Galaxy S8 Dead, Won't Charge, Boot screen flashes repeatedly. What can I do?

[Android Central Question]

I just bought a Galaxy S8 online, no apparent damage or even scratches, but it arrived with 0% battery and connecting it to a charger, at first, brought up the charging "ring" with lightning bolt, but no numbers or other indications that it's charging. After about 15-20 seconds it would go black, then back to the same screen. I tried to do a hard reset but that just made it bring up the first boot screen that says "Galaxy" in the middle and "powered by Android" below. This screen is now flashing on for half a second, going black and repeating about a 2-second loop. It also vibrates each time. I think there's supposed to be an LED indicating it's charging, but if so, mine's not coming on. I didn't receive the OEM charger, but I got a QuickCharge compatible wall charger and decent USB-C cable. I've tried different wall chargers and two different cables. Also tried connecting to my PC but the result is the same. I can't even get back to the powered-off charging screen.

I can't imagine what would cause this kind of problem, but it seems serious. The normal methods for trouble-shooting don't really work because the power isn't on long enough to boot into repair, safe, or any other mode. Is there any other option left to try?

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome to Android Forums

I'd like to recommend creating a account so me or other members can assist you, as guest have limitations in replying here and if we need further Information to communicate with you.

I'll provide a link to register, please come back to your post so we can further assist you . Thank you

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[mustang7757]

Sounds like your battery needs to be replaced.

 

[TokyoBen5]

Ok, I've registered. Thanks for the reply. So that would mean the battery's so bad it can't hold any charge? I figured replacing the battery would be the best bet, but if anyone knows of other possibilities please let me know. I haven't been able to find anything online with this set of symptoms.

 

[mustang7757]

Ok, I've registered. Thanks for the reply. So that would mean the battery's so bad it can't hold any charge? I figured replacing the battery would be the best bet, but if anyone knows of other possibilities please let me know. I haven't been able to find anything online with this set of symptoms.

Hi, welcome!
Yeah , my s8+ battery went few months ago , it swelled up and lifted the back panel

 

[Rukbat]

First - leave it on the charger for at least 4 hours before even trying to turn it on. If the battery really was under 3 Volts (and "0%" occurs long before it reaches that point) it's going to take half an hour or so just to precharge, and the battery gets almost no charge during that time. (If you're still holding the phone, the battery isn't down to 0 Volts. If it were, the explosion when you tried to charge it would have removed your hand about up to your elbow. Remember the note 7?)

 

[TokyoBen5]

Rukbat, thanks for the response. When I first got the phone I didn't try to turn it on, but the charging screen turned on and off at about 20 second intervals. Also, the red LED charging indicator has never turned on for me. After I saw this charging screen going on and off, I tried to boot the phone. Since then, without any input from me, every time I plug in the charger, it goes into the booting screen for half a second before turning off again. I haven't been able to get it to just charge without trying to boot. I am going to leave it plugged in for several hours, but as there's no charging indicator and it appears to me that it's not getting any charge (hence the immediate shutdown every few seconds), I'm not hopeful. Is there any chance wireless charging would make a difference, even if just for the first charge?

 

[TokyoBen5]

So I've left it on the charger for several hours. The problem is, during that time the phone continues to show the boot screen, go black, and repeat every 2 seconds. I don't think any of the power is getting stored in the battery. It gets enough to try to boot, then dies again. I can't get it to stop trying to boot. It isn't powered long enough to long-press the power button. The seller insists the phone battery lasted a full day before he sent it to me, and I believe him (he has 200+ positive reviews as a seller with no negative). Is there any way to stop the boot loop? Should I try to get an OEM charger to see if it makes a difference? This is a really weird set of issues and I'm not sure what options are left.

 

[TokyoBen5]

Well, I found a solution. USB chargers weren't working and I figured I'll try anything cheaper than sending in for repairs. So I bought a wireless charger. Left the phone there for over an hour, then plugged in the Fast Charging USB. The phone booted up, and after doing a factory reset (it was empty anyway) and clearing the cache, it is now working fine. I'll have to see if it continues to work, but it seems to be fixed for now. Thank you all for the help.

 

[Supreme King]

Im not a tech wiz or anything but I literally just had this problem today. Thank God for the internet. I think I have finally discovered and solved the answer to such an uncommon question. Hard boot your Samsung and when the "Samsung Galaxy S8 Powered by Android" screen appears, hard boot again immediately after that. DO NOT let the screen go away. This should SOMEHOW boot the phone up. Once the password screen comes up immediately turn off the screen. Your red LED charging light should then turn on. Let it charge for a bit, or let it charge all the way, up to you. Samsung, YOU'RE WELCOME.

 

[mustang7757]

Im not a tech wiz or anything but I literally just had this problem today. Thank God for the internet. I think I have finally discovered and solved the answer to such an uncommon question. Hard boot your Samsung and when the "Samsung Galaxy S8 Powered by Android" screen appears, hard boot again immediately after that. DO NOT let the screen go away. This should SOMEHOW boot the phone up. Once the password screen comes up immediately turn off the screen. Your red LED charging light should then turn on. Let it charge for a bit, or let it charge all the way, up to you. Samsung, YOU'RE WELCOME.

Hi, welcome to AC!

Thanks for sharing your fix .