Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Switches Off

[Android Central Question]

I really love this phone model even though it is old. I had a problem with a previous phone of this model as it kept stalling and switching off particularly with certain apps (although it is difficult to determine which ones otherwise I would delete them).

It is not a problem with the batteries as I have many of them.

It is also not fixed when I try a factory reset and start installing apps as I have tried different configurations of this process and none fix the problem.

I have a feeling it is because certain apps cannot cope with Android 6.1.1 which cannot be updated on this phone model.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Any help would be appreciated as it is really annoying!!!

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Do you mean the phone completely powers off on its own? When that happens and you power the phone back on, is the battery significantly lower? It could still be a failing battery. It wouldn't necessarily matter if you have extra batteries -- considering the age of the phone, most replacement batteries would also be very old and therefore more prone to deterioration.

Please register on this forum, which will allow you to engage in discussion more easily, as well as post images. https://forums.androidcentral.com/ask-question/409154-join-android-central-community.html

 

[mustang7757]

Your dealing with very old hardware, software.

 

[Any Help Appreciated]

Thanks. I am using batteries that were bought in the last year so don't think it could be that. It just appears that with functions - camera, certain apps, Whatsapp, the phone switches off and then sometimes goes to the 'do not download' screen. It is a recent problem and has happened on two different phones.

Any help would be appreciated,

 

[mustang7757]

Buying batteries for older device like the Note 4 you just dont know the shelf life if it degraded, but try safe mode or factory reset see from there but going forward your going have issues with app compatibility and your service provider going force to update to use their network

 

[B. Diddy]

The firmware might also be corrupt, so you could try reinstalling it with Smart Switch (or possibly Kies, considering how old that phone is).

 

[Any Help Appreciated]

Yes, I guess the batteries could have been around for a while. I have restored to factory settings a few times and then it takes ages building up the Apps and log-ins again. Haven't tried Smart Switch so might try that.

I don't think it's a coincidence that both phones started with this 'Downloading.... Do not turn off target' which I had never seen before in many years of using these types of phones.

 

[mustang7757]

Yes, I guess the batteries could have been around for a while. I have restored to factory settings a few times and then it takes ages building up the Apps and log-ins again. Haven't tried Smart Switch so might try that.

I don't think it's a coincidence that both phones started with this 'Downloading.... Do not turn off target' which I had never seen before in many years of using these types of phones.

"Dont turn off target " is Samsung flash firmware mode

 

[Any Help Appreciated]

Yes, I understand that is something to do with developer's getting access. Besides that I know nothing about it but it is a recent problem on two phones.

 

[mustang7757]

That's usually indication flash the stock firmware again if you didn't go into that mode

 

[Any Help Appreciated]

I can reboot and it doesnt go into that mode but don't know what to do next. Could this be the casue of the problems?

 

[mustang7757]

Software corrupt

 

[Any Help Appreciated]

It only occurs from time to time. Is there anything I can do about it?

 

[mustang7757]

Can flash the stock firmware again see if that helps

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

I'd recommend getting a new device. You may be able to fix this issue, but with how old the phone is compatibility and hardware/software failures are only going to get worse.

 

[Any Help Appreciated]

I know it has to happen sometime but seems strange that two unrelated phones of the same model have the same problem at the same time.

 

[mustang7757]

I know it has to happen sometime but seems strange that two unrelated phones of the same model have the same problem at the same time.

2 different devices same model with same old platform wouldn't surprise me having your issue.

 

[Any Help Appreciated]

But I don't know what the issue is. Is it the firmware? And therefore may be true of all such models?

 

[B. Diddy]

Have you already tried reinstalling the firmware as previously discussed? I think you have to use Smart Switch for that phone: https://firmwarehome.com/how-to-use-samsung-smart-switch-for-firmware-restore-samsung-devices/. If the problem persists after reinstalling a fresh copy of the firmware, then it's more likely a hardware issue. If the problem goes away, then it was firmware.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

But I don't know what the issue is. Is it the firmware? And therefore may be true of all such models?

That's likely, but it's literally impossible for us to know for sure without being able to inspect the devices.

But in reality you're not experiencing a problem, you're experiencing asymptom. The problem is the age of the device.