Help Screen locks during calls

[TimthePilot]

Greetings! I just switched to the HTC Droid Inc 4g from my Blackberry dinosaur two weeks ago, so I'm pretty new to Droid. I love the phone for what it can do at my work place, with exception to phone calls. I hope I'm just missing something and this isn't a hardware/software issue...

After I answer or dial a call, the screen goes dark without it being near my face or my finger. The only way I can hang up is to hit the power button which brings the screen alive, therefore allowing me to hit "End". It gets really annoying when I have to enter in prompts and the screen keeps locking on my mid-way through entering my cc number . Other times, the screen stays on for the entire call, never going black when I bring the phone to my ear.

Everything I've experienced thus far screams a proximity sensor issue. At first I thought I could live with it, but occasionally I see the little red light to the right of the logo powered up and I can't help but think it's sucking battery power. Just for verification, this is the prox sensor, right?

Btw, I have no screen protector.

 

[MrSmoofy]

Greetings! I just switched to the HTC Droid Inc 4g from my Blackberry dinosaur two weeks ago, so I'm pretty new to Droid. I love the phone for what it can do at my work place, with exception to phone calls. I hope I'm just missing something and this isn't a hardware/software issue...

After I answer or dial a call, the screen goes dark without it being near my face or my finger. The only way I can hang up is to hit the power button which brings the screen alive, therefore allowing me to hit "End". It gets really annoying when I have to enter in prompts and the screen keeps locking on my mid-way through entering my cc number . Other times, the screen stays on for the entire call, never going black when I bring the phone to my ear.

Everything I've experienced thus far screams a proximity sensor issue. At first I thought I could live with it, but occasionally I see the little red light to the right of the logo powered up and I can't help but think it's sucking battery power. Just for verification, this is the prox sensor, right?

Btw, I have no screen protector.

I've never seen a red light to the right of the logo. The sensor would not have a light. It does sound like a sensor problem.

The only light I have is just above the check of the logo. It's amber when it's charging and green when it's fully charged it flashes when there is a notification.

 

[TimthePilot]

I've never seen a red light to the right of the logo. The sensor would not have a light. It does sound like a sensor problem.

The only light I have is just above the check of the logo. It's amber when it's charging and green when it's fully charged it flashes when there is a notification.

Aside from the LED notification light to the left that your talking about, I've seen a faint red light just above the "n" in Verizon in low light conditions. I suspect a sensor is trying to work. I just don't know if this is the prox. sensor or not.

I just tried a factory reset and the issue is still there.. The best way I can describe it is that the sensor isn't even functioning during calls. The automatic screen brightness feature works, however..
I'm going to try taking it to Verizon today and see what they say.

 

[TimthePilot]

Okay, in a last-ditch effort I tried a second factory reset and the proximity sensor works during calls! I suppose it was a software issue that straightened itself out with the reset..
Now to download all my apps again..

 

[TimthePilot]

Okay, in a last-ditch effort I tried a second factory reset and the proximity sensor works during calls! I suppose it was a software issue that straightened itself out with the reset..
Now to download all my apps again..

OKAY, after wondering why my prox sensor works intermittently on my Dinc 4g LTE, I tried a light test. In direct light the sensor works just great and locks the screen when the sensor is covered to the right of the Verizon logo. In shaded area, like indoors (not dark) the screen behaves as if the sensor is covered all the time.
Again, the sensor is not covered by my case or screen protector.

Anyone else have these results?

 

[jamala00]

You know I wonder if I am not having many of the issues others seem to be coming across because the first think I did when I got my phone was... Activate It, make a call, send a text, check the internet.. etc.. Then I did a factory reset, then I checked the same things again, then I setup my phone with all my apps etc... I've done that with every phone I have ever had...

 

[TimthePilot]

You know I wonder if I am not having many of the issues others seem to be coming across because the first think I did when I got my phone was... Activate It, make a call, send a text, check the internet.. etc.. Then I did a factory reset, then I checked the same things again, then I setup my phone with all my apps etc... I've done that with every phone I have ever had...

In this case, I did just that and performed a factory reset pretty soon after I activated the phone.

Is there a way I can adjust how much light the prox sensor can detect? Otherwise, I go to the Verizon store tomorrow.

 

[jamala00]

In this case, I did just that and performed a factory reset pretty soon after I activated the phone.

Is there a way I can adjust how much light the prox sensor can detect? Otherwise, I go to the Verizon store tomorrow.

Take it in, I would say you have a faulty phone.

 

[today]

Op, do you have a screen protector on your phone?

 

[mycuzinvinny]

I had the same problem. Turns out to be the commuter otter box case I was using. Once I took that back, the first call I received didn't have any problem. Maybe the hole for the led/sensor didn't allow it to see the phone move/shift, don't know...

I am using the same screen protector I got at verizon.

 

[TimthePilot]

I had the same problem. Turns out to be the commuter otter box case I was using. Once I took that back, the first call I received didn't have any problem. Maybe the hole for the led/sensor didn't allow it to see the phone move/shift, don't know...

I am using the same screen protector I got at verizon.

I have the same issue with or without my case and screen protector. The Verizon store I went to this morning wasn't very helpful. They told me to call tech support and see what they want to do. What's the point of going to the store ?? I'm going to try another location tonight .

I'm absolutely convinced the sensor isn't picking up enough light to allow for proper operation during calls.
Again, as I said in op, It's not a protector or case issue.

 

[ceayuso]

I have the same problem. So did the guy in this thread: Buggy phone app - xda-developers. I communicated with HTC and after trying a battery pull and factory reset, their tech thinks it's a prox sensor. HTC passed me to PCD Phones for a warranty repair. PCD told me I'd have to send in my phone and it may be gone for 2 weeks. I'd rather have a replacement like the other guy in the link but my bootloader is unlocked so, for now, I'm living with the problem. I did give an unsat on HTC's follow-up survey and they've asked me to contact them again.

 

[TimthePilot]

Just got back from my 2nd Verizon store and it's replaced. New phone works great, and now I'm productive

Definitely seems like a hardware issue...

 

[kjarrett]

I had the same problem. Turns out to be the commuter otter box case I was using. Once I took that back, the first call I received didn't have any problem. Maybe the hole for the led/sensor didn't allow it to see the phone move/shift, don't know...

I am using the same screen protector I got at verizon.

Exact same problem here, also with the Otter Box case. Was driving me nuts. So glad I found this thread. Thanks!

 

[Eric2]

Very interesting to find this thread. Some HTC Rezounds have this same problem, even without a case. I am on replacement #2, with #3 on the way. I found the screens on the two problematic phones to appear to be not fully seated into the frame up at the top by the proximity sensor.