Samsung Galaxy S8 Active Troubleshooting

The phone’s battery level decreases at a much faster rate than expected.

Having the display brightness on high can cause battery drainage. To lower the display brightness, go to Settings → Display → Brightness . Adjust the brightness level to a lower setting to decrease battery usage.

The Always On Display, or AOD, will cause battery drainage since the screen will always be on. To turn off the Always On Display, go to Settings→Display→Always On Display . Turning off the Always On Display will decrease battery drainage as the screen will only be on while in use.

Some apps like Facebook, Snapchat, and Netflix constantly run to communicate with servers and download new content. To check if any apps on the device cause battery drainage, go to Settings → Device Maintenance → Battery → Battery Usage. You should see a list of apps that consume the most battery power for a certain period of time. Uninstall or modify an app’s behavior so that it does not constantly download new content.

If there are apps in the list on the 'Battery Usage' page that you did not install or do not recognize, they may be components of a malware attack and cause battery drainage. Uninstall these apps immediately.

Turn off automatic uploads for apps or backups. Review each app’s settings and checking to see if any are set to automatically upload or refresh. If you use Samsung Cloud services, change the settings under 'Samsung Cloud' to OFF for apps that you do not want uploading automatically.

The cache partition can become corrupted by software updates.

Boot the device in Recovery Mode and wipe the cache partition. Wiping the cache partition will rule out the possibility that the cause battery drainage is caused by corrupt caches.

Turn off the device by pressing and holding the Power/Lock button, then select 'Power Off' to confirm.

Note: If you are unable to access the screen to restart the device or if it becomes unresponsive, press and hold the Volume down and Power/Lock buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds, until the device restarts.

1. Press and hold the Volume Up and Bixby button (the button below Volume Up and Volume Down) simultaneously, then press and hold the Power button.
2. When the Android logo appears, release all buttons.
3. ‘Installing System Update’ will appear for 30-60 seconds before showing the Android system Recovery Menu options.
4. Press the Volume Down button until ‘Wipe Cache Partition’ is highlighted.
5. Push the Power button to select.
6. Using the Volume Down button, highlight ‘yes’ and press the Power button to select.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, ‘Reboot System Now’ is highlighted automatically.
8. Press and hold the Power/Lock button until the screen lights up to restart the device.

If you are still having issues with your device, you may need to complete a Factory Data Reset. This will erase all data on your device and restore it to factory settings.

Note: A Factory Data Reset will revert the device back to factory settings. This means that all personal data, preferences, settings, and content will be permanently erased. Save (backup) important data before proceeding with the Factory Reset.

After backing up all personal files and data, disable the Factory Reset Protection so you will not be locked out of your device after the reset.

To disable Factory Reset Protection, sign out of your Google ID on the device and elect to not sign in with a Google ID into any Google devices. When you sign in with a Google ID to any service and set up any password (i.e. PIN, Pattern, Finger Print, etc.), you automatically turn on anti-theft.

To sign out of your Google ID:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings→ Cloud and Accounts→ Accounts→ Google.
3. Select your Google ID email address if multiple accounts are setup. If you have multiple accounts setup, repeat these steps for each account.
4. Touch the icon with three small dots → Remove Account → Remove Account.

From the home screen, swipe down from the Notification bar then select Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset → Reset → Delete All.

1. With the device powered off, press and hold the Power/Lock, Volume Up, and Bixby button (the button below the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons) simultaneously until the Android Recovery screen appears.
2. Push the Volume Down button until ‘Wipe Data/Factory Reset’ is highlighted, then push the Power/Lock button.
3. Press the Volume Down button until ‘Yes’ is highlighted, then press the Power/Lock button to begin the reset process.
4. When the Android Recovery screen displays again, ensure that ‘Reboot System Now’ is highlighted. Press the Power/Lock button to select.

If the problem persists after the Factory Reset, the device is defective. Return the device and have it replaced.

When the device is plugged in to a power source (i.e. an outlet or a portable charger), it does not charge.

For newer Galaxy phones, the chargers are designed to have a fast charging capability. Ensure that the charger being used is the one specific to the model of your device.

Check both ends of the charger. Clean out any debris or lint that can be causing a disruption in the connectors. To further inspect if the charger is the problem, connect your device to a computer. If the device is detected by your computer, then there is a problem with your wall adapter, and your charging cord is in working condition. If the device is not detected by your computer, consider buying a new charging cord that is specific to the model of your device.

To rule out the possibility that third-party apps are causing the inability to charge, boot your device in safe mode to temporarily disable all third-party elements.

1. Turn the device off. Press and hold the Power/Lock button, then select 'Power Off.' Select 'Power Off' to confirm.
2. Press and hold the Power button past the model name screen.
3. When 'SAMSUNG' appears on the screen, release the Power button.
4. Immediately after releasing the Power button, press and hold the Volume Down button.
5. Continue to hold the Volume Down button until the device finishes restarting.
6. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
7. Release the Volume Down button when you see 'Safe Mode.'

If your device runs normally in Safe Mode, an app is responsible for the lag. Consider apps that were installed prior to the lag issue, update these apps, and reset or uninstall the app if updating the app does not solve the issue.

After utilizing the solutions listed above, if the device still does not charge when plugged in, there is a chance that the battery itself is faulty. Replace the battery using this guide.

If you are still having issues with your device, you may need to complete a Factory Data Reset. This will erase all data on your device and restore it to factory settings.

Note: A Factory Data Reset will revert the device back to factory settings. This means that all personal data, preferences, settings, and content will be permanently erased. Save (backup) important data before proceeding with the Factory Reset.

After backing up all personal files and data, disable the Factory Reset Protection so you will not be locked out of your device after the reset.

To disable Factory Reset Protection, sign out of your Google ID on the device and elect to not sign in with a Google ID into any Google devices. When you sign in with a Google ID to any service and set up any password (i.e. PIN, Pattern, Finger Print, etc.), you automatically turn on anti-theft.

To sign out of your Google ID:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings → Cloud and Accounts → Accounts → Google.
3. Select your Google ID email address if multiple accounts are setup. If you have multiple accounts setup, you will need to repeat these steps for each account.
4. Touch the icon with three small dots → Remove Account → Remove Account.

From the home screen, swipe down from the Notification bar then select Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset → Reset → Delete All.

1. With the device powered off, press and hold the Power/Lock, Volume Up button, and Bixby button (the button below the Volume Up/Volume Down buttons) simultaneously until the Android Recovery screen appears.
2. Push the Volume Down button until ‘Wipe Data/Factory Reset’ is highlighted, then push the Power/Lock button.
3. Press the Volume Down button until ‘Yes’ is highlighted, then press the Power/Lock button to begin the reset process.
4. When the Android Recovery screen displays again, ensure that ‘Reboot System Now’ is highlighted. Press the Power/Lock button to select.

If the problem persists after the Factory Reset, the device is defective. Return the device and have it replaced.

The device randomly disconnects from WiFi or does not connect at all.

If this setting is not turned on, then your device will not automatically connect to WiFi.

Go to Settings → WiFi. Turn the switch to 'ON'.

The device's system might need a reboot. To restart the device, hold down the Power/Lock button until you see the 'Power Off' and 'Restart' options. Tap 'Restart.'

An outdated operating system can be the cause of the WiFi not connecting to your device.

To update your device, go to Settings → Software Update → Check for Update. If your device has an update available, install the newest software update.

If you are still having issues with your device, you may need to complete a Factory Data Reset. This will erase all data on your device and restore it to factory settings.

Note: A Factory Data Reset will revert the device back to factory settings. This means that all personal data, preferences, settings, and content will be permanently erased. Save (backup) important data before proceeding with the Factory Reset.

After backing up all personal files and data, disable the Factory Reset Protection so you will not be locked out of your device after the reset.

To disable Factory Reset Protection, sign out of your Google ID on the device and elect to not sign in with a Google ID into any Google devices. When you sign in with a Google ID to any service and set up any password (i.e. PIN, Pattern, Finger Print, etc.), you automatically turn on anti-theft.

To sign out of your Google ID:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings → Cloud and Accounts → Accounts → Google.
3. Select your Google ID email address if multiple accounts are setup. If you have multiple accounts setup, you will need to repeat these steps for each account.
4. Touch the icon with three small dots → Remove Account → Remove Account

From the home screen, swipe down from the Notification bar then select Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset → Reset → Delete All.

1. With the device powered off, press and hold the Power/Lock, Volume Up, and Bixby button (the button below the Volume Up/Volume Down buttons) simultaneously until the Android Recovery screen appears.
2. Push the Volume Down button until ‘Wipe Data/Factory Reset’ is highlighted, then push the Power/Lock button.
3. Press the Volume Down button until ‘Yes’ is highlighted, then press the Power/Lock button to begin the reset process.
4. When the Android Recovery screen displays again, ensure that ‘Reboot System Now’ is highlighted. Press the Power/Lock button to select.

If the problem persists after the Factory Reset, the device is defective. Return the device and have it replaced.

The device restarts randomly, often multiple times a day.

To update your device, go to Settings → Software Update → Check for Update. If your device has an update available, install the newest software update.

A software bug can often be fixed with a forced restart. Force restart the device by pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons for 10 seconds or until the device powers off. Release the buttons when the Samsung start up screen appears.

Checking for liquid damage:

1. Look into the USB charging port for any traces of liquid.
2. If there is moisture present, clean out the port with a tissue or a cotton swab.
3. Remove the SIM tray using a paperclip to check the Liquid Damage Indicator (LDI).
   • If the LDI is white, the device is free from liquid damage. If the LDI is red or purple, the device has had liquid inside of it.
4. If there is liquid damage, see how to replace affected parts with the Motherboard Replacement Guide or I/O Daughterboard Replacement Guide.

To rule out the possibility that third-party apps are causing the restarts, boot your device in safe mode to temporarily disable all third-party elements.

Your device will not restart randomly in safe mode if the issue is caused by an app.

1. Turn the device off. Press and hold the Power/Lock button, then select Power off. Select 'Power Off' to confirm.
2. Press and hold the Power button past the model name screen.
3. When 'SAMSUNG' appears on the screen, release the Power button.
4. Immediately after releasing the Power button, press and hold the Volume Down button.
5. Continue to hold the Volume Down button until the device finishes restarting.
6. 'Safe Mode' will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
7. Release the Volume Down button when you see 'Safe Mode.'

If your device runs normally in Safe Mode, an app is responsible for the restarts. Consider apps that were installed prior to the restart issue, update these apps, and reset or uninstall the app if updating the app does not solve the issue.

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap 'Play Store.'
3. Select Menu → My Apps . To keep your apps automatically updated, tap Menu → Settings then enable Auto-update apps .

Choose one of the following options:

• Tap Update [#] to update all applications with updates available.
• Tap an individual application and then tap Update.

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings → Apps.
3. Choose the desired application in the default list or tap the icon with three dots → Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
4. Find and select Storage → Clear data → OK → Clear cache.

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings → Apps.
3. Choose the desired application in the default list or tap the icon with three dots → Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
4. Select the desired application → Uninstall → Uninstall.

Boot the device in recovery mode and wipe the cache partition. Wiping the cache partition will rule out the possibility that the restarts are caused by corrupt caches.

Turn off the device by pressing and holding the Power/Lock button, then select 'Power Off' to confirm.

Note: If you are unable to access the screen to restart the device or if it becomes unresponsive, press and hold the Volume down and Power/Lock buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds or until the device restarts.

1. Press and hold the Volume Up and Bixby button simultaneously, then press and hold the Power button.
2. When the Android logo appears, release all buttons.
3. ‘Installing System Update’ will appear for 30-60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options.
4. Press the Volume Down button until ‘Wipe Cache Partition’ is highlighted.
5. Push the Power button to select.
6. Using the Volume Down button, highlight ‘yes’ and press the Power button to select.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, ‘Reboot System Now’ is highlighted automatically.
8. Press and hold the Power/Lock button until the screen lights up to restart the device.

If the problem persists after trying all of the listed fixes to the software of the phone, there is a chance that the battery itself is faulty. Replace the battery using this guide.

If you are still having issues with your device, you may need to complete a Factory Data Reset. This will erase all data on your device and restore it to factory settings.

Note: A Factory Data Reset will revert the device back to factory settings. This means that all personal data, preferences, settings, and content will be permanently erased. Save (backup) important data before proceeding with the Factory Reset.

After backing up all personal files and data, disable the Factory Reset Protection so you will not be locked out of your device after the reset.

To disable Factory Reset Protection, sign out of your Google ID on the device and elect to not sign in with a Google ID into any Google devices. When you sign in with a Google ID to any service and set up any password (i.e. PIN, Pattern, Finger Print, etc.), you automatically turn on ant-theft.

To sign out of your Google ID:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings → Cloud and Accounts → Accounts → Google.
3. Select your Google ID email address if multiple accounts are setup. If you have multiple accounts setup, you will need to repeat these steps for each account.
4. Touch the icon with three small dots → Remove Account → Remove Account.

From the home screen, swipe down from the Notification bar then select Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset → Reset → Delete All.

1. With the device powered off, press and hold the Power/Lock, Volume Up, and Bixby button (the button below the Volume Up/Volume Down buttons) simultaneously until the Android Recovery screen appears.
2. Push the Volume Down button until ‘Wipe Data/Factory Reset’ is highlighted, then push the Power/Lock button.
3. Press the Volume Down button until ‘Yes’ is highlighted, then press the Power/Lock button to begin the reset process.
4. When the Android Recovery screen displays again, ensure that ‘Reboot System Now’ is highlighted. Press the Power/Lock button to select.

If the problem persists after the Factory Reset, the device is defective. Return the device and have it replaced.

When powered on, the display has a slight red hue.

This issue was first identified by Samsung; Samsung promptly released a software update to correct the problem.

To update your device, go to ‘' Settings → Software Update → Check for Update. ’’ If your device has an update available, install the newest software update.

It could be that the color settings of your display have been changed. To check, open ‘’Settings → Display → Screen Mode. '' Ensure the color sliders are all at the same level. If they are go back to ‘’Display → Blue Light Filter’’ and check to see if the Blue Light Filter is enabled; if it is, disable it.

If the problem persists after updating the software of the phone and checking the color levels of the display, there is a chance that the display itself is faulty. Replace the display using this guide.

When attempting to open applications from the home screen, the device reacts after a short period of time, rather than immediately. Or, when scrolling through the settings, the motion is delayed.

To rule out the possibility that third-party apps are causing the delay, boot your device in safe mode to temporarily disable all third-party elements.

Your device will not lag in safe mode if the issue is caused by an app.

1. Turn the device off. Press and hold the Power/Lock button, then select 'Power Off' to confirm.
2. Press and hold the Power button past the model name screen.
3. When “SAMSUNG” appears on the screen, release the Power button.
4. Immediately after releasing the Power button, press and hold the Volume Down button.
5. Continue to hold the Volume Down button until the device finishes restarting.
6. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
7. Release the Volume Down button when you see 'Safe Mode.'

If your device runs normally in Safe Mode, an app is responsible for the lag. Consider apps that were installed prior to the lag issue, update these apps, and reset or uninstall the app if updating the app does not solve the issue.

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Play Store.
3. Select Menu → My Apps. To keep your apps automatically updated, tap Menu → Settings then enable Auto-update apps.

Choose one of the following options:

• Tap Update [#] to update all applications with updates available.
  • Tap an individual application and then tap Update.

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings → Apps.
3. Choose the desired application in the default list or tap the icon with three dots → Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
4. Find and select Storage → Clear data → OK → Clear cache.

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings → Apps.
3. Choose the desired application in the default list or tap the icon with three dots → Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
4. Select the desired application → Uninstall → Uninstall.

Boot the device in recovery mode and wipe the cache partition. Wiping the cache partition will rule out the possibility that the lag is caused by corrupt caches.

Turn off the device by pressing and holding the Power/Lock button, then select 'Power Off' to confirm.

Note: If you are unable to access the screen to restart the device or if it becomes unresponsive, press and hold the Volume down and Power/Lock buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds or until the device restarts.

Wipe the cache partition using these steps:

1. Press and hold the Volume Up and Bixby button simultaneously, then press and hold the Power button.
2. When the Android logo appears, release all buttons.
3. ‘Installing System Update’ will appear for 30-60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options.
4. Press the Volume Down button until ‘Wipe Cache Partition’ is highlighted.
5. Push the Power button to select.
6. Using the Volume Down button, highlight ‘yes’ and press the Power button to select.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, ‘Reboot System Now’ is highlighted automatically.
8. Press and hold the Power/Lock button until the screen lights up to restart the device.

If you are still having issues with your device, you may need to complete a Factory Data Reset. This will erase all data on your device and restore it to factory settings.

Note: A Factory Data Reset will revert the device back to factory settings. This means that all personal data, preferences, settings, and content will be permanently erased. Save (backup) important data before proceeding with the Factory Reset.

After backing up all personal files and data, disable the Factory Reset Protection so you will not be locked out of your device after the reset.

To disable Factory Reset Protection, sign out of your Google ID on the device and elect to not sign in with a Google ID into any Google devices. When you sign in with a Google ID to any service and set up any password (i.e. PIN, Pattern, Finger Print, etc.), you automatically turn on anti-theft.

To sign out of your Google ID:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings → Cloud and Accounts → Accounts → Google.
3. Select your Google ID email address if multiple accounts are setup. If you have multiple accounts setup, you will need to repeat these steps for each account.
4. Touch the icon with three small dots → Remove Account → Remove Account.

From the home screen, swipe down from the Notification bar then select Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset → Reset → Delete All.

1. With the device powered off, press and hold the Power/Lock, Volume Up button, and Bixby button (the button below the Volume Up/Volume Down buttons), simultaneously until the Android Recovery screen appears.
2. Push the Volume Down button until ‘Wipe Data/Factory Reset’ is highlighted, then push the Power/Lock button.
3. Press the Volume Down button until ‘Yes’ is highlighted, then press the Power/Lock button to begin the reset process.
4. When the Android Recovery screen displays again, ensure that ‘Reboot System Now’ is highlighted. Press the Power/Lock button to select.

If the problem persists after the Factory Reset, the device is defective. Return the device and have it replaced.