What to do if Galaxy J7 fails to install system update (Failed to update software error)

Today’s article tries to deal with another common issue for the Galaxy J7 — being unable to install a system update. If you have the same or similar issue on your own J7, one of the solutions must help.

Problem: Galaxy J7 won’t install update (Failed to update software error)

I have a Galaxy J7 I bought it in South Africa last year. I’m now in Mozambique. I keep getting a notice to download and install an update. I’ve tried 4 times now. The same thing happens- and I’ve used 5000mbs on the process. (We have to buy data by the mb here.) I download via mobile data (because I don’t have wifi access). At the end of the download I get this message: Failed to update software. Unable to install update. The download file is invalid. Try again later. Then a second screen pops up with: Software update error logs have been collected (0.60mb). These will be uploaded to the server. I’ve done a soft reset of my phone. Twice. The notice to update reappears a few minutes after the above messages. In Settings/Software updates/Schedules Software Updates I have changed the time from the factory setting of 2:00am to 5:30pm so I can see the update is happening. Except that it isn’t because it keeps giving me the above error/invalid file message. Do I have some sort of virus? I’m tired of that notice that I need to update my software. I’m tired of buying data that gets wasted. I don’t know what the server is or where “logs” are being sent. And the Samsung website is a confusing maze. Can you help me fix this. I think you’re in the US – I’m also American but live in Mozambique. Maybe this is a Africa network problem. ??? Thanks for any help or advice you can give – or redirect me to in my part of the world.

How to fix a Galaxy J7 that won’t install a system update

There’s a number of possible factors that we can think of why a Galaxy J7 won’t install a system update. Let’s discuss each of them and how to fix some of the common causes.

Incompatibility

When it comes to dealing with system update errors, the first thing that a user must check is to ensure that a device is compatible with the update being downloaded or installed. In your case, a first question that we want you to answer is if the device was able to install a system update when connected to this same network.

Keep in mind that each carrier modifies vanilla Android in order to promote their own apps and services. This is the reason why there are thousands of different Android version for a particular phone model around the world. As an example, you won’t be able to install a US AT&T firmware version to a T-Mobile device. So, if you have a T-Mobile device and you want to use it in AT&T network, you can’t expect to receive any over-the-air update at all. Installing an AT&T firmware to a T-Mobile device can potentially brick it.

If your current Galaxy J7 is originally designed to work for a different carrier, this may be the reason why the downloaded firmware won’t install at this time.

Insufficient storage space

Another reason why system updates may fail at times is the lack of storage space in a device’s internal storage device. Make sure that there’s at least 1GB of storage available before you install the update again.

To make room in your internal storage, try to move non-system critical files such as photos, videos, music, etc. to an SD card or to another phone or computer.

Slow or intermittent internet connection

Sometimes, slow or intermittent internet can cause update problems as there’s a tendency for the update files to become corrupted or incomplete. Make sure to only download updates when you have fast mobile data connection. Better still, try to download updates using stable wifi network.

Clear cache and data of Google Play Store

Sometimes, system updates may fail if there’s a problem with Google Play Store app. To troubleshoot this app, you can try to wipe its cache first. If that won’t work, return it to its factory settings by clearing its data.

How to clear an app’s cache:

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 and tap your app.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Tap Clear cache button.
8. Restart your Galaxy J7 and check for the problem.

How to clear 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 and tap your app.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Tap Clear data button.
8. Restart your Galaxy J7 and check for the problem.

Corrupted system cache

In some other cases, a corrupted system cache can prevent installation of a system update, or cause the installation itself to stop altogether. To see if you have a system cache problem, try clearing the cache partition and see what happens.

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home 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 cache partition’.
5. Press Power button to select.
6. Press the Volume down key until ‘yes’ is highlighted and press the Power button.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
8. Press the Power key to restart the device.

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 Galaxy J7:

1. Create a backup of your data.
2. Turn off the device.
3. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home 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.

 

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