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8 Common Galaxy Note 4 Problems & How to Fix Them

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Android 5.0 Lollipop update still hasn’t rolled out to users in the U.S. but it’s expected to roll out sometime in the weeks ahead. Ahead of the Android 5.0 Lollipop update, we want to take a look at some common Galaxy Note 4 KitKat problems and offer some potential fixes so that the device is ready for Android 5.0’s arrival.

At the tail end of last year, Samsung took the stage in Berlin, Germany to announce a brand new flagship smartphone dubbed Samsung Galaxy Note 4. The Galaxy Note 4 takes over for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 as the company’s flagship model and it has quickly become one of the top Android smartphones on the market.

When the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 first arrived, it was one of the only Samsung devices running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Weeks later, it remains one of the only Samsung devices running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Soon though, it will become one of several devices running Samsung’s brand new Android 5.0 Lollipop update with TouchWiz. For some users, Android 5.0 can’t come soon enough.

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While many Galaxy Note 4 users are enjoying a stable experience on Android 4.4 KitKat, others are running into Galaxy Note 4 problems on Google’s old operating system. Samsung and its carrier partners have rolled out a few bug fixes aimed at stabilizing the software but carrier forums continue to fill up with complaints about Galaxy Note 4 KitKat problems.

The Android 5.0 Lollipop update is expected to tackle some of these issues though many users either won’t want to wait or simply can’t wait for Google’s latest update to arrive. Fortunately, there are a number of temporary and potentially permanent fixes for the Galaxy Note 4 problems that users should be aware of ahead of the device’s first big update.

Today we want to take a look at some of the Galaxy Note 4 problems that have popped up for us (and other Galaxy Note 4 users) and offer some possible fixes for these issues. It’s important to note that while these fixes apply to Galaxy Note 4 models running KitKat, they could also work for issues that arrive with Android 5.0 Lollipop.

How to Fix Galaxy Note 4 Battery Life Problems

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 users are dealing with battery life problems in the months after the smartphone’s release. This does not come as too much of a surprise given that all smartphones typically present some battery life challenges to their users. This is not a problem that’s isolated to just the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Sadly, there are no guaranteed fixes for Galaxy Note 4 battery life problems but there are some things that users will want to try if the battery stops working normally.

In our experience, third-party applications have been the source for battery problems on Galaxy smartphones and tablets. This is a problem that’s happened for years and it appears that it might be happening to some Galaxy Note 4 users. One of the first steps we recommend taking will disable third-party applications so that the problem apps can be isolated and detected. Isolating applications will take a lot of time (users will need to do some uninstalling) but it’s worth a try if the battery isn’t holding up.

Here’s how to boot the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 into Safe Mode:

  1. Power down the device. Then, press & hold the Power button and volume down key.
  2. Once it boots up, you can let go of the power button but keep the volume key held down.
  3. When you have successfully entered into Safe Mode, you will notice the text ‘Safe Mode’ at the bottom left corner of the screen.

If that doesn’t work, there are some additional steps to try and get a handle on battery life problems. First, we recommend restarting the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 to see if that helps. This reboot will clear the cache and kill off services that might be eating away at the battery. It’s a simple fix that’s worked for us, and Galaxy users, in the past.

Best of 2014 - Galaxy Note 4 review

Disabling NFC connectivity, Bluetooth, GPS, Air View, and any other unnecessary features could have a positive impact on battery life as well. Users that love live wallpapers might also want to think about switching to a static wallpaper to see if that helps. These tend to have a big impact on battery life and overall performance.

How to Fix Galaxy Note 4 Wi-Fi Problems

Wi-Fi issues are another problem for some Samsung Galaxy Note 4 users. Wi-Fi problems are amongst the most common smartphone problems on the planet and while there is no guaranteed fix for these issues, there are some solutions to try if Wi-Fi is acting up.

The first thing to try is rebooting the device. Galaxy Note 4 users will also want to try rebooting the router if that hasn’t been done in awhile. We recommend unplugging the router for a good 30 seconds and then plugging it back in. Users can do the same for the modem as well. Users might also consider updating the routers firmware. If those simple fixes do not work, it’s worth heading into the device’s settings.

First off, force the Galaxy Note 4 to forget the Wi-Fi network that’s posing the problems. Head to the desired connection in Settings and select the Forget Network option. Users will then need to reconnect to the Wi-Fi network. This process wipes out passwords so users will need to ensure that that is readily available before performing this potential fix.

It’s also worth going into Power Saving Mode to see if restrictions are in place. To access Power Saving Mode, head into Settings and then into the Power Saving Mode option. This is a known fix for Galaxy Wi-Fi issues and it could help here as well.

How to Fix Galaxy Note 4 Bluetooth Issues

Bluetooth problems are also an extremely common smartphone problem and unfortunately, Samsung Galaxy Note 4 users have been unable to escape their wrath. There are a few fixes to try if Bluetooth problems are causing trouble on the Galaxy Note 4.

The first fix to try is simply toggling Bluetooth on and off. To do this, head into Settings and then Bluetooth and toggle the service off and then back on again after a few moments. If that doesn’t fix the problem, it’s time to forget the connection. Head into Bluetooth and forget the connections that are causing problems. After this step is complete, reconnect.

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Galaxy Note 4 users trying to connect to a car will need to consult the car’s manual. There should be a way to reset Bluetooth though the process is going to be different for each make and model. Once the car’s Bluetooth has been reset and the connection has been forgotten on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, try reconnecting to see if it works.

If that doesn’t work, we also recommend booting into Safe Mode (the instructions can be found above) which will disable third-party applications. This will allow users to check to see if apps are causing the problem. Apps have caused Bluetooth problems in the past so this is certainly worth a shot if nothing seems to be working.

How to Fix Galaxy Note 4 Performance Issues

We’ve spoken to a number of Samsung Galaxy Note 4 users who have seen abnormal lag and sluggishnes. We ourselves have noticed a bit though it’s certainly not a regular occurrence.

While there isn’t a cure-all fix for these performance issues, Galaxy Note 4 users will be happy to know that there are a few things to try to help improve overall performance on Samsung’s new flagship.

The first potential fix that we recommend is a process that will clear the cache partition. To clear the cache partition on the Galaxy Note 4, follow these fairly easy steps:

  • Turn the Galaxy Note 4 off.
  • Press and hold Home, Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the device vibrates.
  • When the Samsung logo appears, release them.
  • Tap Volume Down repeatedly until you Wipe Cache Partition. Select it with the power button. Select Yes.
  • Wait for the process to complete. It could take awhile.
  • Reboot your Galaxy Note 4.

If this doesn’t work, we also recommend halting the use of live wallpapers as they can negatively impact performance. Galaxy Note 4 users can also try toggling NFC off. This has proven to be a solid fix in the past though we recommend using it in conjunction with others.

We also recommend turning off animations but only if things really go bad on the Galaxy Note 4. To do this, hold down on a blank space on the screen, go to your Home Screen Settings then Transition effect and select None. Users can also try disabling some applications through Application Manager in device settings.

How to Fix Galaxy Note 4 App Problems

Galaxy Note 4 users experiencing issues with third-party applications can try a few things to improve their performance. First, users should try updating the problem app. There’s a good chance that the developer’s recently rolled out a bug fix or compatibility update. Galaxy Note 4 users can also try reinstalling the application. We’ve seen success with this method several times in the past.

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If the problems continue after updating and reinstalling, we encourage Galaxy Note 4 users to reach out to the developer and alert them to the problem. This will help them identify the problem and potentially fix it in a later update.

How to Fix Galaxy Note 4 Random Reboots

Random reboots are evidently a big problem for some Galaxy Note 4 users. Random reboots (likely memory leaks) have been around for ages and it’s not shocking to see Galaxy Note 4 users complain about the problem.

To try and fix Galaxy Note 4 random reboots, first try booting into Safe Mode. We outlined the steps to take above. An application could be the source of the problem and Safe Mode will allow Galaxy Note 4 users to isolate the issue and move on. Users should also make sure applications on the Galaxy Note 4 are up-to-date.

If that doesn’t work, try removing the microSD card. In our case, removing the microSD card stopped the random reboots from happening on the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4. Some microSD cards simply don’t get along with Samsung’s hardware and removing the microSD card could return performance to normal.

How to Fix Galaxy Note 4 Charging Problems

We’ve also heard from several Galaxy Note 4 users who say that they’ve stumbled upon charging issues. This isn’t new to Android smartphones as its been a problem through several iterations of the Android operating system. As is the case with many common Android issues, there are a few fixes to try should the problem emerge on the Galaxy Note 4.

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First, make sure you’re using the charger that came with the Galaxy Note 4. If it still doesn’t work, try using a charger with the same voltage rating as the Samsung Galaxy Note 4’s. If nothing else works, try ditching the wall charger for a USB cable. Plug the Galaxy Note 4 into a computer to see if that helps. Charging this way is slower but it could save you some money and a few headaches.

If that doesn’t work, keep listening.

How to Fix Galaxy Note 4 Problems if Nothing Works

If none of these fixes work, it’s probably time for a factory reset. This is a time consuming process and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 users need to ensure that files have been backed up before going down this road. It will wipe everything on the device.

To do this, go into SettingsUser & Backup, and select Backup and Reset. From there, select Factory Data Reset. From there, select Reset Device and then Delete All.

If for whatever reason that doesn’t work, you can also factory reset using the hardware keys on your phone. Here’s how to do that. It’s a far more difficult process. We recommend the above route if possible.

  • First, you’ll need to turn the Galaxy Note 4 off.
  • Once its off, press and hold the Volume up button, the Home button, and the Power buttons together until you see an Android appear on the screen.
  • Once you see this, use the Volume down key to highlight the Wipe Data/Factory Reset option. Use the Power button to select it.
  • Use the Volume down key to select Yes – delete all user data and then use the Power button again to select it.
  • When you see the Reboot System Now option, you’ll know you’re on track. Use the Power button to select that option.
  • This will erase everything on the Galaxy Note 4 bringing it back to the state it was in when you first bought it. It also might fix the problems you’re having.

Sometimes, unorthodox fixes will work where common fixes fail. We also recommend taking a look at Android Central’s forums, one of our favorite Android-centric forums. Those who are still unable to find a fix should get in touch with their service provider or with Samsung itself.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. richard

    02/03/2015 at 5:01 pm

    The instructions for “wipe cache partition” may be off. When I simultaneously pressed volume down, home and power buttons the screen that followed was to load custom OS and did not give any option for wiping the cache partition. Please advise. Thanks

    • Jason

      02/21/2015 at 6:14 am

      The buttons required to get the wipe is home+volume up+power. The option for wipe cache is right under wipe data/factory reset Home+volume down+power is to install custom os (roms). Hope this helps.

  2. babar saeed

    03/26/2015 at 8:51 pm

    I really dislike the lollipop update. Only for 2 main reasons. My notification bar is slow and laggy when I pull it down and swipe notifications away. And the other reason is that they took away my source button for my t.v remote from the notification bar. I’m really upset, but I’m not going to lie. Lollipop looks cool, it just doesn’t feel cool.

  3. venkat

    05/07/2015 at 4:54 am

    when i inserted new SIM on my new Samsung Note 4, it did not latch to network, but says , “Invalid SIM”, ,” Network locked sim card inserted”. however the same is working on other phones. Any one knows how to fix it?

  4. Mike willsher

    06/29/2015 at 2:13 am

    Problem sorted thanks

  5. Frank

    06/30/2015 at 8:22 am

    I like the phone But the first one I bought crashed badly I got another one by mail. It’s working. But I save phone #s and they f@$!kn disappear what’s up with that

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