Galaxy Note9 won’t change Sound Mode (only option is Sound)

This troubleshooting episode will deal with a Galaxy Note9 issue about Sound Mode. As described below, we have a Note9 user that’s wondering why only Sound is the option under Sound Mode. The problem goes away though when device is on safe mode. Learn what to do next.

Problem: Galaxy Note9 Sound Mode defaults to Sound (no other options)

I cannot change Sound Mode; it’s pinned to Sound.  When I select Vibrate or Mute, I get a brief bleep sound (default notification?) and the phone resorts back to Sound.  This issue persists after rebooting the phone, wiping the Cache Partition, and resetting Settings. When I boot into Safe Mode I am able to change Sound Mode.

Solution: The most likely culprit is a downloaded app. For the benefit of those who has not tried any troubleshooting steps, below is the complete list of things that you can try.

Restart the device

Try to refresh the system by doing the steps below:

1. Press and hold the Power + Volume Down buttons for approximately 10 seconds or until the device power cycles. Allow several seconds for the Maintenance Boot Mode screen to appear.
2. From the Maintenance Boot Mode screen, select Normal Boot. You can use the volume buttons to cycle through the available options and the lower left button (below the volume buttons) to select. Wait for up to 90 seconds for the reset to complete.

Clear the cache partition

Wiping the cache partition can sometimes fix unexplained bugs. Make sure to do it to see if it will make a difference.

Here’s how to wipe the cache partition on a Note9:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds 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 until ‘yes’ is highlighted and press the Power button.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
8. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Boot to safe mode

If the problem occurred after you’ve installed an app, try to delete it and see if Sound Mode starts working normally again. If you can’t be sure though if there’s any app issue at all, consider restarting the device to safe mode. Here’s how:

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.
8. Check for the problem.

If Sound Mode allows you to modify it, then an app must be to blame. To identify which of your apps is causing the trouble, you should boot the phone back to safe mode and follow these steps:

1. Boot to safe mode.
2. Check for the problem.
3. Once you’ve confirmed that a third party app is to blame, you can start uninstalling apps individually. We suggest that you begin with the most recent ones you added.
4. After you uninstall an app, restart the phone to normal mode and check for the problem.
5. If your Galaxy Note9 is still problematic, repeat steps 1-4.

Factory reset

This is a drastic option but it’s often effective in solving problems that may be caused by an OS bug. Be sure to back your files up before doing it.

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds 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.

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