How to fix Galaxy Note8 random restart issue: restarts after transferring apps from old phone

For those looking for solutions to their #GalaxyNote8 issues, this troubleshooting post might help. Today’s episode answers three problems reported for the Note8. Like we used to do around here, these cases are taken from firsthand reports from some members of our community.

Problem #1: How to fix Galaxy Note8 random restart issue: randomly restarts after transferring apps from old phone

Hello. I recently purchased a Galaxy Note 8 about 4 days ago, it now keeps randomly turning off and I don’t know why. I transferred all my apps over from my old phone which was a galaxy note 3. could that be the issue? The only app I have downloaded since receiving the phone is an ad block. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Solution: If the only thing that you did differently was to move over apps from an old phone, then yes, there’s a chance that you may have a bad app issue. To check, we suggest that you restart the phone to Safe Mode. In this mode, all third party apps will be suspended. If your Note8 works normally and won’t reboot on its own, that means our suspicion is correct.

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 your phone run on safe mode for at least 24 hours (do not restart it) and check for the problem.

Remember, safe mode is a separate software environment from normal mode. If everything appears fine and the problem is absent, you can bet a third party app is to blame. To pinpoint which of your apps is the source of trouble, you have to use the process of elimination. Here’s how it goes:

1. Boot to safe mode.
2. Check for the problem.
3. Once you’ve confirmed that a third party app is to blame, you can start uninstalling apps individually. We suggest that you begin with the most recent ones you added.
4. After you uninstall an app, restart the phone to normal mode and check for the problem.
5. If your Note8 is still problematic, repeat steps 1-4.

Update apps

As part of the solutions package for this issue, we also recommend that you keep all your apps updated. Be sure to allow Google Play Store app to download updates automatically for you. This will prevent chances of bugs from developing if you forget to update apps manually.

Problem #2: How to fix Galaxy Note8 mobile data issue: keeps on turning on by itself when wifi signal is weak

Hi. My name is Frankie. I switched my home internet provider from Telus to Shaw two days ago. My phone is Samsung Galaxy Note8. Then my cellphone keep on using the phone own data even I connected to wifi. I bought the phone to Koodo, my cellphone dealer and he turn off adaptive wifi saying my Shaw network signal is weak sometimes and the phone will switch using the phone data. I try it again at home the phone still using my cell data. Can you tell me how to solve this problem? Thanks.

Solution: By default, Adaptive wifi feature, also known as smart network switch, is enabled by default. This is to allow a device to maintain internet connection when there’s no wifi internet, or when the wifi signal is intermittent or weak. Your Note8 does this automatically in the background but you can turn it off, just like what your dealer did.

If Adaptive wifi is turned off when you’re at home and issue continues, that is, your Note8 automatically turns mobile data on by itself, then that can mean you have an operating system problem. These are the things that you can do:

Clear cache partition

Wiping the cache partition will ensure that the device’s system cache is refreshed. Sometimes, updates may corrupt the system cache causing all sorts of issues. If this problem started after you installed an app or update, make sure that you wipe the cache partition.

To wipe the cache partition of your Note8:

1. Turn off the device. This is important. If you can’t turn it off, you’ll never be able to boot to Recovery Mode. If you are not able to shut the device off regularly via the Power button, wait until the phone’s battery is drained. Then, charge the phone for 30 minutes before booting to Recovery Mode.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. 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).
4. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset’.
5. Press Power button to select.
6. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
7. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
8. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Reset network settings

Sometimes, resetting your phone’s network settings can fix network bugs. Be sure you don’t skip this troubleshooting step in this case.

To reset your Note8’s network settings:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap General Management > Reset settings.
3. Tap Reset network settings.
4. If you have set up a PIN, enter it.
5. Tap Reset settings. Once complete a confirmation window will appear.

Factory reset

Try to wipe the phone by doing a factory reset and see what happens. This is the ultimate troubleshooting step that you can do in this case. If the cause of the problem is an Android bug, this should help.

To factory reset your Note8:

1. Create a backup of your data.
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.

Problem #3: How to fix Galaxy Note8 “unfortunately, clock has stopped” error

Hi! I just ordered a Samsung Note 8 & the clock (built in samsung app) keeps saying “unfortunately, clock has stopped” every time I try to open the app. I’m a private music teacher and use these for lesson timers, alarms for lessons and everyday use. It’s vital I get this working. I know normally it gives you the option to report the issue but this isn’t–my only option is to press “ok” and it shuts the app down. If you could please tell me how to fix this, I’d really appreciate it. I’ve done a soft reset & everything else I can think of. Please tell me how to fix this! Thanks in advance.

Solution: The first solution to try here is to return the app to its defaults. This is usually an effective solution for a lot of app-specific problems. To delete an app’s data:

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 the clock app and tap it.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Tap Clear Data button.
8. Restart your Note8 and check for the problem.

Reset app preferences

Should clearing the clock’s data won’t help, make sure that you reset all app preferences in your device. Resetting app preferences is oftentimes overlooked in many Android troubleshooting articles but when it comes to an issue like yours, it might help a lot. It’s possible that one or some of your default apps may not be set correctly, causing this glitch to occur. Because there’s no way to know if this guess is true, what you need to do is to simply ensure that all default apps are turned on. Here’s how to do that:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
4. Select Reset app preferences.
5. Restart your Note8 and check for the problem.

Use another app

If for some reason, the problem won’t go away after doing the two solutions above, you can always try other apps from the Play Store. We know it’s not ideal but there really is no easy and effective solutions that you can try other than the ones above. Sure, a factory reset might help but it’s too much of a hassle than simply install another app.

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