Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini unexplicable Battery drain

[juandariorodas]

Hi!

I really appreciate your help. Since the last week mi S3 mini started to suffer from an unexplicable battery drain, to the point of not be able to restart again. I plugged to AC charger for a couple of minutes and the battery show a charge level similar to the moment before the event.

I found in several forums that this is a recurrent problem in this model, with some solutions focus on coexisting with the problem instead of solving it.

I did a factory reset and reinstalled all of my apps. When I open the Facebook or twitter app and used them for about 10 minutes, the phone shuts down. If I try to take a couple of pictures, the phone shuts down. Trying to do some web browsing with Google Chrome, the phone shuts down. But I plug the AC charger, a couple of minutes and everything is back to normal.

Last night I left my phone unplugged with a 56% of charge and 7 hours later, it was just 53% of charge. It seems like the problem is not in the battery.

It seems like the suspect is some kind of kernel update that keep crashing my phone, but I can't find how to rollback it.

Here some screenshots of one the events.

Really, really appreciate your help.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 mini unexplicable Battery drain

Welcome to Android Central! Do you know if there are any official OS updates for your model? If so, perhaps the update addresses this problem (although lately with Samsung, their updates sometimes cause more problems than they solve).

You could try rebooting into Safe Mode, which disables 3rd party apps. If the problem persists, then it's a system or hardware issue. If the problem stops, then it's a software issue related to something you installed. It can be a little difficult to do much in Safe Mode, however, since all of your 3rd party apps are disabled--but you can still use the phone and the browser. Here are instructions for the S3--I assume the steps are the same for the Mini:

Samsung Galaxy S III - Enable and Disable Safe Mod... - Mobile Product Support Forums

 

[juandariorodas]

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 mini unexplicable Battery drain

Thank you for the advice, unfortunately none of them worked.

I installed Kies and performed a firmware update; I had the latest version but I did it anyway in case something was missing. Same results.

I restarted the phone in safe mode; by the way, it's the same procedure. Obviously none of the third party apps were available, just Google Chrome. I browsed a couple of web pages and then crashed again. I left the phone unplugged all the night and nothing happened. WiFi was active and several process were running during the night.

I have no choice but to buy a new battery and check if there?s something wrong with it. It seems that the crash occur when multiple process are running and the increase consumption of power causes this problem.

I let you know the progress of this situation.

thanks again for your support.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 mini unexplicable Battery drain

Take the battery out, lay it flat on a table, and try to spin it. If it spins freely, the battery is probably bad, because that means it's bulging in the middle (which it shouldn't).

 

[juandariorodas]

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 mini unexplicable Battery drain

hahahaha... We should have started from that simple test! the battery was spining like the top in the Inception movie... almost endlessly!!

I bought the new battery and everything seems fixed now. It's been 4 hours since the replacement and no crashes yet. I've tried all the apps that previously caused problems: Facebook, Twitter, Camera, Spotify... all... at the same time... no signals of failure.

Bottom line, as a final word... Suddenly battery drain in Samsung S3 mini means a faulty battery. Replace it as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the device or event worst, an accident with injuries.

I really apreciate your advice, totally helpful!

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 mini unexplicable Battery drain

Excellent. I got that tip from Golfdriver97, so he deserves the credit!

Posted via Android Central App

 

[vintagefreak]

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 mini unexplicable Battery drain

Sorry to jump into this tread. ..didnt want to start new one ...as i have similar problem.
My Samsung S3 Mini android 4.2.1 started to drain battery couple of weeks ago ....i have bought yesterday a new higher capacity battery...but ut still drains battery from 100% to 20% in less than 6 hours of ...dking nithing exept coupke of phone calls and few texts???...
I have installed DS Battery Saver ..with heave agressive profile and a Wake up Lock Detector...but bsttey still drains.....
Wonder what process in the background eats up power that fast?
any tips n twicks?

Thanks in advance for your help


Sent from my GT-I8190 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[vintagefreak]

A totally New BATTERY drains like 5% every 10 min of a phone bein sleep. Any ideas OR Should I start a new tread than?

Sent from my GT-I8190 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Check out this guide and see if any of the tips help: http://forums.androidcentral.com/am...how-tos/298919-guide-battery-saving-tips.html

 

[vintagefreak]

Thank you B.Diddy . I am totally new here n new to android coming from iOS... hope to get help from the Android community and learn alot !

Sent from my GT-I8190 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[mad2ux]

The same problem, I have this cell phone only 9 months. Crazy! that the battery is dead so soon.

 

[anon(8521261)]

All of a sudden my battery acts up too. When i restart the phone battery status drops rapidly. Phone shuts down unexpected.

 

[anon(8521261)]

Went to the next Vodafone shop. My battery was diagnosed to be done. Got a replacement and now it works perfect again.

 

[simplyglam]

I have same problem and changing battery did not help...
So I have this problem for a while.at the beggining my phone occasionally turned off by itself.and when I turned it off battery was in critical mode.
After I thought because was problem with battery beeing addicted ordered new battery from eBay.
the phone worked whilst on charge.then it started to die whilst on charge.
Now the phone doesn't even work whilst on charge it just dies after 15secs of beeing on and sometimes just gets on a loop trying to turn on.
I tried with new battery and it's same thing. I tried resetting the phone but he dies obviously.so I tried on safe mode the reset (volume key,power key and home key)and he just resets and when it gets on, all apps are there so that means he's not resetting nothing at all.
Now I get messages like "phone tracker suddenly stopped" or "unfortunately,com.google.android.gm has stopped"
I tried to remove power safe off.
Did reset on settings all previous app definitions.
I couldn't find anything that helps on google.and I've noticed that the original battery is like bulgy.
I'm running 4.1.2 android version and kernel version 3.0.31-742346
Model GT-I8190N
Original battery made in Japan assembled in china GB/T18287-2000
I don't know if this info helps but please give an answer guys because I tried lots of things and nothing seems to work.

 

[stevedrummerboy]

HI. i have the same problem. have had my phone a year now. the battery has never been great but seen as it is a smart phone i know none of them are great. i could always get a day at least out of it without worrying it will die on me, but lately it is getting drained alot quicker and not even lasting 8 hours, i have restored my phone. bought a higher powered longer lasting battery. (not samsung i no i shouldnt have but i want my battery to last a day) and still it doesnt last more than 8 hours, im not using my phone any more than i ever have done. i have closed all apps that are running in the back round, my screen brightness is all the way down. all web browers are closed. and in fairness if i have to do all that and still cant get a day out my phone then its useless. why have a smart phone if i cant turn the brightness up or do anything else!! ANY HELP WELCOME!!! Thank You

 

[chandu504]

hey i received an update on my samsung s3 mini and i downloaded it..after installing the download i cant rearrange my apps manually in app tray..all im doing now is placing the icons in alphabetical order.can anyone help me how can i rearrange manually my apps in apptray.and im also draining my battery very fast..one moment it shows 80%battery and after 10min it shows 10% and its dying..can u guys help me how to arrange my apps like before.

 

[Lawrence Lewis]

i hahe found with the battery drain problem that the little orange download indication came on a few seconds in quick intervals...opened my settings and went to wi fi direct and disabled that...problem solved....

 

[Tashlynne van Niekerk]

Where did you purchase a new battery? My battery/phone is doing the exact same all of a sudden?

 

[GSDer]

Welcome to the forums!

Where did you purchase a new battery?

You can find replacement batteries online (Amazon, etc) or you should be able to get them at your local carrier store.

Sent from my rooted, debloated, deodexed Sinclair ZX-80 running CM -0.001 using Tapatalk

 

[anna732]

Hi guys, my phone and daughters doing the same, i got in touch with o2 has that my network, they say the up to date software is to big for the phone and needs to go in to a phone place to get sorted.. now i cant say if its just samsung mini lll ... but ours only started after the latest up date... hope it helps some ..