How to fix a Galaxy S9 “DQA keeps stopping” bug [troubleshooting guide]
“DQA keeps stopping” bug has been making rounds on newer Galaxy flagships since last year and although Samsung had already released a patch to fix it, it’s apparently not that effective one way or another. Even months after the patch was released, we know that a lot of #GalaxyS8 and #GalaxyS9 users are experiencing this bug.
Device Quality Agent is an app that monitors how a device uses wifi to do tasks. We would like to believe that “DQA keeps stopping” bug is an operating system bug but in order to cover all possible causes like apps, we also suggest something to deal with apps. We hope that you’ll find this post helpful in fixing this bug once and for all.
Solutions for “DQA keeps stopping” bug
Refresh the cache partition
Some users were able to confirm that “DQA keeps stopping” bug was fixed after wiping the cache partition so this should be the first thing that you want to do. Although we don’t know effective this solution option has been for the rest of Android devices that were affected, we still recommend that you do it first. Wiping the cache partition is a recommended maintenance procedure so it’s a win-win solution for you. Even if you don’t encounter problems, you should at least refresh the cache partition so the system cache being used by Android minimizes the chances of developing bugs.
To clear the cache partition on your S9:
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
- When the Android logo displays, release all three keys.
- An ‘Installing system update’ message will show for 30 – 60 seconds before the Android system recovery menu options appear.
- Press the Volume down key several times to highlight wipe cache partition.
- Press Power key to select.
- Press the Volume down key to highlight yes, them and press the Power key to select.
- When the wipe cache partition is complete, Reboot system now is highlighted.
- Press the Power key to restart the device.
Install Android updates
Ideally, installing an update should be the most effective way to fix the issue as Samsung has already released a patch for this bug before. If you wiping the cache partition did not do anything at all, be sure to check for any pending Android or carrier update to fix it.
By default, the Galaxy S9 is set to automatically download and install updates. If you changed this default settings before, be sure to go under Settings > Software update to check.
Install app updates
Although we believe “DQA keeps stopping” is a caused by an Android bug, there’s a chance that an app may trigger it. To minimize any bugs coming from your apps, make sure to also keep them up-to-date as well. Just open the Play Store app, go under its menu, tap settings, and make sure that it’s set to automatically install updates. If you don’t want Play Store to automatically download app updates for you, then make sure that you regularly check for them.
If you happen to be getting apps from third party sources (outside the Play Store), then make sure that all of your apps receive updates from their developers as well. Sometimes, new Android versions may render some apps incompatible and that can then translate to issues. Some may be insignificant but a few may become annoying. To minimize this situation from developing, make sure that you keep your apps updated all the time.
Reset network settings
Resetting network settings can sometimes be an effective way to fix network problems so if the issue is still frustrating you at this point, go ahead and do it.
Resetting network settings on the S9 is easy. Here’s how you do it:
- Open Settings app.
- Tap General management.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Reset network settings.
- Tap RESET SETTINGS button.
Reset settings
This solution option is similar to factory reset minus the hassles of deleting user data, apps, and more. If “DQA keeps stopping” bug is still present at this juncture, then you should do this solution to see if you can fix the software bug this way. Here’s how:
- Open Settings app.
- Tap General management.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Reset all settings.
- Tap RESET SETTINGS button.
Factory reset
Should nothing work at all after you’ve done all the suggestions above, then it’s time to wipe the device clean. Before wiping your S9, make sure that you back irreplaceable files up to avoid losing them. To factory reset your S9:
- 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.
- From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
- Tap Settings > Cloud and accounts.
- Tap Backup and restore.
- If desired, tap Back up my data to move the slider to ON or OFF.
- If desired, tap Restore to move the slider to ON or OFF.
- Tap the back button to the Settings menu and tap General Management > Reset > Factory data reset.
- Tap Reset device.
- If you have screen lock turned on, enter your credentials.
- Tap Continue.
- Tap Delete all.