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Steps to Try When Your Android Won’t Boot

Steps to Try When Your Android Won’t Boot

By Mitch Bartlett 15 Comments

So your Android device has chosen to take a vacation and won’t boot properly? This situation isn’t fun. Troubleshooting it is even less fun. The problem could be related to an errant app, corrupted Android OS, or bad hardware. Here are the steps you can take if your Android won’t start.

1. Soft Reset

Your device might need a soft reset. On most devices, you can press and hold the “Volume Down” and “Power” buttons simultaneously for about 15 seconds to soft reset.


2. Pull the Battery (if possible)

For almost any issue where an Android device won’t start, I always suggest to pull the battery (if it’s removable) first and leave it out for about 20 seconds. Reinstall the battery and see if the issue persists. This step may not seem like it would work, but I know first-hand that it has helped numerous Android users.


3. Check for Stuck Buttons

Make sure that none of the buttons are stuck pressed down. Certain cases can cause the Volume, Power, or Home buttons to stick, preventing start up. Try removing the phone from the case to ensure the case is not putting pressure on the buttons.


4. Remove Connected Hardware

If you have an SD card, SIM card, or any other items plugged into the device, unplug them. A bad SD card or headset can cause problems starting up on rare occasions.


5. Ensure Device Has Enough Power

If your device won’t turn on at all, or is stuck in a startup loop, it may not have enough power. Attach the power adapter to the device and plug it into a wall outlet. Don’t use a connection to a computer or other device as the power you’d get is not sufficient to power most Android devices on right away.

Another issue could be the actual battery. See if you can borrow a battery from a friend with a similar device and give that a try (if it’s removable). If not, you may want to purchase a new or used battery and try it out. Return the battery to the store if it doesn’t help.


6. Start in Safe Mode

If you installed software that isn’t compatible with your device or malfunctions, it can cause the system to hang at a blank screen or continually force close items. In either case, you’ll want to find out how to start your device in Safe Mode. Safe Mode will start the device with only the base software required to start the device. This will usually allow you to access the Android OS so that you can remove whatever app may be causing the issue.

Most devices start in Safe Mode by pressing and holding the “Menu” or “Volume Down” button while you power the device on. If you’re not sure how to start your particular device in Safe Mode, search the Interwebs or check the documentation provided with your Android device.


7. Factory Hard Reset

If you’ve tried all of the above steps and nothing seems to work, you may want to perform a factory hard reset on the device. Doing so will wipe all data from the memory of the device (usually not SD card data like music or photos).

There are usually ways to perform a factory hard reset using a hardware button combination before the Android OS loads. Look in your manual or search for what the button combination is for your device. They are different for nearly every device. If you’re not sure how to factory reset your device, check the documentation provided with your hardware.


8. Repair

If a none of the above steps work, there may be a hardware issue that you are unable to solve yourself. At that point, I would seek help from the manufacturer or the retail store that sold you the device. It is likely that the device has a hardware issue that cannot be repaired without extensive troubleshooting from the manufacturer.

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Filed Under: Android Tagged With: Oreo

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura says

    April 1, 2021 at 1:37 am

    My Galaxy 10+ did the exact same thing as Thymos.. Google stopped working so i uninstalled the Google upgrade and that seemed to work for a couple days, then suddenly outta nowhere my phone went completely dead…. I’m unable to do a hard or soft reset… I’m completely baffled.

  2. Laura says

    April 1, 2021 at 1:34 am

    My Galaxy 10+ did the exact same thing as the person who commented first on here…. Google stopped working so i installed the Google upgrade and that seemed to work for a couple days, then suddenly outta nowhere my phone went completely dead…. I’m unable to do a hard or soft reset… I’m completely baffled.

  3. Thymo K says

    March 24, 2021 at 1:59 am

    my phone yesterday wasnt able to log into google and now it doesnt do anything, i have tried everything but that didnt work, im just gonna buy a new phone

  4. Amy says

    January 24, 2021 at 7:50 pm

    I have the same problem as Neo. Phone won’t light up at all. Dead. Went to retailer, couldn’t help me. Called Samsung three times. One told me to call (my phone was dead – that’s the problem) a fix-it place and and gave me a number – called it and the person said they did not fix Samsungs – don’t have the tool, which is supposedly very expensive. Went back to a different dealer, told them what they all said to me. He said they are just retailers of the product and to go back to Samsung. I called Samsung back and they don’t deal with that now. Excuse the tears as I write with total frustration!

  5. Christine J Robertson says

    January 19, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    I have a Galaxy S9
    Tonight it suddenly went into an “android recovery” screen with tiny letters and a list of options such as reboot system now & reboot to bootLoadre (there are 12 options). I can move between the options using the Bixby key but pushing power button does nothing. When I hold all three buttons down for 20 seconds, the phone eventually black, then the Galaxy sign comes up (I;ve tried holding all three buttons down and releasing them at this time, but no change) and the phone almost immediately goes to the Android recovery screen

  6. Yun says

    November 15, 2020 at 1:41 am

    Hi, i recently bought android car player, and i change the start logo, now my player cannot get in, it stuck at the logo, i think the problem is with the image it self..
    If any one can help me how to wipe the player memory without boot or is there a way this problem can be solve? Thank u in advance..

  7. ARFE A. DASIG says

    August 10, 2020 at 2:55 am

    step 2 works for me.

  8. David Stipek says

    May 27, 2020 at 4:43 am

    I have a new, now in my hands total ten days.
    Android 9.0 will turn on start boot screen flash to starting screen then the word Android (large logo across screen is displayed. Then approx 20 seconds later screen goes black and cycle starts again. It would do this all day or as long as the battery would last. Tablet will not turn off. Only way is to use reset pin, then it resets to off mode. Battery is 100% charged, displays this when I attach charger to check..
    Note I can bring up screen in repair mode with what looks like an electric motor displayed, below it displayed is no data.
    Please help, Dealer says sorry, no warranty!
    David S

  9. Tshepiso says

    April 10, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    Hi, I’ve tried everything on my Huwaei y5 lite (2018) but it is still stuck on boot loop. please help, can’t really go anywhere with the Lock down in place.

  10. abderrahmane says

    March 27, 2020 at 6:16 pm

    Thanks I tried to remove my sd card and sim card and it’s on now??

  11. Heather Fonder says

    June 22, 2019 at 9:23 pm

    im on my moms computer and i tried every singel last this and it wont work blus im only 12 and i cant drive to the store please i need this phone to contact my mom. somebody help..

  12. Yvonne M Saxton says

    December 10, 2018 at 12:31 pm

    My phone will turn on but won’t boot up and I have tried everything but nothing seems to work can someone help me please

  13. Jake P says

    September 12, 2018 at 4:34 pm

    I can’t get past the ‘Recovery Mode’ after selecting to do a factory setting.

  14. Neo says

    August 30, 2018 at 9:46 pm

    I’ve got one, tried everything, and still nothing. It’s just a paperweight.

  15. adithyan says

    August 27, 2018 at 1:17 am

    i am still not able to fix it i am just a kid. i tried all options and i cant go to the store.Plz help :(

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