How To Fix Samsung Galaxy S3 Common Problems and Errors [Part 30]

Welcome to the 30^th part in our series of troubleshooting articles dedicated to the Samsung Galaxy S3. While most of you may think that this is already an outdated device there are still a lot of people around the world using this particular model. It is one of the most successful models in terms of sales that Samsung has released which is why we are receiving lots of emails from our readers regarding this device.

If you have questions or are facing issues with your Galaxy S3 or any other Android device for that matter feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. We will do our best to provide you with an answer and the best part of this is that we are offering this as a free service to our readers. That’s right, this won’t cost you anything at all. Since we receive lots of emails on a daily basis we may not immediately respond to your query but rest assured we will get to it.

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Galaxy S3 Boot Issues

Problem: Hi – I am hoping you can give me some direction on a problem I’m having with my S3.   I have read through your website on possible fixes for common problems and can’t find anything close to mine. I have a phone that seemed OK when it was left it unattended for a few days.    Upon returning home, the battery was completely dead and the phone would not boot. If I was plugged into the charger or my laptop, the phone would try to boot up to the Verizon splash screen and then die.   Sometimes, it would die much sooner (eg. the Galaxy or Samsung screens). It would then go black and return to the battery charging icon, staying several seconds fully gray, going black for a few seconds, and then showing fully charged.     If I unplug the charger, it’s completely dead and won’t even try to boot at all. I tried leaving the phone hooked to the charger overnight, tried several combinations of removing the battery, plugging in the charger, etc. to try and reset it but to no avail.    When I was able to get into recovery (hit and miss), I reset to factory and cleared the cache.   That did nothing.   I even thought that maybe the Verizon S3 firmware was corrupted, so I booted to upload and reflashed the Android OS.    Nothing seems to change the symptoms.   No ability to boot and no power without the charger plugged in.     I have tried other batteries as well.    So that’s not it either.    I was guessing it was a boot loop caused by a bad power button but that would seemingly exhibit the same behavior whether it was plugged in or not.   The fact that it is completely dead when unplugged makes me wonder if the system doesn’t recognize the battery at all.      Any ideas?  The phone is in mint condition but out of warranty.   So I hate to replace it.

Solution: Is your device rooted? Are you still using the stock ROM? If so then try connecting your device to a computer with the latest Kies software installed and then try to restore its firmware. Take note that you have to enter the model number of your phone and its serial number as well. You will find this information at the back of your device once you take out its battery. I do hope this method works as it seems like this is the only one you haven’t done yet.

If the issue still persists even after restoring the firmware then this could already be a hardware issue and in which case you have to bring your device to an authorized service center for checking.

Galaxy S3 Does Not Download

Problem: Hey man, just came across your page and i still can’t figure it out. I’ve downloaded tons of things in the past and now i can’t. I can get playstore stuff, but off the internet it will say ” starting download ” on the bottom and never end up downloading. Ive tried clearing the cashe but that didnt help. I just got drastic on the playstore and now i cant get any roms. I do not have a micro sd but i have 12 Gigs of space left so that shouldnt be a worry. Can you help?

Solution: First make sure that your Internet connection is stable. To check on this try opening a browser and see if you can access any website. Once you have established that your device can get online check and see what connection you are using. Are you using a Wi-Fi connection or are you using a mobile data connection? If you are using a mobile data connection try to check if you have reached your data allowance. If you are on Wi-Fi check and see if other devices can download data using that particular connection.

If your Internet connection is normal then try switching to a different mode of connection. If you tried downloading using a Wi-Fi connection then try using your mobile data connection and vice versa.

Next, try to do a soft reset on your device if you haven’t done so already. Turn your device off. Take out the battery for at least 10 seconds. Replace the battery then turn on your device.

One other possible reason why you can’t download is that an app may be blocking your phone from doing so. To check on this try to boot your device in Safe Mode then check if you can proceed with the download. If you can then you will have to find the app causing this (most probably a security related app) then change its settings or uninstall it.

To boot to Safe Mode

• Turn the device off.
• Wait for a few second before you turn it on again.
• Turn the device on again by pressing the Power button.
• Press Volume down key when the Samsung logo appear on screen.
• Hold Volume down key until the safe mode Appear on the lower left key.
• Release the Volume down key.
• Done. Now you have managed to get into safe mode.

Galaxy S3 Unresponsive Power Button

Problem: Hello, the power button on my S3 hasn’t worked properly in quite a while. A few months ago it started being hypersenstive, where even the slightest touch to the phone would be registered as a press or a hold. Today, though, the button is entirely unresponsive. I’m worried about turning the phone off now, because though I could always turn it back on my taking the battery out and putting it back in, I tried to do so this morning and it took several tries to get the phone to do anything but buzz. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Solution: To rule out any software related concerns that may be causing this a hard reset or factory reset must be done on the device. Make sure to make a backup of all your important data first. If the issue still persists after this procedure then this could already be a hardware related issue and in which case you have to bring your device to an authorized service center for checking.

To factory reset

• Turn off the device.
• Press and hold the following three buttons at the same time: Volume Up key, Home key, Power key
• When the phone vibrates, release the Power key but continue to press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key.
• When the Android System Recovery screen appears, release the Volume Up and Home keys.
• Press the Volume down key to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
• Press Power button to select.
• Press the Volume down key to highlight ‘delete all user data.’
• Press Power button to select and start the master reset. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
• Press the Power key to turn the restart the device.

Galaxy S3 4.3 Update Issues

Problem: Hi thedroidguy, I just recently did a long over due upgrade from an HTC MyTouch 4g Slide to Samsung Galaxy S3, which came with the Android 4.3 update pre-installed already. My issue is, I have attempted to use the apps on the phone, and some work and some don’t. For example, Facebook apps sync up fine, but apps Yahoo Mail and Yahoo Messenger, and the traffic app Waze, and even Google Maps won’t even connect or display the maps properly. My credentials are correctly put in and then I sit and watch my phone continually try and connect through the app for almost 5 minutes before it times out. Another big issue I’m having is I’m receiving a “HTTPS 504 Error” on some of the websites I visit like my college website and other entertainment websites that I know aren’t experiencing server connection issues, because I’ve logged on other people’s phones that have T-Mobile and it works fine. However, websites like MSN, or Yahoo, or even CNN show up fine without a 504 Error. So far: I have contacted Tech Support and they advised my to reset my phone, which I have done twice now and let my Google Account re-sync. The same issues still arise. They said that it could be issues with the software, and that the only way to fix is to get it replaced. The phone was new when I got, could it be a defective phone? I’m hoping not. This is definitely not the kind of confusion I expected with upgrading to my first Galaxy S phone, but nevertheless, I do like it. Please help find the solution and make my phone work properly. Thanks.

Solution: What Internet connection mode are you using? Are you connecting through Wi-Fi or through your mobile data network? Try switching between both and see if the issue still persists. If the issue exists when connected on a Wi-Fi network and your mobile data network then we can proceed troubleshooting the device.

Try booting your device in Safe Mode then use then try accessing the websites that previously gave you the HTTPS 504 Error. Try opening your Google Maps and see if it can provide the correct display.

To boot to Safe Mode

• Turn the device off.
• Wait for a few second before you turn it on again.
• Turn the device on again by pressing the Power button.
• Press Volume down key when the Samsung logo appear on screen.
• Hold Volume down key until the safe mode Appear on the lower left key.
• Release the Volume down key.
• Done. Now you have managed to get into safe mode.

If in Safe Mode your device works normally then a certain third party app may be causing this issue. Try to find this app and uninstall it.

One final step that you can do if all else fails is to try to reinstall the stock firmware using the latest Kies software installed in your computer. Make sure to backup all your data first, ensure that the phone connects in MTP mode, and that your device has sufficient battery charge.

Galaxy S3 Can’t Make Calls

Problem: Hi, i am not able to make calls from my s3 .whenever I dial any no. ;contacts or an unsaved  number, the call immediately ends .there is no problem with the service provider as I checked my sim card in another phone .it worked just fine…Please help

Solution: Since you tried using your SIM card in a different phone and it works you have already confirmed that your network works just fine. We can then concentrate our troubleshooting efforts on the device itself.

First: Check for any software updates available for your device then download and apply them.

Second: Perform a soft reset

• Press the Power/Lock button for 2-3 seconds to turn off device
• Wait for 10 seconds
• Press the Power/Lock button for 2-3 seconds to turn on device

Third: Reset network settings

• Tap Settings
• Tap More Settings
• Tap Mobile Networks
• Tap Access Point Names
• Tap the Menu key
• Tap Reset to default

Fourth: Try turning Airplane Mode on then off

Fifth: If all else fails do a factory reset on your device. Make sure to backup all of your data first.

• Turn off the device.
• Press and hold the following three buttons at the same time: Volume Up key, Home key, Power key
• When the phone vibrates, release the Power key but continue to press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key.
• When the Android System Recovery screen appears, release the Volume Up and Home keys.
• Press the Volume down key to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
• Press Power button to select.
• Press the Volume down key to highlight ‘delete all user data.’
• Press Power button to select and start the master reset. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
• Press the Power key to turn the restart the device.

Galaxy S3 Can’t Receive Picture Message

Problem: I just read an article from august 5 2013 about pictures messages received not downloading and at bottom it said EMAIL US so I am :).  I have a samsung s3 that has the latest software update and sometimes i still get these.  Yesterday I got a message from someone with picture it worked.  THen minutes later a nother picture and it failed.  What can I do? thank you.

Solution: I am assuming that you mean MMS when you say picture message. Since you mentioned that you can sometimes get a picture message but sometimes you can’t then we can safely say that your MMS settings are correct. Since retrieving MMS requires a data connection then the most probable reason for this is that whenever you can’t get a picture message your data connection may be spotty. Try downloading your picture message where the reception is good and see if the problem still occurs.

Galaxy S3 Stuck At Boot Logo

Problem: Hey guys, id like to ask for help please. Whenever i turn on my phone it just stops at the black screen that shows when you press the power button the “samsung galaxy s3 gt-19300” screen. And it just wont process after that. What do i do ?

Solution: Try turning your phone off. Take out its battery while pressing the power button for 30 seconds. Release the power button then replace the battery. Now try turning on your device. If it is still stuck in the Samsung logo then you may want to reload the stock firmware using the latest Samsung Kies software. Install the latest Kies software on your computer. Take note of your phone model number and serial number which can be found at the back of the device covered by the battery. With the phone completely off, press and hold the Volume Down and Home and Power buttons simultaneously, and release them all when you see the Samsung splash screen. Connect the phone to your PC with the USB cable that came with the phone. If this is the first time you have connected your phone then the appropriate drivers needed will be downloaded. Once everything is set you will need to enter your phone model number and serial number. Your firmware should start downloading.

Galaxy S3 Freezes Randomly

Problem: My samsung s3 screen freezes automatically after every 5 minutes after restarting cellphone… then I removes its battery and start again… and then it again freezes… plzz send me any solution of this troubleshoot… I m totally stuck with this… thank you…

Solution: One quick way to fix freezing problems is by doing a factory reset of your device. Make sure to backup all your data first before performing the procedure. If a factory reset does not solve the freezing problem then there’s a slim chance that this could already be a hardware issue and in which case you must bring your device to an authorized service center for checking.

• Turn off the device.
• Press and hold the following three buttons at the same time: Volume Up key, Home key, Power key
• When the phone vibrates, release the Power key but continue to press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key.
• When the Android System Recovery screen appears, release the Volume Up and Home keys.
• Press the Volume down key to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
• Press Power button to select.
• Press the Volume down key to highlight ‘delete all user data.’
• Press Power button to select and start the master reset. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
• Press the Power key to turn the restart the device.

Galaxy S3 Shuts Down Randomly

Problem: Hi, I had bought my samsung galaxy s3, GTi9305, Android 4.3  sometime in April 2013 and I am  having the following problem in the last 2 days: When I am using apps like navigator or candy crush, the phone seems to be fine for a while, but after some time it starts flickering slightly. This is an indication that the phone will freeze or shut off to a black screen, which it does. After shutting off OR freezing, the phone either cannot be restarted unless the battery is pulled out and reinserted OR the phone restarts and then shuts off again into a loop. Most times once I have pulled the battery out and restarted the phone, the phone works OK until I start some app, which will again cause the problem after some time. Also with WiFi/ Internet or GPS on the phone drains rather quickly within an hour. Is this a battery problem or is there any other fix for this. I have tried rubbing the battery contacts with a pencil eraser. However this has not solved the problem. Hopefully you can help me with this!!!! Warm Regards

Solution: This issue might be caused by certain apps running in the background. Try booting your device in Safe Mode to verify this.

• Turn the device off.
• Wait for a few second before you turn it on again.
• Turn the device on again by pressing the Power button.
• Press Volume down key when the Samsung logo appear on screen.
• Hold Volume down key until the safe mode Appear on the lower left key.
• Release the Volume down key.
• Done. Now you have managed to get into safe mode.

Once in Safe Mode check and see if the issue still exists. If it doesn’t then you may need to uninstall certain third party apps that may be causing this.

Galaxy S3 SIM Card Detection Issue

Problem: My Samsung Galaxy S3 does work properly but somehow it does not recognise my SIM card, I put another SIM card in it, and it worked. Then I put my SIM card in another mobile and it also worked ! So my questions are: What’s the problem? How can I repair it? And when will it work again? Thanks!

Solution: Your SIM card may have dirt in its contacts. Try cleaning it with a pencil eraser until the dark spots are gone from its gold contacts. Try and check the SIM card holder in your phone as well if there are any dirt and try to clean it if there are any present.

This issue may also be caused by the incorrect positioning of the SIM card. Try to make sure that the SIM is inserted properly in your device by making sure that its contacts really connect with the contact points of your phone.

One last thing to consider is if the device is locked to a particular network. Make sure that you are using a SIM of the network that can be detected by your device.

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Feel free to send us your questions, suggestions and problems you’ve encountered while using your Android phone. We support every Android device that is available in the market today. And don’t worry, we won’t charge you a single cent for your emails. Email us via [email protected] any time. We read every email but can’t guarantee a timely response.