How to fix a Galaxy J5 that won’t boot up or stuck in loading screen

We’ve been publishing troubleshooting articles for the Galaxy J5 (#GalaxyJ5) for the past several months but since there’s still a lot of users asking us for support, here’s another one. Be sure to check other J5 articles we posted should you not find any helpful advice in this one.

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.

Problem #1: How to fix a Galaxy J5 that won’t boot up or stuck in loading screen

Hi there. I have a problem with my Samsung Galaxy J5. Until recently, it worked almost fine, it just slowed down and some apps took a lot of time to open. But since yesterday where the battery was empty, it wouldn’t even start properly. It starts until the Samsung screen and then it keeps vibrating from time to time, but it wouldn’t finish starting. I have already tried the soft reset, but it didn’t help. And I’m not really sure about the Android version, it’s either Q or P. Thanks for yor help!

Solution: There’s many possible scenarios that can lead to the situation you’re in right now. The most common cause though is bad battery.  We think your J5’s battery may have lost significant capacity to hold power and may not be barely making enough power to turn the phone on or sustain it. The good thing is that the J5 has a removable battery pack. Should software solutions won’t help, you can easily replace the one you have with a new one.

Recalibrate battery and Android

The first troubleshooting step you need to take is to see to it that you help Android get correct battery readings. Sometimes, the Android OS may lose track of correct battery levels after continuous use. To ensure that your phone’s Android OS receives correct battery levels, you want to recalibrate the battery and OS. Here’s how:

  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 the device.
  5. Use your phone until it completely runs out of power again.
  6. Repeat steps 1-5.

Factory reset

Battery and Android calibration can only help if the issue is as minor as mere incorrect battery readings. If the software bug is more severe, you may need to wipe the phone and restore the phone’s software information back to their defaults. In this case, you want to do a factory reset. If you haven’t tried it before, here’s how it’s done:

  1. Create a backup of your personal data if still possible.
  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 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).
  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.

Battery replacement

Factory reset is only limited to fixing software bugs. If the problem remains after wiping the phone, then it’s time for you to replace the battery. Make sure to get an official Samsung battery for this phone model.

Problem #2: Galaxy J5 stuck in bootloop after failed flashing

Hi. I tried downloading a ROM for the Galaxy J5 but then it bootlooped. So I downloaded a firmware that was different from my variant, I have the ATT variant and I downloaded the T-Mobile variant. Did nothing. When I leave download mode, a flash of text appears and a blue image that looks like the downloading update mode and it keeps repeating. When I try to boot to download mode, it shows upload mode and that everything is fine and with big red text “USER PRESS POWER BUTTON & SECONDS” and I booted to Download mode. What to do? Any help please?

Solution: Flashing incorrect firmware to a device almost always results to problems, with severity depending on circumstances. As it stands, the only option to make your phone usable again is to reflash its stock (original) firmware. As long as the previous flashing procedures did not damage the storage device or partitions for good, then you should be fine. If you’ve already already tried flashing the stock official firmware before contacting us and that did not fix the issue, then we suggest that you seek Samsung’s help. If you’re lucky and they’ll not find out you tried to tamper with the software, they may be able to help you by replacing it. In most cases, phone replacement, even when in warranty, may not be entirely free.

Problem #3: How to fix Galaxy J5 texting issue: incoming text messages are blank white bubbles

I don’t text daily, so several days after an update for my Samsung Galaxy J5 all of my incoming text messages became blank, white bubbles. Noticed while texting (normal text with words only) with my wife, after enough wondering checked all other message threads to find the same blank white bubbles on every incoming text on my phone. System cache cleared, phone restarted numerous times, no new apps added recently. The color of my outgoing texts changed and the chatbots and GIFS options were added into my standard Samsung message/text app, which is the only “new” thing I noticed with the update.

Solution: The text messaging app you’re using may have developed a bug. Try wiping its data and see what happens. Here’s how:

  1. Open Settings app.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
  4. Select Show system apps.
  5. Find and tap your app.
  6. Tap Storage.
  7. Tap Clear Data button.
  8. Restart your J5 and check for the problem.

Alternatively, you can try using another text messaging app. There are many free text messaging app in the Play Store but you can start with Google’s own Android Messages.

Problem #4: Galaxy J5 won’t turn on after repair

Hey there. There has been many MANY times that you guys have provided answers to issues that have arisen, especially on new devices. Now, for the first time, I get to be on the receiving end of this device (J5) malfunctioning.  I want it to be known that I have worked in the device repair industry for 3 years now. I’m adept in microsoldering and troubleshooting on a professional level. Now, let’s get to what’s going on with my phone but not my wife’s.  

We both have Galaxy J5 devices. My wife doesn’t let her phone die all the way, ever.  I, however, let my phone die 2 times a week or so, to the point the phone shuts itself off.  The first time this happened, a plug into an active wall outlet and a reset (power + volume down)fixed the issue.  The second time the soft reset fixed it as well, and mind you I’ve only had the device MAYBE 2 months. We are on the third time now and the soft reset is not solving the issue.  When attempting a DFU style of reset there is a blink on the screen that shows the download mode of the phone being active, then back to black. When plugged into a laptop with a HUGE fear that the LCD is cracked but not the digi or glass, the phone vibrates constantly until unplugged. I just wanted to make you aware of the troubleshooting steps I’ve taken with the device, and am looking at returning it to Samsung at this point.  As a reputable site I’m sure you’ve got a farther reach than I do.

Solution: Smartphone repair goes beyond soldering or replacing parts. We gather you’re not experienced enough diagnosing hardware issues. If you haven’t tried it though, we recommend that you check for a possible motherboard short. This is one of the common reasons why amateur repairs end up messing the system more. If motherboard shorting is not the cause, then you want to let a professional take a look at the device. Physical check if necessary to run hardware diagnostics. If you’re lucky and the problem is minor, you may get your phone back in normal working order.

 


TheDroidGuy Mailbag

🛠️If you have questions, check our Help section for details on how to submit your questions.💡


Posts You Might Like

Leave a Comment