How to fix an LG G7 ThinQ smartphone that keeps freezing and lagging [Troubleshooting Guide]
Seldom you will hear about a new powerful smartphone to give in to performance issues at an early stage. Nonetheless it happens to some devices due to some factors, particularly application errors and software-related issues. The LG G7 ThinQ is an octa-core smartphone released in May 2018. It comes in two storage variants — a 128GB and 64GB model, with expandable memory of up to 512GB. Basing on its technical specs, the device can be tagged among the high-end devices to-date. And like other high-tiered smartphones, the new LG G7 ThinQ smartphone is also not free from software issues.
Tackled in this post is a performance issue on the new LG G7 ThinQ smartphone, particularly on freezes and lags. Read on to find out the possible solutions.
But before anything else, if you have another issue with your phone, drop by our troubleshooting page as we have already addressed hundreds of issues reported by the owners. Odds are that there are already existing solutions on our website or at least, there are similar problems we already fixed. So, try to find ones that are similar or related to your problem. If you need further assistance, however, feel free to contact us by filling up our Android issues questionnaire.
First solution: End background apps then restart your phone.
Background apps are applications you’ve recently used but not closed. These apps remain in standby mode, allowing you to switch between them to multitask with your device. But keeping more apps running in the background for long can eventually slow down your device as the processor can become exhausted. To prevent this from occurring, you have to consider closing background apps once you’re done using them. You can view running apps and close them through the task manager with these steps:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Go to the General tab.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap to select filter from All, Enabled, and Disabled.
- Tap the desired app.
- Then tap Force Stop to end it.
- Tap OK to confirm action.
Follow the same procedure to close the rest of your background applications. When you’re done force closing background apps, restart your phone (soft reset) with these steps:
- Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously for a few seconds or until the device power cycles.
Alternatively, you can turn off your device for a few seconds and then turn it on again. Here’s how:
- Press the Power button for a few seconds or until the power menu appears.
- Select Power Off from the menu.
- Tap OK to confirm device shutdown.
- After about 30 seconds, press the Power button again until the device turns on.
Once it’s booted up completely, use it as you normally do to determine if the problem is fixed. If your phone still freezes or lags, try the next applicable solutions.
Second solution: Boot into safe mode and diagnose apps.
Third-party apps are disabled in safe mode, and therefore it would be easier for you to determine whether or not the problem is triggered by third-party apps. Here’s how to enable and use Safe Mode on your LG G7 ThinQ:
- While your phone is on, press and hold the Power button until the menu options are displaced.
- Press and hold Power off option.
- When prompted to Restart in Safe Mode, tap OK to continue.
- Wait until your phone restarts and boots into safe mode.
An indication that it has entered safe mode is the Safe Mode label shown at the bottom of the screen. At this point, use your device as you normally do. If it doesn’t lag or freeze while in safe mode, it means that the problem is inflicted by third-party apps. In that case, the problem can be resolved by uninstalled the errant application. You may have to consider installing individual apps starting from the most recent download you’ve got. Don’t forget to test your device after deleting each app to find out if the problem is fixed or not.
If your phone still lags and freezes while in safe mode, then service would be necessary.
Third solution: Check and manage internal memory.
To get started with memory management, view the current memory status of your LG G7 ThinQ with these steps:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Go to the General tab.
- Tap Memory.
- Tap the drop-down arrow and select the preferred interval.
- Check the amount of Free storage.
If the available storage space is lower than 1GB, then you’ll need to free up memory space.
Restarting your device regularly or at least once a day can help clearing temporary data or cache from the internal memory including corrupted data segments that might have caused the system to slow down. Aside from restarting or soft reset, reducing memory use like using still or non-moving wallpaper and removing unnecessary widgets can also reduce memory use for faster and smoother performance. The same benefits can be obtained from keeping apps updated, clearing app cache and data, and uninstalling unwanted apps. You can exit safe mode by restarting your phone.
Fourth solution: Update device software then wipe cache partition.
Installing the latest software version for your phone can potentially fix the problem if bugs and malicious software are to blame. On the 11th of July, a minor update version (Android 8.0 Software version: G710TM10g) was rolled out to provide bug fixes and system enhancements. You can check your device to see if that update is available for you to download. Here’s how:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Go to the General tab.
- Tap Update center.
- Tap System update.
- Then tap the option to Check for update.
- Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to download and install the latest software update. Your device must be connected to Wi-Fi Internet, has ample battery life, and memory space to proceed.
Alternatively, you can download and install new software update on your LG G7 ThinQ from a computer. To get this done, you will need to download, install and open the compatible software for the LG G7 ThinQ to your PC beforehand.
If your device is still acting up after updating the operating system, try to wipe cache partition with these steps:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Select the General tab.
- Tap Storage then select Internal storage.
- Wait for the menu options to populate.
- Tap the option to Free up space.
- Tap Temporary files & raw files.
- Select any from the given options including Cached data, Clip tray temporary files, and Raw files from camera.
- Tap Delete twice to confirm.
Wiping the cache partition does not delete your personal data. All it does is to clear cached data from the phone’s internal memory for better and smoother performance.
Fifth solution: Reset and restore your LG G7 ThinQ to its factory defaults.
Performing a master reset wipes everything from your phone’s internal memory and restores the original factory settings. Your personal data, downloads, ringtones, images, apps, contacts, and other saved files on the internal storage will also be deleted in the process. Software bugs and malicious software that might have caused your device to freeze and lag are likewise obliterated. So you’ll have a totally clean, same as new device afterwards. Should you wish to try it, be sure to back up all your important data beforehand. Once you’re all set, follow these steps to reset your LG G7 ThinQ via settings menu:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Go to the General tab.
- Tap Restart & reset.
- Select Factory data reset option.
- If applicable, tap the Erase SD card checkbox to clear contents from your SD card.
- Tap Reset Phone then Delete All.
- Tap Reset to confirm action.
Allow your device to instigate and complete the system reset. When the reset is finished, your device should restart automatically. After the restart, you can proceed with the initial setup process. Be sure to enable the features you want to use such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
If the problem persists after the reset, then you may have to consider opting for service. It’s very likely that your phone is having some sort of physical or liquid damage that requires hardware repair.
Other options
If the problem continues after exhausting all possible means to resolve the issue on your end, then contact your carrier or LG Support for other options and official recommendations. You can also visit the nearest LG service center in your place to have your device examined by an authorized technician instead. There might be some sort of physical or liquid damage on the phone that’s causing it to slow down suddenly. If your phone is still eligible for warranty, then you should consider availing for it either for service or unit replacement.
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