A smartphone that keeps on rebooting unexpectedly may be experiencing fatal system errors or major data corruption. The same symptom also occurs when a smartphone is running low on internal memory. Hardware-related issues like damaged RAM, processor, or other tangible components are likewise considered among the underlying causes.
In most cases though, random reboots in mobile devices are attributed to software problems. This means that they can be remedied at home. The methods I demonstrate in this context are comprised of applicable workarounds and potential solutions to a similar issue on the Sony Xperia XZ Premium smartphone. Feel free to refer to these subsequent walkthroughs to deal with this problem on the same device.
Before we proceed, if you’re looking for a solution to a problem with your phone, try to browse through our troubleshooting pages to see if we support your device. If your phone is in the list of our supported devices, then go to the troubleshooting page and look for similar problems. Feel free to use our solutions and workarounds. Don’t worry it’s free. But if you still need our help, then fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.
How to troubleshoot Xperia XZ Premium that keeps rebooting
Before you begin to troubleshoot software problems on the phone, check the current memory status to ensure that the problem isn’t due to low internal memory. If the available RAM is significantly low or below 1GB, then you’ll need to delete unnecessary apps and old files to free up some space. Note that random restart is one of the symptoms of memory problems among smartphones. Thus it’s also possible that your device is acting up due to a shrinking memory. With insufficient RAM, the device may no longer be able to further accumulate or process new apps and services.
Also remove any inserted SD card from the phone to rule out corrupted SD card from the possible triggers. If your Xperia XZ Premium is still showing the same symptom even without the SD card and has ample of RAM, then try any of these subsequent solutions.
First solution: Force shutdown then restart (soft reset).
For first occurrences, minor data corruption or application errors are usually the trigger. In that case, performing a force shutdown or restart (soft reset) on the phone can be a potential solution. Doing so clears minor app glitches and eliminated corrupted cache and data that trigger the system to act up. Here’s how it’s done:
- Press and hold down the Power button and the Volume Up button simultaneously for at least 5 seconds.
- When your device vibrates once, release both buttons at once. Doing so will force restart the device.
Performing a soft reset also dumps cache stored on the internal memory thus helps free up storage space.
Second solution: Boot in safe mode and diagnose apps.
To determine whether or not a third-party app is inflicting trouble on your phone system and makes it unstable, try to enable safe mode on your Xperia XZ Premium to bypass third-party apps and prevent them from running. Here’s how it’s done:
- While your phone is turned on, press and hold the Power button for a few seconds until the menu options appear.
- Touch and hold the Power off option until the phone turns off.
- Wait until your device restarts in Safe Mode.
Use your device as you normally do while it’s running in safe mode and then see if the problem reoccurs. If your phone does not reboot automatically while in safe mode, then a third-party app is likely causing trouble. To fix the problem, you’ll need to get rid of the bad app. Try to think of which app you’ve recently downloaded, prior to the phone shows the symptom. You may need to uninstall individual apps for that matter. Don’t forget to test your device after uninstalling an app so that you’ll know when to stop deleting apps.
If the problem still occurs while the phone is running in safe mode, then you’re likely dealing with a hardware issue. In this case, your device needs service.
Third solution: Update apps and phone software.
Installing pending app updates can also help stabilize rogue apps that trigger the system to crash unexpectedly. The same positive outcome can be obtained from updating the device software to the latest version. Updates usually offer system enhancements and bug fixes to optimize the operating system. To check for and install pending app updates on your Xperia XZ Premium, follow these steps:
- Tap to open the Apps screen.
- Scroll to the right then tap Play Store.
- Tap the Menu icon (three vertical lines) on the upper-left side of Google Play.
- Go to My apps & games.
- Select the Updates tab to view the list of apps with pending updates.
- To update individual apps, tap the Update button next to the name of the app.
- To update all apps at once, tap the Update All button on the upper-right of the screen.
Aside from updating apps, keeping your phone system up-to-date is also recommended. System updates usually offer new and enhanced features as well as security enhancements. This can help clear out bug-inflicted errors that may have triggered the phone to reboot by itself.
- To manually update your device software, navigate to Settings-> System-> Software update menu. If a system update is available, tap CONTINUE then tap INSTALL NOW to start installing the update file.
Before updating, your phone must have access to Wi-Fi Internet as you’ll need to install the system update via over-the-air. Your phone must also have at least 50 percent battery life and at least 1GB of available memory to allocate the update file.
Fourth solution: Erase and restore factory defaults (master reset).
A full system reset may be the key to resolving persistent boot loops, particularly those that are inflicted by complicated system errors or fatal data corruption. This will wipe everything from the phone system including downloaded apps, customizations, contacts, and other personal information. Tough bugs and malicious software dwelling in hidden system folders are likewise cleared in the process. Thus it makes your device totally clean and trouble-free like it’s new. Just don’t forget to back up important files beforehand so you still can recover them later. Once you’re all set, follow these steps to reset your Xperia XZ Premium to its factory defaults:
- Tap Settings.
- Go to System.
- Select Reset.
- Tap Factory data reset.
- Tap Reset phone.
- If prompted, enter your screen unlock password, PIN, or pattern to continue.
- Then tap Erase everything to confirm reset.
Your phone will then instigate a master reset then reboots automatically when done. After it restarts, you can continue with the initial setup process to make your phone ready for use. Complicated system errors inflicting random reboot on the phone should therefore be gone at this point.
Fifth solution: Repair phone software with Xperia Companion.
You may also attempt to perform a soft repair using the Xperia Companion device repair feature. But before you do so, be sure to note your Google account username and password because you will need this information. You will also need to secure a Windows PC or Mac computer that has the Xperia Companion software installed. Whenever you’re all set, follow these steps to start repairing your phone software on a computer using Xperia Companion:
- Open the Xperia Companion software on your computer.
- Connect your Xperia XZ Premium smartphone to the computer via USB cable or compatible data cable.
- When the phone is recognized, navigate to the Xperia Companion main screen then click Software repair.
Follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall the software and complete the repair process.
Other options
If none of the works, then you may have to consider opting for hardware repair. It’s possible that your Xperia XZ Premium smartphone has obtained some kind of physical or liquid damage inflicting the symptom. In that case, you can take your phone to the nearest Sony-authorized service center and ask a technician to conduct a thorough hardware assessment.
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