Why does my Xperia Z3 keep asking for a pin number?

[AC Question]

Xperia Z3 keeps asking for pin number

About a week ago my Z3 upgraded to lollipop 5.0 - All working good. Tonight however its decided to start doing this. I put my pin number in. I see the home screen for about 2 seconds, and it goes back to want my pin again. This repeats itself on and on. Whilst locked apps are still working as getting notifications. I just cannot understand why it keeps going back to ask me for my pin.

I have tried restarting the phone and no joy there either.

 

[belodion]

Re: Xperia Z3 keeps asking for pin number

Welcome to Android Central.

Try powering off, then boot into Recovery and wipe the Cache Partition.
Let us know if you need advice on how to do that.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[devonutopia]

Re: Xperia Z3 keeps asking for pin number

Hi

I have managed to start phone with "safe mode" on the bottom left, but I am still getting the same symptoms when unlocking. I see the homescreen, can't touch any apps, it goes back to the pin entering screen after 2 seconds tops. So I can't even affect a hard factory reset as can't actually open the phone to use it. I am going to visit an EE shop in town at lunchtime to see what they say. Currently phone is unusable but I have tested it and can receive a phone call and my 7am alarm (thankfully) still went off this morning.

 

[belodion]

Welcome as a new member.

Hopefully they'll fix it. Let us know how you get on. If they work out a way of Factory Resetting, and suggest that you do that, bear in mind that although it's possible to back up most of your data first, SMS history will be lost unless you do what Paul627g suggests here:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/ambassador-guides-tips-how-s/324662-guide-sms-backup-restore.html

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[devonutopia]

Re: Xperia Z3 keeps asking for pin number

Thanks for the welcome.

I am just a little gutted at this being a fairly major sony issue, given a fairly good history with Xperias...

EE shop said in safe mode to see if it will connect to my PC at home and if Sony Companion can help. I shall try this but holding out little hope. The EE shop in Exmouth even had a Sony rep in there who affected a soft reset using the pin hole button in the sim card flap. Still doing the same thing.

 

[devonutopia]

Re: Xperia Z3 keeps asking for pin number

Well, good news and bad news. Through Sony PC Companion I have been able to "repair" the software on the phone so it has effectively done a factory reset but to the latest software. It's currently going through updating all my apps from play store, and then I will stick my email account back in etc. Bit of a pain, but better than the hassle of trying to get a replacement phone. Hopefully all good later this evening.