Although the initial reception for the Galaxy S9 has been generally positive, recent reports paint a potentially bleak image — some S9 owners are complaining that their new devices have "dead zones" in their displays, which don't register their touch inputs. Luckily, there are steps you can take to fix this problem.
Now, when it comes to issues like these dead zones, there are no guarantees. While the issue may entirely be software-related, there is the chance something is wrong with your Galaxy's S9 itself — something you won't be able to fix with a trick. Nevertheless, try these steps below first before jumping to that conclusion.
Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode
As with most issues that plague our smartphones, you have to rule out the software before tackling the hardware. It's possible these dead zones are the fault of some buggy third-party app. In that case, you'll just want to delete the problematic app.
To test this, boot your S9 into safe mode. Safe mode disables all third-party apps while in use, so if you see the problem disappear, you most likely have your answer. Make sure to check out the guide below to walk through safe mode booting.
- Don't Miss: How to Boot Your Galaxy S9 & S9+ Into Safe Mode
Step 2: Wipe Cache
If the dead zones still appear for you in safe mode, you can assume it isn't a third-party app causing the problem. Don't worry, you have other options, both of which stem from booting into recovery mode.
Recovery mode allows you to perform two crucial tasks for troubleshooting software issues. First, it allows you to wipe your cache, which will clear out temporary files that could potentially be corrupted. Once you've booted into recovery mode, highlight the "Wipe cache" option with your volume key, then press the power button to select it.
Step 3: Factory Reset
If wiping cache doesn't work, you can perform a factory reset, which will remove all potentially-corrupted data from your device. This will erase your entire phone, though, so make sure you've backed up any important or essential data like pictures and videos. Just as with clearing the cache, boot into recovery mode and select "Factory reset" with the volume keys, then press the power button to engage.
Step 4: Exchange It with Your Warranty
If none of the tricks above solve your dead zone problems, you can safely say the problem lies with your S9's hardware itself. You're going to want to break out that warranty to either get the phone fixed or replaced. To get the ball rolling on that front, check out Samsung's warranty page here.
Who knows — if this ends up bring a big enough issue, Samsung might have to start a return program.
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Cover image by Amboy Manalo/Gadget Hacks
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