Samsung Galaxy S2 Problems and Solutions [Part 1]

I do admit, I was hesitant to write about the Samsung Galaxy S2, which is by the way, so 2011-ish. Considering the popularity of the Galaxy S3, S4 and the upcoming S5, I was thinking no one’s going pick up an S2 anymore. The reality is, dated phones will be shoved aside or be used as backups but aren’t discarded. Sooner or later they will be used again or be sent as gifts, thus, there is still a need to publish support articles.

Get Support

If you own a Samsung Galaxy S2 and currently experiencing some problems with it, don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected]. You can also post on our Facebook wall or PM us and I guarantee I would respond as soon as I can. For owners who prefer to use Google+, we also have a Google+ page you could follow.

Have you noticed that the title of this post says “Part 1?” It means I will be posting more articles like this so if you want to get updated every time I do, subscribe to our newsletter. And by the way, I am calling all Galaxy S2 owners, elderly or not, who have problems with their phones to reach out to us. We will find solutions for you.

Problems and Solutions

I already published an article like this last year so every now and then we receive emails from S2 owners. Here are some of them…

#1. Galaxy S2 randomly reboots

Problem 1

Hi, how are you. Please help me with my problem. My phone is Galaxy S2 and I bought it early last year and I didn’t have problems with it until recently when there was an update. Now, my phone reboots at no specific time. Last week, it would reboot about 5 times a day but now it is way more than that already to the point that I could no longer use the phone properly. I’m sure you know how annoying it is when you’re texting and the phone suddenly reboots deleting your message. Do  you have any suggestion on what I should do to fix this problem? Thanks. — Genevieve

Problem 2

Hello! I am Zakeen from Pakistan. I have Samsung Galaxy S2 GT I9100. My smartphone is updated to android jellybean 4.1.2. And the problem is that sometimes my phone restart automatically . Second problem is my phone is stilling and screeching like screech on CD or DVD. Please let me know the solution.

Solution

Genevieve, you may need to just clear some data or cache in your phone to bring it back to normal operation. So, for now, I have a couple of things I want you to do for the S2–boot to Safe Mode and wipe cache partition.

Booting to Safe Mode will disable third-party apps that may be causing the problem. You said there was an update prior to the problem so there is a possibility that some apps are incompatible with the new firmware. Here’s how you boot to Safe Mode on the Galaxy S2:

1. Remove the battery from the phone.
2. Re-insert the battery.
3. Press and hold the Menu key.
4. While holding the Menu key, turn on the device.
5. When you see the lock screen, you can release the Menu key.
6. ‘Safe mode’ displays in the lower-left corner.

While in Safe Mode, observe the phone closely to see if it would still reboot. If not, then find the apps that may be causing the problem and disable them. However, if the phone still reboots, you need to boot to recovery and wipe the cache partition in preparation for possible Factory Reset. Here’s how:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold both Volume Up and Volume Down keys at the same time.
3. Press the Power key only until the phone vibrates once, then release only the Power key.
4. Continue to hold the Volume up and Volume Down keys until the Android System Recovery screen appears.
5. Press the Volume Down key to highlight wipe cache partition.
6. Press the Power button to select.
7. Highlight reboot system now and press the power button again to reboot.

With the cache partition wiped out, observe the phone again to know whether it would still reboot. If so, there’s no other option but to perform a Factory Reset.

#2. Galaxy S2 won’t take a charge

Problem

Hi! well I’m having a problem with my Samsung Galaxy S2. My phone is draining my battery out, so I bought a new battery. Yet, my phone won’t take the charge. I charge it externally. Is it my phone, do I need a new one?

Answer

It could be your charger. Did you using a different charger, or at least plugged the USB data cable to the back of your desktop computer? There are a lot of possibilities and the first one is the charger. Since you bought a new battery, we’ve already ruled out battery issue. Another thing is the microUSB port of your phone. While the charger is plugged, try to wiggle the cable to see if there is a point when the phone accepts the charge.

But I strongly suggest you plug the cable to your computer because it confirms two things: whether or not your charger is busted, or the cable is broken if the computer couldn’t detect the phone.

#3. Galaxy S2 drains battery rapidly

Problem

Hello, saw your post online about Samsung Galaxy S2. I just got this phone and I flashed a new recovery and KitKat. My battery drains super-rapidly without any reason and the phone gets really hot. The heat problem happened on my HTC Desire with a jellybean from CyanogenMod and I thought it was because the OS was too much for the phone. However the phone still serves well. What do you think the matter is with my S2? Do I flash JB instead? Is it KitKat or something else? And when I checked, my screen consumes the most power….even more than the AndroidOS. Please what can I do?

Answer

Samsung hasn’t released another update since the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was rolled out for the Galaxy S2 and there is, of course, a reason for that. Actually, I think the problem is the KitKat firmware you flashed but I cannot be sure since you’re using a modified firmware in the first place.

I can tell you’re savvy enough when it comes to flashing ROMs on your phone so you can actually try different ROMs ranging from ICS to JB to KK to know which one causes the fast battery drain. You can also compare the performance of stock firmware with custom ROMs if you like.

#4. Difficulties accessing the network

Problem

Hi, I’ve purchased my S2 two months ago, and I’m having difficulties in accessing network. I have cross above my screen for almost six days, and I tried everything so please I can’t afford to lose my phone and I’m afraid to be a hardware problem. So please I need some help over here, any kind, and let me know of all possible solutions for mi issue. I’m looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Solution

When I was reading your message, I was hoping you would include or attach a screenshot of your screen just to see what you mean by the “cross.” Without a screenshoot, you left me speculating about this problem. If it were just the usual coverage problem, I would advice you to call your provider because it is more likely a network issue. But since you said there is a “cross above the screen” I would assume it’s the Airplane Mode icon:

1. From any Home screen, tap the Menu key.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap More settings.
4. Tap to select or clear Airplane mode check box to enable or disable wireless services.

But if you meant a circle with a line through it, that’s the spot where coverage signal bars often sit. It means it’s turned off or still searching for network. It could be that you’re in the area where there is no service coverage or have selected a different Network Mode. Try these steps:

1. With the phone still on, remove the battery.
2. Without the battery press the phone’s Power button and hold it for 30 seconds.
3. Place the battery back and turn the phone back on.
4. Wait until the phone successfully detected signal from the network.

It would take a minute or two for the phone to completely get service but if it still can’t, try these:

From the home screen, tap the Menu key.

1. Tap Settings.
2. Tap More settings.
3. Tap Mobile networks.
4. Tap Network Mode.
5. Tap to select one of the following: GSM/WCDMA (Auto mode), GSM Only, WCDMA only.

I don’t know the preferred network mode in your area so I suggest you try one after another.

#5. Galaxy S2 freezes when Wi-Fi is enabled

Problem

Hi, I have an unlocked AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2 . Worked great for a year and a half, then, this one time i was travelling to another city and wanted internet on my laptop, so installed this app that was suggested by some guy on YouTube, which could make my phone work like a modem/router and provide WiFi signal to let my laptop connect to the internet through my cellphone network. I am guessing that’s when  this problem started. I have, since, deleted that app.

Now, the problem is , my phone goes crazy when I connect to any wi-fi network. It could be my home wi-fi network, office, at a friends place, anywhere . These are the series of events that usually happens :

1)   It connects momentarily and lets me get my whatsapp msgs, connects to facebook, browse the net etc , but within minutes disconnects. Then, the power button does not respond ( if the phone is not locked, then it wouldn’t lock if i press the power button and if its locked, then it wouldn’t illuminate the screen for me to unlock it . But if I insert the charger cable, the screen illuminates and it indicates that phone is charging and lets me unlock the phone!)

2)  Next, when i try to go to settings and try to turn off the wifi , so that I could atleast use the mobile data, it acts all hung up and slow. I am able to open Settings, then Wireless and Network, but when I click on WiFi Settings, it just freezes . After a minute or so, I get an error message saying settings is not responding and gives me the options to force close or wait .

After this I will have to reboot the phone and then quickly, before it again tries to connect to the wifi, go to Settings and disable WiFi . Once disabled, it is again a perfect phone. Connects to the mobile network data and operates without a glitch. (I have used this phone in India with AIRTEL, have been using it here in the US with Lycamobile). Thanks for listening, I really hope you have a solutions for this. Thanks in advance.Regards, Chirag

Solution

Whatever the name of the application is, it’s clear as the day that it’s the one causing the problem. So, if I were you, I would uninstall the app without hesitation just to bring the phone back to its normal operating performance. I understand there’s always time when you need to share your internet connection to your other devices but if  your carrier didn’t include Mobile Tethering or Hotspot in your device, it is more likely they don’t allow it. Yes, there are actually thousands of useful videos on YouTube you could follow, or apps you can install but the one you have right now is just not it. Here’s how you uninstall apps from your phone:

1. From any Home screen, tap the Menu key.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap the Applications manager.
4. Locate and tap the application you want to delete or uninstall.
5. Tap Uninstall.
6. Tap OK .
7. Tap OK again to confirm.

I’m not sure if you’ve already checked your phone for possible mobile hotspot feature but Galaxy S2 is supposed to have that. Try this:

1. From any Home screen, tap the Menu key.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap More Settings.
4. Tap Tethering and Mobile HotSpot.
5. Tap the Mobile Hotspot Switch.
6. If there exists Mobile Hotspot feature on your phone, you need to configure it the first time you use it.

I just hope you have this feature on your phone so that you’ll refrain from using third-party applications that could potentially damage the poor thing.

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