Android’s 6 Common Issues and Quick Resolutions

Android OS is considered as one of the most preferred choices of users when it comes to choosing an operating system with maximum customization features and excellent apps integration. Manufacturers located across the globe find this OS very flexible and user-friendly, thus, many of the Smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices are today running on it. Acquiring about 65.8 percent of global tablet sales in the first quarter of 2014 (source: Strategy Analytics), the OS experienced 12.8% of hike in sales, when compared to the last quarter of 2013.

According to a report, by shipping little over 187 million units of Smartphones, Android has already established a strong foothold in the Smartphone market (source: ABI Research). Even after being so popular among users located worldwide, why Androids have not been accepted as a powerful OS for serving as a platform for your business or personal devices? Well, the answer lies within the fact that the more popular the OS will, the more chances are there to experience problems, lags, freezes, and other issues. Same goes with Android as well, the OS has experienced numerous complaints from the end consumers about its poor performance, irregularity in errors, sudden system issues, and others.

In this article, you will read about the 6 common issues that an Android device user faces and how to troubleshoot it within a few seconds.

1. The device doesn't respond at all

Sometimes, you might face unresponsiveness issue with your Android device that might leave you annoyed and frustrated. Your Android powered Smartphone or tablet might get stuck and doesn’t allow you to either go ahead with the program or shift yourself back to the Home screen. This is the situation where your gadget will not respond at all and it will freeze on the last active screen position. The issue might turn off the screen as well even if your device is wake up, but not working. Your gadget may also portray that even if it was turned off, yet a user can sense the vibrations, processor speed, and other such indications to confirm that the device isn’t responding, but it is running.

How to fix?

In normal conditions, you can easily remove the battery from the back and place it again to start the device in a normal working condition. However, if you can’t remove the battery, it’s always recommended to restart your device. To do the same, hold the Power button for a few seconds and then tap on the ‘Restart’ option that appears on the screen. Generally, holding the Power button will restart the phone automatically and everything will be back to normal.

2. Backlight turns on/off on its own

Backlight is one of the most important sections of your Smartphones as it manages to make all the stuff visible to a user’s eye in dark light as well as in sunlight. Excessive time taken by backlight to get turned off will consume more battery and make your device unproductive during crucial work hours. This problem can be a bit annoying as your phone gets lightened up during midnight and takes a while to turn off the light. It might make you feel confused as backlight glows only whenever a message, call or alert gets delivered to your device. This issue will significantly reduce the battery life, thus, forcing you to charge your device in every 4 or 5 hours.

How to fix?

Choosing the restart option is the most basic step to resolve any issue with your Smartphone or tablet, however, other solutions are also available, but you should try to restart first of all. If restart technique doesn’t work, then restore your device to the factory settings by accessing Settings> Backup & reset> Reset Phone.

3. The battery drains too fast

One of the most often faced Android problems is running short of battery, every time you think of doing something productive. You might have experienced that your Android device will never run for as long as your old simple boxed mobile phones used to. This is the biggest disadvantage that a user needs to face while shifting his interest from normal devices to the smartest devices available in the world. Sometimes, your device’s battery will drain out faster than it is expected to be, thus, leaving you more annoyed and frustrated.

How to fix?

The prime step to fix this issue should be directed towards finding out the apps and stuff that's eating up your battery unnecessarily. Usually, the enabled Wi-Fi, GPS feature, and a number of unnecessary apps running in the background tend to take down your battery level to the minimum. You can also dim your device’s screen brightness in order to enjoy a stretched battery life and thus you can enjoy apps and games for a longer period. Using a battery management app or/and some Android app killer will help you sustain your device’s battery for long. It is recommended to turn on the Power Saver mode, if your battery is running flat and you’re unable to charge your phone.

4. Missing popup menu after holding the Power button

Counted amongst one of the most encountered Android issues, the missing small pop-up menu that doesn't appear even after holding the Power button is the most annoying one. Whenever a user holds the Power button for a few seconds, a small Phone options menu with options should appear. These options include "power off your phone, turn off your phone, set it on airplane mode, or restart it."

How to fix?

The problem will make you feel irritated and frustrated because you will not be able to do anything unless you access those Power menu options. Unfortunately, you will not be able to even restart or turn off the phone and the only thing that you can do is try restoring the factory settings. To do the same, go to Settings> Backup & reset> Reset Phone.

Always remember to backup your settings either by using a third party app or the default function available under Backup & reset> Backup & restore, before applying factory settings.

5. Someone's bothering me, how to block?

We often share our numbers on various Internet portals, feedback forms, contest forms, and other such places, where it becomes available to other persons as well. Sometimes, your contact might reach in the hands of a wrong person who's now bothering you with unwelcome calls and tons of SMS. You might receive millions of promotional and ads messages that are driving you crazy. Whatever will be the reason, but if you have an Android device, then you can easily get rid of it within a few seconds.

How to fix?

All you need to do is to visit the Google Play store and choose a suitable app from the bucket of millions of apps to block calls and SMS from a particular number. SMS Blocker, Call and SMS Easy Blocker, a Firewall call and SMS blocker, Call Guard-SMS & Call Blocker, and SMS Filter are some of the common call and SMS blocking apps for Android users.

6. Device is unable to scan Wi-Fi network

If your device is unable to scan a Wi-Fi network, then it’s quite possible that you won’t find it productive enough to be carried to different locations. Having an access to the Internet is the primary need of today’s user, hence, your Android should be capable of scanning a network automatically. There are two reasons in common that why a user cannot get connected over a Wi-Fi zone. One of them is that the network you are trying to connect to could be Ad-Hoc in nature, the second one being your Android is not configured to work on Ad-Hoc networks.

How to fix?

Android does not support Ad-Hoc Wi-Fi networks by default however, many developers have patched the wpa_supplicant file on Android to make it work. Ensure that you always back up your original wpa_supplicant file, before adopting the phone rooting steps as it will prevent you from major losses, if everything goes into foreclosure or boot loops.

If hidden networks are the problem, then you can easily try to add a network manually and start using the Internet on your devices. To do the same, go to the ‘Wi-Fi Settings’ section and open ‘Menu’ and tap on the ‘Add a network manually’ option. The user will be required to enter the correct SSID and authenticate the same by typing the username and password to get connected over the network. If the credentials are correct and the Wi-Fi signal is working, then the Android device will be able to connect to the network.

The above mentioned some of the common issues faced by Android users while performing important tasks. Apart from these, obtaining IP Address infinite loop, frequent connection errors while using Wi-Fi, frequent changes in screen orientation, and auto-correct without seeking permission are some of the other common issues faced by Android users. Clearing the browsing data, temp files, and cached data will make your device run faster that before, while uninstalling the unwanted app will make your apps loading and functioning experience better. You are recommended to regularly run virus scans on your device to ensure that it remains healthy and opt for technical assistance, if you’re unable to fix any of the issue on your own.

About the Author: Hi! I am Brook M. Perry, a prolific blog writer and keen author of articles related to online tablet support and solution for issues related to computers and mobile devices. Being associated with the reputed best pc tuneup service provider Qresolve, I have resolved thousands of tech issues for our customers from worldwide. online android tablet supportMy areas of interest are PC security, endpoint security system, router support etc. You can follow me for my useful remote computer support articles on Ezine and other article-oriented websites.

Brooke M. Perry is an ardent technician associated with Qresolve computer security, with wide experience of fixing issues with PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones.