Troubleshooting Four Major Battery-Related Issues with Samsung Galaxy S4

About half a year since its starter, there have been quite a number of complaints raised from owners of Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S4. Among these issues include those that are associated with battery performance such as endurance degradation, swelling and overheating, and the like. In this content, we will illustrate and troubleshoot four major battery-related issues with the Samsung Galaxy S4, in respond to pertinent emails we received from some S4 owners experiencing any of the subsequent battery problems.

A. Battery Drains Quickly

Some owners of the Galaxy S4 have been complaining about the battery that drains quickly within a few hours of use and that they have not received the recommended standby times for the device.

The problem is likely caused by the following:

  • use of non-Samsung OEM charger or battery
  • physical or liquid damage is occurring to the device or battery
  • running third-party apps in the background
  • data use in the background such as video streaming, music streaming, frequent syncing and the like
  • low signal strength affecting transmitting/receiving process
  • device software needs to be updated
  • frequent email/text messaging, calls and internet usage
  • using device in extreme temperatures (hot or cold)
  • turned on wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth, GPS or Wi-Fi

RECOMMENDATIONS

  1. Check the USB/Charging cable and battery and make sure they are all Samsung OEM and not third-party accessories.
  2. Check for any possible physical damage on the device, USB or charging cable. Also verify the USB port, cable have not been damaged and no exposed wires.
  3. Check the battery or device for any possible liquid damages. A liquid damage can be determined by checking the unit’s Liquid Damage Indicator (LDI), located inside the battery or on the battery itself. An indication for non-damaged LDI indicators is the solid white or white with visible pink/purple Xs. It will appear solid pink/purple/red if the device has been exposed to moisture.

Important Note: The Samsung Limited Warranty does not cover liquid damage on the unit or battery.

  1. For best results, use a wall outlet when charging the device, instead of a computer. The unit comes with a USB wall charger adapter.
  2. Please check if the device is getting adequate signal, typically between 2-4 bars of strength. Weak or low signal strength can also consume more battery power for transmitting and receiving connection. If you are not getting adequate signal strength, contact your service provider for further assistance.
  3. If your device is outdated, then check for any available software updates for it to stay up-to-date.

Hint: Software updates for Samsung Galaxy S4 as well as other Samsung devices are available online via Samsung Support website. In this case, just visit the support page for Samsung Galaxy S4 for any available software updates for the device.

Here is how to update the applications on your Galaxy S4:

  1. Touch the Apps icon from the home screen.
  2. Touch to select Play Store to continue.
  3. Touch to select Menu.
  4. Touch My Apps to check for updates.
  5. Touch UPDATE all to apply updates.

If the problem persists, then try to adjust screen brightness and timeout to increase battery strength on your device.

In order to further isolate the problem, or determine if the problem is replicated with another battery, try using another Samsung battery for the same device. This issue can also be specific to your current battery.

B. Battery Will Not Charge

In this case, users complain about the unit’s battery that is not holding a charge or it holds a charge only for a few minutes before powering off.

Possible causes of this issue would include the following:

  • physical or liquid damage
  • use of non-Samsung OEM charger or battery
  • damage to USB/charging cable exists
  • unsecured connection of the USB/charging cable
  • battery not properly seated
  • damage to power supply, outlet or computer exists
  • USB/charging cable is being blocked or not fully connected

RECOMMENDATIONS

  1. Use only the supplied USB/charging cable and Samsung OEM battery for your device, NOT any third-party accessories.
  2. Make sure the battery is properly inserted in the device.
  3. Make sure nothing is blocking the USB/charging cable and that it is connected securely.
  4. Check the device’s battery or charging indicator and see whether it shows up on the display when the USB/charging cable is plugged in.

NOTE: Some selected Samsung Note devices and tablets will usually display “not charging” if you try charging while it is connected to a computer. Users will often be prompted with an icon for slow charging or not charging at all as most USB ports are unable to supply the power to charge the device.

And for this reason, device owners are therefore advised to:

  1. Charge or connect the supplied USB/charging cable to a wall outlet, rather than using a computer when charging. Also make sure the wall outlet is working fine. You can test it by connecting another electronic device to the same outlet. If charging is failed, then try using another wall outlet available.
  2. Let the device charge for a few minutes or until its battery says it is fully charged.
  3. After a few minutes of charging, hold the power button down to turn the device on and check whether it charges or not. If you notice the device vibrates or sounds like it is turning on, then just leave it charging and see if the display turns on.

In case the issue persists and the device is still not charging, then try to check for any possible damages to the charging cable, battery or the unit itself.

C. Battery Swelling

The issue on the unit’s battery that is expanding or swelling has been acknowledged by the company and in fact, it had offered battery replacements to affected customers.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Owners of the device are highly advised to discontinue using the unit if the battery is swelling and should never attempt to charge or use the device in this case. Damaged or leaking batteries are detrimental especially when the battery fluid comes in contact with the eyes or skin.

Swelling or expanding batteries on Samsung Galaxy S4 or other Samsung units are likely due to:

  • use of non-Samsung OEM battery or charger
  • physical or liquid damage to the device
  • physical or liquid damage to the battery

Hint: A strong indication that the battery could be swollen is an ill-fitting battery cover.

In order to prevent further issue to arise from using swollen battery be sure to:

  1. Always check the device or battery for any liquid damages. You can check the Liquid Damage Indicator to determine if the device has experience physical or liquid damage.
  2. Check the battery to make sure the connectors are not bent, broken, corroded or pushed in.

NOTE: Similar to liquid damage, physical damage is also not covered under the Samsung Limited Warranty.

If the problem persists, please contact Samsung support or your mobile service provider for further assistance.

D. Device Is Warm

Some owners have noticed their device or battery is getting too hot or gives off excessive heat in just a few hours of use.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Immediately discontinue using the device if it is already too hot to keep in contact with your skin. Also do not attempt to charge the device.

Just like with the other battery-related issues, the problem about the device or battery getting too warm can be triggered by certain factors including any of the following:

  • use of nor-Samsung OEM chargers or batteries
  • physical or liquid damage is occurring
  • use of certain third-party application
  • exposure of the device to extreme temperatures for a long period of time
  • device casing does not allow proper ventilation
  • using too many apps or features like music or video streaming
  • simultaneously running multiple applications in the background
  • poor signal strength can also cause the device to get warm as it pushes it to work harder to acquire a better connection

WORKAROUNDS

  1. Remove any cases or pouches from the device if it feels warm when charging. Doing so would allow proper ventilation to take place.
  2. See if your device is getting good network connection. If not then, please contact your network service provider to assist you further with your network problem, especially on poor signal strength.
  3. In case you are using third-party battery or charging accessories, replace them with a Samsung OEM battery or USB charging cable.
  4. Be sure to place your device in room temperature for a few hours, especially after exposing it to extreme heat. If the device is functioning properly, it should cool down after a few minutes.
  5. Avoid excessive or non-stop use of the device as it could cause it to feel warm.
  6. If you find out the problem is caused by certain applications, then uninstall applications that you think is causing the battery or device to heat up.
  7. Also check for any possible liquid damage to the battery or device. Also inspect the connectors for any possible physical damages and make sure they are not pushed in, bent, corroded or broken.

If physical or liquid damages exist, please contact Samsung OEM for further assistance. Note that liquid and physical damages are not covered by the Samsung Limited Warranty.

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7 thoughts on “Troubleshooting Four Major Battery-Related Issues with Samsung Galaxy S4”

  1. What is the prescribed method for solving the battery issue is to uninstall all the applications and reinstall them with the new OS.

  2. My s4 overheats excessively when left on charge overnight. The phone will be on near empty when I go to sleep and when I wake up the whole phone is so bloody hot to touch. Automatically rip the battery out to let it cool down. When I put it back in it registers 75 percent. I’m using the Samsung charger and haven’t rooted my phone. It’s all stock and this crap is happening. I mean it gets that hot I think the batteries gonna explode. Is this a usual s4 problem and if I buy another battery what guarantee do I have its gonna fix it? Samsung’s batteries are woeful.

  3. Funny. I had more trouble with the Samsung stock cord than this USB Micro charging cord I just bought. High quality braided cord. Fits in tight and locks into the charging port of my galaxy s4 great. Charges fully in about 30 minutes and holds its charge much longer without overheating at all. Best $8 I ever spent at Marshalls. Regular price ever where else was $25.

  4. I’m on my 5th battery in 2 years with a samsung note. needless to say, my next phone will not be a samsung.

  5. This is a useless article. I only use Samsung approved chargers,batteries etc. I haven’t changed my usage profile, which is lightweight to say the least. No games, no videos, no music streaming, nothing. I use it for texting and phoning. Last night battery was on 75% when I stopped using at (at around 9pm). This morning at 7:00 am, it was on 16%. The screen brightness was turned off LOW….

    WIFI connected (as it has always been since I got the phone 6 months ago. Just, up to about 3 or 4 days ago, the battery used to last about 2 days at least, not drain out overnight.

    So how exactly does this article help me with this problem?

  6. Battery life with original battery was horrific. Bought battery upgrade, and its a little better. This article does not give any meaningful advice except to the very ignorant.

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