Develop Bugs

Lumia 900 - Volume level during the call very low

Hi,
I first posted this help request on Nokia Support Discussions on August 13, but amazingly I received no reply to date (I can't insert the link since I have no privileges for that as a new user).
I am experimenting a very weird and annoying problem with my Lumia 900. Some weeks ago, the volume level during the phone call became suddenly very low and barely noticeable. I can hardly hear the other speaker both calling and receiving a phone call. Apparently this behaviour is restricted to the phone call feature in normal mode. If I press the loudspeaker button, for example, I can hear the conversation perfectly as usual. Same using my earpiece: I can hear and talk without any problem. Moreover, the audio output appears to be OK outside the phone call itself: when using apps, music, games or any other feature except the phone call, I can't spot anything abnormal in the volume level, everything appears to work properly.
I would like to point out that:
1) the volume level during the call is set to the max. level as usual (10/10)
2) the master volume of the device, as set though both right-hand buttons, is set as usual to the max. level (30/30).
3) I turned off and on the device, I removed and reinserted the SIM card many times since then, unfortunately the problem persists
4) I did not notice any other problem before this happened, nor the device suffered any "catastrophic" event (such as drop, water or similar).
Basically, I can only hear a speaker during a phone call either keeping the loudspeaker always on or using the earpiece. It's like my call volume were set to 1 or 2, while it is actually set to 10.
Can you help me determine whether this issue may be software or hardware related in first place? Unfortunately bringing it to the Nokia Customer Care is not the first option for me at the moment. I bought my device in Europe, but I am currently in South America. I may consider using the local Nokia Customer Care and paying a fee, but first I would like some clarifications from engineers or advanced users.
Finally, a guy on another forum suggested me a hard reset. I confess I never did that before, is there any step-by-step instruction for this? Or does it make sense to wait for the next software update through Zune (currently I have 8779.12201, a new update however has been already released and should be available for my language within days or weeks).
Thank you very much in advance for any useful information

You can wait for the update or try a hard reset. A reset will restore you phone to factory fresh, so you will lose everything currently stored on the phone; photos, apps, messages, settings, etc. So be sure to sync with Zune to backup photos and videos first, and sync with your Live ID mail account to sync contacts. Restoring email accounts, contacts, apps and media are all easy, but could take a few hours (depending on how many apps you have). If you prepare for the reset (as you can) it makes things easier.
If your other option is to send you phone out for service, that could take weeks. So while painful, rh hard reset is the "quick" fix. If your volume problem persists after the hard reset, then you know its hardware related (be sure to check before and after installing any apps to eliminate any possibilities). If so, and after telling Nokia Care that a hard reset didn't solve the problem, it might just get you a replacement. Quicker than sending it out for an inspection. Hope you get it worked out.
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express Pro

It makes no sense to wait. I assume you are still under your initial warranty, so do the hard reset...after, as jimski says, you save off any pics or music specific to the device. You will lose SMS and SMS history , and any game scores.
Use reinstalled to reinstall apps after the reset, to get or apps installed more quickly.
Hard reset is a harsh way to test this out. However, if you test the phone before reinstalling apps, you cut to the chase real quick. If this is a hardware issue, do NOT wait for a fix. Replace the device and be done with it.
Good luck

First of all, many thanks to you both for your kind reply. It is refreshing to finally have someone listening to you when you really need.
It appears that a hard reset should be the first step to do in any case. While I have no idea when the next update with Zune will be available for my language, I can try to solve the problem alone. Is there any tested step-by step procedure for flashing Lumia 900 or Lumia devices in general? If yes, would you please point me there with a link?
Both your replies convinced me that bringing the phone to the Nokia Customer Care here in South America is definitely not a good idea. Yes, I am still under my initial warranty, I bought my device end of June, the problem is that I bought it in Europe, so my warranty is not supposed to cover me here. If the issue is at hardware level, there is very little they can do here for me without to exburse a lot of money, not to talk about the waste of time. Should the hard reset not work, I guess I'll have to wait for my next travel to Europe or having someone bringing it there for me to have my device replaced.
Anyway, I will let you now about any progress.
Many thanks for your help.

barrel owl said:
First of all, many thanks to you both for your kind reply. It is refreshing to finally have someone listening to you when you really need.
It appears that a hard reset should be the first step to do in any case. While I have no idea when the next update with Zune will be available for my language, I can try to solve the problem alone. Is there any tested step-by step procedure for flashing Lumia 900 or Lumia devices in general? If yes, would you please point me there with a link?
Both your replies convinced me that bringing the phone to the Nokia Customer Care here in South America is definitely not a good idea. Yes, I am still under my initial warranty, I bought my device end of June, the problem is that I bought it in Europe, so my warranty is not supposed to cover me here. If the issue is at hardware level, there is very little they can do here for me without to exburse a lot of money, not to talk about the waste of time. Should the hard reset not work, I guess I'll have to wait for my next travel to Europe or having someone bringing it there for me to have my device replaced.
Anyway, I will let you now about any progress.
Many thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll start by saying, the Hard Reset will not force you to re-flash your phone. It just resets it back to stock settings. This is in fact the easiest and best way to try to resolve problems with your phone. To do so, go into your settings menu. Go to About, and scroll down to 'reset your phone', tap that, and follow instructions. This will delete all your data and messages, so be sure you've backed up first.
If you Absolutely NEED to flash your phone back to OEM Stock, you can use my link here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1605144
One other thing to check (and what I suspect to be the problem) is the speaker itself. It sounds to me like you either have a failing speaker, or something is in the speaker hole. Look closely at it and see if there is dirt/lint/chocolate/peanuts/earwax/etc packed in the speaker grill. It's pretty easy for this to happen. Try blowing it out with canned air and see if that helps. Otherwise, it's probable that the speaker is going out or the connection is failing.
Good Luck, and be sure you decide before your warranty is gone. Send it off ASAP if the above items don't help. PS: Flashing back to stock may void your warranty, so decide if you want to take that chance, rather than wait for repair to return it.

Thank you very much again for your time. And yes, I had found that link in this forum and was already duly reading it. I just did not post this because I still have no privileges to post links.
SuperSport said:
One other thing to check (and what I suspect to be the problem) is the speaker itself. It sounds to me like you either have a failing speaker, or something is in the speaker hole. Look closely at it and see if there is dirt/lint/chocolate/peanuts/earwax/etc packed in the speaker grill. It's pretty easy for this to happen. Try blowing it out with canned air and see if that helps. Otherwise, it's probable that the speaker is going out or the connection is failing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One last question. Would you please clarify whether Lumia 900 has one or more speakers? The speaker grill on the bottom of the device has apparently no noticeable dirt or other foreign material inside it, anyway I will try blow it with air, maybe it will help. One thing I can't explain to me is why everything appears to be OK with the volume level except during phone calls. As I mentioned in my first post, the audio output with music, apps, games etc. is normal. When I use the loudspeaker in phone calls, no problem. So the question: is there any other speaker in Lumia 900 which is used for phone calls, for example on the top of the device? I don't think so, but if yes, this would definitely point to a hardware problem of THAT speaker.
Anyway, I will let you know about any progress.
Kind regards

barrel owl said:
Thank you very much again for your time. And yes, I had found that link in this forum and was already duly reading it. I just did not post this because I still have no privileges to post links.
One last question. Would you please clarify whether Lumia 900 has one or more speakers? The speaker grill on the bottom of the device has apparently no noticeable dirt or other foreign material inside it, anyway I will try blow it with air, maybe it will help. One thing I can't explain to me is why everything appears to be OK with the volume level except during phone calls. As I mentioned in my first post, the audio output with music, apps, games etc. is normal. When I use the loudspeaker in phone calls, no problem. So the question: is there any other speaker in Lumia 900 which is used for phone calls, for example on the top of the device? I don't think so, but if yes, this would definitely point to a hardware problem of THAT speaker.
Anyway, I will let you know about any progress.
Kind regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are in fact two different speaker outlets. There's the one at the bottom which is speakerphone, games, apps, etc... Then there is the one at the top in that little slot. That's the one I suspect is either clogged, or going bad.
EDIT: Do you have a case installed that might be blocking that speaker?

SuperSport said:
There are in fact two different speaker outlets. There's the one at the bottom which is speakerphone, games, apps, etc... Then there is the one at the top in that little slot. That's the one I suspect is either clogged, or going bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it. That makes (unfortunately) perfect sense. Chances are then that the issue is actually at hardware level
SuperSport said:
EDIT: Do you have a case installed that might be blocking that speaker?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No case.
Thanks a lot

Same issue with my lumia asian rom...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

Wow! I thought I was going crazy....'cause I've had the same issues for the past few months. When I got my Lumia 900, I was pleasantly surprised that my in-call volume actually DIDN'T need to be set to max (10/10), and I usually dialed it back to 8/10. Nice...but it began to get quiet so that even on 10/10 it was difficult to hear callers -- especially if I was standing outside. I thought it had to do with a ROM or firmware update, but so few people noted the same problem that I just assumed my phone was faulty.
<sigh>
Anyhow, I found this thread just 30 minutes ago, read through your story, and (for whatever reason) thought it thru more fully. I realized that since I keep my phone in my pocket, maybe the thin ear speaker grill (just above the screen) is full of lint?!? I grabbed a soft, dry toothbrush and took about 30 seconds to brush it out. I could actually see the debris clearing away. Made a test phone call and voila.........my earpiece volume is loud once again! Easy fix. Almost too easy
I hope this helps.

did you ever resolved the problem?
Hi guys love the forum finally joined !
So i recently bought ebay Lumia 900 they are going for cheap =) loving it!
In my case the speaker was working great actually the first week it was way too loud kept it under 7/10 all of a sudden now
i cant hear almost anything below 8/10 and when i go all the way to 10/10 it sounds muffled like a blown speaker already tried cleaning the grill
very carefully it had dust but that didn't help and also erased averything from the about settings
.
Anymore suggestions? Im in the latest update and obviously no warranty .
Thanks :cyclops:

Hi
Are there any updates on this problem,because I am also experiencing this and I think it happened after I did an update with Zune .
Thanks

Hard Reset to Nokia Lumia to address low volume during calls
How do you to a hard reset of the phone. I am ready to try that to solve the low volume problem. I literally took the phone out of the box on Thursday last week. I am getting very frustrated.
Thanks

Ghost Touches on my Zenfone

Hello everyone,
Since yesterday i have been experiencing ghost touches on the top part of my screen., and it keeps increasing. I have not been able to find a solution uptil now.
I am prism barebone Rom (Stock). I was using google launcher, tried removing it, but not of much help.
I am not able to understand whether its a Software issue or a Hardware issue. Should i take this to Asus, i am already rooted, so wonder whether they would help or not.

if you got your device bootloader unlocked , your warranty void but i think there is some article how to getyour bootloader relocked but idk i havent got my device unlocked yet. but another story if you havent done anything to your device, just bring it to asus and get repaired

saggiboy231 said:
Hello everyone,
Since yesterday i have been experiencing ghost touches on the top part of my screen., and it keeps increasing. I have not been able to find a solution uptil now.
I am prism barebone Rom (Stock). I was using google launcher, tried removing it, but not of much help.
I am not able to understand whether its a Software issue or a Hardware issue. Should i take this to Asus, i am already rooted, so wonder whether they would help or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also a prism barebone user and I have the same ghost touch problem time to time. I started noticing this after I received my last update (165).
My bootloader is unlocked and there is no way to relock the bootloader (except flashing the dark splash screen to make it appears to be locked) as such I can not repair my device with warranty. I could do out of pocket repair though.
I did search on xda , internet and found so many postings without any proper solution except send it back to Asus repair service. (Asus changes the digitzer part)
Here is what I found.
1. The Ghost touch (it also called Phantom touch) started noticing around December 2015, after taking the last update. So it could be software related. Asus has aware of this problem and we are hoping that the next update would fix this problem.
2. Everybody who had their warranty repair said that the problem was fixed. So it could be hardware related.
- Some said that they download and flashed the latest firmware and it solved the problem.
- Some said that they replaced the ZenUI with Google launcher and it solved the problem.
Here is one I thought it is useful so I copied it to my note pad. I did not copied the name of the original writer so I don 't know who wrote it.
"For millions of ASUS Zenfone users having Ghosh Touch issue there are 2 temporary solutions you may try:
i) Slightly Bend your Zenfone towards front and back - this should instantly solve your ghost touch issue but only temporarily (be very cautious while bending your phone as excessive bending may damage your screen)
ii) Do Not Keep your mobile phone in the pockets of your trousers as it may again bend your phone and cause ghost touches
iii) Even if the ghost touch is fixed try running the SMMI Test (Touch screen Test - draw a big 'S' from top to bottom of the screen and repeat it from left to right side of the screen) frequently to find if it is really a hardware issue, while testing you may find sometimes the tests are passing while sometimes the tests are failing. If the Tests fails frequently please take it to local ASUS authorized service center immediately for a hardware fix, take screen shots of the tests before visiting the place. "
I used to have screen and phone cover. I took those off .
I no longer put the phone in my trouser pocket.
I did bend the phone sometime.
I am waiting for the next Asus update.

sway8966 said:
I am also a prism barebone user and I have the same ghost touch problem time to time. I started noticing this after I received my last update (165).
My bootloader is unlocked and there is no way to relock the bootloader (except flashing the dark splash screen to make it appears to be locked) as such I can not repair my device with warranty. I could do out of pocket repair though.
I did search on xda , internet and found so many postings without any proper solution except send it back to Asus repair service. (Asus changes the digitzer part)
Here is what I found.
1. The Ghost touch (it also called Phantom touch) started noticing around December 2015, after taking the last update. So it could be software related. Asus has aware of this problem and we are hoping that the next update would fix this problem.
2. Everybody who had their warranty repair said that the problem was fixed. So it could be hardware related.
- Some said that they download and flashed the latest firmware and it solved the problem.
- Some said that they replaced the ZenUI with Google launcher and it solved the problem.
Here is one I thought it is useful so I copied it to my note pad. I did not copied the name of the original writer so I don 't know who wrote it.
"For millions of ASUS Zenfone users having Ghosh Touch issue there are 2 temporary solutions you may try:
i) Slightly Bend your Zenfone towards front and back - this should instantly solve your ghost touch issue but only temporarily (be very cautious while bending your phone as excessive bending may damage your screen)
ii) Do Not Keep your mobile phone in the pockets of your trousers as it may again bend your phone and cause ghost touches
iii) Even if the ghost touch is fixed try running the SMMI Test (Touch screen Test - draw a big 'S' from top to bottom of the screen and repeat it from left to right side of the screen) frequently to find if it is really a hardware issue, while testing you may find sometimes the tests are passing while sometimes the tests are failing. If the Tests fails frequently please take it to local ASUS authorized service center immediately for a hardware fix, take screen shots of the tests before visiting the place. "
I used to have screen and phone cover. I took those off .
I no longer put the phone in my trouser pocket.
I did bend the phone sometime.
I am waiting for the next Asus update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm....i too looked it up and found that it could be software related.
So just for testing purposes, i have started using a custom rom. Uptil now i havent faced the ghosting issue. I will also try the methods you have listed.
I have a back cover that is pretty tight and a tempered glass. Will try removing those too.
Thanks a lot for your feedback!

In settings there is a setting to increase screen sensitivity if you are wearing gloves. Have you made sure this is unticked?

ultramag69 said:
In settings there is a setting to increase screen sensitivity if you are wearing gloves. Have you made sure this is unticked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i did check it. It was unticked.
BTW i am cm13 now, and havent noticed any of the ghost touches for some time.
But now they are back. I assume it is hardware related now. Going to take it to asus.

ghost touch problem in asus zenfone 5
i encountered the problem, i replaced asus launcher with nova launcher and problem was resolved

Redmi Note 8T app freezing

I bought my wife a Redmi Note 8T for xmas, and unfortunately it's been an absolute nightmare to operate ever since she received it. It works perfectly after a reboot, but after a few hours or perhaps half a day of use many of the apps on the phone refuse to open, they just display an all white screen or sometimes the logo of the app, but never open fully. You can close them, or press the home button to go back to something else but that app will not open unless you reboot the phone again.
I did multiple factory resets and re-set everything up but the problem always comes back. I ended up returning it to the retailer (I'm in Australia but the retailer was overseas), but they insist they couldn't re-create the problem, and refused to tell me if they were actually using the phone for a few hours before trying the apps...they seemed to be only ever trying it out after a reboot. I won't name the retailer but their customer service is extremely poor and I certainly won't be using them again. In the end I asked them to send the phone back to me, at which point they demanded $70 to return it as "there were no issues found". I paid it, got the phone back and then cancelled the charges on my credit card just to annoy them.
Anyway...I got the phone back a couple of days ago and set it up again from scratch, MIUI 11.0.5, added my wife's google account, installed half a dozen of her apps (FB Messenger, Whatsapp, Bring shopping etc)...she used the phone for about 2 hours then Messenger and Bring refused to open with the same problem. I can only imagine it's some kind of CPU or RAM issue. It's the 4gb/64gb model so it should be very capable of handling such a light load. Model M1308C3XG.
I figured I'd cut my losses so went and bought her the Mi 9 Lite from a local retailer yesterday morning and it's been working perfectly ever since. Cost twice as much as the 8T but at least I'm not copping an earful any more!
So...I have a new 8T that's has nothing to do....figured I might unlock the bootloader and try TWRP, see if it makes any difference. Did the unlock last night but it tells me I gotta wait 168 hours. Sigh. Anyone got any ideas in the meantime feel free to throw them my way.

Hi Bro.
Me also facing this problem. I am using redmi note 8 (Indian verison)4/64GB variant
I faces the the same problem u mentioned above.
Me also reseted the mobile but the problem still occurs.
Also me unlocked the bootloader and installed the original fastboot flash ROM. But still the problem occurs.
I don't know how to solve this problem.
If you got some solutions suggest me....

Note 8T
Gokul726 said:
Hi Bro.
Me also facing this problem. I am using redmi note 8 (Indian verison)4/64GB variant
<<snip>>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never did get it solved mate, but you know what's interesting is that I can't recreate the issue without a SIM inserted in the phone. I transferred the SIM into the new Mi 9 Lite and it's working fine, and I have been playing with the Note 8T without a SIM...the issue hasn't come back. So my guess is this is a fault with the GSM hardware in this model of phone...it might only happen if you're using a certain frequency which is why not everyone has the problem?

Hi, I'm having exactly the same issues, even though I changed ROM. Seems like a hardware issue. Did you manage to fix it?

Super weird signal / wifi problem

Hi guys,
I bought my Mi 9SE some months ago. Everything was good, but since like two months ago my phone signal dropped to 0. The phone was unable to connect, and it wasn't a problem of APN or SIM because i tried another SIMs and the problem persists. Suddendly, one day the signal started to work again a few hours, and then go off again. Sometimes it works for days, even a week, and then drop to 0 again hours or days. But after that, Wifi started to malfunction too, like it was forcibly disabled. I can't start wifi, and if i try the phone freezes a few seconds.
The weird thing is that those two problems happens like randomly: for example, if i keep the phone on standby for a few hours, wifi start to work again, but if i use it again, it fails again after some use. Same goes to phone signal, some days it works and the suddendly stop functionaning.
I sended to Xiaomi already and they send it back to me because they coulnd't find a problem (Because the problem just happens randomly i suppose).
I don't know what to do, so i'm thinking on unlock bootloader and install a rom. What do you think? I will put here two videos of my phone that shows the problem:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gY8FqJWV_RwDR2u-KQHYU-pHt2d6yEXa
Thanks.

Hi,
I would suggest to try a different ROM. The wifi issue you have (saw the video) is generally related to wifi drivers. Now i can't say why your driver is malfunctioning without logs, especially for a stock ROM...
Good luck!

@ch4mi: wouldn't do so, because it seems to be a hardware problem and with unlocked BL you open an escape door denying service. Maybe it's caused by an antenna loosing connection by temperature. So switch it off overnight for a definite begin state, boot and look, whether the bug occurs after a certain time. Repeat it 2times. Then send it back to service with this information.

Thanks for your replys people!
I don't know if i can trust with Xiaomi Service. I already sended it like i said, and they said to me that the phone was perfect, and charged me 25€ for shipping costs... I writted to them again saying that the phone was still malfunctionating, but the only said to me that they will proceed like always, check phone and if they don't find any issue, i will pay again 25€ for shipping costs... That's why i'm thinking of change ROM.

@ch4mi: the shipping costs are mean indeed. I hoped they would be willing to repair - then such a clue would have been usefull.

Ok guys, i will send it to the Xiaomi service again, with some videos proving the issues. Thanks for your tips!

Question I'm facing fingerprint option missing issue in my mi 11 lite device.is there any solution? I have tested CIT test already. how can i solve this issue?

Please help me to solve this issue.

Try this step again, Go to Settings > About Phone > All specs, tap kernel version many times, test fingerprint sensor. Visit the service center if the test fails or install android 11 new version.

I'm sure this is a software problem. I've never been this careful with a phone in my life and I also have the same problem. Unless the update somehow tucked with the motherboard idk. But my best option is to wait for another update to roll out

Dondiriraa said:
I'm sure this is a software problem. I've never been this careful with a phone in my life and I also have the same problem. Unless the update somehow tucked with the motherboard idk. But my best option is to wait for another update to roll out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought this phone and after some months i faced this stupid issue too. I've been very careful but had to send the phone to a service center. They said that they changed the fingerptint sensor. Since then no more fingerprint issues...

Same thing with me, it was hardware. After only 6 months of use, I had to send it to a repair service under warranty. So far I had no issues with the sensor.

same here, fingerprint sensor is missing from menus. I will send it to a repair service.

Well it seems the only solution is to send to repair and i think warranty will cover that.. Seems like factory problem :/
But I don't care anymore, since if i send it, it would take maybe 1-2 months, so during that period i would be without phone..

Possible fingerprint sensor flex cable damage. Try restarting your phone while gently pressing around finger print sensor.

this is not a software issiue i have the same issiue and i changed the sensor 7 months later it still works great

I was also careful with my phone and after 3 months of buying it, the fingerprint unlock option disappeared. I couldn't find any solution and tried everything I could. In the end, I took it to a repair shop and they told me that the cable connecting the fingerprint sensor to the motherboard was damaged. They said it was due to a design flaw by Xiaomi. I would recommend you doing the same thing if the rest of things dont work.

The same problem started for me. I had used it very carefully until this time. As you mentioned, it seems to be a chronic problem. When I did some research, many people mentioned that it was fixed with a software update. My sensor disappeared a few days after the last security patch. It could be a coincidence, of course. For now, I am waiting for the upcoming MIUI 14 update instead of sending it to any service. I hope it solves the problem or I will probably send it to the service.

mtastepe said:
The same problem started for me. I had used it very carefully until this time. As you mentioned, it seems to be a chronic problem. When I did some research, many people mentioned that it was fixed with a software update. My sensor disappeared a few days after the last security patch. It could be a coincidence, of course. For now, I am waiting for the upcoming MIUI 14 update instead of sending it to any service. I hope it solves the problem or I will probably send it to the service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunaly its hardware problem bro. Button needs replacement , and there is no guarantee how much time will work even replaced. I hate to send to official repair shop, as it will takes weeks, and i have no spare phone. So i just use double tap to turn on the screen aswell to turn off the screen on display

..