Help Home key problems (HTC Desire)

oatikodi · Aug 30, 2010

Sadly, after nearly 4 months my HTC Desire has stopped working

The home key button no longer works (pressing it does nothing and the phone is not very usable without it. Anyone had a similar problem (or know if it is possible to reprogram the keys)?

Having got it sim free I can't get the phone company to replace it. I'll see how HTC handle warranty queries!

(And I have done a facory reset but that doesn't help)

gibbs1984 · Aug 30, 2010

My menu key is playing up a bit, still works but takes a couple of goes to get it to work sometimes, I put it down to the crappy ROM that I'm running though...

lekky · Aug 30, 2010

HTC should cover it, raise a support request via their support section of their site.

oatikodi · Sep 9, 2010

I tried calling HTC on the landline support number (twice) but gave up after 15mins in a queue. I then tried emailing saying what the problem was and that I had done a factory reset (twice) and still no improvement. And also that I couldn't get through on their warranty number. I had an email back suggesting I try a factory reset (not sure they even bothered to read my email) and also to try an 0845 number (which is chargeable on a mobile as it is not covered by the usual contract and also chargeable from landlines depending on your provider). So, I was not impressed. However, I tried the 0845 number and got through quickly. I was impressed when HTC then arranged for UPS to collect my phone the next day. However, it's been over a week now and not a single response from HTC and the web site where you are supposed to enter your ticket number and email address does nothing with the ticket number I was provided. I am seriously under impressed by HTC and will call then tomorrow.

In the meantime, I got hold of a galaxy portal (these are now running 2.1) and was seriously impressed. The battery life is better than the Desire; the screen is readable in daylight and the keys at the bottom of the screen make things like editing a lot easier than on the Desire. However, the camera is not as good and there doesn’t seem to be pinch and zoon (though I didn't miss that). The size and feel of the phone is very good and it's available on

oatikodi · Sep 10, 2010

Rang HTC and they weren't sure if my phone had been repaired yet (it's over a week now). They were going to ring back today but no reply yet!

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy is looking great for video play back- as well as for listening to music and looking at photos. However, it's not perfect. It seems to keep going sluggish every so often (certainly does not feel as nimble as the HTC Desire). And, the casing is very slippery and the keys too far recessed- making it easy for me to drop the phone and harder than it should be to easily turn on/off and change the volume. The HTC felt nicer to hold- and more robust. I'm hoping I can get the Desire back soon and use that instead of the Sammsung (and the PC sync doesn't work on my PC with windows 7).

oatikodi · Sep 14, 2010

I cannot believe how bad HTC's customer support is. They have had my phone for 2 weeks and at no stage have they contacted me about progress. I rang them last week and the person assured me she would ring me back with an update. But, 4 days later and still nothing. This has put me off HTC totally. A phone going wrong after 4 months is bad enough. But this level of customer support is totally unimpressive.

oatikodi · Sep 18, 2010

still haven't got my phone back from HTC. Getting close to 3 weeks.

I raised another query about my phone- and they said it is being tested and should be sent out soon.

oatikodi · Oct 25, 2010

eventually got my phone back from HTC- it came back after 3 weeks with the home key fixed. But the SD card slot wasn't working properly so sent the phone back and it worked ok when it came back the second time. I prefer the usability of the HTC Desire to the Samsung Galaxy S. It feels more refined. However, I will be sticking with the Galaxy S due to its much, much better battery life and the larger screen.

BorisPlankton · May 21, 2011

I have the same issue - just started. home button not working can only cycle to home screen through the return button now. I will now be testing HTC support if I cannot get Vodafone to sort,
On the 0845 number it is worth looking at 'SayNoto0870' website (SAYNOTO0870.COM - Non-Geographical Alternative Telephone Numbers) as this often gives alternative numbers and does have one for HTC Europe.

bigt · Jan 13, 2012

Sorry to resurrect an old thread.

I had this trouble and found an app called 'Button Savior' which displays an icon on the screen that when tapped displays a 'strip' of buttons onscreen (Home, Menu, Back etc)

It requires root for full functionality and as I am rooted I don't know what functionality it would have for un-rooted phones.

SUroot · Jan 13, 2012

Often Home button failure is caused by an application so its worth experimenting too.

bigt · Jan 14, 2012

True SUroot

Help Home key problems (HTC Desire)

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