This is the seventh part of our Galaxy S4 Problems and Solutions series and there were 10 problems addressed in this post. We still have hundreds of emails that in our inbox that need to be answered so you can expect to be reading a lot of articles like this.
Please browse through this post to see if your problem was addressed, if not then we will be glad to help you with it. We are now actively interacting with our readers through our Facebook Page, Google Plus Community, or via email (mailbag@thedroidguy.com). So, if you think you have some problems that you don’t know how to solve, don’t hesitate to contact us. In case you missed the first six parts of this series, here they are:
Samsung Galaxy S4: Problems, Questions, Solutions, Workarounds [Part 1][Part 2][Part 3][Part 4][Part 5][Part 6]
Some of you may ask why I have to include the step-by-step instructions here. Well, majority of the owners aren’t really tech-savvy. I want this article to become a one-stop resource for them. So, for those who already know the procedures I’ve included here, bear with me, please.
#1. Logged out of Snapchat automatically
Problem: My phone is always logging me out of snapchat and won’t stay logged in for more than a few hours at best. None of my other apps have logged me out yet. Restarting the phone doesn’t help. Is there a way it can remember my log in information? — Melanie
Solution: I, too, use snapchat from time to time and I know this is an unusual behavior of the app. I can’t remember when I started using it on my phone but I don’t think I was ever asked to login again. Now, my question is, were you logged out automatically after you use it or while you were using it?
Clear Cache
If you were logged out after you use the app, then clearing the cache would solve it. As you know, Android will cache data when it runs the app after installation. This cache will used over and over every time the app is launched. However, there are always times when caches get corrupted that the system will need to cache another set of data during runtime. Thus, it will asked for credentials the next time the owner uses it.
From the Home screen, tap the Menu key.
Tap Settings.
Tap the More tab and then Application manager.
Swipe left or write to display contents of the All tab.
Scroll to and tap Snapchat.
Tap Clear Cache button.
Go back to the Home screen and tap Applications icon.
Launch Snapchat. (You may be asked to enter your credentials.)
Close the app and run it again. See if the problem still exists.
Clear Data
In case you are logged out while you are using the app, there must something wrong with the data that contains your credentials. It could have been corrupt over time, so you need to clear it from the phone’s memory to force it to cache another.
From the Home screen, tap the Menu key.
Tap Settings.
Tap the More tab and then Application manager.
Swipe left or write to display contents of the All tab.
Scroll to and tap Snapchat.
Tap Clear Data button.
Go back to the Home screen and tap Applications icon.
Uninstall / Reinstall
If the problem still persists after clearing both the cache and data, there’s a last option you can do–reinstalling it.
From the Home screen, tap the Menu key.
Tap Settings.
Tap the More tab and then Application manager.
Swipe left or write to display contents of the All tab.
Scroll to and tap Snapchat.
Tap Force Stop button.
Tap Clear Cache button.
Tap Clear Data button.
Tap Uninstall button.
Launch Google Play Store.
Search for Snapchat.
Download and install the app.
Enter your credentials and start using it.
Close the app and open it again just to see if it would still prompt you to enter your credentials again.
If it does, it’s time you sent feedback to the developer of the app.
#2. Cannot attach photos, write disk error
Problem: Hi. I just updated my S4.
Some problems:
- when I attach photos to, say, Facebook, after selection of pics, it brings me back to the selection folders — meaning, the files I’ve already selected don’t get selected… And the process loops.
- my ES FileExplore says now that my memory card is an invalid path. same with my torrent clients–it reports write disk error. I tested my card on a card reader. It’s not faulty
- my battery life seems to be shorter than it already was on Jellybean
Hope you can help me.
Thanks,
Red
Solutions: First of all, I hope you have successfully updated your phone and haven’t encountered problems during the process because if you did, that could be the cause of all your problems. I would assume it was successful, though.
It seems to me that the problem is not with the apps you use to share photos, it’s with the file explorer of your phone. However, before doing any troubleshooting steps, there is one procedure I want you to do since these problems started to manifest after the update–wipe cache partition.
Turn the phone off.
Press and hold the Volume Up, Home and Power buttons simultaneously.
When the phone vibrates, release the Power key but continue holding the other two.
When Android System Recovery screen appears, release both buttons.
Use the Volume Down button to highlight ‘wipe cache partition’ option and press the Power button to select it.
The phone will automatically restart once wiping is finished.
After this procedure, observe the phone to see if the problem still exists. If it does, you need to uninstall ES File Explorer and then reinstall it. After doing this and you’re still having the same problems, I would recommend a factory reset.
As to the battery drain issue, we’re still investigating the problem further. I would be contacting Samsung about it, too.
#3. Update interrupted, device is up to date
Problem: I just recently receive a unlocked off contract Galaxy S4 from AT&T and an Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean that is connected to T-Mobile and I tried to update to 4.3 or at least a 4.4 KitKat but it said that “the update was interrupted and try the next 24 hours” then I tried again and it said “your device is up to date”. I still have one more question. If my phone came from AT&T then I use a T-Mobile service where do I get my updates from? AT&T or T-Mobile and honestly I don’t even know if there is a update out for a 4.4 or 4.3 on either of does carries, I would be relief if you can answer my questions, Thanks.
Solution: If you’re sure that the current version of Android that your phone runs is T-Mobile’s then you should get your update from T-Mobile. Since you’re still running 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, there is a need for you to update your phone to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with baseband version M919UVUEMK2 because it is one of the requirements for you to be able to pull down the Android 4.4.2 KitKat from T-Mobile’s servers.
T-Mobile has started rolling out KitKat update yesterday. Here’s how you install Android 4.4.2 KK update.
#4. Can’t save photos to SD card
Problem: Hello Harold I need your help. A few days ago I updated my Galaxy S4 to KitKat 4.4.2. Everything work fine but I have installed Vignette Camera. Before the update all my photos went to my SD Card. After the Update to KitKat I can’t Save my photos into the SD Card anymore. When I open Vignette I got a notice telling me that I have to Save my photos in the Internal Memory of my phone it doesn’t allow me to Save them in the SD card. I don’t know what to do. This happened because of Vignette or because of Google? I will appreciate a lot any advice or solution to this matter. Thank you in advance. — Raphael
Solution: Raphael, upon installation of Vignette, the app automatically creates its own folder in your SD Card either labeled “Vignette” or “VIE.” There would also be a Vignette Gallery, which will crop the pictures and save them in the internal memory to serve as thumbnails. The point is, you don’t have to set Vignette to save pictures into the external storage because it’s already done that in the first place.
I suspect there’s a problem with your SD card that’s why the app is telling you it can no longer save photos in it. So, check whether your external storage is working fine by saving other files in it. If it’s fine and you’re still having this problem, copy all your data from the SD card to back them up. Uninstall Vignette and install it back. Before using it for the first time, make sure you move it into your SD card. I hope this helps.
From the Home screen, tap the Menu key.
Tap Settings.
Tap the More tab and then Application manager.
Swipe left or write to display contents of the All tab.
Scroll to and tap Vignette.
Tap Force Stop button.
Tap Clear Cache button.
Tap Clear Data button.
Tap Uninstall button.
Launch Google Play Store.
Search for Vignette.
Download and install the app.
#5. Galaxy S4 display times out
Problem: Hello, my phone updated last night and it shows that I am running the 4.4.2 version. My phone seems to be working fine except when the display times out and the screen goes out, it will not turn back on. I have to restart my phone in order to use it again. Also when I try dragging the notification bar down, I do show the update is still listed under Running Applications though. Can you please help? Thanks, Marlene
Solution: A third-party application may be causing this problem or some corrupt data are messing with the phone’s normal operation. Let’s narrow down the problem by looking at the possibility that a third-party app is causing it.
Safe Mode
Booting to Safe Mode will allow only the default apps to run. If it were a third-party app causing the problem, the phone would be just fine without a trace of the issue once in Safe Mode. Here’s how you boot:
Press and hold the Power button.
When the Galaxy S4 appears on the screen, release the button and immediately press and hold the Volume Down key.
Continue holding it until the phone is finished restarting.
If the phone successfully rebooted, you will see Safe Mode in the bottom left corner of the screen. You may release the Volume Down key now.
While the phone is in Safe Mode, observe to know if the problem has been fixed. If so, it’s time you traced which app causes the problem and uninstall it. Otherwise, you have to do another troubleshooting procedure.
Wipe Cache Partition
If the problem still happens even if the phone is already in Safe Mode, it means that one of the core applications is causing it. Since you cannot uninstall those apps (especially if you’re not rooted), the best thing you can do for now is wipe the cache partition:
Press and hold the Volume Up, Home and Power buttons simultaneously.
When the phone vibrates, release the Power key but continue holding the other two.
When Android System Recovery screen appears, release both buttons.
Use the Volume Down button to highlight ‘wipe cache partition’ option and press the Power button to select it.
The phone will automatically restart once wiping is finished.
If the problem still persists after this, there’s no other option but to do a factory reset. You may lose your data including contacts, messages, apps, etc. when you do this.
#6. SD card randomly unmounts
Problem: Hi. A random times I get a message saying that my SD card was unexpectedly removed, while the card is still in the phone. It happens 2-4 times a week. Restarting the phone works most of the time. For the times that it doesn’t work, I have to remove the card and reinstall, this work’s 99% of the time. Last week I reinstalled the card and all my files were gone. Eventually they showed up? Any ideas of what could be causing this issue? Thanks — Brett
Solution: I hate to break it to you but your SD card is defective, or almost defective. It’s just a matter of time before it becomes totally useless. When? Nobody knows. It could be tomorrow, it could be next month, or may be next year. But the best thing for you to do right now is backup all your important data saved in it because you don’t know when your phone stops reading from it.
There were also cases that the cause of the random unmounting of the SD card was a software glitch or insufficient power. But the reason why I suggested you back up your data as early as now is because frequent unmounting will eventually lead to data corruption.
#7. Galaxy S4 not charging, won’t turn on
Problem: It started when my battery is lesser than 10% I tried many ways to turn on the Galaxy S4 but it just wont turn on. I tried by charging but it did not charge. I took out the battery and tried to power on it did not do anything it just remain blank and off so what can I do? — Wang
Solution: Your phone may have just ran out of battery but there is a possibility that your charger is defective. In this case, it is easier to test if the charger has the problem. Here’s how:
Remove the battery from your phone.
Plug the cable to your phone and the charging unit to the wall.
Turn the phone on.
If it won’t come on, plug the other end of the cable to a computer’s USB port.
If the phone charges while plugged in the computer, the charging unit has the problem.
If it won’t charge, then it’s the USB cable. Try finding a different microUSB-to-USB cable. There is also a possibility that your phone’s port was damaged.
In case you have successfully turned on your phone by plugging it to any power source without a battery, then attempt to recharge your battery.
#8. Can’t save or view pictures on SD card
Problem: Hi, I am wondering if you can tell me what I need to do to fix my problem I am having. I recently updated my phone cause I was tired of it always popping up while doing something. While the first part of update was trying to be done, the phone lost WiFi for a few minutes. But it said it was successful I finished the rest of update a little while later. Now I can’t view my pictures that are on the micro SD card, nor will it save a picture to the micro SD card. If you could help me with this that would be appreciated. Thank You. — Skyler
Solution: As long as the phone can finish downloading the update package, there’s no risk of installation errors. If your phone said it successfully installed the update, then don’t worry about a thing because incomplete packages will not be installed successfully. About your problem, I don’t know if you can still access your SD card but if ever you can’t, here’s what you need to do:
Reboot your phone first.
If you still can’t after the restart, turn the phone off, remove the battery and remove the SD card.
Place the battery back.
Press and hold the Volume Up, Home and Power buttons simultaneously.
When the phone vibrates, release the Power key but continue holding the other two.
When Android System Recovery screen appears, release both buttons.
Use the Volume Down button to highlight ‘wipe cache partition’ option and press the Power button to select it.
The phone will automatically restart once wiping is finished.
Turn the phone off again, remove the battery, and insert the SD card.
Place the battery back and turn the phone on.
Now try if you can view or save photos to your SD card.
If still can’t, verify that you can access your SD card because it could be defective.
If you can but cannot view / save pictures, clear the cache and data of both Camera and Gallery, and then try again.
Still can’t, perform a Factory Reset.
#9. Galaxy S4 camera failed
Problem: Hi Droid Guy. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 smart phone but my camera has suddenly stopped working. Every time I press the camera icon on the screen, a warning prompt “Camera failed” immediately covers the screen stopping the operation.
Please kindly advise on how best to resolve this problem as its often very frustrating not been able to use the phone camera. Am suspicious it may be a software issue, what do you think?
Regards,
Abbey
Solution: Since you didn’t mention any third-party camera applications, I assume you’re using the stock camera app. We cannot know for sure what caused the problem but it could be just a software issue. The worst thing that could happen is your phone’s camera sensor was busted but let’s set that aside for now. Here’s what you need to do:
Boot to Safe Mode
You need to do this just to check if the “Camera Failed” error message occurs.
Press and hold the Power button.
When the Galaxy S4 appears on the screen, release the button and immediately press and hold the Volume Down key.
Continue holding it until the phone is finished restarting.
If the phone successfully rebooted, you will see Safe Mode in the bottom left corner of the screen. You may release the Volume Down key now.
If the error message still pops up, then the problem is caused by the native Camera app and you need to wipe the cache partition via the Recovery Mode. Otherwise, it’s a third-party apps causing trouble and you need to find that app and uninstall it, or you can simply perform a factory reset after you backup your data.
If all else fails, have the phone checked by an authorized technician.
#10. Galaxy S4 keeps rebooting after AllShare installation
Problem: Hi there. I downloaded AllShare on my S4 and now I can’t even use my phone, it just keeps on rebooting and rebooting. Tried recovery reboot and taking out battery, same problem, please help!
Answer: Rebooting to recovery mode doesn’t solve a thing, it’s what you do while in recovery mode that will make a difference. In your message, you pointed out the reboots occurred after AllShare was installed. So, basically, it is the primary suspect. Here’s what you can do to confirm your suspicion:
Boot to Safe Mode to know if the phone still reboots.
If it won’t, uninstall AllShare and boot normally.
If the phone won’t reboot after that, then AllShare was causing the problem.
However, if the phone still reboots even after AllShare was uninstalled, you should find the culprit.
By the way, if you boot to recovery mode again, try wiping the cache partition, that could help.
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