For a lot of Android users around the globe lies the dilemma: older flagship or brand new mid-budget. If you ask us, we are cheering on the side of the older flagship devices.
For example, Samsung Galaxy S6. Amazing device, great design, sleek but occasionally erratic TouchWiz, stunning camera. What more you would expect from an Android smartphone? Well, lack of the timely and functioning software updates may come in question, but only because that’s a general problem with Samsung and not an individual handset issue.
So, recently, users of S6 received the Nougat via OTA update. And then the hell broke loose. Many of them reported a lot of issues and today we provided a list of most common issues and possible workarounds for each individual reported the problem. If you have a hard time with your S6 after an update, make sure to check the list below.
Call issues
We had to start with the essential feature that some users reported as broken. Well, imagine that you own an amazing feature-rich device but, there’s a little negligible problem: you can’t answer your calls. That happened to some users. The phone is ringing but nothing is shown on the screen. This is how one user explained the problem:
”Since the Android update yesterday I go through periods where I cannot answer incoming calls. The phone rings but there is no indicator that there is an incoming call and icons or anything to even answer the incoming call. How do I correct this? I can restart my phone and I can answer incoming calls for a brief period then it start all over again where I can’t answer them. I have changed nothing on my phone. The only thing that has happened was the Android upgrade”
There’s an alternative, but the only permanent solution is a factory reset. At least, if you want to answer to your calls like you used to before the Nougat update. For an alternative solution, you can navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Answering and end calls > and enable “Answer calls by pressing the home key”.
However, you can perform a factory reset and have a good chance of resolving this issue. This is how to do it:
- Backup your data and make sure that the phone’s battery is at least on 30%.
- Tap Settings.
- Open Backup & restore.
- Tap Reset device.
- Tap Erase everything.
- Confirm selection.
Your device will restart and you should be able to answer calls just like before an update.
Wi-Fi issues
Even the fundamental connectivity was struck down for some users. Namely, some of them reported that they were unable to connect to both home or public networks after the update. One user offered a concise description of the problem at hand:
”Got the new Android upday today (I have an S6) and tonight I couldn’t connect to a public Wi-Fi network. How do i fix this? I had no issues connecting before the update.”
These are some steps you should take in order to address the Wi-Fi issues:
- Forget/reestablish network.
- Update router firmware.
- Reset Network Settings.
- Restart the router.
- Use 2.4 GHz band instead of 5 GHz.
- Use Recovery mode to wipe cache data.
- Reset phone to factory settings.
If the problem is still there, make sure to address the issue to your carrier support center.
Camera issues
It seems that some of the native camera features are gone with the latest update. Allegedly, after the update, some users lost filters that were available on the previous Android version. This is how one user described his/her concerns regarding the subject:
”I’ve only had my phone running for a day with the latest update, but the grayscale camera filter seems to be MIA and the low light resolution is sub par now. I always found the grayscale filter to give better photos in low light, so even though I can edit a color photo to make it grey…it’s not at all the same. I don’t see grayscale as an option for a filter to download, but has anyone else run into this and found a solution?”
As you would imagine, there isn’t a practical workaround for this. However, you can use an alternative app before the next system update to utilize your camera’s full potential with all the needed features.
Buttons/keys issues
Another key feature (no pun intended) is broken for some users. Namely, the Power and Home keys are unresponsive for some users periodically after the update rollout. This is how one S6 owner explained his problem and the way her/he resolved it:
”After the Nougat update my power button intermittently stopped working, i.e. unable to turn screen on or if it is on, turn it off. Holding it down does nothing. After charging it for a bit, the problem seemed to go away. It was over 60% charged when I noticed the problem. Similarly, the home button either did nothing or opened Google assistant (did not hold the button, simply tapped it). I powered off and on. I cleared the cache. Yet the problem still persisted. For NOW, it seems to have returned to working normally. Only thing I did was let it charge for about 30 minutes during a car ride. There is something unstable in the code.’‘
As you can see, this issue is somehow resolved by charging. On the other hand, if this strange occurrence is still there after a while, you should perform the factory reset.
Battery issues
Battery drains aren’t exactly a novelty for Samsung updates. After the S7 and S7 Edge battery issues, the battery life is substantially decreased on S6, as well. One user shared a thorough explanation behind this issue:
”I’ve had my Samsung Galaxy S6 for around 16 months now. It seems like over the past 3-4 months the battery life has gotten worse, I’ve experienced a weird problem a few times too. Today, I was surprised look at my phone and see that the battery life was much lower than it should have been, since I had not been using my phone, it had just been in my pocket. Looking at the battery life chart in settings confirmed that there was a sudden drop in battery life a couple hours ago.”
As you can see for yourself, sudden drops of battery percentage are not uncommon after the update. However, you can perform a few tweaks to improve your battery life and those can be found in this article.
Wireless charging issues
Wireless charging is also impacted by the update. Some users reported that they’re unable to charge their devices with wireless chargers as soon as the system updated. One user summarized the problem this way:
”Is anyone else having a problem with wireless charging after Nougat update? I keep my wireless charger on my desk at work. I did my update and then left. Came in the next day and the wireless isnt charging. Its not the charger because someone with an S7 and S8 have both tested it and they can charge on it. Any one else having this problem ?”
If you’re certain that the wireless charger is functional, you can wipe the cache partition and, if that’s not of any use, restore the factory settings.
Reboot/boot loop issues
Now, this is a dealbreaker for most of the users. Once they’ve installed the Nougat update, their respective devices get stuck on the welcome screen or the random resets started. One user presented the problem he has to cope with after the update:
”Hi, I tried to update my firmware with the new Nougat upgrade last night. When I retrieved my phone this morning, it was frozen on the Verizon screen. I tried all of the tricks: rebooting the system, rebooting to bootloader, wiping the cache partition, and even doing a hard factory reset. Nothing has worked – not even the factory reset! It still freezes on the Verizon screen. Any advice for a self fix before I take it to a repair shop? Thanks!”
It seems that there’s no solution at the moment, at least not the one that can be performed by users themselves. So, if you’ve experienced similar issues, make sure to take your device to a service center.
Voicemail issues
This issue is not as much connected to a voicemail as it is an interface bug that causes the message playback to stop after the phone is close to your ear. It seems that the sensor bug affects the voicemail playback. Here is the description of the problem provided by one user:
”I have visual voicemail and anytime I hit play and then put the phone to my ear to listen to the message the message pauses. The only way for me to listen to the voicemail is to put it on speaker phone. Anybody know a fix to this?”
Until now, the 3 workarounds proven as the best-suited for the job.
- Navigate to Settings > Apps > Voicemail app > Force stop, and restart your device.
- Disable all lock screen security measures (pattern, PIN, password).
- Perform a factory reset.
But, for most of the users, the problem is still there. So, we should expect some fixes in the upcoming app and system versions.
Summary
At the end, it’s important to say that some of these may be the isolated cases and the Nougat update work’s as intended on your Samsung handset. However, there’s also a possibility that we missed some of the issues, so you’re welcome to share them in the comments section.
Either way, we certainly hope that the Samsung and the carriers will work their way out of this in the next update that’s at the moment in the beta stage.
Hi.
I had all but given up trying to find s solution to the problems i have had since the 7.0 upgrade. Im in Australia, so not sure where you guy’s are or if the upgrades were rolled out the same way. Ill try keep this brief as possible.
I have, or did have, a galaxy s6 and loved it. Turned it on on one morning to find it in the process of an update, later to find out that it was a forced upgrade to the 7.0. Immediately all the problems started. it was stuck in a constant boot loop, I tried all the suggested tips to get it out of that bootloop and eventually that worked but by that time my phone had drained 3/4 of its battery and was so hot that I had to put it on an ice pack to cool it down. When I try to turn it on again it got stuck on the Samsung logo page so I tried to turn it off and back on the boot loop again. Eventually I managed to get it to at least start up and did a factory reset I even took it to Samsung who said to me that it was the firmware upgrade that has caused problems after he had connected it to his computer
So home I went make contact with Samsung only to be told that they would have a look at it no worries but because the battery is sealed they would need to smash the back which would cost me $250 to replace. Not a chance i was copping that cost and after speaking to Samsung again they asked what my preferred outcome was and i said “replacement phone or a NO COST fix. Neither of which he says was going to happen .
A phone which was 2 years old, never any issues, out of contract, costing $900 odd, that cant be used. Its all but bricked.
Has anyone here has then same problems after the upgrade? My plan now is to contact the Ombudsman because im not eating any cost of repair , especially since it was a forced upgrade.
Thanks for tsking the time to read
Michelle
Why does my whatapp account appear ofline when the screen closes and the app is stil open
Why does my whatapp account appear ofline when the screen closes and the app is stil open
Fair enough.
Fair enough.
The advice like “factory reset is best shot” is piece of s#!t, not an advice.
The advice like “factory reset is best shot” is piece of s#!t, not an advice.
I don’t have those issues. Two days ago my s6 edge got destroyed by google assistant. The assistant started turning it self on by it self, now it turns on the camera too. I turned it off following online instructions I found and its still turning on.
My home button is dead most of the day but the sensor is working. Lock button sometimes works, sometimes don’t. When apps and cam start turning off and on , I have to wait for the battery to go 0% for the phone to turn off so that I can charge it and use it until the same thing happens. I did the factory reset, nothing. Called Samsung, spend 2h on the phone with them, nothing. Im at the point where im thinking of getting a new phone and maybe not Samsung this time.
I don’t have those issues. Two days ago my s6 edge got destroyed by google assistant. The assistant started turning it self on by it self, now it turns on the camera too. I turned it off following online instructions I found and its still turning on.
My home button is dead most of the day but the sensor is working. Lock button sometimes works, sometimes don’t. When apps and cam start turning off and on , I have to wait for the battery to go 0% for the phone to turn off so that I can charge it and use it until the same thing happens. I did the factory reset, nothing. Called Samsung, spend 2h on the phone with them, nothing. Im at the point where im thinking of getting a new phone and maybe not Samsung this time.
Since Nougat update i have lost the function for my phone to ring or change ringing volume via bluetooth when connected to my b9 audi a4. When trying to correct it i get the message “phone does not suport this function” tried deleting and re connecting several times. No change. Any proposals?
Since Nougat update i have lost the function for my phone to ring or change ringing volume via bluetooth when connected to my b9 audi a4. When trying to correct it i get the message “phone does not suport this function” tried deleting and re connecting several times. No change. Any proposals?
I am using a S6 SM-G920V originally from Verizon unlocked After 7.0 update every time I boot phone it says searching for service & can’t receive calls or texts unless I dial any number first. I changed to a new sim card & that not fixed it. I tried a non activated AT&T & Tracfone sim & a non activated Verizon sim & it says the carrier like it should. Once you activate it the problem exists again. Using a non Verizon sim says this is not a Verizon phone which is annoying but can’t disable that. GPS not work now unless you have mobile data or Wi-Fi on When I go into recovery mode to wipe cache it always says installing update & nothing happens then you see the menu. I did a hard reset a few times & not fix these issues. The sound is low have to keep vol all way up but its a bit distorted from the phones speaker. Please help!
I am using a S6 SM-G920V originally from Verizon unlocked After 7.0 update every time I boot phone it says searching for service & can’t receive calls or texts unless I dial any number first. I changed to a new sim card & that not fixed it. I tried a non activated AT&T & Tracfone sim & a non activated Verizon sim & it says the carrier like it should. Once you activate it the problem exists again. Using a non Verizon sim says this is not a Verizon phone which is annoying but can’t disable that. GPS not work now unless you have mobile data or Wi-Fi on When I go into recovery mode to wipe cache it always says installing update & nothing happens then you see the menu. I did a hard reset a few times & not fix these issues. The sound is low have to keep vol all way up but its a bit distorted from the phones speaker. Please help!
Hi There,
I’m having issues with game apps. I play games like Cookie Jam and Farm Heroes and mid-play the app just goes black… most times it eventually comes back to life, sometimes I have to shut the app down. I also have issues with Amber Alerts… the alert buzzes which is fine but sometimes, the buzz continues even if I hit the X key to close the message. Any idea if they are looking at all the issues noted above?
Appreciate forums like this to vent and get advice 🙂
Hi There,
I’m having issues with game apps. I play games like Cookie Jam and Farm Heroes and mid-play the app just goes black… most times it eventually comes back to life, sometimes I have to shut the app down. I also have issues with Amber Alerts… the alert buzzes which is fine but sometimes, the buzz continues even if I hit the X key to close the message. Any idea if they are looking at all the issues noted above?
Appreciate forums like this to vent and get advice 🙂
Since the May update, I can’t record video on my S6 without audio issues, mainly crackling noise and distorted audio. I’ve tried various suggestions to rectify the issue, but nothing works. Is there anything I can do?
Since the May update, I can’t record video on my S6 without audio issues, mainly crackling noise and distorted audio. I’ve tried various suggestions to rectify the issue, but nothing works. Is there anything I can do?
I have sensor issue in my samsung galaxy s6 edge after I updated to naugate after 4 to 5 weeks now I have all sensors sometime work sometime not. Please help me with this problem many thanks.
Regards.
MIAN
I have sensor issue in my samsung galaxy s6 edge after I updated to naugate after 4 to 5 weeks now I have all sensors sometime work sometime not. Please help me with this problem many thanks.
Regards.
MIAN
Sometime after the update, I noticed that when on mobile data, Messenger loads real slowly, Facebook is very inconsistent, and Internet Browser does not work at all. Everything works normally when on wifi at home though… Apparently my sister has been having the same issue…
Sometime after the update, I noticed that when on mobile data, Messenger loads real slowly, Facebook is very inconsistent, and Internet Browser does not work at all. Everything works normally when on wifi at home though… Apparently my sister has been having the same issue…
Hello,
I don’t know if anyone can help with me with this issue but I’ll give it a try.
I’ve got a S6 edge 64GB which had no problems when running with Android 6. But since I installed the update for Android 7, I’ve got freezing/crashing issues with several messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Telegram and even the Facebook app. While I’m typing in a message, suddenly the keyboard and the app freezes and crashes. After that the system gives me the option to restart the app or send a report.
I already tried out the factory reset (deleted all the data and reinstalled my apps after the reset). In the first few hours it seemed to have worked but then it started again with WhatsApp crashing.
Please help me! I don’t want to buy a new phone, I was totally pleased with my S6 edge..
I solved the problem. It seems that it was caused by the Samsung keyboard. I use the Google keyboard “Gboard” since yesterday and had no crashes/freezes till now. So if anyone faces the same issues, try using another keyboard than the one from Samsung.
How do you add “GBoard” Keyboard?
Download it from Google Playstore and install it. After installation, you go to the extended menu (where all apps are ordered alphabetically) and click on the “GBoard” logo, there you can set it as standard keyboard. Note: You can’t set it as standard keyboard in Samsung keyboard settings – at least I couldn’t. I had to do this via the settings menu of the GBoard App.
but mobile freezes on the T mobile logo, how to go to play store? DUDE!
Hello,
I don’t know if anyone can help with me with this issue but I’ll give it a try.
I’ve got a S6 edge 64GB which had no problems when running with Android 6. But since I installed the update for Android 7, I’ve got freezing/crashing issues with several messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Telegram and even the Facebook app. While I’m typing in a message, suddenly the keyboard and the app freezes and crashes. After that the system gives me the option to restart the app or send a report.
I already tried out the factory reset (deleted all the data and reinstalled my apps after the reset). In the first few hours it seemed to have worked but then it started again with WhatsApp crashing.
Please help me! I don’t want to buy a new phone, I was totally pleased with my S6 edge..
I solved the problem. It seems that it was caused by the Samsung keyboard. I use the Google keyboard “Gboard” since yesterday and had no crashes/freezes till now. So if anyone faces the same issues, try using another keyboard than the one from Samsung.
How do you add “GBoard” Keyboard?
I have an S6 Edge (SM G925T) TMobile that has lost bluetooth with the Nougat update. I have done resets, cache clear, safe mode, partition removal, etc and I can get it back for short period. Once I use the phone BT will quit. If I restart phone once BT is functioning it is off again.
IF someoen will tell where to throw it I want to write a note and tie it to a rock and let Google know what I think….
Still not working. Thank you Google for killing a very important feature of my phone. Samsung should be at bat for its customers. Apple has issues but they fix them to get full function back ASAP. How do you think this issue affects my thoughts on next consumer electronics purchase? I have house full of low performing Samsung appliances and now a phone that will not let me legally use it via a BT hands-free connection in my vehicles.
I have an S6 Edge (SM G925T) TMobile that has lost bluetooth with the Nougat update. I have done resets, cache clear, safe mode, partition removal, etc and I can get it back for short period. Once I use the phone BT will quit. If I restart phone once BT is functioning it is off again.
IF someoen will tell where to throw it I want to write a note and tie it to a rock and let Google know what I think….
Still not working. Thank you Google for killing a very important feature of my phone. Samsung should be at bat for its customers. Apple has issues but they fix them to get full function back ASAP. How do you think this issue affects my thoughts on next consumer electronics purchase? I have house full of low performing Samsung appliances and now a phone that will not let me legally use it via a BT hands-free connection in my vehicles.
I have an ATT S6 Edge Plus. Loved it for over a year… After the recent nougat update, I’ve had terrible connectivity issues. Anything that transmits basically. Wifi, 4g, data… text messages just spin in limbo, phone signals are poor, and regular data… where I used to be strong, is non-existant. Was in a waiting room looking atound at everyone happily scrolling through facebook, messaging, watching vids… and mine says “offline”… what happened? Also… while texting… text locks up and I have to wait for it to catch up… then can continue texting. Frustrating.
I have an ATT S6 Edge Plus. Loved it for over a year… After the recent nougat update, I’ve had terrible connectivity issues. Anything that transmits basically. Wifi, 4g, data… text messages just spin in limbo, phone signals are poor, and regular data… where I used to be strong, is non-existant. Was in a waiting room looking atound at everyone happily scrolling through facebook, messaging, watching vids… and mine says “offline”… what happened? Also… while texting… text locks up and I have to wait for it to catch up… then can continue texting. Frustrating.
My galaxy s6 says invalid sim and cant find mobile network option no more after I typed the code ##72786#, I tried restoring factory settings but still can’t find the mobile network option
could you fix it cos i have the same problem
My galaxy s6 says invalid sim and cant find mobile network option no more after I typed the code ##72786#, I tried restoring factory settings but still can’t find the mobile network option
could you fix it cos i have the same problem
Not having any of those issues but I am having issues in calls. I.e. I can be heard perfectly but I can only hear intermittent words from those calling me. It’s only been happening since the update. I have faith Tory tester bit it’s still happening ?!
Factory reset**
Not having any of those issues but I am having issues in calls. I.e. I can be heard perfectly but I can only hear intermittent words from those calling me. It’s only been happening since the update. I have faith Tory tester bit it’s still happening ?!
Factory reset**
Both my (S6 Edge) and my wife’s (S6) Samsung phones after Nougat update is facing some weird issues. The issue is essentially that when you are talking on speaker phone, the phone screen will not turn off even when you press the power button. It turns back on automatically. After some troubleshooting, is seems to be appearing when WhatsApp is installed. I have found this out after hardware reset and installing one app at a time. Does anyone else have this issue?
We are also facing not being able to receive phone calls and not being able to send text message (keeps spinning or sending…). I have done many things to try to fix such as factory reset, update profile, and network reset (##28782#). It seems like this is also caused when WhatsApp is installed but not 100% sure on this. I am trying out right now for few days after factory reset and reinstalling all apps without WhatsAspp.
One last thing is that every time I did factory reset, I restored my phone (settings, home screen, messaging, etc… ) using Samsung desktop backup/restore application. Not so sure if this is a culprit as well so currently I have done a factory reset and downloaded all apps from google play store. I will check it out for few days and see how phone calls and text messaging works without Samsung restore and not having Whatsapp installed.
Minor correction above. the network reset code for sprint is actually ##72786#.
Thanks for sharing. We don’t think that the restoring from backup will affect your troubleshooting. But it’s indeed strange for WhatsApp to cause those kinds of problems. Please, give us a shout after if you discover the instigator of the mentioned issues. Meanwhile, we’ll look into that and respond if some solution appears.
So, quick update. So, far it still seems to be working great without WhatsApp. My phone screen stays off during speaker phone call as well as Bluetooth calls in cars (forgot to mention this in earlier post). Actually, this screen staying on was actually found in three different places.
1) During phone call when phone is either in speaker or not in speaker and placed on the desk. Once again even when you pressed power off it did not stay off.
2) Phone call over Bluetooth in car. Screen will not go off and comes right back on after screen timeout.
3) Google calendar recurring notification. When that pops up screen will not go off either until you dismiss it.
None of the above are issue right now as long as I don’t install WhatsApp and not open it. Actually installing is not an issue but once you open the app the above mentioned issues start occurring. I love WhatApp but not so sure what I can do until someone figures out the issue related to this. By the way once you open the WhasApp there seems to be nothing that stops this unless you do factory reset.
It would be nice to know, if someone can test this on Sprint Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge and after factory reset seeing this issue.
Thanks again for sharing. We don’t have the slightest idea why would the WhatsApp affect your phone in such a manner.
I too am experiencing What’s App related issues on my S6.I can only send or receive one or two messages before it freezes then crashes. I have tried all the solutions, back-up and factory reset, reinstallation of app etc and I am getting a bit cheesed off restarting my handset every 30 mins. Should I just delete Whats app altogether? Also have camera freeze, and phone does not ring on incoming calls, even though ringer is on full and settings are right. All this since the update…I want my old S6 back!
Both my (S6 Edge) and my wife’s (S6) Samsung phones after Nougat update is facing some weird issues. The issue is essentially that when you are talking on speaker phone, the phone screen will not turn off even when you press the power button. It turns back on automatically. After some troubleshooting, is seems to be appearing when WhatsApp is installed. I have found this out after hardware reset and installing one app at a time. Does anyone else have this issue?
We are also facing not being able to receive phone calls and not being able to send text message (keeps spinning or sending…). I have done many things to try to fix such as factory reset, update profile, and network reset (##28782#). It seems like this is also caused when WhatsApp is installed but not 100% sure on this. I am trying out right now for few days after factory reset and reinstalling all apps without WhatsAspp.
One last thing is that every time I did factory reset, I restored my phone (settings, home screen, messaging, etc… ) using Samsung desktop backup/restore application. Not so sure if this is a culprit as well so currently I have done a factory reset and downloaded all apps from google play store. I will check it out for few days and see how phone calls and text messaging works without Samsung restore and not having Whatsapp installed.
Minor correction above. the network reset code for sprint is actually ##72786#.
Thanks for sharing. We don’t think that the restoring from backup will affect your troubleshooting. But it’s indeed strange for WhatsApp to cause those kinds of problems. Please, give us a shout after if you discover the instigator of the mentioned issues. Meanwhile, we’ll look into that and respond if some solution appears.
So, quick update. So, far it still seems to be working great without WhatsApp. My phone screen stays off during speaker phone call as well as Bluetooth calls in cars (forgot to mention this in earlier post). Actually, this screen staying on was actually found in three different places.
1) During phone call when phone is either in speaker or not in speaker and placed on the desk. Once again even when you pressed power off it did not stay off.
2) Phone call over Bluetooth in car. Screen will not go off and comes right back on after screen timeout.
3) Google calendar recurring notification. When that pops up screen will not go off either until you dismiss it.
None of the above are issue right now as long as I don’t install WhatsApp and not open it. Actually installing is not an issue but once you open the app the above mentioned issues start occurring. I love WhatApp but not so sure what I can do until someone figures out the issue related to this. By the way once you open the WhasApp there seems to be nothing that stops this unless you do factory reset.
It would be nice to know, if someone can test this on Sprint Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge and after factory reset seeing this issue.