Hi all,
I've had some problems with my S3 power button. It's behaving like it's being pressed when it isn't. Just slightly brushing it, without depressing the button, is registering a press. Pressing the button is behaving like the button is being held.
I've read a number of possible fixes. I tried software options, just to be sure (cleared cache, factory reset). But this is almost certainly a hardware problem.
I stripped the phone down and the physical button itself looks absolutely fine. It is interacting as it should with the internal button on the motherboard. The issue seems to be that the internal button attached to the motherboard (the little white button) is registering clicks even when it's not being fully depressed.
The phone did have some water damage about 6 months ago. I wonder if this could be causing the the phone to mess up now?
I even tried a fix that many people seem to think works: smacking the crap out of the power button itself. It had no affect on my phone - I think that "fix" that is for a power button that is stuck depressed and not a power button registering phantom clicks/being hyper-sensitive.
So I suppose I have the following questions:
1) Has anyone else experienced similar problems and, if so, did they get it fixed?
2) My plan is to try replacing the motherboard/logic board and see if that helps. Does that sound like the best fix or is it overkill?
3) If I'm replacing the motherboard, does it need to be an I747 motherboard or will any S3 model work fine?
4) What's the best source for a motherboard? I don't mind if they're used or refub so long as they work.
Any advice you can offer is welcome.
Cheers.
BenScopato said:
Hi all,
I've had some problems with my S3 power button. It's behaving like it's being pressed when it isn't. Just slightly brushing it, without depressing the button, is registering a press. Pressing the button is behaving like the button is being held.
I've read a number of possible fixes. I tried software options, just to be sure (cleared cache, factory reset). But this is almost certainly a hardware problem.
I stripped the phone down and the physical button itself looks absolutely fine. It is interacting as it should with the internal button on the motherboard. The issue seems to be that the internal button attached to the motherboard (the little white button) is registering clicks even when it's not being fully depressed.
The phone did have some water damage about 6 months ago. I wonder if this could be causing the the phone to mess up now?
I even tried a fix that many people seem to think works: smacking the crap out of the power button itself. It had no affect on my phone - I think that "fix" that is for a power button that is stuck depressed and not a power button registering phantom clicks/being hyper-sensitive.
So I suppose I have the following questions:
1) Has anyone else experienced similar problems and, if so, did they get it fixed?
2) My plan is to try replacing the motherboard/logic board and see if that helps. Does that sound like the best fix or is it overkill?
3) If I'm replacing the motherboard, does it need to be an I747 motherboard or will any S3 model work fine?
4) What's the best source for a motherboard? I don't mind if they're used or refub so long as they work.
Any advice you can offer is welcome.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the exact same problem with mine, and unfortunately there's not much you can do about it as it's a hardware defect. I haven't tried replacing motherboards or anything, so that might help you. What I did to help with the problem was rerouting my power button to my volume up key so that I can use the power button as little as possible. The only time I use the power button now is when I need to power it on - which causes reboot loops sometimes.
Drisc0 said:
I had the exact same problem with mine, and unfortunately there's not much you can do about it as it's a hardware defect. I haven't tried replacing motherboards or anything, so that might help you. What I did to help with the problem was rerouting my power button to my volume up key so that I can use the power button as little as possible. The only time I use the power button now is when I need to power it on - which causes reboot loops sometimes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sucks.
I like the sound of your work around, though. Was it pretty simple rerouting the power button?
BenScopato said:
Sucks.
I like the sound of your work around, though. Was it pretty simple rerouting the power button?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto, my power button is borked too. Ended up doing the same thing but I don't use my power button at all. I just use rom toolbox to reboot system/into recovery
Rerouting was simple for me as it's baked into the settings in the rom I'm on (ground zero) as it is with most custom ROM'S I've been on. If you're just running stock I'm sure there's an app in the market that'll work however I'm drawing a blank ATM
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
brianray14 said:
Ditto, my power button is borked too. Ended up doing the same thing but I don't use my power button at all. I just use rom toolbox to reboot system/into recovery
Rerouting was simple for me as it's baked into the settings in the rom I'm on (ground zero) as it is with most custom ROM'S I've been on. If you're just running stock I'm sure there's an app in the market that'll work however I'm drawing a blank ATM
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running CM.
I've had a look through the routing options. What I can't locate is a way to disable the power button completely. My main problem right now is the phantom clicks. I'd rather that button be dead.
Anyone know of a way I can make that happen in CM?
Nevermind. I just physically removed the power button. That did the trick.
For anyone interested, you can replace a faulty power button on the motherboard pretty easily and the parts are cheap. If I wasn't due an upgrade in 4 months I'd probably do that. No need to replace the whole motherboard.
Does anyone know the app to reroute the button? I too have the same problem.
Related
Hello everybody! My htc desire's physical buttons(actually just the volume up, home and menu keys) don't work...I press them but nothing happens. Well, they work sometimes, but when they don't I reboot my phone, randomly press some buttons, and they start working again. I just don't know what the fault is. Im on MildWild CM 4.3. I think the same problem was with other firmwares too. Can you please solve my problem?
If your device is under warrantly just send it to htc. It's a hardware problem, not something that you can solve with a script.
Ah, so you're telling me there's nothing that can be done to repair it? Cuz, my device isn't in warranty(I just replaced the casing)...
thedarkcoder said:
Ah, so you're telling me there's nothing that can be done to repair it? Cuz, my device isn't in warranty(I just replaced the casing)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know.. I don't want to be pessimistic, maybe you can search for similar problem in internet and a possibile solution, not just for Desire but in general for devices that have hardkeys. Maybe like use a spray for electric contacts while device is turn off and wait that it's completly dry before turn it on. Good luck.
I can't remember it, but I think that this problem appeared only after I got my casing changed. Could the technician have done something wrong? Can I send it to the man that changed the casing?
It's probably just some dust that gathered underneath the buttons. I had the same problem with the volume down button. I used a needle to clean the dust around it, and then it worked perfectly.
I dont think it could be due to the dust, cuz there are three buttons which simultaneously stop and start working... It's a bit strange tho..
I have issues now with my power button. It's unreliable... that is, the button sometimes works. Sometimes when I press it, it opens the shutdown menu..
Started all of a sudden. Not sure how that happened... and it's out of warrenty for 4 months now..
That is why I use Button Savior
Same!
I am getting the same problem. I have replaced the keypad flex with a new one and still getting the same issue. It would start working randomly like if I open the browser and open many tabs, then it would work. Funny thing is that they would not even work when I go in recovery.
My desire is 2yrs old now but I still love it.
shricker said:
I am getting the same problem. I have replaced the keypad flex with a new one and still getting the same issue. It would start working randomly like if I open the browser and open many tabs, then it would work. Funny thing is that they would not even work when I go in recovery.
My desire is 2yrs old now but I still love it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem here.
Mostly happens with Home and menù. Less often with volume buttons.
For now I'm using the "button saviour app" workaround, but if is something hardware I will know it very soon... (made a copy of my rom on a friend's HTC Desire)
thedarkcoder said:
I can't remember it, but I think that this problem appeared only after I got my casing changed. Could the technician have done something wrong? Can I send it to the man that changed the casing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thedarkcoder said:
I dont think it could be due to the dust, cuz there are three buttons which simultaneously stop and start working... It's a bit strange tho..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All three buttons simultaneously! Buttons usually fail gradually one by one and drive you mad finally. I would put my money on the keypads being misaligned during whatever you got done with casing. Take it back to him.
If its some kind of misalignment no amount of sprays will help.
BTW I use zmooth for button conservation
use soft key instead
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium
I had the same issues : menu button working randomly, had to press very strong on up/down volume buttons.
I've dismounted my phone (using this : http://www.formymobile.co.uk/desiredisassembly.php ), and I saw that there were a lot of dust, hairs.. I tried to clean up/down volume buttons the best way I could, and they both work so much better now! Not totally perfect though.
By the way, I noticed that there was a lot of compressed dust in micro-USB connector and was able to remove it fully (thing I couldn't do without dismounting phone).
I didn't want to go farther to access menu/home buttons because I didn't have time and Menu button works quite OK.
I have the same issue here with the volume buttons they tend to get unresponsive and unreliable.
Even though all the parts were renewed since six months ago, the volume buttons are probably bad designed?
Holland1994D said:
I have the same issue here with the volume buttons they tend to get unresponsive and unreliable.
Even though all the parts were renewed since six months ago, the volume buttons are probably bad designed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could replace bad working buttons' functions with others'. My volume down isn't working, so I made my search button act like a vol down.
Buy the new one
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
does anyone else's power button only seem to push down on the left side? I feel like i have the hardest time unlocking/locking my phone because the entire right half of my power button does not function. I really don't want to send my phone back in and worry about relocking/flashing stock if its a common problem. Otherwise if im the only one having this issue i'd probably send it back in because its rather annoying.
dets34 said:
does anyone else's power button only seem to push down on the left side? I feel like i have the hardest time unlocking/locking my phone because the entire right half of my power button does not function. I really don't want to send my phone back in and worry about relocking/flashing stock if its a common problem. Otherwise if im the only one having this issue i'd probably send it back in because its rather annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some ROM's have the option to unlock the screen when you press the volume rocker. See if your ROM has such an option?
Edit: My power button's fine though.
My power button is really recessed and is hard to press on it's own. That's how I got the phone and I thought it was normal like that. I got a silicone case with a power button "pusher" on it that helps unlock the phone. Its a piece that sticks into the phone and when you press it, it helps press the power button.
dets34 said:
does anyone else's power button only seem to push down on the left side? I feel like i have the hardest time unlocking/locking my phone because the entire right half of my power button does not function. I really don't want to send my phone back in and worry about relocking/flashing stock if its a common problem. Otherwise if im the only one having this issue i'd probably send it back in because its rather annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My power button is the same as you describe. I personally wouldn't exchange it due the the problems people are having getting s-off on the new replacements. A rom that let's you unlock with the volume button might be a good choice as someone else mentioned.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using XDA
My power button has been that way since I first got it over a year ago, no change. It seems to be normal.
Phone randomly turns off/reboots (mostly reboots). Sometimes the phone won't go past the "SAMSUNG" screen on boot. I booted the phone into recovery and download mode multiple times but it'll reboot after a minute or two.
I've tried another battery and still had the same issue. I've removed the battery and held the power button down to discharge power. I've opened up the phone, blew the dust out, and made sure that the power button was not getting stuck. I'm fairly certain it's not a rogue app causing the issue, but I've factory reset the phone to stock.
Please advise!
dwrdbg said:
Phone randomly turns off/reboots (mostly reboots). Sometimes the phone won't go past the "SAMSUNG" screen on boot. I booted the phone into recovery and download mode multiple times but it'll reboot after a minute or two.
I've tried another battery and still had the same issue. I've removed the battery and held the power button down to discharge power. I've opened up the phone, blew the dust out, and made sure that the power button was not getting stuck. I'm fairly certain it's not a rogue app causing the issue, but I've factory reset the phone to stock.
Please advise!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you have a sd card, sometimes a funky sd card will cause this as well. remove yours for a while to check if its causing your issue
Sounds like the same problem I was having. Take your finger and lightly move it up and down over the power button.. if it acts up or reboots it could be the button issue..
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
I was having the EXACT same issue. I thought it might be the recent upgrade to the cm11 nightlies since before it was once a week but now it's just non-stop. Is the issue the actual power button switch or the plastic buttons?
Orion78 said:
Sounds like the same problem I was having. Take your finger and lightly move it up and down over the power button.. if it acts up or reboots it could be the button issue..
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
beantek said:
I was having the EXACT same issue. I thought it might be the recent upgrade to the cm11 nightlies since before it was once a week but now it's just non-stop. Is the issue the actual power button switch or the plastic buttons?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it was the power button itself.. Read my post on how to fix the issue yourself if you dont want to take your phone into Sprint
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2679936
Fixed (kind of )
I've taken my phone apart before to replace the speaker/audio jack module after my headphone jack stopped working in one ear (also a common s3 problem). I did as suggested and added a piece of paper wedged in between the button and the button switch. Surprisingly the switch was perfectly clicky so any problem will have to be internally such as corrosion or just worn out. The problem seemed to have been fixed (kind of, not really) as the phone turned on and wouldn't freak out when I rubbed the power/hold button. I got all my data off the phone successfully. The buttons themselves are pretty cheap online but I don't want to have to solder considering I have an upgrade. I'll just get an S5 whenever they are available. Thanks for the help.
Orion78 said:
For me it was the power button itself.. Read my post on how to fix the issue yourself if you dont want to take your phone into Sprint
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2679936
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to thank everyone for their suggestions. I determined that it was in fact a power button issue.
My "FIX" (for anyone with similar issues):
Temporary:
I removed the logic board from the phone and flicked the button up and down and that helped a little with the button's hypersensitivity. Because a slight tap would make the button "stick" and power off, I took apart the phone and physically removed the plastic power button. I could hit the button if necessary with a small screwdriver or my watch strap thingy, but I did my best to keep the battery from dying out. As for dealing with a lack of "lock" button, I installed an xposed module that let me remap my volume up button as a lock button.
Permanent:
My mother recently upgraded her phone and gave me her S3. Unfortunately it had a cracked screen. I removed her logic board and swapped it out with what was in phone and reactivated her phone as mine.
Thanks for everyone's help, and hopefully this can help someone else too!
If I were to attempt to fix this issue myself, how would I go about doing it? I ordered a new power button but I'm worried that the problem lies internally requiring me to take apart the phone rather than just replacing a simple button. The power button is so loose that if you make any contact on it, it will turn on/off. If I press it down, it makes a click sound as usual but the screen flickers on and off.
karmasblade said:
If I were to attempt to fix this issue myself, how would I go about doing it? I ordered a new power button but I'm worried that the problem lies internally requiring me to take apart the phone rather than just replacing a simple button. The power button is so loose that if you make any contact on it, it will turn on/off. If I press it down, it makes a click sound as usual but the screen flickers on and off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Replacing the power button requires opening up the phone. Unless you are certain you have the correct tools and technical expertise for this, you may want to consider taking it to a tech shop or pro outlet. This may cost you a bit but could be overall less bothersome.
Hi,
This morning I rebooted my phone. But instead of booting into the rom(Lineage 15.1), it booted into the recovery(TWRP).
Soon I realized that it's because the volume button is stuck.
If I hold down the volume up button while booting, I can boot into safe mode.
Is there a way to fix this without taking the phone apart, or at least bypass safe mode so that I can use the phone, until I can get it repaired?
Thanks
I had a similar issue with the power button on the Samsung GS3 i9300.
What worked for me, temporarily, was banging the phone corner which is closest to the button hard onto your hand or something similar which cannot cause any physical damage. The jerk was enough to release the button and get the phone working again.
Maybe give that a shot. Hope it helps!
ShotTard said:
Is there a way to fix this without taking the phone apart, or at least bypass safe mode so that I can use the phone, until I can get it repaired?
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Click to collapse
Light percussive maintenance as previously suggested. If the button or internals aren't bent/broken you could also try getting a clean toothbrush's bristles in there.
My volume buttons become quite stiff every now and then but they usually end up just fixing themselves through normal use anyway.