When the Samsung Galaxy S4 received the Android 4.4.2 update, many users reported battery and screen problems online, seeking instructions for DIY fixes. These are caused by glitches that can be worked around or fixed by tweaking a few settings in the phone. While users are awaiting news of the next Android update, the following tips may help improve the performance of the S4's battery life and screen.
Battery Drain
One of the biggest complaints users have with the Galaxy S4 is the short battery life. According to Breathecast, some encounter only using the handset for 10 hours instead of the usual 3 days.The phone has a series of power-consuming apps and a powerful screen, so this shouldn't come as a surprise. However, some users report quick battery drain right after a firmware update.
Several solutions are available. According to KpopStarz, first, try pulling out the battery, wait for a few seconds and then put it back on the phone and restart. If this doesn't work, a battery recalibration may be required because it may be a battery meter problem and not necessarily a malfunctioning battery. Over at Android Forums, user juo78 suggested to drain the battery completely and charging it, untouched, until the battery is full. This should recalibrate the battery meter. Users also need to check the estimated battery life of the S4, and replace the battery when it shows signs of deteriorating performance.
Black Lock Screen
According to AndroidPit, one of the most reported problems of the S4 is the black lock screen. They reported this incident happening after updating to the latest firmware. One way to fix this is to disable the personal message lock screen. Go to Settings, then Lock Screen. Navigate to Lock Screen Widgets, then Clock or Personal Message. Select Clock to remove the personal message and display the clock on the lock screen instead. This is an effective fix for most users, regardless of whether or not they have the personal message screen activated.
Frozen Screen
Some users report not being able to use their phone until they pull the battery and restart because their screens freeze in the middle of use. The Droid Guy points out this could be caused by malfunctioning or unresponsive applications or by a glitch. If restarting does not work, find the app that may be causing the problem and try disabling or uninstalling it.
Users who experience frozen screens after updating their firmware also recommend doing a factory reset on the phone. This gets rid of the lag and helps the S4 run smoothly again. Remember to back-up the phone before resetting, and sync the information afterwards to ensure no data is lost.
The next Android update should fix these issues, but until then, the mentioned workarounds and fixes will keep the Samsung Galaxy S4 working well.
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