Galaxy S8 keeps restarting after installing Android Oreo (Android 8.0)

Samsung has began releasing Android Oreo updates to #GalaxyS8 devices and expectedly, some users have since started reporting troubles. This is not to say Android Oreo is inherently bad. In fact, this new Android version has received mostly positive reviews so far. This troubleshooting article is meant to address one particular issue that affects a fair share of S8 devices so far — random restart.

Many S8 users have reported that their S8 has started to shut down on their own after installing Android Oreo. We know that the earlier Oreo version, released about a month ago, was responsible but we can’t say that’s the case with the March 2018 release so far. We would like to think Samsung had already patched Android Oreo at this time but it remains to be seen. In the meantime, below are the solutions that you can try if you’re one of the unlucky users to experience random restart issue after installing Android Oreo.

Solution #1: Clear system cache

Whenever an issue occurs following an update, the first troubleshooting step that you must do is to clear the cache partition. This partition is a repository of temporary files like app APKs (installers), update files, app updates, among others. Sometimes, this cache gets corrupted or outdated resulting to all sorts of problems. It’s also one of the common reasons why issues occur right after installing an app or Android update. To ensure that your S8’s system cache is fine, you must regularly clear it. Since the S8 started restarting on its own after installing Android Oreo, there’s a chance that this may be caused by the system cache. To clear it, follow the steps below:

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 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 to highlight “wipe cache partition.”
5. Press the Power key 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.

Solution #2: Free up storage space

Android updates can sometimes take a huge chunk of a device’s storage space. If your S8 was already low on space before you installed Oreo, it’s possible that the reason for the problem may be storage space-related. Keep in mind that updates expand the operating system and does not just “replace” the current operating system version. If there’s not enough space for the update to be properly installed because of insufficient storage space, the situation may deteriorate to the one you’re currently experiencing. To see if that’s the case, consider deleting non-system files and folders. If you have lots of photos and videos stored on this device, move them to another storage device like a computer, hard drive or flash drive.

Better still, consider backing up the entire system using Smart Switch, then perform a factory reset afterwards. Refer to the steps below on how to do it.

Solution #3: Install app updates

Incompatible apps can interfere with the operating system and cause problems as well. To minimize the risk of app bugs, make sure that all your apps are up-to-date. To get updates for your apps:

1. Open your device’s Play Store app Google Play.
2. Tap Menu Menu and then My apps & games.
3. Apps with available updates are labeled Update. If an update is available, tap Update. If more updates are available, tap Update all.

Solution #4: Check if app is causing a problem

A good working S8 should not restart on its own. That this problem occurred after installing an update may be caused by a coding issue with the new operating system, or by a bad app. To see if it’s an app issue, try to restart your phone to safe mode. In this mode, third party apps will not run so if the device works normally and won’t restart on its own, you can bet it’s an app problem.

To restart your S8 to safe mode, follow these steps:

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. Let the phone run in safe mode for 24 hours and observe. If it works fine, start uninstalling third party apps until the issue is gone.

Remember, safe mode won’t pinpoint the exact app for you. You have to do that yourself. The best strategy is to do the uninstall-observe-uninstall cycle. Make sure that you check for the issue after you remove an app.

Solution #5: Calibrate Android and battery

A less likely reason for the problem is a battery issue but it doesn’t mean an uncalibrated Android and battery will never cause this problem at all. In fact, the opposite is true. After some elapsed time, Android can sometimes lose track of correct battery levels, which can then result to erratic battery behaviors. If you’ve noticed that your phone shuts down on its own even if the battery indicator has not reached 0% yet, that’s probably because Android is no longer detecting the true remaining power in the battery. In some cases, a randomly restarting device is also a sign of a battery misbehavior, which again, can be due to miscalibrated OS.

To see if Android needs calibration at this time, follow the steps below:

1. Drain the battery completely. This means using your device until it powers down by its own and the battery level reads 0%.
2. Charge the phone until it reaches 100%. Be sure to use original charging equipment for your device and let it charge up completely. Do not unplug your device for at least two more hours and also don’t use it while charging.
3. After the elapsed time, unplug your device.
4. Restart your Galaxy S8.
5. Use your phone until it completely runs out of power again.
6. Repeat steps 1-5.

Solution #6: Factory reset

1. If the issue still remains after doing all the steps above, you should consider wiping the phone by performing a factory reset. Doing so returns all software settings to their defaults. If the glitch you’re experiencing is being caused by a bug from an app or Android, factory reset may help you resolve the issue. To factory reset your S8:
   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 the device.
3. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold 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 to highlight “wipe data / factory reset.
6. Press Power button to select.
7. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
8. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
9. When the master reset is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
10. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Solution #7: Consider downgrading to Android Nougat

About a month ago, Samsung stopped the roll out of Android Oreo to select S8 models because that firmware version was found to be causing random restart issue. Having acknowledged that, Samsung was saying that there was a coding issue that caused the problem. At this time, we know that some S8 units have been updated to Oreo without the problem you’re experiencing here. In case you did install a bad Android Oreo version and there’s no new update that you can install at this time, you should consider flashing stock Android Nougat version. Flashing is only recommended for advanced Android users though so if you haven’t heard of it, or if you’re not confident how to do it, we suggest that you bring your device to a Samsung store so they can do it for you.

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