How to fix Samsung Galaxy J7 clock issue after major update

There’s a default clock app pre-installed on your Samsung Galaxy J7. Some of our readers have contacted us about the app having some issues after a firmware update. It might be just another app problem or it could be a major problem with the system. We will try to look into this problem to know why it happens.

In this post, we will look into every possibility and rule them out one by one until we can easily determine what the problem really is. If it’s just as simple as an app issue, then we can fix it. If it’s a problem with the firmware, we may still be able to fix it but it depends on the situation. If you’re one of the owners of this device that’s bugged by this problem after an update, then continue reading below as this post may help you.

However, if you are searching for a solution to a different problem, make sure you visit our Galaxy J3 troubleshooting page for we have already addressed a lot of issues reported by our readers. In case you need more help, fill up our questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

Troubleshooting Galaxy J7 clock issue

Problem: This is for model SM-J700T. I recently updated the device to android version 7.1.1. Now, when the phone lock screen displays, the clock display is undesirable it displays on two lines, the hours on the top, the minutes on the bottom. I cannot figure out how to change it back to display the normal HH:MM display all the time. When a notification is there, it looks normal, but with no notification it’s messed up again. I looked online and found no help. Changing theme didn’t work. My phone doesn’t have an option for ‘dual clock’ anywhere, and it doesn’t have any ‘Always On Display’ options either. Please help me change this!

Solution: Since the issue started after the update, it seems like the software was ruined wherein the files and data become obsolete during the process. Although update may help fix problems, but sometimes, it is also a factor to consider that performance-related issues persist on your phone. The best thing that you can do now is to perform a step by step procedure on your device to isolate the problem and to get rid of it. These are the methods that you should do:

Clear the Cache and Data of the Clock App

Before you can do the other methods to your phone it is imperative that you should delete first the cache and data of the app to be sure that all files are compatible to the new system. Meaning, you have to reset the app and all your preferences will be deleted, but the good thing is, if corrupted files and data caused the issue,then, this step will surely fix it.

  1. From any Home screen, tap the Apps icon.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap Applications.
  4. Tap Application manager.
  5. Tap Clock.
  6. Tap Storage.
  7. Tap Clear data and then tap OK.
  8. Tap Clear cache.

After you bring back the app to its default settings, try to see if the clock function normally. If not, proceed to the next method.

Reboot your phone in Safe Mode

It’s possible that one or some of the apps you installed is messing up with the clock app. We need to rule this possibility out by booting your phone up in safe mode. This will disable all third-party apps and if the clock works normally when in this mode, it means that there’s a third-party app that’s causing this problem. You need to find that app and then uninstall it.

This is how you start your phone in safe mode…

  1. Power off your Galaxy J7.
  2. Press and hold the Power key, tap Power off and then touch POWER OFF to confirm.
  3. Press and hold the Power key past the screen with the device name.
  4. When ‘SAMSUNG’ appears on the screen, release the Power key.
  5. Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
  6. Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
  7. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
  8. Release the Volume down key when you see ‘Safe Mode’.

Assuming the problem is fixed, try to find the app that’s causing the problem and then uninstall it, here’s how you do that:

  1. From any Home screen, tap the Apps icon.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap Apps.
  4. Tap the desired application
  5. Tap Uninstall.
  6. Tap Uninstall again to confirm.

However, if the problem continues after this, then move on to the next procedure.

Wipe cache partition

System caches are temporary files stored in the partition that helps  firmware to access data easier and quicker when the device needs to load an app or revisit web pages. So, if these caches become outdated and won’t be loaded in the firmware that would be a factor that the issue is happening on your phone. In this instance, we have to isolate the issue by deleting all files in the cache partition so that fresher caches will be created. Don’t you worry, this method won’t delete any of your important files on your internal storage.

  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 device logo screen displays, release only the Power key
  4. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
  5. Press the Volume down key several times key to highlight ‘wipe cache partition.’
  6. Press the Power key to select.
  7. Press the Volume down key to highlight ‘yes’ and press the Power key to select.
  8. When the wipe cache partition is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
  9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Try to set the clock on your phone after clearing the cache partition. If the problem remained, then you have no other choice but to reset your device.

Backup important files and reset your phone

Based on how you describe the problem, it appears like it’s just another app-related issue. It can be fixed by a reset but this method always comes at the end due to the hassle you will have to undergo while backing up your files and data and restoring them after the reset. At this point though, you have no other choice but to reset your device. So, make sure you make a backup important files in your phone and then follow these steps to reset it:

  1. Back up data on the internal memory. If you have signed into a Google account on the device, you have activated Anti-theft and will need your Google credentials to finish the Master reset.
  2. Turn off your Galaxy J7.
  3. Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key.
  4. When the device logo screen displays, release only the Power key
  5. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
  6. Press the Volume down key several times key to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
  7. Press Power button to select.
  8. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
  9. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
  10. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
  11. Press the Power key to restart the device.

I hope that this troubleshooting guide can help you.

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9 thoughts on “How to fix Samsung Galaxy J7 clock issue after major update”

  1. This unmovable stacked clock makes dynamic themes pretty much pointless since they are obscured by the idiotic clock. Had to remove my theme, thanks Samsung.

  2. There are two idiots, whoever made the “stacked clock” an unchangeable “feature”, and the person who allowed this page to have that ANNOYING MUSIC PLAYING.

  3. mate this was the least helpful thing i’ve ever read. you acknowledge the cosmetic change then treat it like a bug. we’re not stupid.
    old mate paul is absolutely right. phone was top notch before this update and now it’s bloody clunky and all over the shop.

  4. This is not an error!! It was a changed forced by the update. This is not how anyone tells time. Even on other screens, the time is properly displayed.

    What idiot at Samsung decided this is an upgrade??? Do not wait until “the next update” to correct this – do it NOW!! I will probably never load another suggested update. No thanks! My phone was working fine before this.

  5. None of this is helpful. The clock is designed this way in the update and doesn’t have any settings adjustment for the format on your lock screen

  6. This is not a mistake or error though, you can see in how they use example lock screen layouts that this was on purpose. I guess they thought this new clock had a better feel, but were so wrong. None of these tips will help since you’re trying to diagnose an error, as opposed to changing a properly working app.

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