10 Common LG V30 Problems & How to Fix Them

The LG V30 is one of the best Android phones available but it’s not perfect. As the release continues around the globe we’re starting to see reports of LG V30 problems. With that in mind, here are some common LG V30 problems and how to quickly fix them.

With our help, you can fix any LG V30 issues without calling your carrier or heading into a store for support. This phone is brand new, and as more users buy one we expect this list to grow. When it does, we’ll continuously update this post with more information.

Read: 18 Best LG V30 Cases

Whether you need to fix bad LG V30 battery life or the phone is frozen, these are the steps you’ll need to take. We’ll walk you through multiple issues and offer resources to address them, along with improving the phone experience overall.

How to Fix V30 Apps That Aren’t Fullscreen

The main problem we’re hearing about from owners is that apps aren’t full screen. With a big 6-inch edge-to-edge screen, why do apps have black bars at the top and the bottom? The V30 uses a new 18:9 aspect ratio that’s long and skinny. Making it easier to hold and use even with a big screen. However, this makes some apps have black bars at the top and bottom, similar to the black bars on a widescreen TV.

Luckily there is an easy fix for this. In settings, there is a new “App Scaling” option, where you can control and resize apps to use the full screen you paid for.

• Pull down the notification bar and head into Settings (gear-shaped icon near the top right)
• Tap on the Display column or option
• Select App Scaling
• Find and enable 18:9 (fullscreen mode) on any app that’s supported

Now it will automatically scale to the new 18:9 aspect ratio and fill your entire display with content. Most work fine, but if not this is how you can fix it.

How to Fix LG V30 Fingerprint Scanner Problems

Whether you’re just getting errors trying to unlock your phone or the fingerprint scanner isn’t working right, we have a few tips. LG has one of the fastest fingerprint scanners around, but if it doesn’t work it’s very frustrating. Then, if you install a case after setting up the scanner, more issues might arise.

If you’re running into issues with the V30 fingerprint scanner there are a few things we can try. First, delete any saved fingerprint and redo it. Especially if you installed a case AFTER registering your finger. The angle is now different, and sometimes it doesn’t work.

Follow the directions during setup and change angles, directions and use the tip of your finger for the best results. Save more than one finger, or even the same finger twice for a better success rate when unlocking the phone.

How to Fix Face & Voice Unlock Problems

LG’s new phone has a slew of security options. From the usual pin, password, and pattern, to more advanced options. Along with a fingerprint, you can use Voice Print and Face Print. One is facial recognition, and the other uses your voice. Personally, the voice is hit or miss, but the Face unlock is extremely fast.

For one, a picture can trick the face unlock system. During setup select “Advanced Mode” so pictures can’t fool the system. Additionally, there is an option to register your face multiple times for improved accuracy. If you skipped this, we highly recommend it.

How to Fix LG V30 App Tray Missing

In case you didn’t notice, there is no application tray on the LG V30. All of your apps are scattered on the homescreen or in folders. This is basically iPhone style, but here’s how to get the app tray back.

Head into Settings > Display > Home screen > Select Home > and choose Home & app drawer. This way your homescreen isn’t full of app icons and everything is neatly organized in the application tray like most Android devices.

How to Fix LG V30 WiFi & GPS Problems

With every new phone release, we see reports about WiFi problems. Like usual, V30 owners are complaining about WiFi drops and the occasion GPS issue. This is almost never a problem with the phone itself, and usually something else.

Read: 10 Neat Things the LG V30 Can Do

If you used Google or LG’s smart transfer tools to transfer an old phone to the V30, passwords and connections sometimes mess up. Meaning WiFi won’t connect or keeps dropping randomly.

Those experiencing V30 WiFi problems have a few options. First, we recommend you forget your WiFi network and re-enter the password on the phone. Do this by heading to Settings > Networks > WiFi. Push and hold your home internet connection and tap forget network on the popup. Then search for a WiFi connection, find yours, put in the password and it should work. We also recommend unplugging your home router for 10+ seconds to give it a fresh start and clean connection to your phone.

As for GPS issues, make sure the location settings on the V30 are using the highest values. Head into settings, tap the magnifying glass at the top (search) and type Location. Navigate to the Location menu in settings and tap Mode, then choose High Accuracy. This ensures the best experience and improved GPS performance.

How to Fix LG V30 Bluetooth Problems

The LG V30 uses Bluetooth 5.0 which delivers tons of neat new features. However, some users have reported problems with Bluetooth and connectivity. This is likely a bigger issue with Android itself or compatibility with your accessories or car stereo.

If your phone isn’t seeing devices or won’t connect we have a few ideas. First, simply forget the connection completely to any accessory or car stereo, then turn off Bluetooth on the phone. Then reboot the LG V30 and turn Bluetooth back on and reconnect to your device. Redo the entire pairing process.

Users can also head into Settings > Apps > and find “Bluetooth” and clear the cache. This will erase all pairings, which seems to solve the problem for some. The V30 has Bluetooth 5.0 so the range is over 120ft instead of 30ft like older phones, and it should connect faster than ever before. Let us know if you’re still facing Bluetooth problems.

How to Fix LG V30 Performance & Lag

LG’s new phone is fast and powerful, at least for most. The first few days there is a lot going on in the background, so let it settle in before you try some of our tips. If you’re still experiencing slow performance or lag here are our suggestions.

First off, a quick reboot solves tons of problems. Most don’t think to try this, but that’s our first suggestion for any problem. Next, head into Settings > Display > Screen Resolution and turn it down to 1080p instead of 2880 x 1440 Quad-HD. We don’t need the full Quad-HD for daily tasks, and all that does is make the screen a little prettier at the expense of performance and battery life. In fact, Samsung turns the Galaxy S8, Note 8 and others down to 1080p out of the box. Do the same on the V30 and see if it helps.

Those coming from the LG V10 or V20 likely use the “floating bar” on the LG V30. This is a software setting that gives you a small bar floating on the screen 24/7 with helpful shortcuts, apps, and controls. And while this is nice, the floating bar is an extra process that could cause lag. If you’re experiencing issues, try turning off the floating bar.

And finally, head into Settings > General > and scroll down to Smart Cleaning. This is a new feature that cleans up the phone and frees up resources to deliver the best performance. Every few days try hitting “optimize” and let it clean your phone. This removes unnecessary files to keep your phone running fast and smooth.

How to Fix LG V30 Wet Speaker Problems

The LG V30 features an IP68 dust and water-resistant rating. Meaning it’s certified to handle depths of 5ft for around 30 minutes and will come out working just fine.

However, the speaker still gets wet and might sound funny for a few minutes until it dries out. This shouldn’t cause any permanent damage, so don’t worry.

LG uses a coating on the inside of the device and then “surface tension” to keep water out of the speaker. There’s a small grill behind the metal cutout on the bottom of the phone. When water covers the little speaker grill hidden inside the frame it might sound funny. Let it dry, tap it against your hand to push any water out or even gently blow into the speaker. This should remove any remaining water and fix the sound.

How to Reset a Frozen LG V30

If your LG V30 is completely frozen or unresponsive, here’s how to fix it. The battery is no longer removable, and instead, you just need to hold a few buttons down for 8 seconds.

Press and hold the power (fingerprint scanner) and volume down button at the same time for 8 seconds. Your phone will vibrate, turn off, and restart. This works even if the phone is completely frozen, the screen is black, anything. This typically fixes any minor problem users experience, and no it doesn’t delete or erase anything. It’s just a simple reset, only you forced the phone to reboot.

How to Factory Reset the LG V30

We’re not expecting any major issues with the LG V30, and so far no reports state others. So most likely your experience will be pretty good. If not, a factory data reset is your last resort if everything else above fails. This will erase all user data, apps, messages, and content from the phone. Only do this if something is seriously wrong with the LG V30 and as a last resort.

Keep in mind that you might want to backup any data before you proceed. Go to Settings > General > Backup & reset and hit Reset to get started.

Again, this erases everything on your phone. Once the process completes start setting up your phone again. Google’s built-in backup and restore will have you up and running in a matter of minutes.

What’s Next?

Keep in mind that the LG V30 is still relatively new, and only just hit carrier and store shelves. As more users get one, we expect this list to grow. As it does we’ll continuously update this post with everything you need to know, and how to fix your problems.

In closing, here’s what you need to know about what’s coming next. Within the next 3-6 weeks, we’re expecting an update from LG. Typically smartphone manufacturers release one or two “initial updates” once a phone gets released. This fixes bugs and problems now that millions of owners have one and they can gather enough information.

This will patch any bugs, and fix some of these early release problems. Then sometime soon an update to Android 8.0 Oreo will arrive. That is a huge update with tons of improvements, new features, improved battery life and more. LG will use that opportunity to improve the V30 and fix any remaining bugs at the same time. The only problem is we’re not sure when Oreo will arrive. Hopefully before the end of the year.

Drop us a comment below with any other problems you’re experiencing, and we’ll do our best to help. Then, before you go, check out these 8 best LG V30 screen protectors.