The impressive Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are among the best Android smartphones available in 2016, but they aren't perfect. In fact, multiple reports have confirmed a few small Galaxy S7 problems here and there. With that in mind, below are some common Galaxy S7 problems and how to fix them. Most of them apply to the Galaxy S7 Edge as well.
On March 11th the new Galaxy was released with an awesome 12 megapixel camera, IP68 dust and water resistance, a bigger screen, micro-SD for storage expansion and much more. It remains one of the best phones available today, with good reason, but if you're one of many owners experiencing Galaxy S7 problems we may have a solution. Users should also read up on Galaxy S7 warranty information. Especially if you're facing the black screen issues.
Read: 45 Samsung Galaxy S7 Tips & Tricks
As 2016 continues and more and more buyers pickup Samsung's Galaxy S7, additional reports about small problems are surfacing. Most aren't anything major, and some have already been fixed by software updates. Either way, owners will want to read on for some helpful tips and suggestions.
While many Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge owners are reporting an excellent experience, ourselves included in our Galaxy S7 Edge review, some are facing a lot of little but frustrating problems. Everything from Galaxy S7 WiFi issues, Bluetooth drops, camera failure, laggy performance, overheating and more. There is a big list of complaints at the Verizon forum, as well as a lot of helpful tips too.
The Galaxy S7 release went very smooth for Samsung. All major carriers had it earlier than the release date, millions received it early. Samsung is even gave out a free Gear VR headset to pre-orders. It has been a successful launch, but like every major smartphone release, there are a few lingering issues that need to be worked out. This is expected, and our tips below along with future software updates should resolve most, if not all issues.
Read: How to Fix Bad Samsung Galaxy S7 Battery Life
There are a lot of reports going around that users Galaxy S7 or Edge is randomly freezing, the screen may go green, white or black, and the phone makes a loud screaming-type noise. If you're one of the unlucky few with this, take it back to the store or carrier and get it replaced as soon as possible. Oddly enough, we've seen far too many complaints about this. Everything else below are for minor problems that actually have easy solutions.
It's now July and we're still seeing a lot of complaints about green, pink or black screens that don't work. There are still some issues going on with manufacturing. If you experience this, go get it replaced for another one.
Here are some of the most common Galaxy S7 problems and a few ways to fix them, ease the pain, or change things up for users.
Update: Samsung released their first big software update for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge on April 4th with T-Mobile, then other carriers. We've also received a few small security patches and bug fixes as of late. From performance, stability, reboots, bug fixes, battery life, and even reportedly "fixed" video recording. Since then all carriers have updated their models, and now on July 14th another security and bug fixing update is rolling out. Starting with Verizon. This new release should fix even more problems.
We're still seeing reports of slow-motion recording stutters on Snapdragon models sold in the US. We've reached out to Samsung for further comment. Either way, accept updates, and keep reading for additional help with your Galaxy S7.
Galaxy S7 WiFi Problems
Countless reports are confirming Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 WiFi problems, including Gmail sync issues over WiFi. Owners have mentioned slow WiFi performance, drops, or speeds so slow they can't even load a website or Facebook unless they turn off WiFi.
To make matters worse, a few users are claiming that if Bluetooth is on (but not connected to anything) it's interfering with WiFi and slowing internet speeds as well.
We have good news though, Samsung and Verizon confirmed was indeed an issue, and it should be fixed. If you're still having problems contact Verizon. Those with a Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge on Verizon can head into Settings > About Phone > and check for updates to get the latest software.
This should fix all the WiFi issues, and other carriers will likely be pushing a similar update out as well, if they didn't already with the security patch OTA update that arrived the second week of March.
Read: Top 10 Galaxy S7 Edge Settings to Change
That said, if you're still experiencing Galaxy S7 WiFi problems it's always a good idea to reset the home router or modem. Another option is to head into settings > connections > WiFi and forget your wireless network. Then reconnect, put in the password, and it should be better. Try turning off Bluetooth to improve WiFi until the over the air updates arrives for more owners.
Slow Performance (Briefing)
Out of the box the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge have something called "Briefing" when you swipe left on the homescreen. This is a news app that curates info from multiple news sources all to one place. It's a nice little option, but very laggy and something I disable on every single Samsung device I own.
Many owners have complained of slow performance or lag while swiping through screens, and this is mostly caused by Briefing. As a result, we can quickly disable it.
Long-press on a blank spot on the homescreen (which lets you change grid size, wallpaper and add widgets) and swipe over to the left which is "Briefing" and turn it off. Now this left side panel will disappear, and owners can drag app icons there to have another page for their favorite apps, rather than the slow and often unused Briefing app taking up space, battery, and slowing performance down.
Galaxy S7 (S7 Edge) Bluetooth Problems
Aside from the above mentioned Bluetooth causing WiFi problems, countless complaints are mentioning overall issues with Bluetooth as a whole. Connection problems with car audio or stereo systems, Android Auto not connecting right, and even some 3rd party accessories.
This happens on occasion with most devices, and is quickly fixed by software updates or simply repairing a bluetooth device to your Galaxy S7. For one, unpair and repair any device trying to use Bluetooth, as that could fix it. And if any "permissions" appear during this process make sure its set to allow. Owners can also head into permission controls in settings and make sure they didn't deny access to certain apps.
However, another option that typically has shown to fix Bluetooth problems is by doing a little trick. Owners can pull down the notification bar and hit the gear-shaped settings button up top. Then in settings head to Applications > Application Manager > More and find an app called Bluetooth Share as shown above. Hitting "Force Stop" or clearing the cache then turning Bluetooth off and back on again typically solves any remaining problems. This new round of security updates is making changes to bluetooth, so some issues might be resolved in that area too.
Galaxy S7 App Tray
More of an inconvenience than a problem, is how the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge application tray works. Apps aren't in order, out of place, and newly installed apps get added to the back of the list, which can take a few flips to get to.
Hit the bottom right icon to open the application tray, then tap the "A-Z" button near the top, and hit save. This will now list apps alphabetically, they way it should have from the beginning, and make finding apps easier.
However, once a user installs a new app it goes to the back of the list, not in the A-Z order location. So you'll have to hit A-Z and save once again. Frustrating, we know. Another option is to download a new "Launcher" from the Google Play Store, which often changes the look and feel of an Android device, including the application tray.
Our favorite is the Google Now Launcher which makes it similar to a stock Nexus phone made by Google. Or something like NOVA Launcher is a great choice as well. It's customizable, and the app tray won't act funny.
Galaxy S7 Camera Failure
"Warning: Camera Failed" is a notification we're hearing a few users are having problems with at times. This could be due to a wide array of things, and we have some potential fixes.
The impressive new Dual Pixel camera takes great photos, if the app isn't putting out this error. I've yet to experience it, but we're hearing another app or feature Samsung's added is interrupting the camera. It's called "Smart Stay" and does certain things when the sensors on the front sense something. Disable this.
Head to Settings > Display > and turn off Smart Stay, and then try the camera again. If it still doesn't work reboot the phone, or do a hard reset by holding down power and the home button for 7 seconds. Also try heading into settings > app manager > and force stopping the camera application as well.
Wet Speaker Galaxy S7 Problem
Samsung's new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are IP68 dust and water resistant. Not waterproof. This means it can handle 5ft or more under water for over 30 minutes and come out working fine. It does this without any flaps covering ports, or the speaker. Only, it doesn't work 100% perfect until dry.
For the most part the phone will continue to work perfectly, but the speaker and a few other things need to actually dry out first. There is no flap covering the speaker, and Samsung's using a coating on the inside, as well as surface tension where without a lot of movement the water simply won't go in the speaker, but it can. There is a screen behind the aluminum to stop most, but not all.
Let the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge dry out, shake it to get any water that could be in the speaker, or tap it against your hand. Once it's dry, the speaker should sound the same mediocre quality it was before it got wet.
Disable Always-On Display
It isn't really a problem, but some users absolutely hate the "Always-On Display" where the screen never turns off. In reality about 90% of it is off, and Samsung's only lighting up the pixels it needs to display the always on information. Like the clock, date, time, battery and other things. It's nice, but moves a lot (to prevent burn in or ghosting) and can be a distraction.
Simple disable the always on display feature by heading into Settings > Display > Always On Display > and Turn it off. More details can be found here.
Update: On April 27th Samsung pushed out an update to the Always On Display for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. Owners can head into settings > display > always on display > and tap "About Always On Display" and then select "Update".
This small update changes how the Always On Display actually works. It no longer moves while the screen is off, which was very distracting. Instead, individual pixels move on occasion which we can't see with our naked eye, and the AOD moves each time a user turns the screen on or off. This prevents burn in using two different methods, but isn't nearly as distracting.
Another update added sleep times where we can actually keep the Always On display enabled, but it will turn off at select times like at night, or while working. Perfect for those who like the feature but don't want it on 24/7. Since then we've seen a few small always on display updates, but they have yet to add more features to it, aside from do not disturb times and such.
Galaxy S7 Getting Hot
These phones have amazingly beautiful displays with a powerful Quad-core processor, or even an 8-core processor for models outside the United States. They can get hot while gaming, and especially while using the free Gear VR headset that many buyers received.
Also, we're hearing a lot of complaints about it getting hot while charging. This is expected, but if you're playing games as it recharges, things can get toasty. I use a case, so never notice this, but we can actually change settings to lower this overheating problem.
For the most part all phones get a little warm, so this isn't a concern. However, Galaxy S7 owners who don't like it can head into Settings > Battery > and turn off the "Fast Cable Charging" which is Quick Charge 2.0 or Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging. This means the phone won't charge from 0-50% in about 25-30 minutes, and will take over 2 hours to recharge, but it won't get as hot and may preserve the life of the battery.
Galaxy S7 Reboot
Of course some users may have other small problems here and there. Like screen glitches or rotation, lag, app crashes, or other minor things that can often be solved by a simple reboot. Actually, most problems I get asked about can be solved by rebooting the phone.
Owners can easily reboot the phone by long-pressing the power button, and hitting "restart". It will quickly turn off and restart back to how it was, and most issues should be fixed.
Read: How to Reset a Frozen Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge
Also, above is another method to do a hard reset. This can be helpful for a frozen or unresponsive Galaxy S7, or just a simple way to hard reset the phone. Press and hold the power button and home button, together, for 7-8 seconds until the Galaxy S7 vibrates and reboots.
Galaxy S7 Factory Data Reset
Last but not least is a factory data reset. This is a last resort, as it will erase all user data, apps, messages, and content from the phone. This typically fixes any major issues, software problems and more, and reverts the phone to stock out of the box software.
This is the best route to take, and something I do after every big software update to start fresh, but it wipes out everything on the phone. Backup all data using many of the tools available, then follow the steps below to reset and start fresh.
Start by going to Settings > Backup & reset > Factory data reset > and Reset Device. This will take a few minutes, load the Android screen and flash the stock software, then reboot to the setup screen as a new device. Restore everything, and try using the phone again. This should fix most problems.
Now that the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge have been available for a few months most of the issues have calmed down or been resolved. We're still seeing a few here and there and can expect more fixes in the future and with Android 7.0 Nougat later this year. If you're having other problems, drop us a note in the comment section below.
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