What to do if Galaxy Note8 sensors (Iris scanner, auto-rotation, GPS, etc.) stopped working after Oreo update

We’ve been getting reports that there may be an emerging problem with some #GalaxyNote8 units after installing Android Oreo enhancements. The issue seems to affect the phone’s sensors like the Iris scanner, auto-rotation, GPS, screen mirroring, etc. If you have such an issue after installing Android Oreo updates on your Note8, read on.

Today’s Problem: Galaxy Note8 sensors (Iris scaner, auto-rotation, heartbeat sensor, GPS, etc) stopped working after Oreo update

My Note8 sensors like iris scanner , auto rotation, heart beat sensor, running, stress and screen mirroring etching aren’t working. Even I tried your tips but it didn’t work. Eventually this problem came after new Android update 8.0 . Please give me solution as soon possible. Thank you for time. — Omesh kumar

Hello, I’m from Bangladesh, my Note 8 sensors are not working. It happens few days after updating oreo security patch april 01 2018. At first my iris scanner was not functioning properly and it showed “iris scanner is not responding now, please try again later”. Biomatrics are not working! Then it starts restarting automatically several times in a day. From last few days auto restart problem has gone. Auto rotation is not working. Another big problem, while talking time display is not going off in other hand pannel and notification setting pannel comes open and making so many problem. For that bluetooth is almost every time starts scaning and call connection also going to be lost by the contact between my ear and red colour phone symbol. I’ve tried to fix those issues by soft resetting, factory resetting without any backup file, even wipe catches partition, from settings to apps permission then default and restarted, from apps cache file also cleared from storage and also safe mode too but no any responses at all!!! Why samsung is not giving us solution? Most of the peoples who bought note 8 are getting pieced off and also saying that why we didn’t took Iphone X ??? At this point what can i do, could you tell me please! I mean is there any solution maker is there? I’m working in Nuclear power plant as a Medical Coordinator for 24/7, for 1 month then 1 month off then again 1 month duty and not permitted to go outside! I need few more days to stay here. So, it is not possible for me to go any samsung service center! I also did software downgrading and with samsung official software only but no any improvement! 2 days later again updated to oreo but still same result. Please help me……….. Thank You. Regards. —  Dr. Md Wahiduzzaman

Solution: If these sensors were working before you installed an Oreo update, you should consider doing these four possible solutions:

• cache partition wipe
• app and Android updates
• check for bad third party apps
• factory reset

Refresh the system cache

This is one of the first troubleshooting step that one can do when a device encounters problems after an update. Sometimes, updates may corrupt the system cache, which in turn, leads to all sorts of problems. To check if your Note8 has a system cache issue, you should consider wiping the cache partition with 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 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.

Keep apps up-to-date

One of the best way to maintain Android’s health in good condition is to ensure that all apps are compatible and updated. Apps don’t work in isolation and they can sometimes cause problems problems with Android or other apps if they become incompatible after an operating system update. If you are adventurous with apps, you should make it a point of making sure that everything that you add to the system is optimized. Some old apps, while can still be installed, may not work properly with new Android versions, or may still need some patching up from their developers. Always keep your apps updated by checking the Play Store. Here’s how:

1. Open Play Store app.
2. Tap More settings at the upper right.
3. Tap My apps & games.
4. Tap UPDATE ALL button if you have multiple updates.

If you set Play Store to automatically update apps for you, then simply skip this suggestion.

Not all apps can be installed from the Play Store so if you have some from other sources (through APK sideloading), make sure that those apps are fully compatible with the current Android version on your device. Talk to their developers if you’re not sure.

Observe in safe mode

Your Note8’s sensors should work properly all the time. However, they may encounter problems if one of the installed apps is incompatible or may be interfering with Android. To check, try to boot your Note8 to safe mode and see what happens.

1. Turn the device off.
2. Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen appearing on the 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. When Safe mode appears in the bottom left corner of the screen, release the Volume down key.
7. Let your phone run and check if the sensors work normally. If they do, that means one of your apps is to blame.

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 Note8 is still problematic, repeat steps 1-4.
6. Keep doing the same cycle until you’ve identified the culprit.

Reset all settings to defaults

Should the issue remain, or if there’s no change when your device is on safe mode, factory reset might help. Before wiping the phone, be sure to back your data up to avoid losing them.

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.

Reflash previous android version

Update-related issues are sometimes fixed by rolling back the Android version on your phone. The process involves flashing the previous stock Samsung firmware to your Note8 so be sure to do some Google research on how it’s done. This may or may not work depending on what’s causing the issue in the first place. This is a desperate shot though so there’s also a big chance that it may not work, just like what Dr. Md Wahiduzzaman has experienced.

Report the bug to Samsung

For those Note8 owners who are experiencing this problem despite having done all the software solutions above, we strongly suggest that you take your device to your local Samsung dealerships so a ticket can be created for these cases. We are still in the process of gathering information whether or not this issue is isolated to a few devices, or if it’s widespread. So far, we’ve only receive reports about it from some users in Asia. We will update this troubleshooting article once we get word from Samsung, or if we find an effective solution for it.

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