Common Android Problems and How to Fix Them
Quick summary: A calm, ordered approach to apps crashing, freezing, overheating and missing alerts.
When a phone misbehaves it is tempting to try everything at once. A calmer approach is to start with the simplest fix and work towards the more drastic ones, so you learn what the cause was.
This guide covers frequent problems and the order in which to try fixes. Steps vary by phone and Android version, so use the search bar in Settings if a menu has a different name.
Before you start
Back up important data before major steps such as a reset. If the phone is under warranty, contact the maker or retailer before opening or repairing it.
1. An app keeps crashing
Update the app from the Play Store, restart the phone and then clear that app's cache from Settings, then Apps. If it still crashes, uninstall and reinstall it. Also check that the phone has enough free storage.
2. The phone freezes or is very slow
Restart it. If the screen is completely unresponsive, hold the power button for about ten to fifteen seconds, or use your model's force-restart combination. Then follow How to Speed Up a Slow Android Phone Safely.
3. Notifications do not arrive
Check that notifications are allowed for the app, that Do Not Disturb is off and that battery optimisation is not stopping the app in the background. Some brands have an extra autostart or background setting that needs to be allowed.
4. The phone gets hot
Stop charging, close heavy apps and remove the case. Heat during gaming, navigation or fast charging is normal in moderation. If the phone is hot while idle, check battery usage for a misbehaving app, and see Battery Charging Best Practices.
5. Wi-Fi or mobile data will not connect
Turn Airplane mode on for ten seconds and off again. Forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect. If other devices also fail, restart the router. For more detail see Troubleshoot Common Wi-Fi Problems.
6. When nothing works
Boot into safe mode to test whether a downloaded app is causing the problem. Instructions differ by brand, so search for your model. If safe mode runs well, uninstall recently installed apps one by one. Use a factory reset only after a complete backup.
Pro tip and important warning
Pro tip: Write down what you changed and when the problem started. It helps you, and it helps support staff if you need to contact them.
Important: A factory reset erases everything on the phone. Make sure your photos, contacts, chats and two-step verification codes are safe first. Do not follow instructions from unknown sites that ask you to flash software or disable security features.
Conclusion
Most Android problems yield to a restart, an update and a check of settings. Fix one thing at a time, keep a backup and ask the maker for help when hardware is involved. Read Back Up Important Phone Data so that you are always ready.
