How to fix an Android phone stuck in boot loop

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Boot LoopAndroidSmartphoneTroubleshootingDevice ManagementPerformanceMobile OSSoftwareHardwareUser Guide

Introduction

An Android phone stuck in a boot loop is a common problem faced by many users. This problem occurs when the device constantly reboots itself and fails to load the home screen. This can be frustrating, but thankfully, there are several ways to solve this problem. This article will walk you through several ways to fix an Android phone stuck in a boot loop.

Understanding boot loops

A boot loop occurs when an Android device starts rebooting on its own and is unable to complete the startup sequence. This loop is caused by system glitches, corrupted files, problematic apps, or hardware issues. Before knowing the solution, it is important to know why it happens so that the right solution can be applied.

Common causes of boot loops

• Software update issues: Sometimes, an update gets corrupted or installed improperly, causing the system to restart repeatedly.
• Custom ROM: Installing a custom ROM that is incompatible with your device can cause boot loop issues.
• App incompatibilities: Some apps may conflict with system processes.
• Corrupted system files: System files can become corrupted for various reasons.
• Hardware problems: Although rare, faulty hardware components can cause a boot loop.

Ways to fix boot loop problem

Here are several methods to fix an Android phone stuck in boot loop. Try them one by one, starting with the simplest solution.

1. Restart your Android phone

The easiest way to fix a boot loop is to restart your phone. Here's how:

1. Press and hold the Power button.
2. Select the "Restart" option.

If this doesn’t resolve the issue, proceed to the next method.

2. Remove the battery

If your Android phone has a removable battery:

1. Remove the back cover of your device.
2. Remove the battery carefully.
3. Wait for about a minute.
4. Reinsert the battery and cover.
5. Turn on your device.

3. Boot into safe mode

Safe mode disables third-party apps and allows the device to run with minimal settings. This can help determine if a specific app is causing the problem.

1. Turn off your device.
2. Press and hold the Power button until you see the device's logo.
3. When the logo appears, immediately press and hold the Volume Down button.
4. Keep pressing until the device boots up. You will see "Safe Mode" at the bottom of your screen.

If your phone comes out of the boot loop in safe mode, an app is probably causing the problem. Uninstall recently installed apps and try restarting your phone.

4. Boot into recovery mode and wipe the cache partition

Clearing the cache partition can fix boot loops caused by corrupted system caches.

1. Turn off your device.
2. Press and hold Volume Up + Power button simultaneously until the device logo appears.
3. Using the Volume buttons go to "Recovery Mode" and confirm with the Power button.
4. In Recovery Mode, use the Volume buttons to navigate to “wipe cache partition” and select it with the Power button.
5. Once done, select "Reboot System Now".

5. Perform a factory reset in recovery mode

Performing a factory reset will erase all data on your device, so use this method as a last resort. Make sure you have a backup of your important data.

1. Turn off your device.
2. Press and hold Volume Up + Power button until the device logo appears.
3. Using the Volume buttons go to "Recovery Mode" and confirm with the Power button.
4. Select “wipe data/factory reset” using the Volume buttons and confirm with the Power button.
5. Select “Yes” to confirm the action.
6. When the process is complete, select "Reboot system now."

6. Flash the stock ROM

If none of the above methods work, you may have to reinstall the stock firmware (ROM).

1. Download the appropriate stock ROM for your device from the manufacturer's website.
2. Download and install Odin (for Samsung devices) or the appropriate flashing tool for your device on your computer.
3. Boot your device into Download Mode (usually by pressing Volume Down + Power button + Home button).
4. Connect your device to the computer using a USB cable.
5. Open the flashing tool and select the firmware file you downloaded.
6. Start the flashing process and wait for it to complete.

Example of flashing stock ROM on Samsung device:

Suppose you have a Samsung Galaxy device stuck in a boot loop. Here is an example of flashing a stock ROM using Odin:

Download the appropriate stock firmware for your Samsung device from a trusted source.
Download and install the latest version of Odin on your computer.
Extract the downloaded firmware file (.zip) to get the .tar.md5 file.
Boot your device into Download Mode by pressing and holding the volume down + power + home buttons simultaneously.
Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable.
Open Odin on your computer and wait for it to recognize your device (the "ID:COM" box should turn blue).
Click on the “AP” button in Odin and select the .tar.md5 firmware file.
Ensure only "Auto Reboot" and "F. Reset Time" options are checked in Odin.
Click the "Start" button to begin the flashing process.
Wait for Odin to complete the process. Your device will automatically reboot once it's done.

7. Seek professional help

If you have tried all the methods mentioned above and your Android phone is still stuck in a boot loop, the problem may be hardware-related. In such cases, it is best to seek help from a professional technician or contact the device manufacturer for assistance.

Conclusion

An Android phone stuck in a boot loop can be a frustrating experience, but as shown, there are several ways to solve this problem. From a simple restart to more advanced methods like flashing a stock ROM, you have several solutions at your disposal.

Always start with basic troubleshooting steps and make sure to back up your data regularly to avoid losing important information. If nothing works, seeking professional help is your best option.

Important tips

• Back up your data regularly.
• Be careful while installing updates or custom ROM.
• Check for app updates regularly to ensure compatibility.

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