Problem entering password to access Nexus 7 - PLEASE HELP!

[cybernutte]

[NOTE: I don't know who added "How can I get into my phone?" to the message title!! This has nothing to do with a phone--it's about my Nexus 7 TABLET!] [Mod note--thread title has been edited to remove that addition] Today, I updated some apps on my Nexus 7 (2013) running KitKat 4.4.4, and all was well. After a while, I wanted to use the Nexus 7 again, so I went to enter the 4-letter password I had set more than two years ago. It had always worked, but this time, when I entered the four letters and then ENTER, the ENTER seemed to add another asterisk to the screen display and nothing else happened. Each time I hit ENTER, another asterisk appeared. I tried several times, and finally powered off the device. Alas, that didn't help. When I re-powered it and tried again, the same thing happened. I thus cannot access my Nexus 7, not even the settings. I have happily used this device for more than two years, but I am not a techie. The device has never been rooted or messed with in any way. I don't know what to do. I hope someone can help me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[B. Diddy]

Sorry about that addition to the title--not sure who may have added that. I removed that additional text.

That's an odd issue. Have you tried wiping the cache partition? http://forums.androidcentral.com/go...e-nexus-7-2012-2013-cache-partition-wipe.html

 

[cybernutte]

Thanks very much, B. Diddy, for your response. After reading it, I followed the directions for wiping the cache partition. I succeeded in wiping the cache partition, but unfortunately that hasn't cured the problem. When I again put in my four-letter password and hit Enter, instead of getting access to the tablet, I simply had a fifth asterisk added to the password. I'm totally mystified. The tablet was fine this morning. I was told that some updates were waiting, and I installed some of them and then went off to do other things. When I came back to the tablet, enough time had elapsed so that I had to put in my password again, but this time it behaved in the odd manner I've described. As a result, I can no longer access the tablet. Can you think of anything else I can try?

 

[B. Diddy]

I wonder if something is off with the digitizer. Try tapping a little below or to the right of the enter button, just in case the location you're tapping on the enter button is actually registering as one of the nearby numbers.

 

[cybernutte]

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried what you said, but nothing changed. My guess is that something in one of the updates I installed may be causing the problem, since all was fine until I installed the updates (about 10 or so, as I recall). Of course, I may be totally wrong about that. And in any event, it doesn't make much difference, since I can't access the tablet. I'm at a loss for what to do. If you have any other suggestions, I'd welcome them.

 

[B. Diddy]

Can you show us a screenshot of the PIN entry screen? You'll probably have to take a picture of the screen with another device, then post it.

 

[cybernutte]

Thanks for your continued help. Here's a photo of the login screen. The rectangular box in the middle is where I would put my 4-letter password. Each letter would appear as a white dot. I didn't include that process in the photo. I did include my SwiftKey keyboard, which I would use to enter the password. Also, above the rectangular box is a revolving statement that says "If found, please notify [my email address]." I've blurred out the email address.

I'm not sure what this will tell you. If you want a different sort of shot, please let me know.
Again, many thanks.

 

[B. Diddy]

I was under the impression that you were using the 4 digit PIN screen lock, not the Password option (which is alphanumeric). If it's truly the PIN screen lock, shouldn't it be the numberpad that comes up, instead of the full keyboard?

 

[cybernutte]

I don't know anything about a 4-digit PIN screen lock. For more than two years, I have used a 4-letter password, and I have always used the full keyboard to put it in.

 

[B. Diddy]

Sorry, I missed that detail in your OP about the 4-letter password. I kept thinking it was a 4-digit PIN you were using.

It sounds like the keyboard is glitching. Try this--after entering the 4 letters, tap the number toggle key at the lower left, then tap the Enter key. Does that work?

If not, then a more involved solution might be to plug a USB keyboard into the microUSB port, using an OTG adapter. Then input the password using the keyboard. Obviously, you'd have to get a keyboard and an OTG adapter, but neither of them are particularly expensive.

 

[cybernutte]

Thanks very much, B.Diddy, for your continued help. I tried your first suggestion (about entering the 4 letters and then toggling the number toggle before hitting Enter), but it didn't make a difference. I'm certainly willing to go buy a USB keyboard and a USB OTG connector, but a quick look at some Google discussions seemed to suggest that if my device is not rooted, I may first have to buy (from Play Store) and install a Nexus media importer. Since I can't get into the Nexus 7, there's no way I can install anything. Do you know for a fact that I can use the USB keyboard and USB OTG connector on an unrooted Nexus 7 running KK 4.4.4 without logging in and without having to install the Nexus media importer? It may be that the discussions I saw dealt with slightly earlier Android versions--I'm not sure. (I might add that I already own an Anker bluetooth keyboard that I have used with the Nexus 7, but again, since I can't get into the Nexus, I can't turn its Bluetooth on.)

 

[B. Diddy]

This tutorial indicates that rooting is not needed. Keyboard & Mouse for Tablets (Nexus 7) - All You need to root if you want to use a USB flash drive via OTG, but not USB keyboards and mice.

 

[cybernutte]

Thanks VERY much, B. Diddy! I will try to buy a USB keyboard and USB OTG connector today and give it a try (though it may be difficult to type with my fingers crossed ). As soon as I do, I'll report back.

 

[cybernutte]

SUCCESS!! I'm delighted to report that with the inexpensive USB keyboard and the USB OTG connector I bought today, I was able to put in my password and access the Nexus 7 for the first time in several days. It seems clear to me that you were right about the problem being in the keyboard. I had just updated a number of apps, including the keyboard, and it's likely that there was a glitch in the update.
Anyway, I'm ecstatic that the tablet isn't permanently bricked, and I'm VERY VERY grateful to you for all your help!

 

[B. Diddy]

YAAAASSSS. Time for a victory dance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmtzQCSh6xk