7 ways to eliminate constant smartphone reboots

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Sometimes owners of a particular smartphone encounter a problem: their Samsung phone reboots itself. This can happen during a conversation, when taking photographs, while listening to music, or working with certain applications.

In any case, the situation is quite unpleasant. And of course, I want to find out the real reason for this “behavior” of the phone. Let's try to figure out why Samsung constantly reboots.

Reasons for rebooting

There are several main reasons for frequent reboots:

• Mechanical impact on the smartphone body - a fall or a strong blow.
• Liquid gets inside the power button or the phone body, resulting in oxidation of the elements and the appearance of rust.
• Operating system malfunctions. This includes errors after installing incompatible firmware and updates, as well as malfunctions of certain programs.
• Failure or significant loss of battery capacity. The situation is relevant both for old devices and for new ones - but with low-quality batteries.
• Malfunction of the motherboard modules responsible for supplying power.
• Hypothermia or overheating.

Problems can be caused by both software and hardware faults. Mechanical damage damages device components, causing frequent resets.

Problems with the flash memory module or the memory is overloaded

As a result of physical damage (shock, moisture, power surge), the flash memory module may fail. As a result, when the phone is loaded, it “falls”, which causes the system to crash. A reboot occurs and the phone works again until a certain point.

The second option is to overload the RAM with installed applications. Many users do not close applications, but simply minimize them using the Home button. As a result, these applications remain running in the background, consuming not only RAM, but also energy (have you noticed that the battery quickly began to drain?). There may also be a loss of performance and slowdown of the phone/tablet. We clean RAM using special programs, or the built-in method.

Constant reboot

An unusable battery is one of the main reasons for this defect. To check the battery, remove it from the smartphone and carefully inspect it. If there are bulges or visible damage on the surface, the battery should be discarded and replaced with a new one. Swollen batteries cannot be repaired, but in some cases their life can be extended:

• Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the sticker from the front of the battery. Disconnect the chip and set it aside, but do not tear off the controller contacts.
• Using a thin needle, carefully pierce the side of the battery where the controller board used to be.
• Press the battery with a heavy object larger than its body in area. Release any accumulated gas without damaging the battery.

Important! The above method will help extend the battery life by several days, but the battery should be replaced as soon as possible.

If the problem was a faulty battery, the reboots will stop for a while. Only replacing the battery can completely eliminate the defect.

Frequent rebooting of the smartphone as a result of a hardware malfunction

Reasons why you will have to contact a service center to diagnose and repair your smartphone.

1. The smartphone overheats - for example, during high-cost operations: games or working with applications that load the processor. Therefore, you need to think about the health of the battery and other components involved in overheating.
2. The smartphone has fallen - here you definitely need to contact specialists and do not rely on secret life hacks with your smartphone, this is unlikely to help.
3. Factory defects - this option cannot be ruled out, since smartphones are produced in large quantities and the possibility of defects increases.

So, analyze and try all the options that suit your case and device.

Now we will try to figure out the reasons why your Android phone/tablet reboots on its own and we will try to understand how to fix the problem. It can reboot simply by lying on the table, in your pocket, when connected to a charger, during a call, and in other cases.

We will structurally divide the article by types of reasons to make it easier to read and find the item you need.

This article is suitable for all brands that produce phones on Android 10/9/8/7: Samsung, HTC, Lenovo, LG, Sony, ZTE, Huawei, Meizu, Fly, Alcatel, Xiaomi, Nokia and others. We are not responsible for your actions.

Attention! You can ask your question to a specialist at the end of the article.

Phone reboots when starting Android

If your gadget reboots every time you turn it on, the following methods may help.

• Perform a hard reset via Recovery. On models from different manufacturers, the entrance to Recovery is slightly different. Universal method - when you turn on the phone, hold down the "Volume Down" and Lock buttons; when the Android icon appears, release the Volume Down button. Menu navigation using volume switches and power button. Select “Wipe data/Factory reset”, then confirm the selected action. Reboot the device with the “Reboot system now” command - the problem will disappear if the endless reset is caused by incorrect firmware.
• Disconnect the battery and leave the device turned off for 20-30 minutes. Then insert the battery back - in some situations the method may help.

Important! After a full reset, all your data, accounts, photos and other personal information will be deleted. Carry out the procedure if the gadget reboots due to errors during firmware or update.

Solution 2: Start in Safe Mode

Safe mode, by default, loads only the system functions needed for the startup process. So if any third party application was causing the restart issue, then it can be resolved.

For older devices

• Press the Power button and select Turn off phone.
• After the device turns off completely, turn it on by holding the Power button for 2 seconds.
• When the logo animation appears, press the Volume Down button.
• If the process was launched correctly, then the words “Safe Mode” should be displayed in the lower corner of the screen.
• While in Safe Mode, check if the problem still persists. If all is well, you can start troubleshooting and uninstall the app causing the problem.

For new devices

• Press and hold the power button on the side of your phone until the restart options appear on the screen.
• This is followed by a long press on the “Shutdown” button, and then on “Safe Mode”.
• The phone will restart and “Safe Mode” will appear on the bottom left screen.
• Check if the problem persists in Safe Mode.

If the problem is fixed after starting the device in Safe Mode, then it was probably caused by a third-party application.

It was previously reported that one of the most common apps that cause phone restarts is the weather app.

• Go to the Home screen, touch and hold the Weather app icon. Select the Remove button from the list of options - for new devices. Drag the app icon to Uninstall in the top left corner of the screen to remove the app on your old device.
• After uninstalling the app, check if the restart issue is resolved.
• Try uninstalling more unused third-party apps if the problem still persists.

After activating GPS

Some Android smartphones may reboot when the GPS navigation system is turned on. The main problems and solutions to such a defect are described below.

• Old SIM card: some smartphone models are not compatible with SIM cards from some operators. Try replacing the SIM card with a new one or contact the service center of your mobile communications provider.
• Memory card: SD card can also cause a reset when turning on GPS. Remove the storage media from the phone and check if the problem has disappeared.
• Incorrect actions during firmware: perform a Hard Reset if the gadget reboots after installing a modified version of the OS. How to perform the procedure is described in the picture.

Exposure to malware

When downloading programs from third-party sites to your Samsung Galaxy, there is a risk of catching a mobile virus that will force Android to involuntarily reboot. That is why it is recommended to download all software only from the Play Market or Samsung Apps.

To get rid of malware, you need to:

1. Download a mobile antivirus program to your device. It is recommended to use Kaspersky IS, Dr. Web or Avast.
2. Start scanning.
3. If a threat is detected, block it.

If none of the methods listed above helped get rid of the problem, the only thing left is to perform a complete reset. This can be done through the standard Samsung menu. The required procedure is located in the "Backup and Reset" section. If a cyclic reboot occurs when the phone boots, you can perform a hard reset through the Recovery environment.

When connected to a PC

If the gadget reboots after connecting to the computer, make sure that there are no following problems:

• The USB cable is connected correctly and the cord is not physically damaged.
• The Android phone or Windows PC is not infected with malware.
• Compatible drivers are installed on your computer. If for some reason the utilities necessary for the device to operate do not load, download them manually from the manufacturer’s website.

Solution 1: Update your device software

If the OS kernel has been corrupted or the updates installed on your device are missing some important files, then your device manufacturer may have released an update to fix the problem. At this point we should check if any updates are available for the device.

• Pull down the notification panel and tap the Settings icon.
• Scroll down and tap on Device Information.
• Once you open the “About Device” tab, click on “Software” and then on “Updates”.
• Click on the "Software Updates" button.
• Click on the “Check for updates” line and let the phone complete the scanning process.
• Click on the “Download updates manually” button to complete the process of downloading all updates.
• After receiving the updates, the phone will restart automatically.
• After updating, check if the problem is still there or has been resolved.

Overloaded memory

According to user reviews, overloaded device memory is often the cause of sudden reboots. To fix the problem, just clean up your photo and video storage and remove unused applications.

Please also note that a lot of space in the smartphone’s memory is occupied by residual files of remote programs, phone software, and cookies. To perform high-quality cleaning, we recommend downloading and installing special applications on your phone, for example, Clean Master.

Now you know: frequent reboots of the gadget do not mean that it is defective and it’s time to run for a new one. It is enough to carry out diagnostics yourself, using the recommendations from this article, and the smartphone will most likely return to uninterrupted operation.

By the way: 6 reasons why a smartphone discharges quickly

Samsung Galaxy software glitches

Unlike mechanical damage, software problems can most likely be fixed at home. The main thing is to correctly understand what exactly the essence of the problem is. Software glitches that cause a Samsung phone to reboot on its own usually result from:

• conflict of installed software;
• incorrect updating of system applications;
• exposure to malware.

Let's look at each option in more detail.

Firmwares and everything about them

Have you often heard from friends about “firmware”? In short, this is the replacement of the “native” smartphone OS with a more recent version, or a modified one. There are 3 options:

• official;
• custom;
• test.

If the native firmware of the device begins to slow down (too many applications, not updated for a long time, viruses, residual cache files), then you can reset the settings to factory settings - this should help in 90% of cases. It is also worth looking on the Internet to see which version of Android is current for the smartphone at the moment. The update process occurs independently without your intervention, so no skills are required.

With custom ones it’s more difficult. The only stable foreign firmware can be considered exclusively Cyanogen Mod, but this team disbanded, and the remnants of the team renamed themselves Lineage OS. Their work was truly worthy, but had one significant drawback: install the firmware at your own peril and risk. Also be prepared for reboots, CPU overheating, unstable battery, GPS, modem and other key components that affect stability.

As for the test ones, which are posted in abundance on resources like 4PDA, XDA and analogues. If you are going to use your smartphone as a “test subject” and know about the problems in advance, install it. Others are categorically not recommended to engage in such things without knowledge of the hardware. This is the easiest way to turn a device into a “brick”, not to mention cyclic reboots.

Virus infection

To protect personal information from intruders, you should use anti-virus software. The applications perform a complete diagnostic of the device and remove any viruses found.

Mechanical damage

Have you noticed that your phone, which was dropped or hit on a hard surface the day before, spontaneously reboots? There is a high probability that the reason for the reboot is mechanical damage to the device’s hardware. A breakdown may consist of a malfunction of the board or its components, and the contacts of the cable coming loose.

In any case, to identify and eliminate the cause of the malfunction, the device must be disassembled. This should only be done if you have an ultra-thin soldering iron and a good supply of patience to thoroughly examine the board and every contact of the system.

To disassemble the mobile phone and gain access to the contacts, you need to unscrew and remove all panels. Next, inspect the board to see if all the cable contacts are well secured.

If you can identify a loose contact, you need to carefully solder it. Then reassemble the device by screwing the panels in the reverse order.

Now you can turn on the device and check its operation. If the performed manipulations did not help and the smartphone spontaneously reboots again, we recommend visiting a service center.

Useful article: The keyboard has disappeared on the phone: 7 variations of solving the issue on Android

How to fix reboot problems

Let's look at ways to fix common problems that cause your phone to reboot. You can do them yourself.

Virus infection

A smartphone is no longer just a device for communication and entertainment, but also a real “bank in your pocket.” You can use it to pay for purchases, make transactions with cards and accounts, etc. It is not surprising that scammers regularly come up with new ways to steal information.

So, to check for viruses:

1. Download antivirus from Google Play if you haven't done so before. We recommend Dr.Web, AVG AntiVirus, Malwarebytes. See other options here.
2. Launch your antivirus and run a full scan.

Kaspersky Internet Security has a good reputation, so let's consider the process based on this antivirus.

1. Click "Verify".
2. Select the scan type - “Full”, “Quick” or “Folder Scan”. In the first case, the entire smartphone is scanned, in the second - installed applications, in the third - a specific folder to which you specify the path.
3. Wait until the scan finishes.
4. If viruses are found, remove them.

Adviсe:

• You can scan your memory card for viruses by connecting it to your computer via a card reader;
• For maximum effect, select “Get permanent protection” from the menu and pay for the service.

Video instruction:

The battery is running low

The battery cannot last forever. Over time or due to improper use, its resource is exhausted, after which it needs to be replaced.

Battery

A battery, like any storage device, is designed for a certain number of charge/discharge cycles. If you constantly charge the device, sooner or later the battery will simply lose all its potential and will not hold a charge. A similar drawback is typical for Li-Pol models with a “memory effect”. The unit must be charged to 100%, and then discharged to 0. Only after this can it be charged. Li-Ion drives are free of this flaw.

Critical point: you must use only the “native” charger. The point is the current indicated on the charger. If the manufacturer indicated, for example, 1A (Ampere), then the value cannot be exceeded. Therefore, you should not use more powerful 1.5-2A analogues, since you can “kill” the battery much faster. It will simply swell. The average cycle with proper operation is limited to 1.5-2 years. Subsequently, the battery begins to lose its properties.

Another factor is contact oxidation. If moisture has accumulated inside the device, then this may be the reason for the reboot. If the battery is removable, remove it, dry the smartphone, wipe all contact pads with alcohol as carefully as possible and insert the drive after 30-60 minutes. The swollen one must be replaced.

Actions in case of spontaneous hardware reset

The problem of cyclic reboots is familiar to many users. Below are effective ways to solve the problem.

All the time

As we reported, cyclic rebooting of the device may be due to a damaged battery. To verify this, you need to remove the protective cover and remove the battery from the phone. Place the battery on a flat, hard surface and then twist it. If the battery cranks quickly and easily, this indicates that there is a bulge on its case or the battery is beginning to swell. Replace the battery with a new one, as failed batteries cannot be repaired.

If the battery is working normally, then try updating the firmware of the mobile device, as well as all programs installed in the device’s memory. To do this, go to the official Play Store and select all available updates. You can click on the update all applications button, this will update everything at once, but it is better to view all the updates rather than uninstalling the applications you are using. When programs and applications are updated, the platform itself must be updated. If there are no changes, contact a specialist, as the problem may be software in nature.

At the moment of switching on

If your mobile device endlessly reboots when you turn it on, then first of all you should reset the configuration to the factory one. In most cases, this method will solve the problem. The procedure for restoring factory settings is individual for each smartphone; detailed instructions are indicated in the service manual.

Alternatively, you can try to remove the battery and replace it after half an hour. Often the reason lies in an overheated smartphone, but there may be a problem with the activation buttons sticking. If these methods do not help solve the problem, then you should flash the device. Flashing is carried out independently or with the assistance of specialists (the video was filmed and published by the NTS Settings channel).

During a conversation

If the reboot is carried out while you are talking on the phone or when there is an incoming call, then the battery may be losing contact with the device at that moment. With long-term use, a small gap may appear on the back of the battery, namely the gap between the connecting components. Intensive use of the device leads to shaking of the case, and this contributes to the disconnection of contacts.

To diagnose this problem, try shaking your smartphone several times to determine the cause. If the device automatically reboots when shaken, this indicates the need to resolder the connecting components. If the smartphone is no longer under warranty, then it must be sent for repair. If the cause of the crashes is a software error, then there are several ways to solve the problem:

• return the phone to factory settings;
• update the operating system and application version;
• Seek help from specialists if the above two methods do not help.

After update

If you have updated your mobile device, but after that the phone still reboots, then try the following:

1. Turn off your mobile device and remove its battery.
2. Wait about 15-20 minutes.
3. Reinstall the battery and reactivate the phone.

If the device still overloads, then keep track of what updates you install on the phone. Sometimes applications automatically block your smartphone from working optimally, and in some cases, programs may conflict with each other. If the phone was working fine before you updated it, then return it back to the factory configuration and reboot the device.

The problem may also be the installation of malware or virus applications; in the absence of an antivirus, this can happen along with updating the phone. You can solve the problem by following the steps described above to restore factory settings. If this does not help, then the smartphone needs to be reflashed.

When you enable an application or feature

Cameras

If the mobile device restarts when the camera is activated, then the reason may be that one of the applications picked up a virus. You should install an antivirus program on your smartphone, determine the cause of the problem and reboot the device. If there are no changes, return the device to the factory configuration; if necessary, before performing this task, back up your files - photos, contacts, documents, etc. If the reason lies in the operation of the camera itself, or mechanical damage to the device, then you need to disassemble the phone and look for the problem. Often the camera does not work correctly due to the phone being dropped, the cable inside the gadget could have come loose, you can put it back in place yourself (the author of the video is the Pavel Sak channel).

Try formatting the memory card or replacing it with a new one. If the problem is not mechanical in nature, then the reboot is usually associated with a faulty memory drive. If your phone has been dropped in water, this is quite possible - unplug the phone, remove the battery and wait until it dries.

GPS

If you restart your phone while the GPS function is activated, you must do the following:

1. Check how your mobile device works with a new SIM card. The problem with many modern smartphones is that they do not function well with old SIM cards.
2. If the reason lies in damage to the board associated with a fall of the mobile device, then specialists can solve this problem. It's better to take your phone to a service center.
3. Try changing the memory card and check how the device works with the new drive.
4. Restore your smartphone to its factory configuration.

Bluetooth

The problem of rebooting the device when turning on the Bluetooth module is more relevant for owners of NTS mobile devices. To get rid of the problem, reflash your mobile gadget. In principle, you can not use this function at all, but this is not an option. Before flashing, try returning the factory settings, but it’s not certain that this will help (the author of the video is the CELLULAR REPAIR HELP channel).

If you want to turn off Bluetooth, it won't be easy to do. Due to the fact that due to a reboot the user has a few seconds to disconnect, he needs to act quickly. Turn off your smartphone and remove the SIM card and memory storage from it, this will help the device operate faster. This will give you about ten seconds to disable the feature.

When launching applications

This problem is more relevant for Nokia phones. The search for the cause and its elimination is carried out as follows:

1. Turn off the phone with the button.
2. Open the back cover of the phone and remove the battery.
3. Check if the battery is working.
4. Wait about 15 minutes, then replace the battery.
5. Turn on the phone, and then again launch the application that rebooted the smartphone when you entered it.
6. If the problem persists, then you need to reflash the device.

To avoid this problem, try not to use registry cleaning apps. Also, do not install very large programs on your smartphone and, in general, use only official software (video filmed by the Master Android channel).

When connected to a PC

A problem when connecting to a computer may be due to malicious software. Diagnose your mobile device for viruses; if this does not help, reset the configuration to factory default or reflash the device. If there are no results, you should seek help from specialists.

As for scheduled reboots, to ensure normal operation of the smartphone, you should diagnose the date of the latest updates. We are talking about both programs and the operating system. If you own a Samsung phone, then try running safe mode on your phone. If the phone does not reboot after this, this indicates that the problem lies in the operation of one of the programs. Install an application on your phone to clean up unnecessary software; it should find the cause of the problem.

Smartphones from the Samsung Galaxy line, like any other mobile devices, are subject to software and hardware failures from time to time. One such problem is the phone rebooting periodically or cyclically. It can cause the user a lot of problems or even make it impossible to use the device normally. Let's look at why Samsung restarts on its own and what to do in such cases.

Reboots itself after updating firmware/Android OS

Along with the previous problem, firmware is also one of the most common causes.

In this case, you need to independently analyze the situation and remember: an arbitrary reboot of your Android phone or tablet began after updating the firmware or not. There can be either a planned update of the Android version “over the air” or forced installation via a cord.

We will also include this item:

• Unsuccessful obtaining Root rights to the phone.
• Conflict of installed applications. In this case, try using the phone for a while and see if problems appear.

Reboots after water drops

For a gadget, water is a huge problem if the smartphone is not protected. In 90% of cases, moisture penetration guarantees that the device will fail. The contacts are oxidized; in such a situation, the place where moisture gets in can cause a short circuit. After water gets in, the device can not only reboot, but also not turn on at all.

In this situation, service diagnostics are necessary, and often the cost of repair is the same as the price of a new gadget. Due to water ingress, it is necessary to replace the system board or element that has been exposed to moisture.

The service center and store will refuse repairs because the operating conditions of the device have been violated. It is not a fact that after repair work the device will function normally. Therefore, it is best to buy a new smartphone or tablet here.