Bringing up keyboard crashes apps SONY XPERIA (A 4.0.4)

[AC Question]

Hey!
I have a problem with my keyboard on Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S. Phone is non-rooted, non-modded. Android version: 4.0.4

Keyboard works fine, but when I try to use it in some apps, those applications crash (YouTube stoped working; unfortunately browser stopped working etc.). So.. apps run fine, until no keyboard call is made.

Apps where keyboard doesn't work:
-Facebook when sending messages and using search
-Facebook messenger app
-Browser when google searching (also other search engines)
-YouTube when searching
-Gmail (default email app works)
-Google Keep and also Evernote
-Twitter when tweeting and searching
etc.

Apps work fine but as soon as I try to bring up the keyboard, that app stops.

Apps where keyboard works fine:
-Google search on Mozilla browser works
-sending SMS
-PlayStore
-Facebook when updating status
-Google Quickoffice
-Calendar
etc.

What have I already done:
-Instaling other keyboards
-Deleting and clearing data/ adjusting keyboard settings
-Reseting phone (3x) with 'Automatic Restore' checked and unchecked, powering off, removing battery
-full factory data reset: deleting everything and starting fresh
-clearing clipboard
-Software update, System update
-I also ran Xperia Diagnostics (useless tool btw)
-virus scan (Avast)-> everything is OK.
-I spent 10 days searching web, trying to find a solution
-I also installed older versions of these applications (apk-s)

I think that I did everything possible and still no solution...

Please HELP! Anything!!
Thank you!

 

[B. Diddy]

Have you tried booting into Safe Mode? There might be some app you keep on reinstalling that is causing this instability, so it might still surface even after a hard reset, since the app might reinstall automatically.

 

[uporabnik2]

thx for the reply.
It just occurred to me that two months ago.. I was updating youtube application and my phone reminded me that google play services should also be updated in order to access the updated youtube.

When I tried to update google play services, a pop-up window came up saying that my phone is not supported or sth, but I was still able to proceed and I updated google play services as well.

Is "google play services" app in any way connected to the keyboard? I tried downgrading google play services but the problem is still here.

 

[B. Diddy]

Google Play Services covers a lot of Google-related functions ( https://developer.android.com/google/play-services/index.html), but I doubt it caused any problems with the keyboard. Have you tried Safe Mode?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[uporabnik2]

Yes I did try to run it in safe mode, but keyboard is still not working. :/

 

[B. Diddy]

It sounds like a fundamental problem with the firmware, unfortunately. Try talking to Sony support.

Posted via Android Central App.
Please excuse any typos or autocorrect derps.