Help Bionic Randomly Turns Off

[wreade]

Over the last few days my Bionic has randomly turned off several times. I never see it happen, though. I don't remember installing any new apps recently but I did update some apps. I can't remember which apps I've updated, though.

When it is off I can't turn it back on. I have to pull the battery out, put it back in, plug the phone into the charger and the charger into an outlet and only then will the phone turn on. The battery still has a significant charge when this issue happens (for instance, today the battery had a 70% charge when I turned it back on).

Any suggestions?

 

[OutOfPhase]

Welcome tho AF wreade. :hello:

Have you upgraded to Jelly Bean yet? Have you done a factory data reset?

Booting into safe mode if you are on JB was brought up to me by Thom as something else you can try. Running in safe mode will only run the apps that came with the phone and this will eliminate if it is a problem caused by an app or software. Check out how here.
http://androidforums.com/motorola-droid-bionic/421050-post-your-tips-bionic-here-3.html#post6008358

 

[wreade]

Thanks OutOfPhase!

I have version 4.1.2. I was running in safe mode and the issue happened one time.

How can I verify that all of my stuff is backed up to Google before I do a factory data reset? Specifically, will my apps automatically download to my phone once I add my Google account back to my phone (if so, that would make it hard to figure out which app is causing an issue)? If they don't automatically download, will my phone sync at some point and think that I uninstalled all the apps and remove them from my Google cloud backup?

 

[OutOfPhase]

Thanks OutOfPhase!

I have version 4.1.2. I was running in safe mode and the issue happened one time.

How can I verify that all of my stuff is backed up to Google before I do a factory data reset? Specifically, will my apps automatically download to my phone once I add my Google account back to my phone (if so, that would make it hard to figure out which app is causing an issue)? If they don't automatically download, will my phone sync at some point and think that I uninstalled all the apps and remove them from my Google cloud backup?

To check if your contacts are backed up go to your gmail account online, sign in and check your contacts are there.

Once you do a factory reset and sign in go to the play store accept the tos and your apps will start to download. As far as telling which one is causing issue it would have to be a stock app since it happened while in safe mode. You can start by disabling each app one at a time through settings apps- all and select the app click uninstall updates then disable until the problem goes away.

I am going to say I think a FDR will fix the issue.

 

[Thom]

Did you do a Factory Data Reset after upgrading to Jelly Bean? If not then I think it is highly likely that OutOfPhase is correct.

... Thom

 

[wreade]

Thom,

Thanks for the reply. The upgrade to JB was a few months ago, I think. You think it wouldn't start showing this issue until a few months later?

Are there any known battery/power issues with the Bionic on JB?

Will

 

[Thom]

It is a very complicated computer with software developers from around the world making things available that may not play nicely with each other.

The recommendation is ... on ANY major system upgrade like ICS to JB ... immediately do a Factory Data Reset. If you don't, hours, days, weeks, or months later you may get nailed.

... Thom

 

[wreade]

Here's an update. I did a FDR on Sunday and since then I haven't seen the issue. Thanks to everyone for their help!

 

[wreade]

I've found one constant related to this issue I originally posted about. My in-laws house is the only place where my phone turns off without any warning. When I last visited my in-laws in August, I posted about this issue. I am visiting my in-laws again and the issue is happening again.

An additional thing I noticed was that when I plug the phone in, the phone displays the battery level before I turn it on. In this instance, the phone reported the battery level to be 0%. Once it hit 5%, I turned on the phone. Once the phone started, the battery gauge for Jelly Bean reported a 90% battery level. Obviously, my battery didn't go from 5% to 90% in a matter of a couple of minutes.

So, how could the phone see one battery level and the OS another? Could there be an issue with the power in my in-laws house that is causing the OS to properly recognize the battery level but not the underlying OS on the phone?

 

[Frotax]

Some good info from you guys here.

Ive had this same issue(Just dealt with it) but recently this happened and was hoping you fellas could
help me out?

I have a Bionic that sticks right after the Red Motorola circle goes out during boot up. It just goes to a blank screen(Like right before the normal display would pop on)

Phone is Verizon, All stock except for OTA updates to ICS.
Series of events, It hung a few times, pulled battery(It was somewhat puffy but working still but replaced with new)
It wont boot with either battery, fully charged and plugged in.

Last time it booted up, it sat in boot mode for about an hour, worked for a few days and died before I got a chance to back up.
How can I get this to boot?
Do I need to Flash it? Root it?(I will after I get it working as a project), but my main concern is getting the few files I need off of it.
I did NOT have an SD card installed, so everything is on the stock memory.

I have read all the different threads about flashing, RSD lite, etc, but I will be honest, I understand it, but it's over my head and dont wont to use the wrong flash file and wipe the data or brick it.
Is it possible to root with something like CyanogenMod, and save the data on phone? Everything is in stock directories.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Gabe

 

[Thom]

Welcome to Android Forums.

One question ... did you try a battery pull? With the poser on physically remove the battery. After a few seconds reinsert the battery and power on.

... Thom

 

[Frotax]

Personally, I probably did, but I will try it again.

I blame my random shut offs as the original battery dying(It was getting puffy)

Right now, it just sticks after the red circle. I'll pull it and try to power it up again, but I remember yanking the battery numerous times, with old battery and new.

Oh, I tried the method of booting the Bionic into safe mode I found on Verizons site........I held the buttons way longer than 45 seconds and nothing happened.

I can get the recovery mode screen no problem though.
(That is a very last resort as I dont want to lose whats on the phone)

 

[Thom]

"Puffy" battery? Not good. OEM replacement on Amazon is about $10.

... Thom

 

[rdsok]

I've found one constant related to this issue I originally posted about. My in-laws house is the only place where my phone turns off without any warning. When I last visited my in-laws in August, I posted about this issue. I am visiting my in-laws again and the issue is happening again.

An additional thing I noticed was that when I plug the phone in, the phone displays the battery level before I turn it on. In this instance, the phone reported the battery level to be 0%. Once it hit 5%, I turned on the phone. Once the phone started, the battery gauge for Jelly Bean reported a 90% battery level. Obviously, my battery didn't go from 5% to 90% in a matter of a couple of minutes.

So, how could the phone see one battery level and the OS another? Could there be an issue with the power in my in-laws house that is causing the OS to properly recognize the battery level but not the underlying OS on the phone?

wreade..

Some possibilities are the battery itself is old or it's contacts are getting dirty or the phones contacts for the battery are dirty ( in that they have some corrosion )

You can use an eraser on the phone contacts if you are gentle with it..

If the battery is getting close to a couple years old ( on average ) then it may be the culprit since that is about when they will show signs of age.



It's odd that Thom didn't respond to you and just answered the person that was hijacking your thread instead of starting their own thread for their problem.