How to Fix a Phone That Keeps Crashing

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Crashing AppsSmartphoneTroubleshootingAndroidiPhoneDevice ManagementPerformanceMobile OSSoftwareUser Guide

Phones are essential in our daily lives, whether for communication, work, or entertainment. However, if the phone crashes frequently, it can be extremely frustrating. There are many reasons why a phone keeps crashing, such as software problems, app problems, and hardware defects. In this guide, we will learn about various ways to fix a phone that keeps crashing.

1. Restart your phone

The first and simplest step is to restart your phone. Restarting can fix minor software glitches and refresh your device's memory. To restart your phone, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears.
2. Select "Restart" or "Reboot."
3. Wait until your phone restarts and check if the issue is resolved.

2. Update your phone's software

Out-of-date software can cause your phone to crash. Make sure your phone's operating system and apps are up-to-date. To update your phone's software:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Scroll down and select "System" or "Software Update."
3. Tap "Check for Updates."
4. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

3. Clear cache and data

Corrupted cache and data can cause apps to crash. Clearing the cache and data of the problematic app may resolve the issue. Follow these steps to clear the cache and data:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Select "Apps" or "Applications."
3. Find and select the app that is causing the problem.
4. Tap "Storage."
5. Tap "Clear cache."
6. If the issue persists, tap "Clear Data" (note that this will erase the app's data, including settings).

4. Uninstall and reinstall problematic apps

If a specific app is causing your phone to crash, uninstalling and then reinstalling the app may help. To do this:

1. Open Google Play Store (for Android) or App Store (for iOS).
2. Find the problematic app.
3. Tap "Uninstall."
4. Restart your phone.
5. Reinstall the app from the App Store.

5. Check for app conflicts

Sometimes, two or more apps may conflict with each other, causing your phone to crash. To check for app conflicts:

1. Restart your phone in safe mode. (For Android: Press and hold the Power button, then press and hold "Power off" until the Safe Mode option appears. For iOS: Turn off your phone, then turn it on while holding down the Volume Down button).
2. In safe mode, only pre-installed apps will run. Check if your phone still crashes.
3. If the issue is resolved in Safe Mode, one or more apps you installed may be causing the problem. Restart your phone normally and uninstall recently installed apps one by one until the issue is resolved.

6. Free up storage space

Low storage space can cause performance issues and crashes. Make sure your phone has enough free space by deleting unnecessary files and apps. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Select "Storage" or "Device Care."
3. Check the available storage space. If it's low, delete unused apps, photos, videos, and other files.
4. Consider moving large files to cloud storage or an external SD card.

7. Perform a factory reset

If none of the above methods work, performing a factory reset may help. A factory reset will erase all data on your phone and return it to its original settings. Make sure you have backed up your important data before proceeding. To perform a factory reset:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Select "System" or "General Management."
3. Tap "Reset" or "Reset options."
4. Select "Factory data reset" or "Erase all data".
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

8. Check for hardware problems

If your phone continues to crash after trying the above methods, it may have a hardware problem. Common hardware problems include battery issues, overheating, and physical damage. To check for hardware issues:

1. Inspect your phone for physical damage like cracks or water damage.
2. If your phone frequently overheats, make sure it is not exposed to high temperatures and remove the protective cover.
3. If the battery drains quickly or the phone shuts down unexpectedly, consider replacing it.
4. If necessary, take your phone to a professional technician for thorough diagnosis and repair.

9. Advanced Troubleshooting: Logcat for Android Users

If you are technically proficient and using an Android phone, you can use Logcat to find out the cause of the crash. Logcat is a tool that logs system messages including stack traces when the device encounters an error. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Install the Android SDK

First, you need the Android Software Development Kit (SDK). Download it from the official Android Developer website.

Step 2: Prepare your phone

1. To enable Developer Options on your phone, go to Settings > About phone > tap "Build number" several times until you see a message saying you are a developer.
2. Go to Developer Options in your phone's settings and enable "USB Debugging."

Step 3: Connect to and use Logcat

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer.
3. Go to the platform-tools directory of your Android SDK (use the cd command).
4. To see if your device is recognized, type adb devices.
5. Use adb logcat to start viewing the logs.
6. Reproduce the crash and review the logs for error messages.

This information can help determine the cause of crashes, especially if they are caused by specific software problems.

10. Using Safe Mode to Identify Problems

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode of the operating system that starts your phone with only essential apps and services. This mode helps determine if a third-party app is causing the problem. Here's how to enable Safe Mode:

For Android

1. Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears.
2. Press and hold the "Power off" option until you see "Reboot to safe mode."
3. Tap "OK" to confirm. Your phone will restart in safe mode.

For iOS

1. Turn off your iPhone.
2. Press and hold the Volume Down button until the Apple logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and your iPhone will start in Safe Mode.

In safe mode, see if your phone crashes. If it doesn’t, the problem is likely caused by a third-party app.

11. Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips to prevent your phone from crashing:

• Keep your phone and apps updated to the latest versions to benefit from bug fixes and performance improvements.
• Avoid installing apps from unknown sources. Stick to official app stores (Google Play Store for Android, App Store for iOS).
• Keep an eye on battery health. Battery failure can cause unexpected shutdowns and crashes.
• Limit the number of apps running in the background to free up system resources.

Conclusion

A phone that crashes repeatedly can be frustrating, but there are several methods you can try to resolve this issue. Start with simple steps like restarting your phone and updating the software. If the problem persists, move on to more advanced troubleshooting methods like clearing the cache, uninstalling problematic apps, and checking for hardware issues. For Android users with technical skills, using Logcat can provide in-depth information about the cause of the crashes. If all else fails, consider performing a factory reset or consulting a professional technician for help.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update