How to fix Galaxy S9 app issue: apps crashing when using wifi or mobile data

Our troubleshooting article for today answers three issues regarding the Galaxy S9 (#GalaxyS9). Our focus in this one is address common network issues that often cause inconvenience to a lot of users. If you have your own S9 networking issue, kindly check our suggestions below. The troubleshooting steps and solutions for many Samsung Galaxy devices are usually similar, even if there are variations to problems.

Problem #1: How to fix Galaxy S9 app issue: apps crashing when using wifi or mobile data

Hey! Thanks for spending the time to take my issue into consideration. So I just paid a pretty penny for the Galaxy S9 Plus. I’ve been with the company since the S4 and always loved them. My issue is, for some reason, when using both WiFi or 4G, I will sometimes have to restart apps or restart my connection to set capabilities (via turning them on and off again.) Apps like Snapchat, not loading snaps or Facebook not renewing my feed. Sometimes the Google market will have issues and YouTube music won’t load music. Typically, disconnecting the connection or restarting the app does help, but I have had to restart the phone for it to work in the past. It’s highly annoying, although small, when considering the value of the phone. Anything helps, I appreciate your time. Have a great one!

Solution: Despite being a minor annoyance, this issue is hard to diagnose because there’s a lot of variables that needs to be considered. Below are the troubleshooting steps that you can try to fix it.

Cache partition wipe

Ensuring that a phone’s system cache is in good order is one of the first steps in Android troubleshooting. Many issues and bugs are due to a corrupted or outdated system cache. To keep your phone’s system cache fresh, wiping the cache partition is a must. If you haven’t tried it before you contacted us, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the Android logo displays, release all three keys.
4. An ‘Installing system update’ message will show for 30 – 60 seconds before the Android system recovery menu options appear.
5. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight wipe cache partition.
6. Press Power key to select.
7. Press the Volume down key to highlight yes, them and press the Power key to select.
8. When the wipe cache partition is complete, Reboot system now is highlighted.
9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Install updates

Updating apps or Android not only gives brings cosmetic changes but may also patch some bugs in the process. By default, Samsung devices are set to download and install updates. If you changed this default setting before, we suggest that you manually check for app and Android updates periodically. For troubleshooting purposes, make sure that you do it right after wiping the cache partition.

Check for bad third party app

One other reason for Android problems is third party apps. Some coding issues may occur when some apps interact with Android or with particular firmware version. While developers strive to minimize bugs in their products, some kinks may still manifest. In many cases, bugs may appear after a major firmware overhaul, like when you upgrade Android, or when you install app updates. To see if one of the apps is interferes with Android, you can restart your phone to safe mode. Safe mode is a utility tool that allows technicians to check for possible third party app problem. Here’s how you boot your phone to safe mode:

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. Observe the phone and check for the problem.

Remember, safe mode is not a solution but a tool. If the issues you mention are not present in this mode, our suspicion is right. To identify which of your apps is causing the trouble, you should boot the phone back to safe mode and follow these steps:

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 S9 is still problematic, repeat steps 1-4.

Reset app preferences

Some apps may not work properly or at all when there’s a missing core or default app. To ensure that all default system apps are enabled, follow the steps below:

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.

Reset network settings

Another way to fix network or connectivity issues in Android is by clearing or resetting network settings. Doing so will erase all wifi networks and their passwords, VPN settings, and cellular settings. Make sure that you know how to connect your wifi or VPN again before doing this step.

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

Lastly, try to wipe your phone and return all software settings back to their defaults with a factory reset. This is an inevitable solution that you should do if all our suggestions above won’t 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.

Get phone replacement

All the troubleshooting steps above are the things that you can do on your level. If the problem continues to occur even after a factory reset, that means that there may be a hardware or firmware coding issue behind it. In any of these cases, you won’t be able to fix the issue, or at least identify the problem at all. To help you resolve the trouble, we suggest that you visit your local Samsung store to get your phone replaced.

Problem #2: Galaxy S9 cellular signal keeps dropping

Installed a recent update on my S9. Since the installation I have no service in my house and often no service in other places The only constant service is when connected via bluetooth in my van Techs at AT&T store and online. I have tried many restarts and resets. We replaced the SIM card but nothing helps. My husband’s S9 is on my account and has installed the updates with no problems. He can be sitting right next to me with service and I have none. If i connect via wifi, I can have calling. otherwise no service and emergency only calls.

Solution: If replacing the SIM card did not help fix the problem at all, then you should continue to narrow down possible causes. Follow our suggestions below to identify where the problem lies.

Check for third party app interference

As mentioned above, some apps may become problematic for whatever reason. To check, you want to boot the phone to safe mode and see how it works. Try to replicate the issue by observing the phone in this mode for a few hours.

Reset network settings

This is a necessary troubleshooting step in this situation. Clearing your device’s network settings can sometimes work if there’s a bug that’s buried in wifi or mobile data configuration. Be sure to reset your device’s network settings if nothing works following safe mode troubleshooting. Again, refer to the steps above on how to do it.

Install firmware update

Some network issues are caused by bad firmware coding. In such a situation, the problem may continue even after you cleared network settings, or even on safe mode. Try to check manually if there’s an available Android update under Settings > Software update.

Factory reset

Wiping your phone’s software is a must-do if there’s no change at this point at all. Factory reset will address any possible bug that lies on the software. Be sure to back your personal data up before you do it.

Get support from your network operator

If your S9 was provided by your current carrier, be sure to contact them for more help. We don’t know the full history of your device so we can’t tell whether or not there’s a network or account issue that prevents the phone from working. Get hold of your operator’s technical support team so they can figure out whether or not there’s a need to reconfigure the network settings on your phone. They may also have to double check if your account with them is properly provisioned.

Problem #3: How to fix Galaxy S9 network unlock issue: no signal issue after failed network unlock

Hi. So, I just travelled back home to Nepal from Canada and I had bought Samsung Galaxy S9 there. After I arrived here, I tried unlocking my phone but there was some error and now I’m not sure if my phone is unlocked. The network bar switches between the bars and no signal symbol. My phone fails to call or send message. But I did receive a call once. Also, the time on the top bar is stuck. I have to rotate the screen and back to update it. On all other places, the time is displayed correctly. Next, when I swipe screen, the screen doesn’t stay long on the enter pin page. I can’t update or download any of the apps. Please help!

Solution: The only significant detail that you mention is the issue appearing after you tried to unlock the device. If you did nothing else, then the reason for the bugs you experienced may be coming from that failed unlock procedure. Try to undo or reverse what you did and see what happens. We don’t know how you unlocked your S9 exactly so there’s nothing much that we can offer in terms of a fix. If you can’t reverse the unlocking process by whatever means, try to flash the original firmware (the exact Android version when you first unboxed the device) to return software information back to their factory defaults.

If you know how to network unlock your device, we assume you know how to flash your S9 as well. Just be sure that you use the right firmware to avoid bricking the phone.

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