How to fix your Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) that shows up “Unfortunately, Settings has stopped” [Troubleshooting Guide]

The error message “Unfortunately, Settings has stopped” seems to be bugging some of our readers who own the Samsung Galaxy A7. While it’s not clear why the error keeps showing, it’s obviously an app-related concern but what makes it a bit more complicated is the fact that Settings is actually a built-in app and covers every app, function and feature in your phone. It’s the one holding all your settings and preferences and is responsible in implementing them the moment the phone boots up. When it crashes, there’s a higher probability that some other apps are affected.

Now, we will look into this problem and we’ll try to consider every possibility. Let’s try to see if we can determine what triggers the error as well as find a solution that will fix the problem and make your phone work perfectly again like before. It may not be as easy as the problem you may encounter with your apps from time to time but rest assured that we can fix it. As long as your phone didn’t suffer from physical and liquid damage, this problem is limited to either the apps or the firmware. Continue reading as we will provide some steps that will help you fix this issue.

But before we actually jump to our troubleshooting, if you have other issues with your device, then try to visit our Galaxy A7 troubleshooting page for we have already addressed the most commonly reported issues with this device. Try to find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions and workarounds we suggested. If they don’t work for you or if you need more help, then feel free to contact us by filling up our Android issues questionnaire. Just give us the information we need and we’ll help you solve your problem.

Troubleshoot Galaxy A7 that shows “Settings has stopped” error

As complicated as it may seem, this kind of problem is easier to fix than majority of other firmware-related issues with the Galaxy A7. All we need to do is determine the cause why the Settings app crashes and from there, we might be able to formulate a solution that will get rid of the error. With all that being said, here’s what I suggest you do about it…

Step 1: Reset the Settings app

The rule of thumb is to go after the app that keeps crashing or specifically mentioned by the error and in this case it’s Settings. To reset an app means to clear its cache and data which will bring it back to its default or factory settings. Don’t worry though as none of your files and data will be deleted when do it…

1. From the Home screen, tap the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Apps.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Storage.
5. Tap Clear cache.
6. Tap Clear data and then tap OK.

I understand you have to access Settings to be able to do this and that might be challenge for you at this point considering the fact that the error might show up the moment you open the app. If you were able to do the procedure above but the problem remains or if you can’t access settings due to an error, then you should move on to the next step.

Step 2: Find out if the error shows up in Safe mode

There are times when third-party apps cause built-in apps to crash and in this case it’s possible. That’s why I want you to observe your phone to know if the error message still shows up in Safe mode. But remember, booting in safe mode alone won’t fix the problem. It will just give you an idea what the cause of the problem is and if you know that, it would be a lot easier to fix it. So, this is how you run your phone in Safe mode:

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

If the error still shows up while the phone is in this mode, then the problem might be an issue with the the firmware. However, if it doesn’t show up, then it might be caused by one or some of the apps you installed. The first thing you should do in this case is update all apps that need to be updated as it might be just a compatibility issue.

1. From the Home screen, tap the Apps tray.
2. Tap Play Store.
3. Tap the Menu key and then tap My Apps. To keep your apps automatically updated, tap the Menu > Settings then tap Auto-update apps to select the check box.
4. Choose one of the following options:
   • Tap Update [xx] to update all applications with updates available.
   • Tap an individual application and then tap Update to update a single application.

If you are already suspecting an app or two, then you should clear the cache and data of each app and boot it in normal mode to see if problem is fixed. If that doesn’t solve the problem, then you should uninstall each of them.

How to clear app cache and data on Galaxy A7

1. From the Home screen, tap the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Apps.
3. Tap the desired application in the default list or tap 3 dots icon > Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
4. Tap Storage.
5. Tap Clear data and then tap OK.
6. Tap Clear cache.

How to uninstall applications from  your Galaxy A7

1. From the Home screen, tap the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Apps.
3. Tap the desired application in the default list or tap 3 dots icon > Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
4. Tap the desired application.
5. Tap Uninstall.
6. Tap Uninstall again to confirm.

Step 3: Try deleting all system caches so they’ll be replaced

If the error message still shows up in safe mode of ir it continues to haunt you even after doing all the procedures above, then this is the next thing you should do. You have to delete all system caches so that they will be replaced with new ones. It’s very much possible that this problem is caused by some corrupt caches that’s why you need to delete them so that the firmware can recreate them. Here’s how you do it and don’t worry, it’s safe for both your device and files but it’s effective…

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds, then ‘No command’ before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
4. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight “wipe cache partition”.
5. Press Power button to select.
6. Press the Volume down key to highlight “yes” and press the Power key to select.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
8. Press the Power key to restart the device.

It may take a little while for the phone to boot up but wait for it and continue your observation to know if the error still shows up. If it does, then you have no other choice but to do the next step.

Step 4: Backup your files and data and then do the Master Reset

At this point, a reset is necessary to fix the problem and based on our experience, it would fix this issue for as long as the firmware is not modified. However, you have to make sure you make a backup of all your important files and data as they will be deleted during the reset. After the backup, disable the Factory Reset Protection of your phone so that you won’t be locked out then, reset it at will.

How to disable Galaxy A7 Factory Reset Protection

1. From the Home screen, tap the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings > Cloud and accounts.
3. Tap Accounts.
4. Tap Google.
5. Tap on 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.
6. Tap 3 dot icon.
7. Tap Remove account.
8. Tap REMOVE ACCOUNT.

How to Master Reset your Galaxy A7

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds, then ‘No command’ before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
4. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight “wipe data / factory reset.
5. Press Power button to select.
6. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
7. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
8. When the master reset is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

I hope that this troubleshooting guide can help you one way or another.

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