOH2 baseband

Hello guys, I have flashed custom ROM based on HOH2 and I also have modem of same firmware, my wi-fi was working fine and it suddenly stopped working during use, Wi-Fi networks are detecting okay, but it doesn't connect with it at all, it does connect sometimes, and provides internet for sometimes, but after a while internet stops working, when I turn off and on again, it just doesn't connect with the wifi network. Is it known issue with HOH2 base & I will need to flash a modem fix or something? Or you are sensing hardware issue?
P.S I always used my phone with care, don't know what happened to the wifi while I was browsing, I hope it's not hardware fault and known issue with this base. Also this issue is on CM ROM as well as I checked, so only doubt is Hardware issue or baseband related?

Does anyone have the solution or I have to repair it?

Alipk52 said:
Does anyone have the solution or I have to repair it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do a wipe data/factory reset from recovery.

Baseband doesn't affect wifi (Wifi relies on Kernel). Baseband is used by RIL. Have you tried Uzair40's suggestion ?

I downgraded completely to GN2 KitKat firmware through a tutorial and edited firmware posted here, and WiFi is working fine with it, i then upgraded to lollipop again and the problem reappeared (OH2 baseband/Kernel/Bootloader), so i switched back to GN2 again. Guess what, i think my device don't want me to upgrade anymore :/

Uzair40 said:
Do a wipe data/factory reset from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i always do that when any such issue comes out, but it didn't fixed the WiFi..

Alipk52 said:
Yes, i always do that when any such issue comes out, but it didn't fixed the WiFi..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what i would do now is :
- flash HOH2 without auto-reboot in ODIN
- reboot manualy in download mode
- flash HOH2 again with auto-reboot in ODIN
- let the rom completely boot
- reboot in recovery and do the factory reset
if you have the time, try this. If it dosen't work, try flashing another Kernel (Kushan, Hulk, or another TW compatible one..)

I have tried all of the mentioned kernels and most importantly

Do you have this problem in any rom?

Alipk52 said:
I have tried all of the mentioned kernels and most importantly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you post the link of the tuturial you followed to downgrade please

Alipk52 said:
I downgraded completely to GN2 KitKat firmware through a tutorial and edited firmware posted here, and WiFi is working fine with it, i then upgraded to lollipop again and the problem reappeared (OH2 baseband/Kernel/Bootloader), so i switched back to GN2 again. Guess what, i think my device don't want me to upgrade anymore :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My wifi didn't work on some Lollipop firmware. Did you try different Lollipop modems?

Lennyz1988 said:
My wifi didn't work on some Lollipop firmware. Did you try different Lollipop modems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope Because i don't wanted to test other Modems based on Lollipop, but can you recommend me the latest working Lollipop modems that has no WiFi & LTE issues?

JuanParce said:
Do you have this problem in any rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it appeared in every lollipop ROM including CM/GE etc as well as TW, but since i downgraded to KitKat, the issue disappeared
gttt4 said:
Can you post the link of the tuturial you followed to downgrade please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sure here is the link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/general/i9505-downgrade-5-0-lollipop-to-4-4-2-t3052472

Wifi greyed-out after lollipop update on SM-9005

Hi guys
I have run into little problem that I'm hoping learned members here can help me with.
I have a Note 3 SM-9005 that was running Kitkat 4.4.2 and I got it updated to 5.0 from a mobile repair guy. Everything looked smooth until I got home and noticed that now the WiFi does not work anymore. It always stays greyed out and never turns on.
I have tried turning on download booster, smartswitch, nothing helps. I have wiped cache, wipe data / factory reset but that's of no help.
Can you please help me get my WiFi working again.
Many thanks.
Cheers

Boot into download to confirm that the model # is sm-n9005. Is the phone running the latest bootloader and modem?

gr8leo87 said:
Hi guys
I have run into little problem that I'm hoping learned members here can help me with.
I have a Note 3 SM-9005 that was running Kitkat 4.4.2 and I got it updated to 5.0 from a mobile repair guy. Everything looked smooth until I got home and noticed that now the WiFi does not work anymore. It always stays greyed out and never turns on.
I have tried turning on download booster, smartswitch, nothing helps. I have wiped cache, wipe data / factory reset but that's of no help.
Can you please help me get my WiFi working again.
Many thanks.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you know how to reflash a firmware via Odin it's the way on it.

Yumiko87 said:
If you know how to reflash a firmware via Odin it's the way on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should a reinstall be enough? Can you guide me which file should I flash in case the phone was flashed with a wrong firmware previously?

Wondering if following screenshots are of any help figuring out what's up with the firmware update mishap?

Screenshot showing latest firmware available from Phone Info app.

Try look at this at Sam mobile:
N9005DXUGBOK3
It's the usual update firmware of lollipop.
Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk

audit13 said:
Boot into download to confirm that the model # is sm-n9005. Is the phone running the latest bootloader and modem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm the model is indeed SM9005 however I'm unsure about the other two things. Can you please point me to where I should be looking for that information?
Thanks

Yumiko87 said:
Try look at this at Sam mobile:
N9005DXUGBOK3
It's the usual update firmware of lollipop.
Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the UK version isn't it? Should I just grab that file and use Odin to flash right?
Would it be compatible with my phone which has a UAE version installed currently?
Ok just checked. It looks to be the Phillipines/Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand version. With some of them branded. Not sure which one I should be picking up?

The stock ROM may be slightly different for each country but you can try the latest Singapore version.
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-N9005/

Yumiko87 said:
Try look at this at Sam mobile:
N9005DXUGBOK3
It's the usual update firmware of lollipop.
Sent from my SM-N930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
audit13 said:
The stock ROM may be slightly different for each country but you can try the latest Singapore version.
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-N9005/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
Will it trip Knox? As I would be putting a SIN firmware on a XSI (UAE) handset?

Flashing a stock rom will not trip Knox.
Personally, unless there is warranty left on the phone, I wouldn't worry about tripping the Knox counter.

audit13 said:
Flashing a stock rom will not trip Knox.
Personally, unless there is warranty left on the phone, I wouldn't worry about tripping the Knox counter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply.
I have also just noticed that the WiFi hotspot (tethering) doesn't work either.
I downloaded the latest XSI (UAE) firmware and installed it using Odin. But the problem still persists.
Should I try downloading and installing a Singapore firmware?
Is there a possibility that this phone is actually a carrier branded phone and was later debranded and that's why it's having this problem?
Please help life is difficult without Wifi

Does Bluetooth work? It's possible that the phone has a defective wifi chip. I have two galaxy s4 phones that have dead wifi chips but everything else works.
You can try flashinga another country's firmware but not sure if that will help.
Do you have a backup of the efs folder?

audit13 said:
Does Bluetooth work? It's possible that the phone has a defective wifi chip. I have two galaxy s4 phones that have dead wifi chips but everything else works.
You can try flashinga another country's firmware but not sure if that will help.
Do you have a backup of the efs folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the bluetooth works.
The phone's WiFi was working fine before being updated to Lollipop.
No I got it updated from a phone repair guy before I got my hands dirty and put the new firmware my self. So no efs folder backup, unfortunately.

Hmm without knowing what the repair person did to the phone or how the update was performed, it's possible something went wrong during the flash process. Does the phone show the correct imei and MAC address?

audit13 said:
Hmm without knowing what the repair person did to the phone or how the update was performed, it's possible something went wrong during the flash process. Does the phone show the correct imei and MAC address?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He did it in front of me and from memory I can tell that he took a firmware file and used a software (probably Odin) to flash it in download mode.
The phone does show the correct IMEI as written under the battery spot and in device info does show a WiFi mac addresd however I'm unsure how to verify if that may be the correct one.
I have browsed Google and found few other people's posts on different forums who have this exact same problem. Someone suggested that I should reflash the firmware with bootloader checked using Odin.
Do you think it may be of help?

I have just discovered that the serial number on the back of the phone under battery is different from what is reported by the device.
Does this give any hint to what may be the issue?