The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is undeniably one of the most powerful phablets in the market today. Users had little to worry about in terms of overall performance, but like any other gadget, the Note 3 came with a few glitches that can easily be fixed. Below are some of the most common Note 3 problems that have workarounds and fixes users can try on their own.
WiFi Glitch
WiFi glitches are one of the most reported problems from the time the Note 3 was released until the Android KitKat 4.4.2 update came out. Users hope a fix for this will be included in the 4.4.3 update that have already begun rolling out, but quick, DIY fixes are available for those who have to wait for the update longer.
The easiest workaround is to make sure data is turned off. When the phone scans for an active data signal, it seems to compete with the WiFi signal, and turning off mobile data usually does the trick. If the problem persists, the following solutions may work according to AndroidPIT:
- Turn off the WiFi network being used. Go to WiFi settings, select the WiFi network, and click Forget. Go to the Advanced WiFi settings and uncheck Auto Network Switch. This works for many users.
- As in the previous item, have the Note 3 forget the WiFi network being used, and set it up from scratch.
- Check that the WiFi router's firmware is updated and that the phone's MAC number is not blocked or filtered.
Camera Malfunction
Some users are complaining about the "Warning: Camera Failed" message when starting up their cameras. It could either be a hardware issue, where one of the wires is loose - in this case, the unit needs to be taken to a service center to be fixed. Before doing this, a few fixes can be tried to see if the camera will work.
According to Phone Doctors, restarting the phone usually works, but in cases where it doesn't, clearing the application data may do the trick. Simply go to the Applications Manager, force close the camera app, and select Clear Data. A more drastic solution is to do a factory reset. Make sure to do this after backing up all the information on the phone. Checking if the phone's software is update also does the trick. Outdated software usually causes camera function, and an update may fix the problem immediately.
Performance Issues
According to Digital Trends, some users complain that their Note 3 slows down after some time, crashes and restarts on its own, or freezes. Others say they cannot make and receive calls. These performance issues can be easily fixed by clearing the phone's cache. The easiest way to do this is by doing a cache reset.
Enter system recovery mode by turning off the phone, then pressing Volume Up, Home and Power buttons until the Note 3 logo appears on the screen. Let go of the Power button, but continue pressing Volume Up and Home until the Android System Recovery screen appears, then let the buttons go. This screen allows users to select the Wipe Cache Partition option. Press the Power button to select the option, and the Note 3 will begin the cache reset process.
When the wipe is done, Reboot System Now will be highlighted on the screen. Simply press the Power button to restart the device and it should be working well.
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