Help Stuck In Recovery Mode, Power Button Not Working

[Georgiaboy9009]

I have an Android tablet operating on 7.1.2, model is a MAXIMUS 3.0, which is designed for Automotive Diagnostics on an open Android platform built by LAUNCH and distributed by Matco Tools. For a few months now my power button has been unresponsive, today the tablet just randomly rebooted itself while I was currently using it and ended up going into recovery mode. Now it is stuck on that screen due to power button not working.

I have already opened the back up and tried disconnecting the battery, pressing the physical power button on the circuit board, and have visually checked the board and all printed circuits for any signs of circuit failure.

Tablet is not rooted, debugger is unfortunately turned off, and I do not have a computer or laptop at the moment to connect with.

If anyone has any ideas I would greatly appreciate it, not having this tablet severely limits my diagnostic capabilities on vehicles due to how much of a vehicle is computer operated now days.

 

[lunatic59]

When you disconnected the battery, did it go back into recovery right after the boot? or you can't power it on because the button is broken?

You could try to short the pins on the power button until it reboots (Equivalent to pressing and holding the power button down). It could be that the power button itself is shorted closed which could put the tablet into and endless boot loop.

 

[Georgiaboy9009]

When you disconnected the battery, did it go back into recovery right after the boot? or you can't power it on because the button is broken?

You could try to short the pins on the power button until it reboots (Equivalent to pressing and holding the power button down). It could be that the power button itself is shorted closed which could put the tablet into and endless boot loop.

Yes it went directly back to Recovery Mode, it has also gone into an endless boot loop before now that you mention it, I had forgotten about that. I will attempt to short the pins on it and see if I get any response that way, but will not have the opportunity to try for a few hours. I will update you once I try. Thanks for replying and for the suggestion.

 

[lunatic59]

If the power button is stuck closed (which explains a boot loop) then shorting the pins would do nothing. You'll have to replace the switch.

 

[Georgiaboy9009]

Well dang, the switch is mounted on a circuit board, which I cannot modify without voiding warranty and cannot send to get fixed under warranty because the facility that handles warranties and repairs is in California and is closed due to COVID-19.

 

[lunatic59]

Well, if it's a mechanical problem, how about just click the bejeezus out of it to see if you can free it up? While soldering a switch is really basic repair, I can see your hesitation, especially if the thing is still under warranty. I suppose the company wouldn't entertain sending you a loaner while they fixed yours? (It never hurts to beg ask )

 

[Georgiaboy9009]

Well, if it's a mechanical problem, how about just click the bejeezus out of it to see if you can free it up? While soldering a switch is really basic repair, I can see your hesitation, especially if the thing is still under warranty. I suppose the company wouldn't entertain sending you a loaner while they fixed yours? (It never hurts to beg ask )

Lol that was my first attempt at "fixing" the problem and yes it is a simple fix to solder a new switch but isn't worth the risk of voiding the warranty on a $5000 tablet, hinse my hesitation lol. I did ask about getting a loaner which they responded with a blunt no, which is the reason I didn't have it warrantied after the power button started having issues. A week to ship there, 1-2 weeks to fix, then a week to ship back was too long to go without just for a power button, which in hindsight I now regret.

 

[svim]

When your Android device gets stuck in boot loop always going into its Recovery mode, that's an indication the installed Android operating system is corrupted badly enough that your device cannot boot up normally. The Recovery is part of the firmware but it's typically bypassed during the boot up process.
Booting up into Recovery typically involves multiple buttons, not just the Power button.

 

[Georgiaboy9009]

When your Android device gets stuck in boot loop always going into its Recovery mode, that's an indication the installed Android operating system is corrupted badly enough that your device cannot boot up normally. The Recovery is part of the firmware but it's typically bypassed during the boot up process.
Booting up into Recovery typically involves multiple buttons, not just the Power button.

The volume up button started malfunctioning at the same time, sorry I didn't think to mention it in my original post.

 

[svim]

So it's stuck in boot-loop (software) and the Volume Up button is problematic (likely to be hardware). If you still have warranty coverage, what more do you want to go wrong before sending it back in?