Intermittent Screen Touch-Response Problem - Software or Hardware? - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
I have used an S4 for 8 months and it's great. I have just bought one for my dad, and it's also great BUT the screen doesn't always respond.
When it does respond, it is quick and sharp and there is no lag. However, when I am swiping through the home screens after a few goes it will ignore a couple of my swipes, and then continue. The same happens with tapping for selections. Interestingly, on the swipe thing, as I am swiping with my finger still on the screen during a non-responsive swipe, I can do this for as long as my finger is on the screen.... and in fact if I take my finger off VERY briefly and back on again, the problem does not resolve itself. But if I remove my finger (from the screen, not from my person) for a slightly longer period - say around a second - then it will be fine on the next few swipes.
I have tried:
- Battery out and back in
- Restarting
- Clearing cache
- Clearing RAM
- Closing applications
- Safe mode (problem still present)
- Swiping veeerrryyyy ssssllooowwwwlllyyyy
There aren't any weird apps that I can see. Memory is not full. Phone is refurbished.
Anyone got any ideas what the problem is and how to fix it please?
Many thanks in advance,
Nate

Which company refurbished the phone? Was it ever dropped or exposed to moisture? The imei in the phone matches the imei on the battery label?

If it is refurbished then chances are it's the screen or touch controller.
If you want to exclude software, then flash another firmware with Odin.

Related

V1605 Problem with screen - Phantom Tap

I have had this phone for just over a month now. Everything has been working perfect except for the last 2 days.
What is happening is that there seems to be a "phantom" tap on the screen in the right upper corner (device facing you - under the small camera) resulting in
A, Phone always going to today screen, so programs keep closing by themselves as the X button is being pressed by the "Phantom" tap
B, In the top right corner (as described above) if one looks closely there is the animation of the circle with little white balls - the same on gets when one taps and hold the stylus before the menu pops up.
When this starts happening the phone is unusable as everything that is opened is closed by itself. At time the screen locks also and it does not respond to the stylus.
Strangely enough this tends to happen during the hot periods of the day and when the phone has been used for some time. Then if i remove battery let phone off for some time and restart it everything is back to normal for a couple of hours but then problem recurs.
I did a hard reset as to exclude any application that could cause this and the problem still persisted.
Apart from this screen alignment works perfect - no issues with that
The serial number of my phone is HT648F######
Rom Version - 1.20.161.6
Rom Date - 08/02/06
Radio Version - 1.03.06.00
Anyone had a similar problem please
Any help and suggestion are greatly appreciated
Ken
Please search this is has come up several times.
See here for example.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=303545
Feel free to post on one of these
Mike

Touch Response Problem

I have a Sprint Touch [Vogue]. It has served me very well up until recently.
One day, I was using my phone normally when the battery died. No big deal right?
Well, I charge my phone and reboot it. For some reason, Windows is EXTREMELY slow and unresponsive. I figure that something vital had been corrupted by the battery's death, and that it was nothing that a hard reset couldn't fix.
I performed a hard reset.
I let the utilities for the first boot run to customize the phone. Everything seemed pretty much normal. I configured my settings, re-added my contacts, etc. Then I turned the screen off [with the power button].
I turn it back on later to do something. I touch the screen. It immediately and accurately detects the touch's location, but it continues detecting a touch. For 20-30 seconds, after the input has stopped.
It was strange, so I soft reset the device. It booted, with the same problem. So I performed another hard reset. I did some configuration [the response acting normal at this point], and then turned the screen off. Turning it back on brought the same problem back.
This problem still exists on my phone, even after numerous hard resets and even ROM flashes.
A better description of the problem: When the device is first turned back on [meaning brought out of standby], its touch response is messed up. It will immediately and accurately detect any touch input, but it will continue to detect the input for up to 30 seconds AFTER it has been released, as if you were holding it the whole time.
WHY is this???? My phone is almost unusable because of this!!!! I can still place/ receive calls, using the navigation buttons and the red and green buttons. But the touch response is screwed!
Can someone please shed some light on this problem I'm having?
Phone specs: Windows Mobile 6.1, HTC / Sprint customized. Minimal third party software is currently installed.
[I've already determined that third party software is not the problem, because i haven't installed any!]
Possible solution
Hi,
today I experienced something similar to your description - no touch response when I tried to pickup a call. The strange thing is that last night everything was working and no settings were modified nor programs were added/removed. The screen suddenly 'died'. At the moment I am using it through a program MyMobiler which brings the mobile display to the PC and I can use the mouse to control the phone (it is like VNC for the phone screen, the phone is connected with ActiveSync).
This is temporary solution untill I finish my backups of files, programs, settings. I didnot performed hard reset yet, hope this will solve my problem
In the following link there is a 'magical' solution - to remove the screen protector:
http://www.htcwiki.com/thread/1112981/LCD+or+Touch+screen+not+working
P.S. I had removed the screen protector and voilá - the screen is now touch responsive. The root cause of the problem obviously is the dust between the screen and the protector which results in constant screen pressing - and as a result no accepting my finger presses.
I hope this will work for you and others with similar problem.
I had a similar experience with an old Vogue.....In my case, there was no battery death precursor, but it just started acting up. Not too long thereafter, I noticed the screen/digitizer was forming what looked like an air bubble between the digitizer and the LCD on one place of the screen. The screen was becoming defective. I eventually had to buy another Vogue from a friend who didn't have a clue of the 6900's potential, and didn't want his anymore, so I got it cheap.
Sounds like your screen/digitizer may be on it's last leg.

[Q] Erratic and unresponsive touch intput!

All of a sudden, the screen is unresponsive and responds erratic to my input. It just happened, the phone was fine while using it the whole day. No water, no drop, nothing appears wrong with the screen.
I turn it on and it works like it should...but after a couple of minutes, it starts getting crazy.
I left it on the shelf for 3 hours and now it wont hardly recognize my fingers. If I swipe left, it pulls down the notification meny. If I try to pull down the notification meny, nothing happens...what gives?
There is no water damage in or on the screen and there shouldn't be, because I'm careful with that (now). I don't drop it at all almost and never from any hight. Its only normal use and I've taken care of this better than any phone I've had.
Have you tried a reset? Even though I doubt its software related, I'm thinking the screen has cropped out on you.
Sent from my S-OFF Bell Canada HTC Legend.
Wipe a few caches, see what happens
Did backups and a factory reset.
In vanilla, the phone seemed to work as normal. It was faster than before that's for sure. BUT, it was impossible to pull the notification bar down. Everything else works and no apparent problems arose.
BUT, then I installed ADW.Launcher again and the phone flippet out. Same problems as before, unresponsive and erratic touch behaviour. Strange....
Changing to Sense stopped this, but still can't pull down the notification bar with a swipe down. I can open it with pressing "Menu" button first though.
Seems somethings wrong with the upper part of the touch screen and ADW somehow tries to use this and the touch function stalls.
I don't really thing I can send it in as a warranty, because it has 3-4 bumps in it and they will use this as an excuse not to open it. Shame...
Unroot and try for warranty methinks. Otherwise, I can't be of much more help

[Q] momentarily unresponsive touch screen

Hi guys
I have moved from iPhone to a note 4 and loving it!
I was just wondering if anyone has found the touch screen occasionally doesn't respond to their touch and you have to touch it again. On the iPhone it only ever missed a touch if my finger was in the wrong place, but it never happened on the keyboard. Every so often maybe 5/6 times a day I touch a key on the keyboard and nothing happens, when I try again it's fine. I can't reproduce it, because when I tap anywhere on the keyboard something gets pressed. I was just wondering if this was normal?
Hope you are enjoying your phones!!
Anyone?
It's most likely cause your palm is on the phone. One of the downsides of a slim bezel on a big phone. Also keep in mind if your spen is on the screen, your fingers won't work. A case might help.
I thought about another part of my hand touching the screen, however with half my hand layed across my keyboard I can still type with the other hand. Thanks for the response
I Pele tried factory resetting today and not installed any apps, but it is still happening
I rang Samsung this morning and they advised I return I to the store and get an exchange. Luckily my local store got its first batch of note 4s in this morning and they swapped it out. I restored it all firmware updates put on it and now works fine! The only thing I haven't installed is a Google play system update thing. I was wondering if that was the cause x
Similar issues
I've had similar issues (in fact, that's what brought me here in the first place). Initially, I was able to tap on the screen in the text box and then continue typing (I use Swype). However, now my messaging app (default Messages) just freezes up, forcing me to close the app, clear the memory, and relaunch the app before continuing.
Were you using the default app and/or Swype when you had issues? I'm going to try to factory reset my phone to see if it helps.
It's taken a couple of weeks for this problem to develop, so please keep us posted if this problem arises again on your new phone!
Edit: Also want to point out that when I text, I use one hand to hold the phone and only a finger to swipe my text. As such, only the one finger touches the screen.
unable to use touch screen. only hard key were working >>Note4
Hi everyone,
today i just had the same problem with the touch screen. no response at all .. after i tried and took out the spen .. and surprise it worked with the pen.
tried again with fingers still nothing worked, so i used the pen to reboot the note4.
hope my experience helps.
cheers,
djvaliro said:
Hi everyone,
today i just had the same problem with the touch screen. no response at all .. after i tried and took out the spen .. and surprise it worked with the pen.
tried again with fingers still nothing worked, so i used the pen to reboot the note4.
hope my experience helps.
cheers,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing happened to me last night. The touchscreen became unresponsive while using chrome. The phone was a little warm but not bad. I didn't try the pen, sounds like a good idea. I am not certain it was a touch screen issue with mine. Almost more of a processor issue. I got the phone to lock. After pressing the menu or lock button to wake the screen it would take 5-10 seconds to wake. Then I could swipe my unlock pattern. It would not show any lines. I would wait, the screen would turn black after timing out in about 5s. The about 5s after I could hear the speaker make the unlock sound. I ended up doing a battery pull and that fixed the issue. Anyone else have something similar?
Should I try and replace it?
badtoy1986 said:
Same thing happened to me last night. The touchscreen became unresponsive while using chrome. The phone was a little warm but not bad. I didn't try the pen, sounds like a good idea. I am not certain it was a touch screen issue with mine. Almost more of a processor issue. I got the phone to lock. After pressing the menu or lock button to wake the screen it would take 5-10 seconds to wake. Then I could swipe my unlock pattern. It would not show any lines. I would wait, the screen would turn black after timing out in about 5s. The about 5s after I could hear the speaker make the unlock sound. I ended up doing a battery pull and that fixed the issue. Anyone else have something similar?
Should I try and replace it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Observe to see if it happens when you're using other apps too. Chrome has been notorious for causing all sorts of problems, like reboots, freezes, etc on some devices.
Also it may be worth installing Chrome Samsung Support Library.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk
iridaki said:
Observe to see if it happens when you're using other apps too. Chrome has been notorious for causing all sorts of problems, like reboots, freezes, etc on some devices.
Also it may be worth installing Chrome Samsung Support Library.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the app. I installed it and will keep watching for it again.
swampystorm said:
Hi guys
I have moved from iPhone to a note 4 and loving it!
I was just wondering if anyone has found the touch screen occasionally doesn't respond to their touch and you have to touch it again. On the iPhone it only ever missed a touch if my finger was in the wrong place, but it never happened on the keyboard. Every so often maybe 5/6 times a day I touch a key on the keyboard and nothing happens, when I try again it's fine. I can't reproduce it, because when I tap anywhere on the keyboard something gets pressed. I was just wondering if this was normal?
Hope you are enjoying your phones!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got the same problem after 2 months of normal usage... I initially though I had installed a third party application which was causing the system freeze but this was not the problem.
- tried factory resetting and not installed any apps, but it is still happening
- When this happens if I take out the spen .... surprise it work. The pen allows me to do anything... But the touch screen does not work with fingers...
- I used the pen to reboot the note4... Still the same problem after reboot... I ended up doing a battery pull and that fixed the issue for.... a couple of minutes... Then the problem came back....
The only solution remaining was to return the phone.... They gave me a Note3 while my Note4 is being repaired...
That's a shame for a product of that price!
:crying:
Same thing is happening with my 2 months old note4 since two weeks ago. An horizontal line 1.5cm in width about 1/3 from the bottom of the screen, became unresponsive. At reboot it works sometimes then it becomes unresponsive again. It looks like in the image I attached, the difference is that the area is horizontal, not vertical. I'm taking my note4 to the store today for warranty, hopefully they will replace it. I haven't abused the device in any way, I have a screen protector since its first day.. I really hope this isn't a serious problem that affects many users.
Just like some of you mentioned above, the pen has no issues on any area of the screen.
Cheers!
amwebexpert said:
Got the same problem after 2 months of normal usage... I initially though I had installed a third party application which was causing the system freeze but this was not the problem.
- tried factory resetting and not installed any apps, but it is still happening
- When this happens if I take out the spen .... surprise it work. The pen allows me to do anything... But the touch screen does not work with fingers...
- I used the pen to reboot the note4... Still the same problem after reboot... I ended up doing a battery pull and that fixed the issue for.... a couple of minutes... Then the problem came back....
The only solution remaining was to return the phone.... They gave me a Note3 while my Note4 is being repaired...
That's a shame for a product of that price!
:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same thing happen to my note4 today. the only difference is that yours was fixed for a couple of minutes after removing the battery. my note4 wasn't fixed after that. Only S-pen works, touch screen with fingers wont work. you mentioned you're note4 is getting repaired, did they tell you what may have happened to it so that i'll get an idea of the cause..
You found the appropriate thread, I was just now going to share the link to this thread with you as well as quoting what others experienced,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56313609&postcount=6
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56464866&postcount=8
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=57302776&postcount=9
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=57304242&postcount=10
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=58421560&postcount=12
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=58452707&postcount=13
Never purchase a device without a return / DOA policy. Not worth the hassle. If it hasn't been 30 days, you should call your credit card company or Paypal and place the amount on dispute, wait, you purchased from another market, please tell you didn't pay by cash.
vjevardone said:
same thing happen to my note4 today. the only difference is that yours was fixed for a couple of minutes after removing the battery. my note4 wasn't fixed after that. Only S-pen works, touch screen with fingers wont work. you mentioned you're note4 is getting repaired, did they tell you what may have happened to it so that i'll get an idea of the cause..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this problem after I flash CWM recovery, before this was flashed with twrp recovery, I reflash stock rom with odin, I flash many times CWM and TWRP and I still have the problem, my warranty it's void now but I think to go at Samsung store to see if they solve my problem. This problem look like a driver for touch corrupted, if somebody find it out how to fix or have any ideea please weritte here, thanks you
I've started to have this problem as well, lower part of the left side of the screen sometimes registers touch instead of scrolling! Very annoying, tried to update recovery, tried tapping screen, doesn't help. The worst thing is I cannot reproduce the issue at will... It seems pretty random.
hi
inter *#2663#
and select fw software.
farnam-ferdosi said:
hi
inter *#2663#
and select fw software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, if the phone is on Verizon, the dialing codes will be disabled.
Potential fix.
Please excuse the necropost But I came here looking for a solution from google and others may too. I found a way to solve this issue/s.
There appear to be two issues affecting this.
1. Overloading the processor.
2. Static.
If your touch input is lagging or doesn't register at all but then suddenly does a few moments later, its likely a type 1. problem. I fixed this by disabling resource intensive features such as s voice. This also improved battery life and overall performance considerably.
If touch simply doesn't work at all, but s pen works fine then the problem is more likely type 2. That being static buildup in your person. Simply touch something that can ground you and it should fix the issue. A metal tap should work. Be wary, you might even get a little zap as you discharge

[Q] Dragging or touch and hold not working

Hi all,
I have pretty weird problem with my rooted galaxy s4. I can't drag icons or anything. If I long press anything on desktop or any game or actually anywhere on my phone it acts like it was normal click. So in example if I try to drag browser to somewhere else on screen it opens it.
I have cleaned the screen so it shouldn't be the problem.
I removed the screen protector.
Cleaned screen again.
I flashed back to stock rom. (problem happens on cyanogenmod too)
I oiled my hands just to test if those were too dry or something like that.
I have no idea what is causing this.
It might have something to do with that when I was trying to call samsung to check if they had any ideas and when I was in their press this number if you want this menu my phone started to press buttons on its own so I ended up something like 31254665423213254 on screen. Although this was first time that I notices this kind of behaviour and I haven't been able to reproduce it so it might have been just some random event.
Does any one have any ideas at all what could fix this, Samsung does not and they won't fix my phone since it's rooted.
Edit I put the option that shows touches on screen on and it showed me tens of little balloons running on screen so there is definitely something weird going on. I have screenshot of it but I can't post it since I have too new account.
Since it happens on more roms, it's most probably a hardware issue

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