Moto X4 common issues, and how to solve them

When the Google-powered Nexus series was discontinued, the Android One took over with some rather competitive handsets from different OEMs. Like, Motorola (Lenovo) Moto X4 for example. However, it seems that updates (even though they come on time) still come unfinished and a plethora of issues plagued Moto X4 users.

Judging from online reports, they come in numbers. That’s why we enlisted them below and provided you with some applicable solutions. Make sure to try them out before turning your device to service.

Table of contents:

Lags and freezes

From the get-go, we’ll try and provide some solutions for occasional lags and freezes. These, like many other errors, mostly started occurring after the upgrade to Oreo 8.0. and 8.1. It seems that even the Android One devices are subjective to software-inflicted issues.

We explained 3 major troubleshooting steps (Factory reset, App preferences reset, and Wipe cache partition) in this section, so if you see a suggestion in some other issues, get back here and follow the steps. Also, images we provided are from another device, so the settings and paths might differ slightly.

Here are some steps you can take to fix lags and freezes when using Moto X4:

• Clear cache from the app which freezes the most.
• Disable apps from working in the background. Greenify should serve the purpose.
• Update your device for a possible update fix.
• Reset app preferences.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap the 3-dot menu.
4. Choose Reset app preferences.

• Clear the cache partition.

1. Shut down your handset.
2. Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down key until the device starts.
3. Use Volume keys (Up and Down) to navigate through the menu until you reach Recovery mode.
4. Press the Power button to choose the Recovery mode.
5. Once you see the Android with the exclamation mark, press and hold the Power button and, while holding it, single-press the Volume Down key.
6. Use Volume keys again to navigate through the Recovery menu and highlight ”wipe cache partition”.
7. Press the Power button to select it and confirm if asked.
8. The procedure should start and it will last for approximately 10 minutes.

• Reset your device to factory settings.

1. Backup your data on PC or cloud.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Open Backup & Reset.
4. Tap Factory data reset.
5. Choose Reset Device.
6. Select Erase Everything.
7. The device will restart and all your settings will be restored to default values.

Sudden restarts

In comparison to almost all other enlisted issues, this must be the worst. This, like almost all others, also started occurring after a major update to Oreo 8 or 8.1. The affected users stated that the error is hardly connected to a single app, as the phone reboots randomly without any obvious reason.

You can try these steps to resolve the issue:

• Boot the phone in Safe Mode and look for changes.

1. Press and hold the Power button until the Power menu appears.
2. Now, press and hold the Power button again until the “Reboot to safe mode” message appears.
3. Tap OK.
4. If the device works without restarting for some time, we suggest following the next steps.

• Wipe the cache partition data.
• Reset the device to factory settings.

Battery depleting fast

Since the Moto X4 packs a smaller LCD display and Snapdragon 630, the battery life and SoT are rather good. However, that changed with over time. Some user’s reports state that the battery life almost halved after the update.

Here are some things you can try out and, at least slightly, improve the battery life on Moto X4:

• Check the Location services settings for individual apps.
• Disable Always On for Mobile Data.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap About phone.
3. Tap 7 times in succession on the Build number to unlock the Developer options.
4. Open Developer options in Settings.
5. Under Networking, disable “Mobile Data always active”.

• Disable background apps. The update will most likely reset all kinds of your options in regards to background apps. That’s why you need to configure this again.
• Update the device firmware.
• Reset app preferences.
• Perform a factory reset.

Overheating

The overheating isn’t a common issue as some other indeed are, but it’s still present. And the problem with overheating is that, over the extended time of abnormally high temperatures, chances that the hardware will go faulty substantially rise.

That’s why you need to deal with it and here are some steps which should help:

• Don’t use your handset while charging. Moto X4 has the Turbo Charging option and, besides a faster charging, it often can get your phone quite hot.
• Remove the casing while charging.
• Update the firmware.
• Reset your device to factory settings.
• Try an alternative charger if that’s possible.

Underperforming fingerprint scanner

Now, if the overheating isn’t as common, the issues with the fingerprint scanner spread like a plague. Lots of users experienced slow or even unresponsive fingerprint reader after the update. This is the go-to biometric security on the phone, and we perfectly understand why the protests concerning the fingerprint scanner are quite harsh.

But, don’t worry. Follow these steps to try and address the fingerprint scanner issues on Moto X4 after the update:

• Re-configure the fingerprint.
• Try booting into Safe mode and, if the fingerprint performs better, uninstall all recently installed apps.
• Remove the tempered glass or cases which may cover the fingerprint scanner.
• Clean the fingerprint sensor from a debris and greasy dirt with a wet cloth.
• Reset your phone to factory values. In most occasions, we suggest restoring your device from a backup afterward. In this case, we suggest starting clean.

In-call and general sound issues

Both in-call sound and speaker sound get a lot lower and the affected users can barely hear anything. Even though there’s a slight chance of hardware malfunction, a variety of issues emerged just after an update.

Some of them include even the mic, as some users were able to hear everything but the other side couldn’t. Which points towards a system bug.

Follow these instructions to try and resolve the sound issues on Moto X4:

• Disable absolute volume in Developer options. We explained how to enable Developer options above. Once you can access it, toggle “Disable Absolute volume” on.
• If the sound issues emerge in video streaming apps (e.g. YouTube), reset the app to factory settings and try again.
• Use a medical alcohol and cloth to clear the mic and speaker. After that, you can use a compressed air to remove all debris.
• Boot your device in a Safe mode and test the speaker both with media files and in calls.
• Perform a factory reset.

Bluetooth pairing fails

The majority of reported Bluetooth issues (at least the ones we were able to get the hold of) are related to pairing with the car system. This doesn’t mean that certain users had a hard time connecting to different devices. Bluetooth is either disconnecting randomly or won’t connect at all.

If you’re troubled by Bluetooth issues, make sure to try out the steps we enlisted below:

• Remove pairing and establish it again. Navigate to Settings >Bluetooth and delete all paired devices. Pair the handset with the device again and try again.
• Reset Network settings. Open Settings > System > Reset Network Settings.
• Disable Automatic pairing. Pair individually with a device when you want to use it.
• Boot into a safe mode and try connecting via Bluetooth.
• Update the system.
• Reset your phone to factory settings.

Wi-Fi and Mobile Data issues

Connection-wise, Bluetooth is not the only one which needs fixing, apparently. Even the Wi-Fi and Mobile Data issues are quite present, with the similar symptoms. Either the connection cracks midway or the handset isn’t able to connect.

Here are some steps you can try out and look for improvements in the network department:

• Delete all networks and try reconnecting.
• Disable Always On for Mobile Data in Developer options.
• Restart your router.
• Reset App preferences.
• Reset Network settings. Open Settings > System > Reset Network Settings
• Wipe cache partition.
• Reset the device to factory settings.

Alexa won’t work

One of the advantages for this handset is the presence of Assistant choice. On Moto X4, besides the obvious Google Assistant, you can use Alexa as well. This, of course, applies to certain countries, but it’s a valid option. Now, even though this is somewhat an exclusive for this device, user reports state that they weren’t able to use Alexa as, supposedly, the Amazon’s assistant had issues integrating with the device.

We roamed around and found a few solutions you can try to address this:

• Make sure the Moto Alexa app is working in the background. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Settings > Special access. Under “Ignore battery optimization” toggle Moto Alexa on.
• Clear the app’s cache. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Moto Alexa > Storage. Tap Clear cache.
• Check the app’s permissions. It needs the mic access, so make sure it’s still enabled after an update.
• Reinstall the app.

Google Play Services crashing

Google Play Services is the core of the Android platform. Basically, it connects all installed applications and makes sure that everything works as intended.

Now, one would assume that the stock Android experience on Moto X4 won’t have any issues with the OS itself. Sadly, that’s not the case for some users, as they frequently experienced Google Play Services crashing.

If you’re not sure about the applicable troubleshooting steps, follow the ones below:

• Clear the app’s cache.
• Reinstall Play Services and Play Store apps.
• Reset App preferences.
• Update your device.
• Check the permissions for Play Services.
• Start the device in a Safe Mode.
• Restore the Factory settings.

The device is not shown when connected to a PC

Yet another quite disruptive problem for all users. Namely, since the system update to Android Oreo 8.1, more than a few users weren’t able to access the phone from a PC via USB. Allegedly, the device is charging but neither MTP nor ADB modes are available.

We have some suggestions to get this work, so give them a try:

• Open Developer options. Choose the “Select USB Configuration”. From the list, choose the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol).
• Install Motorola suite for the PC. It provides certain drivers so it might help PC recognizing the phone.
• Wipe cache partition.
• Update your device.
• Restart the device to factory settings.

Dialer and Camera apps crashing

Both Dialer and Camera crashes are quite common, but only the Dialer app causes the blue screen freeze where you can’t basically do nothing but forcibly turn off your device. This is a grave issue, but it’s apparently addressed in one of the recent patches.

Either way, if you’re still experiencing app crashes, follow the steps we provided below:

• Restart into Safe mode and try calling or taking a photo. If everything works fine, remove all recently installed apps.
• Clear apps cache.
• Reset apps preferences.
• Restore apps to factory values. Open Settings > Apps. Choose both Camera and Dialer and tap Disable. You should be prompted to restore the app. You can update it later on.
• Perform a factory reset.

Don’t forget your warranty and ask for a replacement if the issue is persistent and the software fixes are not applicable.

This was our in-depth list of the most common Moto X4 issues. If there’s an additional problem you care to share or questions regarding the ones we enlisted, feel free to do so. The comments section is there for a reason.