Develop Bugs

[Q] Nexus nonchargeable, starts smoking(!), still turns on

Hey guys, I probably have a pretty unusual question or rather observation. Sometime yesterday night when I connected the Galaxy Nexus to the power outlet it started to make a crackling noise. I immediately disconnected it but it already smelled like burnt plastic. As you can believe I was pretty shocked! Trying to turn on the phone worked flawlessly though, so I though, OK might have been my outlet and tried two different ones. Still to no avail, the phone works but won't charge.
I turned it off for the night and waited until the morning to try to connect it to my computer (thinking maybe it's the plug that's broken) and reset it to factory default. Big mistake! Windows pops up with a warning telling em that it detected a power surge on one of my USB ports, resulting in my phone still not charging, the USB port being broken (won't recognize my USB key anymore), and and the Micro-USB connector emitting some smoke after I unplug it from the Nexus.
Now, enough storytelling. Maybe you guys can help me with the mountain of questions I have after this episode:
A) Really, what happened here? I don't think it has something to do with the software side of it, can it? (eg Battery overloaded?) Then I would guess more people would have had the same problem... I'm running AOKP M3 and Franco Kernel 3.0.08-M1.
B) Did anyone have the same problem?
C) I guess it's unfixable from a software standpoint, so my only option would be to send it back to Amazon and hope they replace it. Any other ideas? I bought it at Amazon.de (Germany) but due to it having AOKP Rom and Franco Kernel installed getting a replacement might be difficult.
C) How do I get my USB port functioning again? It's a new notebook but I don't want to send it back for repairs as I bought it in Hong Kong (I have an international warranty though.) and need it to write my Thesis.
Update: Uninstalled and re-installed the USB drivers, that fixed the USB port.
Thanks for your time and hopefully help!
A confused GN user.

majar said:
Hey guys, I probably have a pretty unusual question or rather observation. Sometime yesterday night when I connected the Galaxy Nexus to the power outlet it started to make a crackling noise. I immediately disconnected it but it already smelled like burnt plastic. As you can believe I was pretty shocked! Trying to turn on the phone worked flawlessly though, so I though, OK might have been my outlet and tried two different ones. Still to no avail, the phone works but won't charge.
I turned it off for the night and waited until the morning to try to connect it to my computer (thinking maybe it's the plug that's broken) and reset it to factory default. Big mistake! Windows pops up with a warning telling em that it detected a power surge on one of my USB ports, resulting in my phone still not charging, the USB port being broken (won't recognize my USB key anymore), and and the Micro-USB connector emitting some smoke after I unplug it from the Nexus.
Now, enough storytelling. Maybe you guys can help me with the mountain of questions I have after this episode:
A) Really, what happened here? I don't think it has something to do with the software side of it, can it? (eg Battery overloaded?) Then I would guess more people would have had the same problem... I'm running AOKP M3 and Franco Kernel 3.0.08-M1.
B) Did anyone have the same problem?
C) I guess it's unfixable from a software standpoint, so my only option would be to send it back to Amazon and hope they replace it. Any other ideas? I bought it at Amazon.de (Germany) but due to it having AOKP Rom and Franco Kernel installed getting a replacement might be difficult.
C) How do I get my USB port functioning again? It's a new notebook but I don't want to send it back for repairs as I bought it in Hong Kong (I have an international warranty though.) and need it to write my Thesis.
Update: Uninstalled and re-installed the USB drivers, that fixed the USB port.
Thanks for your time and hopefully help!
A confused GN user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A) Sounds like a short circuit somewhere. My guess would be the connector or close to it.
B) I certainly didn't but I'm sure it's happened to someone.
C) Unroot and Relock and send it back to Samsung if Amazon doesn't take it back. I'm not sure about their return policy since it's a cellphone that is under warranty. May also depend how long ago you bought it.
The more I think about it I wonder if it's just the USB cable... Since you said the smoke came from the Micro-USB connector... Plug it back into the computer without the phone and see if you get the USB power surge thing again. There may just be a short in the cable.
Of course checking it with a multimeter would be safer, do you have one of those?
Or do you have another Micro-USB you can try charging the phone with?

chjade84 said:
C) Unroot and Relock and send it back to Samsung if Amazon doesn't take it back. I'm not sure about their return policy since it's a cellphone that is under warranty. May also depend how long ago you bought it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that I can't even unroot it since it is not being recognized by the computer (and I get the power surge warning). I will try with the new cable, and then send it back even if it works. might give me problems further down the line if I don't.
chjade84 said:
The more I think about it I wonder if it's just the USB cable... Since you said the smoke came from the Micro-USB connector... Plug it back into the computer without the phone and see if you get the USB power surge thing again. There may just be a short in the cable.
Of course checking it with a multimeter would be safer, do you have one of those?
Or do you have another Micro-USB you can try charging the phone with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a different cable (or multimeter) near me at the moment but will give an update as soon as I do. I didn't get the power surge warning when I just plugged in only the cable, but as there is no source that could draw power that seems likely to me.
P.s.: Just bought it in january so generally sending it back shouldn't be a problem - if I can get it unrooted.

majar said:
The problem is that I can't even unroot it since it is not being recognized by the computer (and I get the power surge warning). I will try with the new cable, and then send it back even if it works. might give me problems further down the line if I don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I kind of forgot about that...
majar said:
I don't have a different cable (or multimeter) near me at the moment but will give an update as soon as I do. I didn't get the power surge warning when I just plugged in only the cable, but as there is no source that could draw power that seems likely to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's "good" in that we know the cable isn't shorted. I thought maybe some pins or wires were touching inside the cable that would cause a short (+5VDC and GND) even without the cable being plugged into anything.
So it does look like the fault is in the phone somewhere... And that could be just about anything.
Being that it's Amazon they probably will just replace it and not even bother with checking for it being rooted - especially since you can say it's smoking. As far as I know only the carriers will turn on the phone and look it over (not to mention most Amazon employees wouldn't know root it it reached out of the phone and smacked them across the face). Other 3rd party stores just mark it as defective and put it in a box to send back. I'm not sure how Amazon's return process works though.
I had several problems with my EVO (speakers mostly) and had it rooted when I took it in. They just fixed it anyway and even told me they liked what I had done with it a few times.

Hey, just to give an update I didn't get a specific explanation but Amazon replaced the battery, cable & charger. Now its working again. No problems with it being rooted, they even left rooted but installed stock android & kernel.

I'm currently having this problem, i called google, and they transferred me to samsung. And their department that handles this issue is closed on weekends

peacebomber said:
I'm currently having this problem, i called google, and they transferred me to samsung. And their department that handles this issue is closed on weekends
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
any update? i'm having this problem aswell. my phone wont charge through the wall charger but will when connected to a computer... but when it's connected to the computer it says that my usb device (phone) has malfunctioned.
because of that "malfunction" i cant revert back to stock everything and relock everything to get it repaired with bell mobility.

marrrio_ said:
any update? i'm having this problem aswell. my phone wont charge through the wall charger but will when connected to a computer... but when it's connected to the computer it says that my usb device (phone) has malfunctioned.
because of that "malfunction" i cant revert back to stock everything and relock everything to get it repaired with bell mobility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i sent them my phone i couldn't bring back to stock software but i still shipped it out either way, i actually got an email from samsung today saying a component has been replaced and being shipped out back to to me, so i guess they fixed it with it being rooted, so when i receive it ill let you know

Well I got back my phone today and its charging again. But they restored my phone back to factory setting. So I lost all my pics and phone didn't restore previous apps etc but oh well as long as they fixed it and no questions asked I'm happy
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

[Q] Computers No longer recognize device no more recovery

So after several weeks trying to figure out what is wrong with my device I came to the conclusion that the USB port on my GNex went bad
here's a few reasons why:
-GNex No longer chargers when plugged in the wall outlet tried several OEM and non OEM USB cables
(but will somewhat charge if the phone is turned off but very slowly and has an error) It shows the battery icon then
it will flash twice the battery charging icon then back to the battery icon with the bolt in the middle and will do that through out the night.
Had a custom rom on there tried changing roms but my computer no longer recognized it and so i've installed removed various drivers
and tried different PC ports and nothing would let it recognize so I manually download a rom on the phone but it wouldn't install.
So I was finally able to odin back to factory stock but that still didn't do anything not only I can no longer go into recovery because it seems to
not have one so I'm stuck and it's getting on my nerves because the only way I can charge it while it's on is plugged into the computer.
I'm my money is that USB port on the phone is malfunctioning so I'm trying to relock the bootloader but can't find a through the terminal, because ADB does not work. Technically the phone still has manufacture warranty. So any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys

Does your computer recognize it in fast boot?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

I had the exact same issue with an old T989 (T-Mo SGSII). Same symptoms and everything. What got me through the insurance claim was that I told them that the phone was doing an OTA but somehow it failed and it was stuck at the ODIN screen. What really happened was the USB port gave way while restoring to stock which caused the soft brick, but after that the USB port was completely nonfunctional. Try re-positioning the USB cable, the port might be making bad contact with the pins. Other than that, I would just ship it as is since they hardly check that the phones are rooted or in your case, an unlocked bootloader.

No it doesn't recognize it in fastboot or anything it says unknown device. As far as sending it back in I've been on the samsung website trying to request a service repair, but I've also purchased the phone on CL. But I didn't have a problem with it for several weeks so I know it really wasn't a defective unit. Yeah, I thought about reposition the USB cable to no avail.
I didn't think about using that... how did you manage to get an RMA or something to get it replaced

So you can use the device itself fine? Cab you go into play store? Download booot unlocker . it locks/unlocks the bootloader from the phone itself
Sent from my Nexus Prime

Questions go in Q&A
Thread moved
Thanks
FNM

My apologies if it was in the wrong thread. Yes I'm able to use the phone fine and everything it's just the charging and recognition that's causing problems.
Another question what do I need to be able to open a repair request from samsung or how do I go about it. went to the website but all it does is take me to FAQs?

Well unfortunately boot unlocker won't work because I don't have root and I can't root my phone through ADB or anything like that because like before PCs won't recognize phone at all unless there is a method I can use through the terminal editor

I don't want to hi-jack your thread, but I am also having a similar issue.
I am running CM 10.0.0 but the cell phone will charge, but will NOT connect to the computer. I have tried two different cables and on 3 different USB ports on two different computers. I have the Samsung drivers downloaded and installed. I did not have this issue before the unlock/flash of CM. Is this is a known issue? Is there anyway around it?

I'm starting to think its a USB port issue

If it hasn't been said before, this is a very common problem, it even happens with a few Samsung phones. It's not software related, all hardware, the micro USB port is lousy.
Unless you want to work with Samsung, who, based on my experience, will probably want to charge you "because you broke it", there's the incredibly hard-to-find Pogo Dock or the inductive charging mod, which is actually kinda neat I may do that, I already have all the touchstone stuff...
There's also DIY replacement of the USB daughter board or whatever the exact term is.
In any case, Samsung *might* help you, for a decent fee and 2 weeks' (or more) time.

Yes, try to analyze USB port pins for damage, dirt, bent, anything that can cause a lousy connection (or none whatsoever)
Sent from my i9250

Yeah, I mean I would have to figure something out because I can't transfer files and the only to do it is to upload them to the cloud which is not optimal and real pain.

well out of nowhere USB starting working and charging now normally. So that's cool I'm glad now just to wait till ubuntu comes out.

USB connection (MTP) keeps dropping

Hi,
Since last few days my MTP connection started dropping frequently. It shows the phone connected, i can browse files/folder for some time and then it disconnects. Anyone faced similar issue?

If your phone is a bit old then it most probably the phones USB port. Remove the battery and clean it with a piece of paper that's been folded once or twice and clean it, or take an old toothbrush and some mentholated spirit and clean it with it. Be careful not to press hard on it lest your break the port. Had this issue in my old Note 1.

sly.cooper said:
Hi,
Since last few days my MTP connection started dropping frequently. It shows the phone connected, i can browse files/folder for some time and then it disconnects. Anyone faced similar issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes note has the tendency to get the usb flex kaput so try cleaning it even with the unit attached using a earbud even and see if prob stays even u need to be sure about your cable before porking your phone as note2 cable get faulty very soon if you are sure its the usb flex of the phone get it repaired through samsung ss or do it on your own if not in warranty
u can find the usb flex on ebay ,search my post i have linked earlier a seller from ebay or find youself a genuine seller and the guide to do here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfvOTFssDMM

no USB recognition

Hi.
After searching and testing for hours I don't know how to proceed...
I can't access my phone via USB anymore. The phone isn't detected, no change in device manager on Win7. Only Win8.1 says it found an unknown device.
Quick Charge also does not work like before, but normal charging works stable on every cable.
On the phone, no connection info pops up. I had to set MTP in the developer settings. But it does the charging vibration.
Some testing before, the device was detected in about 1 of 10 tryings, but only with the original cable.
But now, this also doesn't happen anymore.
It worked for about 4 times in a row, after I flashed a 20g flashable kdz over the 20d, but stopped working then.
Could the method that activates MTP functionality be corrupted? (in download mode it also doesn't work)
This all happens between updating to mm and now.
The phone is unlocked and rooted. I use an extended battery and a SD card. A reset didn't help.
The pins of the port look ok. None of the solutions I found did help.
Could the controller or parts of the port be destroyed?
Could my Aukey QC 3.0 car charger do some harm to the device? Maybe when being connected while starting the engine or something like this?
Is the warranty for hardware problems like this void when unlocking the bootloader?

Phantom272 said:
Hi.
After searching and testing for hours I don't know how to proceed...
I can't access my phone via USB anymore. The phone isn't detected, no change in device manager on Win7. Only Win8.1 says it found an unknown device.
Quick Charge also does not work like before, but normal charging works stable on every cable.
On the phone, no connection info pops up. I had to set MTP in the developer settings. But it does the charging vibration.
Some testing before, the device was detected in about 1 of 10 tryings, but only with the original cable.
But now, this also doesn't happen anymore.
It worked for about 4 times in a row, after I flashed a 20g flashable kdz over the 20d, but stopped working then.
Could the method that activates MTP functionality be corrupted? (in download mode it also doesn't work)
This all happens between updating to mm and now.
The phone is unlocked and rooted. I use an extended battery and a SD card. A reset didn't help.
The pins of the port look ok. None of the solutions I found did help.
Could the controller or parts of the port be destroyed?
Could my Aukey QC 3.0 car charger do some harm to the device? Maybe when being connected while starting the engine or something like this?
Is the warranty for hardware problems like this void when unlocking the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know if that will actually help but just give FWUL a try.
Link http://tinyurl.com/FWULatXDA
This is a live ISO where you don't need any drivers etc. If you have a physical defect it will not help but to exclude windows + driver issues it's worth a try
#
Sent from my LG-H815 using XDA Labs

I gave that a try but it didn't help.
I am totally confused, which type of (bad) usage could result in such a behavior...
It also do not detect my Flir One thermal cam anymore.
How can I figure out if it is based on soft- or hardware?

im having a very similar issue with my g4 , it charges very slowly and shows charging from a USB source instead of AC when plugged to a charger, quickcharge stopped working, and my pc wont recognize it.
i think the problem is a damaged usb port

unleashurfreak said:
im having a very similar issue with my g4 , it charges very slowly and shows charging from a USB source instead of AC when plugged to a charger, quickcharge stopped working, and my pc wont recognize it.
i think the problem is a damaged usb port
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Today I was in a repair shop for mobiles and the guy heated up the internal pins of the usb port with a soldering iron to exclude a problem with the connection there, but it didn't help.
Next would be to electrically meassure the external pins against the internal pins, to be sure there is nothing broken. But I think, I will send it to LG to check the device for the concrete issue.
The guy at the service said, it could be that some of the flashs did destroy the function which calls up the data connection and that they can do a complete reflash without using the usb port.
But... he also said that the diagnosted issue could be out of my warrenty due to the unlocked bootloader.
If you want to exclude the usb port as a problem, it is quite easy to change the usb port for someone with a good soldering equipment. The port itself does only cost a pocket money and there are some detailed videos on youtube for this. good luck ^^

Phantom272 said:
Today I was in a repair shop for mobiles and the guy heated up the internal pins of the usb port with a soldering iron to exclude a problem with the connection there, but it didn't help.
Next would be to electrically meassure the external pins against the internal pins, to be sure there is nothing broken. But I think, I will send it to LG to check the device for the concrete issue.
The guy at the service said, it could be that some of the flashs did destroy the function which calls up the data connection and that they can do a complete reflash without using the usb port.
But... he also said that the diagnosted issue could be out of my warrenty due to the unlocked bootloader.
If you want to exclude the usb port as a problem, it is quite easy to change the usb port for someone with a good soldering equipment. The port itself does only cost a pocket money and there are some detailed videos on youtube for this. good luck ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks i think i'll give this a try

Back to Stock without TWRP Backup and broken USB Connection

Hi,
I need to get back to Stock on my current Samsung Galaxy S9 (SM-G960F) running LineageOS 15.1 Custom ROM. The TWRP backup I made before flashing LineageOS seems to be corrupted, because I get a bootploop every try after recovering. The second problem is, that my USB port is not working anymore while connecting to a Windows or Linux PC. The battery is charging but no device is recognized in the device manager or anything else, although my other Samsung device with the same cable works fine.
So for getting back to stock firmware, I only found guides and ROMs using Odin to flash via USB Cable, which is not an option for me. The only possibility is recovering via TWRP and a SD card, but I don't have a working backup with Stock the Samsung Android.
Does anybody know where to find such an Stock Samsung Android TWRP Backup, or can Updload it if they have one? Or is there another possibility to flash the original Samsung Firmware with a SD card and TWRP?
Thanks in advance and best regards,
John

johnthursday2 said:
Hi,
I need to get back to Stock on my current Samsung Galaxy S9 (SM-G960F) running LineageOS 15.1 Custom ROM. The TWRP backup I made before flashing LineageOS seems to be corrupted, because I get a bootploop every try after recovering. The second problem is, that my USB port is not working anymore while connecting to a Windows or Linux PC. The battery is charging but no device is recognized in the device manager or anything else, although my other Samsung device with the same cable works fine.
So for getting back to stock firmware, I only found guides and ROMs using Odin to flash via USB Cable, which is not an option for me. The only possibility is recovering via TWRP and a SD card, but I don't have a working backup with Stock the Samsung Android.
Does anybody know where to find such an Stock Samsung Android TWRP Backup, or can Updload it if they have one? Or is there another possibility to flash the original Samsung Firmware with a SD card and TWRP?
Thanks in advance and best regards,
John
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure there isn't any trash in your Port. It can play hell on usb connection. Type c ports are notorious for collecting daily lints and dirt and getting packed in. Would be where i start

TheMadScientist said:
Make sure there isn't any trash in your Port. It can play hell on usb connection. Type c ports are notorious for collecting daily lints and dirt and getting packed in. Would be where i start
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the hint, I tried this and indeed a lot of dirt came out of my port and the plug seems to fit safer now. I tried to clean the pins inside of the port and cable with a toothpic and tissue, this was not easy because I did not want to damage anything. However, the device is still not recognized :/

johnthursday2 said:
Thanks for the hint, I tried this and indeed a lot of dirt came out of my port and the plug seems to fit safer now. I tried to clean the pins inside of the port and cable with a toothpic and tissue, this was not easy because I did not want to damage anything. However, the device is still not recognized :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm. I use a sewing needle. If you got one around. A lot of times they wont go in deep enough to fully connect. Id leave the pins be

johnthursday2 said:
Thanks for the hint, I tried this and indeed a lot of dirt came out of my port and the plug seems to fit safer now. I tried to clean the pins inside of the port and cable with a toothpic and tissue, this was not easy because I did not want to damage anything. However, the device is still not recognized :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TheMadScientist said:
Hmm. I use a sewing needle. If you got one around. A lot of times they wont go in deep enough to fully connect. Id leave the pins be
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will it charge now tho?

Youdoofus said:
will it charge now tho?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He said it was charging. At least on pc is what i got out of it. These usb type c are so much bigger than other versions. That when it's in your pocket you get your daily pocket dirts in it. Combines with minute amounts of moisture or sweat. I know of i leave mine in my pocket. In the summer. Me screen will show signs of body sweat on it. So i just assume the port or moist lint and junk get in. Them you cram that big ole plug in. Mashing it it. Day after day it gets solidly packed in. Not allowing the connector to go in all the way. Ive had a few ive got so packed in its taken several cleaning attempts. And works like new. And it seems to be a common going thing. I actually use type c rubber plugs in mine. Usb savers.
Damn shame these don't have odin over WiFi like the gear watches. Or they may and i just never tried