Hot galaxy s4 shuts down - using car charger and google maps

[Jim Hibbard]

I have converted from a garmin gps to google maps and directions on my s4, the app is very good and I like it better. BUT when I plug it into the car charger on long trips it really heats up and shuts down, a real pain, what could be the problem?
Jim

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Is this an official car charger, or a cheap one you got from Amazon? Unofficial chargers are usually fine, but there is a chance it might not work very well or cause problems. Try to find an actual Samsung car charger.

The other thing is that if you're using your phone intensively (like as a GPS), it may heat up normally. The added heat from charging with a faulty or incompatible charger could cause it to overheat, thus causing it to shut down (as a safety mechanism).

 

[dpham00]

If you are using a case, have you tried case less? Also you can put it in a vent mount and have the ac blowing on it

Sent from my XT1028 using Tapatalk

 

[k2ldc10]

I had this problem occur after upgrading to kit kat. While plugged with the car charger and using gps I would get the message that the phone was over heating. I did a factory reset and I have not had the problem since.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Jim Hibbard]

k2ldc10
Thanks for the quick reply Guys, how would a factory reset affect the rest of my info and apps?

 

[Jim Hibbard]

B.Diddy
Thanks for the info, I took your advice and bought a new charger from Best Buy - haven't tried it yet but will in a few...
Jim

 

[Jim Hibbard]

Really appreciate all of your replies, thank you
Jim

 

[B. Diddy]

k2ldc10
Thanks for the quick reply Guys, how would a factory reset affect the rest of my info and apps?

A factory reset will wipe your phone. All Google-related data should be in the cloud, so that can easily be re-synced when you set the phone back up. But you'd have to reinstall all of your apps, and you'd want to make sure things like photos and other data not associated with a Google app are backed up somewhere.

Instead of a factory reset, you may want to consider booting into Recovery Mode and clearing the system cache partition, which won't erase any personal data, and can sometimes help in these situations: Reset: Samsung Galaxy S 4 | T-Mobile Support

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

I've never had mine reboot, but I've noticed it does get "warm" when using it for GPS.

I have found that turning on the A/C and using the defrost vents helps mine, since I have my mount attached to the windshield.

If you have a case (especially a thicker case), you may also want to try removing that, as others have mentioned.

 

[kitkatruinedmyphone]

There is no solution to the Kitkat disaster but you can mitigate some general car charger and general issues by using a charger that does not have a usb plug. Another words charger with a fixed cord. I have found these tend to work better because the phone is not waiting for a data stream as it does when attached to USB cords. In general USB-less chargers are more efficient and charge faster. That is why of course Verizon provides the cheapest crappiest USB charger they can provide rather than a proper charger.

 

[k2ldc10]

There is no solution to the Kitkat disaster but you can mitigate some general car charger and general issues by using a charger that does not have a usb plug. Another words charger with a fixed cord. I have found these tend to work better because the phone is not waiting for a data stream as it does when attached to USB cords. In general USB-less chargers are more efficient and charge faster. That is why of course Verizon provides the cheapest crappiest USB charger they can provide rather than a proper charger.

Did you test this theory? My phone would overheat when plugged into a hard wired car charger (it is not USB at one end). The plug going into the phone does not have the data pins so it's not looking for data as you suggest. The fix for me was to do a factory reset. Now using the same car charger the phone doesn't overheat while using Google Maps.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[kitkatruinedmyphone]

I did in fact test it and it did work for me. But whatever works. Factory reset or changing chargers!

 

[k2ldc10]

I did in fact test it and it did work for me. But whatever works. Factory reset or changing chargers!

Agreed!

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Jim Hibbard]

Thanks guys for all your suggestions, I have replaced the charger with a direct plug in not usb, is working fine now.
This is a great site... until next time.

Jim