S3 native browser repeatedly crashing

**xderiwx** · 12-02-2012, 11:47 AM

Hey guys,
Im hoping to get some help with a recent problem thats extremely annoying!

My native browser keeps force closing and reverting back to the homescreen. When reopening the browser, sometimes it will reopen the last page it was on before closing and other times it will be back at the google homepage as if it were closed out completely. Im not sure exactly what could be causing this as it happens mainly on a site that ive visited many times before the problem popped up just a couple days ago.

Ive had my S3 since August and its been pretty flawless til this recent browser problem. So far I have tried clearing cache/data, reset from power button and also did a factory reset. None of it has worked, which is odd since there was no browser problems just a couple days prior to this. Phone is completely stock and browser settings are stock.

The site I notice this happening on the most is pbnation.com. I know it has happened on a couple other sites but i cant remember exactly which, although it hasnt happened on android central.(mobile version)

If you have any experience or knowledge on this problem or need more info on my settings or anything please let me know.

Thanks!

**MrNoDay5Off** · 12-02-2012, 03:20 PM

Been happening to me as well so you're not alone. I just got my phone last week.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Android Central Forums

**Bitter13** · 12-02-2012, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by MrNoDay5Off

Been happening to me as well so you're not alone. I just got my phone last week.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Android Central Forums

Same here... Got my phone last week. Started a day or two ago, mostly on FB and checking fantasy scores on CBS Sports.

**Ricky Babalu** · 12-02-2012, 03:40 PM

Very strange that a Factory reset does not resolve the issue. I just tested by going to "pbnation.com" and had no issues. It would probably help if you guys would post what carrier and baseband version you are on, maybe a pattern will be evident.

I am on Verizon, ICS- 4.0.4: I535VRLF2
Browser: Chrome

**xderiwx** · 12-02-2012, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Ricky Babalu

Very strange that a Factory reset does not resolve the issue. I just tested by going to "pbnation.com" and had no issues. It would probably help if you guys would post what carrier and baseband version you are on, maybe a pattern will be evident.

I am on Verizon, ICS- 4.0.4: I535VRLF2
Browser: Chrome

Im on Verizon also. ICS 4.0.4: I535VRLHE
Stock browser

I have tried going to android centrals main site in my browser and it crashes also. Then i tried reloading with the "desktop view" option selected, and both this site and pbnation have not crashed so far. Very weird as it never needed this before.

I have also found that after doing the factory resets, that annoying wifi popup notification is back and entering the code through the dialer no longer brings up the menu to remove it! Very frustrating.

**mlb2305** · 12-03-2012, 09:38 AM

I brought this topic up in the Verizon section.... Just for ha ha's I tethered my Samsung charge and had no issues on the site that kept giving me problems so the problem is definitely the Gs3.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Android Central Forums

**funkylogik** · 12-03-2012, 10:34 AM

No solution guys other than download the top 5 browsers and see what works best.
Im loving chrome and have only had one occasion ive needed flash and not had it.
PS i think most of the browsers let you import your bookmarks from the stock one

Unbranded international s3 with Official JB. Paisley, Slotland, Western Europe :beer:

**Bitter13** · 12-03-2012, 10:45 AM

Im on Verizon also. ICS 4.0.4: I535VRLHE Stock browser as well.

Switched over to Chrome and no issues so far.

**funkylogik** · 12-03-2012, 01:20 PM

Chrome is so slick n fast but i want a full screen option.
A 3rd-party flash add-on would be cool too

Unbranded international s3 with Official JB. Paisley, Slotland, Western Europe :beer:

**Madness87** · 12-04-2012, 08:10 AM

Have you downloaded any apps recently? Remember one reason a browser "force closes" is because of memory problems or that the phone couldn't handle what was on the screen. I've notice it happen more and more with "intensive" sites or videos.

Do you tend to leave your browser on? Meaning leaving it on a web-page that is rendered etc.

Is it more on wifi or mobile data? Maybe try and restrict background data etc. For me, force closes usually happen if i leave web-pages open, just played an app, viewed a lot of videos on youtube etc.

**AxlMyk** · 12-04-2012, 10:08 AM

I use Chrome and have set it to default browser.

**flatblader** · 12-04-2012, 03:02 PM

Same problem here. Started about four days ago and it's driving me crazy.

**ChuckeeDroid** · 12-04-2012, 04:15 PM

Try going into accounts and clearing internet syncing under Samsung accounts.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

**xderiwx** · 12-06-2012, 06:35 AM

For some reason, my browser seems to be working again. Hasnt crashed yet and i dont have to check the "desktop view" box from the menu button. Could this have been some weird Verizon network problem?

**xKrNMBoYx** · 12-06-2012, 09:40 AM

I can't really help about the Stock Browser crashing as I really never had that problem, and I don't use the stock browser anymore. What I could recommend is for you to get another browser and stop using the stock one. From my experiences FireFox, Chrome, and Dolphin Browser are all superior than the stock browser. I've tried all three simultaneously for about two months and ended up using Chrome the most.

One thing to know is that Chrome is now the stock browser on "Nexus" devices after any Jelly Bean upgrade. So that means it will have more support from Google. But there is no flash support from Chrome. So then your other two choices are FireFox and Dolphin Browser. I love that I can install adblock on FIreFox because that gets rid of ads on many flash videos.

Recently Tom's Hardware did a comparison/benchmark of Android browsers. At the end the browser that came up on the top was Dolphin Browser w/ Jetpack installed. I've tried it and there is a definite improvement over the old Dolphin Browser and Chrome. Pages load faster even w/ flash enabled.

**funkylogik** · 12-06-2012, 06:24 PM

Stab in the dark but u tried cancelling and removing any "stuck" downloads in the browser?
If anyone hasnt said, go to app manager and clear cache.
Last resort, backup bookmarks and clear data?

Unbranded international s3 with Official JB. Paisley, Slotland, Western Europe :beer:

**sal the wop** · 12-06-2012, 11:25 PM

This drove me nuts too, so I downloaded chrome, but that honeymoon lasted 2 days. Did more research and here's what's worked for me on the stock browser so far.

I downloaded flash player 11.1.115.27, rebooted my phone and started opening pages that normally shut me down. So far all is well.

I know it sounds simple, but I'm guessing because the lack of flash player was not compatible with certain web pages, then it was forcing the browser to crash.

I'm happy again. No crashing and I got flash again!

I attached the flash player from my dropbox if anyone wants to give it a try. Remember to reboot after you download the flash!