Help Problems with Proximity Sensor on Galaxy S?

[Deleted User]

Has anyone had problems with the proximity sensor on the Galaxy S? (Actually, from T-Mobile US, they call it the T959 Vibrant). I've had it only a few weeks, but I have a problem with about 20-30% of my calls.

Dialing is OK, and the screen goes blank when I hold the phone up to my ear. But at the end of the conversation or when I need to pull the phone away to press a digit (e.g., press 3 to delete), the screen is blank, and stays blank. Pressing buttons doesn't help. The only thing that works is holding it up to my head and taking it away a few times before the proximity sensor recognizes that it's not next to my head any more.

Is this a common problem? I imagine I should take it back to the store for a replacement, but wanted to see if others had seen this, or if there was a work-around.

(A little background on me, I've been working on software for mobile phones for 15 years -- remember Unwired Planet, Phone.com, and Openwave? That was me. And I've had an iPhone before, so I know how this thing should work. My G1 finally gave up the ghost and now I'm with a faulty Galaxy S.)

Thanks for any input!

== Tim

 

[kryzzay83]

It's not a common problem I don't think. I've thoroughly tested the proximity sensor on mine and it's fine.

 

[drduhonphd]

The proximity sensor worked initially but now appears to be turned off. Any suggestions?

 

[6spdtls]

The proximity sensor worked initially but now appears to be turned off. Any suggestions?

Yeah. I think I know what the problem is. If you use auto kill or task killer, it's disabling the proximity sensor by forcing it to close the software. Just uninstall the app, restart your phone and you'll be fine. The thing is I do not know which app controls proximity sensor. If this doesn't solve the problem, you need factory reset.

 

[Pnjunction]

You could try an app like Z-DeviceTest or Sensor Test to see if the problem is with the phone application specifically our the whole unit in general (could still be hardware or software/firmware?). Those apps will show the proximity sensor output so can see if it is behaving properly.

 

[scvade]

Yeah. I think I know what the problem is. If you use auto kill or task killer, it's disabling the proximity sensor by forcing it to close the software. Just uninstall the app, restart your phone and you'll be fine. The thing is I do not know which app controls proximity sensor. If this doesn't solve the problem, you need factory reset.

I've tried uninstalling the task killer and it looks like this may have solved the problem I've had that others have had with the sensory issues during calls. Thanks!

 

[narfzz]

Is this a problem with all task killers? Do anyone know what process is the proximity sensor, maybe I can add it to the ignore list. I'm getting sick of constantly hanging up on people because my cheeks is pressing the end call button.

I've also read on another thread that it dust could be on the sensor. I will try dusting it when I get home but the proximity test code says that it's working properly.