Galaxy Note 5 keeps getting notification to download system update, other issues

Hello and welcome to another #GalaxyNote5 article! This post discusses 8 more Note 5 issues and their respective solutions. If you won’t find anything helpful in this material, we strongly suggest that you also visit our main Galaxy Note 5 troubleshooting page.

If you are looking for solutions to your own #Android issue, you can contact us by using the link provided at the bottom of this page.

When describing your issue, please be as detailed as possible so we can easily pinpoint a relevant solution. If you can, kindly include the exact error messages you are getting to give us an idea where to start. If you have already tried some troubleshooting steps before emailing us, make sure to mention them so we can skip them in our answers.

Below are specific topics we’re bringing for you today:

Problem 1: Galaxy Note 5 won’t charge via USB cable

So, i have been having this problem recently and my phone only seems to charge using a wireless charger. I don’t have any problems with that part. But, using the same Samsung charger i got with my wireless pad that charges my phone through the wireless doesn’t work. I have almost resorted to changing out the charging port itself i even have the replacement parts. Any ideas as to why this is? I have done a factory reboot here recently but didn’t fix the problem. I’m currently running Android Nougat i think that’s 7.0? — Brian

Solution: Hi Brian. The most common reason why a charging port stops working is misuse or carelessness. Regular plugging and unplugging of  the charger can physically damage the port as well. We don’t know what really happened to your device though but if it doesn’t charge via USB cable now, you should assume the port is malfunctioning. You should have the phone repaired to fix it.

Our blog does not provide hardware troubleshooting and solutions so if you want to do the repair yourself, please look for other resources.

Problem 2: Galaxy Note 5 screen is broken after an accidental drop

I dropped my phone this morning, noticed a black and purple area on the lower left corner. It looked like it was bleeding internally. by this afternoon it spread to about half my screen and splotchy. So I was concerned that I would lose some of my files. I tried an app called smart switch. moved some files to my old Note 3. But I had to remove some files to get them on so I connected the Note 5 to the computer and downloaded my photos and videos. Then tried the transfer. There wasn’t enough room so I connected my Note 3 to the computer to remove photos and videos and anything else I could manually remove. Now I need to transfer my messages and contacts and snotes. I can connect the devices as I have figured out where to touch the screen to do this but my problem is after I select the files I can’t remember where the send button is located. the screen is getting darker all the time. I have turned off the phone to maybe slow down this process. Help! — Kspreadborough

Solution: Hi Kspreadborough. The screen’s LCD must be damaged and leaking liquid crystals, which can be the reason why you’re seeing splotches. We don’t know what kind of help you’re asking here but if you believe there’s anything else that you can do software-wise, you’re mistaken. The only effective solution to your problem is by replacing the screen assembly. We suggest that you bring the phone to a good service center in your area so the screen can be replaced. Make sure that you let the technician know not to touch the memory to prevent data loss after repair.

Problem 3: Galaxy Note 5 adds extra “1” number when calling someone from contacts app, MMS not working

For one, my phone has been acting as if I’m calling France and it seems to have added a “+1” to all of my contacts, and it won’t let me make outgoing calls if I call them directly from the contact list. But if I type the number out manually it’ll call correctly. And my second issue is that I can’t send or receive MMS or picture messages even though my data is configured in a way in which I can access the internet via 4G. Just no MMS or picture messaging. If y’all can help me out with this I would greatly appreciate it because I spent a lot of money on this phone. It is a Galaxy Note 5 and it has been carrier unlocked so that it goes with any carrier. — Shaun

Solution: Hi Shaun. Firstly, a network unlocked phone only means it’s software has been slightly modified to allow it to work in other networks. The majority of its software, including its pre-installed apps remain unchanged though. This is sometimes the reason why some original features of the phone won’t work when the device is used in another network. For example, some features like MMS may not work properly in a Verizon phone when used in a T-Mobile network. If this is the set-up in your case, you must talk to your current carrier so they can help you. This may be the reason why the phone appears to add an additional digit to the number every time you make a call.

Make sure that you input your contacts in correct format before checking if it’s working. Delete a contact from the list, re-enter it correctly, and dial again. If the problem remains, it’s possible that the Phone app you’re using is the problem. Consider installing third party apps as a workaround.

Secondly, the most likely reason for your MMS problem must be a device issue. It may not be properly configured preventing MMS to not work properly. Again, we recommend that you talk to your carrier so they can check the configuration of your phone. In general, as long as voice calling works in a phone, MMS should work too. Some unlocked phones like those from Verizon may be problematic though simply because of how their codes were written, so again, your carrier may not be able to help you with this.

Problem 4: Galaxy Note 5 showing screen discoloration, touchscreen registering false touches

I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 5, bought used last year about this time. I think the previous owner had it for a year or two before me. While I’ve had it, I haven’t had any hardware or software issues issues until now haha.

No massive drops, no screen cracks, no sticky keys. The problem that I’m having is that occasionally when I put the phone in sleep mode or turn it off, when I press the lock button to turn the screen back on or wait for the load-up screen, the screen will go black, or a grid of green/yellow lines will flash for a second before going black. I’m assuming that it might be a problem with the screen hardware but am unsure.

A slightly different problem is (with touch visibility on so I can see where the screen is being activated/touched) the screen registering touch where there is none, even without interaction with the phone screen at all.

Hoping that these may be connected or there could be a simple fix for this! Thanks! — Catherine

Solution: Hi Catherine. To determine if it’s a hardware issue, the only thing that you need to do is factory reset. If the screen and touch screen issues remain after wiping the phone via factory reset, you can bet bad hardware is to blame.

Below are the steps on how to factory reset your Note 5:

1. Create a backup of your important files such as photos, videos, contacts etc. You can use Smart Switch for this task.
2. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy Note 5 completely.
3. Press and hold the Volume Up and the Home buttons first, and then press and hold the Power key.
4. Keep the three buttons pressed and when ‘Samsung Galaxy Note5’ shows, release the Power key but continue holding the other two.
5. Once the Android logo shows, release both the Volume Up and Home buttons.
6. The notice ‘Installing system update’ will show on the screen for 30 to 60 seconds before the Android system recovery screen is shown with its options.
7. Use the Volume Down key to highlight the option ‘Yes — delete all user data’ and press the Power key to select it.
8. When the process is complete, use the Volume Down key to highlight the option ‘Reboot system now’ and hit the Power key to restart the phone.
9. The reboot may take a little longer to complete but don’t worry and wait for the device to become active.

Problem 5: How to change Galaxy Note 5 themes

Since the update last week many things have changed. Contact numbers flutter like white butterflies. The text had become too fine & hard to read. Text message icon are hidden when trying to send texts. I have no idea what has happened, but immediately after the update things went astray. Can you help. — Mick

Solution: Hi Mick. If you don’t want the current setup of your phone’s interface, we recommend that you play with some options to fix it. We really don’t understand what you mean by “flutter like white butterflies” or “Text message icon are hidden when trying to send texts” but hopefully you can address them by tweaking some cosmetic changes on your device. The easiest way to do that is by using non-default themes, as we assume you don’t want the current default one, under Settings. We didn’t the things you’re describing here after installing an update in our own Note 5 so we’re thinking you may have installed a different Android version, even a non-official one. If you tried to manually install an update by flashing it, our suggestions will not work. You must work with the developer of the software you’re using to get support.

However, if you’re running the official Samsung firmware by downloading it from your carrier’s network (OTA update), then go ahead and do the steps below:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Wallpapers and themes.
3. Wait for the system to load Samsung Themes page. Samsung Themes will give you three sections: Wallpapers, Themes, and Icons. If you want to change the overall look of your phone, we suggest that you go over Themes section and try as many as you want to see if you’ll like one. Some of the items under Samsung Themes are not free so you may end up paying for one that you may like.

Problem 6: Galax Note 5 won’t charge, charging port not working

Hi friend. Actually my mobile is working perfectly for a couple of days and the display alone is not working. When I went to the service centre for more than 5times they told me to use the original charger or used to charge by the computer with data cable. In service centre they easily fix it but they are charged rs500/- every time. How can I fix it? — Manny

Solution: Hi Manny. We don’t think we understand what you mean exactly here but if you’re saying that your Note 5 does not charge properly anymore and a technician has determined that repair is needed to fix it, then there’s nothing more that you can do on your end. The charging port may be malfunctioning causing this charging problem right now. There’s no software solution that you can try to fix a bad charging port or any other hardware malfunction. The best that you can do are basic software troubleshooting that should include wiping the cache partition and factory reset.

If you haven’t tried a factory reset at this point, you must do so after wiping the cache partition. Refer to the steps above on how to factory reset your Note 5.

Below are the steps on how to how to wipe the cache partition on Galaxy Note 5:

During the first boot up, just after you bought the phone, the system will create files for each app and service. These files will be stored in a certain directory only the system could access; the directory is called cache partition. Over time, some of the files get corrupted especially during updates. If the new system tries to use them, conflicts may occur. Hence, you need to delete the obsolete files so that the new system will create new ones but since you don’t have access to those files, you need to use the procedure that Android developers setup for you–wipe cache partition via Recovery Mode.

So, you need to boot the phone up in Recovery Mode first before you can wipe the cache partition. Here’s how…

1. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy Note 5 completely.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up and the Home buttons first, and then press and hold the Power key.
3. Keep the three buttons pressed and when ‘Samsung Galaxy Note5’ shows, release the Power key but continue holding the other two.
4. Once the Android logo shows, release both the Volume Up and Home buttons.
5. The notice ‘Installing system update’ will show on the screen for 30 to 60 seconds before the Android system recovery screen is shown with its options.
6. Use the Volume Down key to highlight the option ‘wipe cache partition’ and press the Power key to select it.
7. When the process is complete, use the Volume Down key to highlight the option ‘Reboot system now’ and hit the Power key to restart the phone.
8. The reboot may take a little longer to complete but don’t worry and wait for the device to become active.

Remember, if your phone continues to mess up and won’t charge, send it in to be repaired.

Problem 7: Galaxy Note 5 lost Accessibility settings after installing an update

My phone updated last night and i lost important features such as voice text, and swipe and number buttons on text keyboard. My Note 5 i used as a  computer for work on the go. This hinders my abilities. How can i get these back? — Gretta

Solution: Hi Gretta. If an Android update reconfigured your phone to something different, you should be able to customize some settings again under Settings.

For example, it looks like you’ve actually lost the accessibility settings so you want to do the following:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Accessibility.

In order to fix your voice text option, you can try the Text-to-speech and configure it to your taste.

All your other needs should be under Accessibility section so just play with them until you’ll get back what you’re missing.

Problem 8: Galaxy Note 5 keeps getting notification to download system update | How to stop annoying system update notifications from showing

I’m actually guessing at the OS because I haven’t been able to find it listed anywhere for my phone. This new Note 5 (SM-920V) was just purchased within the last week from U.S. Cellular over Amazon.com.

The problem I’m experiencing is that, whenever the phone has access to a data link, either mobile or wi-fi, it is constantly trying to do a system update. Of four system updates it notified me of this morning, I watched it complete two to 100%, followed by Android optimization (also both through to completion) but within a minute, the phone shows another available system update. I had the same problem with another (certified refurbished) Note 5 – it used an entire month’s data (and then went over, to incur charges) within about 15 minutes. Verizon was kind enough to reinstate all of my data and just advised me to keep the data turned off and that they thought the phone was defective. Unfortunately, it looks like this factory-new Note 5 is doing the same thing. I followed instructions to wipe the cache partition, which didn’t fix the problem but I’m very reluctant to try anything else. — Jq101817

Solution: Hi Jq101817. There’s an option under Settings menu to disable a device from automatically connecting to a server to download update files. Below are the steps on how to disable

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and look for Software update. Tap it.
3. Disable Download updates automatically option by sliding the slider to the left.

If you don’t have the option to disable automatic system update, that means that the  firmware of the original carrier removed it. Unfortunately, there’s really nothing much that you can do about it, unless you want to install a non-offical firmware, or a root software that can intentionally block OTA updates.

If you don’t want to install non-official software or root your phone, you may want to try third party apps that can do similar tasks. Some users have reported success in blocking over-the-air updates by using Package Disabler Pro (Samsung) from Google Play Store. If you decide to use such an app, make sure to read their disclaimer as they can potentially hinder some important system functions. For example, Package Disabler Pro works by disabling some critical packages which may be needed by your system, which can then lead to errors or malfunction. Be sure to know what app you’re installing by doing some research about it. Reading reviews from other users is a good way to know what potential problems you may encounter when installing it. We also encourage you to contact the developer of said app should you encounter problems right after installing their product.

 

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