IT Skills

Checklists And Templates For Android Phone Troubleshooting




These tools will help you diagnose and resolve common and advanced issues step-by-step. These methods can be used by both casual users and those with advanced technical knowledge.


1. General Android Troubleshooting Checklist

A. Basic Steps

Restart the Device: Press and hold the Power button, then tap Restart.
Check for Updates: Go to Settings > System > Software Update to ensure your Android version is up-to-date.
Inspect for Physical Damage: Check for cracks, damaged charging ports, or signs of water damage.
Clear Cache:
- Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear Cache.
Check Storage:
- Go to Settings > Storage and free up space if storage is low.


B. Network and Connectivity

Toggle Airplane Mode: Turn it on for 10 seconds, then off.
Reset Network Settings:
- Go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth.
Forget Wi-Fi Network:
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > [Network Name] > Forget, then reconnect.


2. Battery and Charging Troubleshooting Checklist

A. Charging Issues

  1. ? Inspect Cable and Adapter:
  2. Use an original or certified charger. Test the cable with another device.
  3. ? Clean the Charging Port:
  4. Gently clean the port using a toothpick or compressed air.
  5. ? Check for Power Delivery (PD):
  6. Use a compatible PD adapter for fast charging.

B. Battery Draining Quickly

| Step | Action |
|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Check Battery Usage | Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage to identify resource-heavy apps. |
| Enable Power-Saving Mode | Turn on Power-Saving Mode or Battery Saver. |
| Turn Off Unnecessary Features | Disable Bluetooth, GPS, or Wi-Fi if not in use. |
| Restrict Background Activity | Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Battery > Restricted. |


3. App Crashing or Freezing Checklist

Force Stop the App:
- Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Force Stop.
Update the App:
- Open Google Play Store, search for the app, and tap Update.
Reinstall the App:
- Uninstall and reinstall the app via the Google Play Store.
Clear Data:
- Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear Data.


4. Connectivity Troubleshooting Checklist

A. Wi-Fi Issues

  1. ? Restart Router and Phone: Reboot both to clear temporary glitches.
  2. ? Check DNS Settings:
  3. Use custom DNS like Google DNS (8.8.8.8) in Settings > Wi-Fi > Advanced Options.
  4. ? Change Frequency Band:
  5. Switch between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz in Wi-Fi Advanced Settings.

B. Mobile Data Issues

  1. ? Check Data Settings:
  2. Ensure Mobile Data is enabled in Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network.
  3. ? Check APN Settings:
  4. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Access Point Names (APNs) and verify carrier settings.

C. Bluetooth Issues

  1. ? Unpair and Re-pair Devices:
  2. Forget the device in Settings > Bluetooth > [Device Name] > Forget and re-pair.
  3. ? Reset Bluetooth Settings:
  4. Reset network settings as described above.

5. Screen and Display Troubleshooting Checklist

A. Touchscreen Not Responding

  1. ? Clean the Screen: Use a soft, lint-free cloth.
  2. ? Check for Physical Damage: Look for cracks or unresponsive areas.
  3. ? Reboot in Safe Mode:
  4. Hold the Power button, then tap and hold Power Off until Reboot to Safe Mode appears.

B. Screen Flickering

  1. ? Lower Brightness: Go to Settings > Display > Brightness Level and adjust.
  2. ? Disable Adaptive Brightness:
  3. Go to Settings > Display > Adaptive Brightness and turn it off.
  4. ? Safe Mode: Boot into Safe Mode to determine if a third-party app is causing the problem.

6. Slow Performance Troubleshooting Checklist

Free Up RAM:
- Close background apps via the Overview button or Settings > Memory.
Disable Animations:
- Enable Developer Options (Settings > About Phone > tap Build Number 7 times), then reduce animation scales under Developer Options > Window/Transition/Animator Scale.
Clear System Cache:
- Boot into Recovery Mode:
- Turn off the phone, press and hold Power + Volume Up (or Volume Down for some models), and navigate to Wipe Cache Partition.


7. Sound and Audio Troubleshooting Checklist

A. No Sound or Low Volume

  1. ? Check Volume Settings:
  2. Use the volume buttons or Settings > Sound & Vibration.
  3. ? Inspect Speaker Grille:
  4. Clean with a soft brush.
  5. ? Test in Safe Mode: Boot into Safe Mode to rule out third-party app interference.

B. Headphone Issues

  1. ? Inspect the Jack or Bluetooth Connection:
  2. For wired headphones, clean the jack.
  3. For Bluetooth, ensure the device is paired properly.
  4. ? Check Audio Settings:
  5. Go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output.

8. Error Messages Troubleshooting Template

| Error Type | Common Fixes |
|-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| “Storage Full” | Delete unused apps, clear cached files (Settings > Storage). |
| “App Not Installed” | Check for storage space and use the Google Play Store for apps. |
| “Can’t Connect to Server”| Check internet connection and DNS settings. |


9. Advanced Troubleshooting

A. Factory Reset

  1. ? Back up important data to Google Drive or a PC.
  2. ? Go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data (Factory Reset).

B. Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables third-party apps to isolate software issues:
1. Hold the Power button, then tap and hold Power Off until Safe Mode appears.
2. Test the device. If the problem is resolved, a third-party app is the cause.


C. Flashing Firmware

For persistent software issues, reflash the firmware:
1. Download the official firmware from your manufacturer’s website.
2. Use tools like Odin (Samsung), SP Flash Tool, or ADB and Fastboot.


D. Recovery Mode

Access Recovery Mode to fix advanced issues:
1. Power off the device.
2. Press and hold Power + Volume Up (or Volume Down, depending on the model).
3. Use the Volume buttons to navigate and select:
- Wipe Cache Partition
- Factory Reset


10. Advanced Diagnostic Tools

| Tool | Purpose |
|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| AccuBattery | Monitor battery health and charging performance. |
| Phone Check and Test | Run diagnostics on hardware and sensors. |
| ADB (Android Debug Bridge) | Advanced debugging and firmware flashing. |
| GSAM Battery Monitor | Analyze battery usage in detail. |


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