Help Screen won't turn back on when I remove phone from my ear

[ziploc]

I have a relatively new Galaxy S3. When using the phone the screen blanks (as expected) when I put it to my ear. When I remove it from my ear the screen will sometimes go active, and sometimes will not. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Frisco]

I have a relatively new Galaxy S3. When using the phone the screen blanks (as expected) when I put it to my ear. When I remove it from my ear the screen will sometimes go active, and sometimes will not. Any advice is appreciated.

Hello and welcome, ziploc.

It sounds like the proximity sensor is dirty/obscured. Clean with a soft cloth the top half inch or so of your screen. That sensor will turn the screen dark when blocked by your face/head during phone calls so as not to inadvertently press icons while on the phone.

It's supposed to show the screen once the phone is out of range of being blocked.. if it does not, it's likely dirty up there and "thinks" you're still on the phone.

 

[funkylogik]

Also make sure your hand isnt near the sensor (to the right of the front speaker) :thumbup:

 

[ziploc]

Thanks for the replies. The screen looks quite clean, and my hands are not near the sensor. But I just had a bad feeling... I recently replaced the front glass because I had cracked it. I suppose it's possible that something could be obscuring the sensor behind the glass. But if this were the case wouldn't I see the screen blank for no reason sometimes? That has never happened.

 

[funkylogik]

The sensor only comes into play when an app tells it to (like the dialer app) so maybe you have damaged it but +1 for being able to replace the glass. Ive read of people doing a lot more damage when replacing it :beer:

 

[ziploc]

The sensor only comes into play when an app tells it to (like the dialer app) so maybe you have damaged it but +1 for being able to replace the glass. Ive read of people doing a lot more damage when replacing it :beer:

I watched a bunch of YouTube videos before replacing the glass. I tried to glean the best info from each. All in all it looks brand new again. Other than a slight loss of sensitivity to the "back" button on the bottom right (and possibly the problem I posted here?) it works perfectly.

I think the glass and tape were about $10.00 total.

 

[funkylogik]

Youre a braver man than me lol. Ive watched a few vids too n it seems a bit messy. If i break mine though ill have no option but to do the same as you so its good to see a semi-success story lol. Loss of prox sensor is far better than paying money that i dont have
If youre making a call thats gona require u to use the keypad, just turn speakerphone on until youve entered the numbers :beer:
Ps theres apps that use the sensor. Only one i can think off the top of my head is Flip Case Control n i duno if theres a free version but try something similar just to test it

 

[ziploc]

Elsewhere I've seen it suggested that a factory reset might fix this problem. The fact that it happens sometimes and not others makes me wonder though.

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah man. If it happened straight after the work you did on it its probably hardware but i just edited my last post with a PS :thumbup:

 

[ziploc]

Yeah man. If it happened straight after the work you did on it its probably hardware but i just edited my last post with a PS :thumbup:

You could very well be right. Unfortunately it's one of those things where I can't be sure. I didn't notice it immediately after the glass replacement, but that could simply be that I didn't happen to need that feature until a week later.

I like your idea of trying an app that uses it. I might also do the factory reset. It's annoying because sometimes it works perfectly, and sometimes it gets stuck off. Never gets stuck on. When I put it to my ear the screen always blanks.

 

[ziploc]

So I found an app for testing all the sensors. I'll give that a try and report back. I also found a tip relating to a different phone, but it might be of help here. They mentioned that the screen covers can play havoc with the proximity sensor. Of course I put a new screen cover on as soon as I replaced my glass. It has a cut-out for the proximity sensor, but it looks like it still covers the sensor ever so slightly. I'll make the cutout a bit larger and see what happens.

 

[ziploc]

Using the app I found that my proximity sensor works perfectly when the phone is under very bright light; but doesn't work at all in the ambient light in my room. This is completely repeatable. I believe the proximity sensor is actually an emitter and detector. I think the emitter may not be emitting.

Seems I'm not the first to have this problem:
samsung galaxy s 3 - Unable to turn on screen during calls - Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange

 

[SebaKL]

You can test the sensor functionality, by opening your dialer and keying in:
*#0*#

The "Sensor" button is in the center of the screen. Press it, and you will see bunch of sensors giving you all kind of feedback. To test the Proximity, move your hand over the sensor. The screen should turn green and phone will vibrate.

---> Quick Demo <---​

 

[ziploc]

Thanks. Just tried that. The proximity sensor seems to work fine when I do that. The numbers seem to change with the distance of my hand from the sensor. But the green screen and buzzing are consistent with the behavior problem I have. Once I put my hand in front of the sensor I get the green screen and buzzing. When I remove my hand the sensor numbers indicate I have moved my hand, but the screen remains green and it keeps buzzing.

I'm about ready to try the factory reset.

 

[ziploc]

I tried the factory reset. No love

But at least now I get to spend a day re-installing apps and data.

 

[funkylogik]

Augh no luck mate you should definately root

 

[ziploc]

Why root?

 

[funkylogik]

So you can back up all apps and data and make a backup image of the complete device :beer:

Back to the prox sensor, it sounds like a software or driver problem. Probably the driver since reset didnt fix it

 

[ziploc]

I'm inclined to agree. It's interesting that the sensor itself seems to indicate the correct distance to my hand, but all the things that happen as a result of that distance don't seem to work right in anything but very bright light.

Any ideas on how so solve a driver problem?

 

[funkylogik]

Completely NO idea bro. Think thats one for the root forums. The deepest ive gone is changing the kernel and i think(?) The drivers are deeper than that :thumbup:

 

[ziploc]

Thanks. Sounds like a warranty situation.

 

[funkylogik]

yup. if you did a good job with the glass replacement they hopefully wont notice. Good luck mate :beer:

 

[ziploc]

The more I mess with this thing the more clear it seems that it's "working" properly, but needs to be calibrated. I just called the local service center and described the symptoms. That was their thinking as well. It sounds like they might be able to calibrate the proximity sensor while I wait.

Shouldn't there be an app for that?

 

[funkylogik]

If there is id imagine it would be a root app. Calibration sounds about right man :thumbup:

 

[ziploc]

After talking to a tech at the local repair facility I decided to replace the proximity sensor. Found one for $10 on ebay. I'll let you know how it goes.