Samsung Galaxy S3 User Manual

							Troubleshooting
161
Troubleshooting
When you turn on your device or while you are 
using the device, it prompts you to enter one of the 
following codes:
CodeTry this to solve the problem:
Password When the device lock feature is enabled, 
you must enter the password you set for the 
device.
PIN When using the device for the first time or 
when the PIN requirement is enabled, you 
must enter the PIN supplied with the SIM or 
USIM card. You can disable this feature by 
using Lock SIM card.
PUK Your SIM or USIM card is blocked, usually as a 
result of entering your PIN incorrectly several 
times. You must enter the PUK supplied by 
your service provider. 
PIN2 When you access a menu requiring the PIN2, 
you must enter the PIN2 supplied with the 
SIM or USIM card. For details, contact your 
service provider.
Your device displays network or service error 
messages
When you are in areas with weak signals or poor reception,  
●
you may lose reception. Move to another area and try 
again.
You cannot access some options without a subscription. 
 
●
Contact your service provider for more details. 
						

							Troubleshooting
162
The touch screen responds slowly or improperly
If your device has a touch screen and the touch screen is not 
responding properly, try the following:Remove any protective covers from the touch screen. 
 
●
Protective covers may prevent the device from recognising 
your inputs and are not recommended for touch screen 
devices.
Ensure that your hands are clean and dry when tapping the 
 
●
touch screen.
Restart your device to clear any temporary software bugs.
 
●
Ensure that your device’s software is upgraded to the latest  
●
version.
If the touch screen is scratched or damaged, take your 
 
●
device to a Samsung Service Centre.
Your device freezes or has fatal errors
If your device freezes or hangs, you may need to close 
applications or reset the device to regain functionality. If your 
device is still responsive and an application is frozen, close the 
application with the task manager. If your device is frozen and 
unresponsive, press and hold the Power key for 8-10 seconds.
If this problem persists, perform a factory data reset. In the 
application list, select Settings 
→  Back up and reset → 
Factory data reset 
→  Reset device → Erase everything.
Calls are being dropped
When you are in areas with weak signals or poor reception, 
you may lose your connection to the network. Move to 
another area and try again. 
						

							Troubleshooting
163
Outgoing calls are not connected
Ensure that you have pressed the Dial key. 
●
Ensure that you have accessed the correct cellular network. 
●
Ensure that you have not set call barring for the phone  
●
number you are dialling.
Incoming calls are not connected
Ensure that your device is turned on. 
●
Ensure that you have accessed the correct cellular network. 
●
Ensure that you have not set call barring for the incoming  
●
phone number.
Others cannot hear you speaking on a call
Ensure that you are not covering the built-in microphone. 
●
Ensure that the microphone is close to your mouth. 
●
If using a headset, ensure that it is properly connected. 
●
Audio quality is poor
Ensure that you are not blocking the device’s internal  
●
antenna.
When you are in areas with weak signals or poor reception, 
 
●
you may lose reception. Move to another area and try 
again.
When dialling from contacts, the call is not connected
Ensure that the correct number is stored in the contact list. 
●
Re-enter and save the number, if necessary. 
●
Ensure that you have not set call barring for the contact’s  
●
phone number. 
						

							Troubleshooting
164
The device beeps and the battery icon is empty
Your battery is low. Recharge or replace the battery to 
continue using the device.
The battery does not charge properly or the device 
turns off
The battery terminals may be dirty. Wipe the gold-coloured  
●
contacts with a clean, soft cloth and try charging the 
battery again.
If the battery will no longer charge completely, dispose 
 
●
of the old battery properly and replace it with a new 
battery (refer to your local regulations for proper disposal 
instructions).
Your device is hot if touched
When you use applications that require more power or use 
applications on your device for an extended period of time, 
your device may feel hot. This is normal and should not affect 
your device’s lifespan or performance.
Error messages appear when launching the camera
Your device must have sufficient memory and battery power 
available to operate the camera application. If you receive 
error messages when launching the camera, try the following:
Charge the battery or replace it with a battery that is fully 
 
●
charged.
Free some memory by transferring files to a computer or 
 
●
deleting files from your device.
Restart the device. If you are still having trouble with 
 
●
the camera application after trying these tips, contact a 
Samsung Service Centre. 
						

							Troubleshooting
165
Error messages appear when launching the FM radio
The FM radio application on your device uses the headset 
cable as an antenna. Without a headset connected, the FM 
radio will be unable to receive radio stations. To use the FM 
radio, first ensure that the headset is properly connected. 
Next, scan for and save the available radio stations.
If you still cannot use the FM radio after performing these 
steps, try accessing your desired station with another radio 
receiver. If you can hear the station with another receiver, 
your device may require service. Contact a Samsung Service 
Centre.
Error messages appear when opening music files
Some music files may not play on your device for a number of 
reasons. If you receive error messages when opening music 
files on your device, try the following:Free some memory by transferring files to a computer or 
 
●
deleting files from your device.
Ensure that the music file is not Digital Rights Management 
 
●
(DRM)-protected. If the file is DRM-protected, ensure that 
you have the appropriate licence or key to play the file.
Ensure that your device supports the file type.
 
●
Another Bluetooth device is not located
Ensure that the Bluetooth feature is activated on your  
●
device.
Ensure that the Bluetooth feature is activated on the device 
 
●
you wish to connect to, if necessary.
Ensure that your device and the other Bluetooth device are 
 
●
within the maximum Bluetooth range (10 m).
If the tips above do not solve the problem, contact a Samsung 
Service Centre. 
						

							Troubleshooting
166
A connection is not established when you connect 
the device to a computer
Ensure that the USB cable you are using is compatible with  
●
your device.
Ensure that you have the proper drivers installed and 
 
●
updated on your computer.
If you are a Windows XP user, ensure that you have 
 
●
Windows XP Service Pack 3 or higher installed on your 
computer.
Ensure that you have Samsung Kies 2.0 or Windows Media 
 
●
Player 10 or higher installed on your computer. 
						

							Safety information
167
Safety information
To prevent injury to yourself and others, or damage to your device, read all of 
the following information before using your device.
Warning: Prevent electric shock, fire, and 
explosion
Do not use damaged power cords or plugs, or loose electrical 
sockets
Do not touch the power cord with wet hands or disconnect the 
charger by pulling the cord
Do not bend or damage the power cord
Do not use your device while it is charging or touch your device 
with wet hands
Do not short-circuit the charger or the battery
Do not drop or cause an impact to the charger or the battery
Do not charge the battery with chargers that are not approved by 
the manufacturer
Do not use your device during a thunderstorm
Your device may malfunction and your risk of electric shock is increased.
Do not handle a damaged or leaking Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery
For safe disposal of your Li-Ion batteries, contact your nearest authorised 
service centre.
Handle and dispose of batteries and chargers with care
Use only Samsung-approved batteries and chargers specifically designed for 
•	
your device. Incompatible batteries and chargers can cause serious injuries 
or damage to your device.
Never dispose of batteries or devices in a fire. Follow all local regulations 
•	
when disposing of used batteries or devices. 
						

							Safety information
168
Never place batteries or devices on or in heating devices, such as microwave 
•	
ovens, stoves, or radiators. Batteries may explode when overheated.
Never crush or puncture the battery. Avoid exposing the battery to high 
•	
external pressure, which can lead to an internal short circuit and overheating.
Protect the device, batteries, and chargers from damage
Avoid exposing your device and batteries to very cold or very hot 
•	
temperatures.
Extreme temperatures can damage the device and reduce the charging 
•	
capacity and life of your device and batteries.
Prevent batteries from coming into contact with metal objects, as this can 
•	
create a connection between the + and – terminals of your batteries and 
lead to temporary or permanent battery damage.
Never use a damaged charger or battery.
•	
Caution: Follow all safety warnings and 
regulations when using your device in restricted 
areas
Do not use your device near other electronic devices
Most electronic devices use radio frequency signals. Your device may interfere 
with other electronic devices.
Do not use your device near a pacemaker
Avoid using your device within a 15  cm range of a pacemaker, if possible, as 
•	
your device can interfere with the pacemaker.
To minimise possible interference with a pacemaker, use your device only on 
•	
the side of your body that is opposite the pacemaker.
Do not use your device in a hospital or near medical equipment 
that can be interfered with by radio frequency
If you use medical equipment, contact the equipment manufacturer before 
using your device to determine whether or not the equipment will be affected 
by radio frequencies emitted by the device. 
						

							Safety information
169
If you use a hearing aid, contact the manufacturer for information 
about radio interference
The radio frequency emitted by your device may interfere with some hearing 
aids. Before using your device, contact the manufacturer to determine whether 
or not your hearing aid will be affected by radio frequencies emitted by the 
device.
Turn off the device in potentially explosive environments
Turn off your device in potentially explosive environments instead of 
•	
removing the battery.
Always comply with regulations, instructions and signs in potentially 
•	
explosive environments.
Do not use your device at refuelling points (petrol stations), near fuels or 
•	
chemicals, or in blasting areas.
Do not store or carry flammable liquids, gases, or explosive materials in the 
•	
same compartment as the device, its parts, or accessories.
Turn off your device when on an aircraft
Your device may interfere with the aircraft’s electronic navigation instruments.
Your device may interfere with automotive equipment
Electronic devices in your car may malfunction, due to radio interference from 
your device. Contact the manufacturer for more information.
Comply with all safety warnings and regulations 
regarding mobile device usage while operating a 
vehicle
While driving, safely operating the vehicle is your first responsibility. Never use 
your mobile device while driving, if it is prohibited by law. For your safety and 
the safety of others, use your common sense and remember the following tips:
Get to know your device and its convenience features, such as speed dial and 
•	
redial. These features help you reduce the time needed to place or receive 
calls on your mobile device.
Position your device within easy reach. Make sure you can access your 
•	
wireless device without taking your eyes off the road. If you receive an 
incoming call at an inconvenient time, let your voicemail answer it for you.
Suspend calls in heavy traffic or hazardous weather conditions. Rain, sleet, 
•	
snow, ice, and heavy traffic can be hazardous. 
						

							Safety information
170
Do not take notes or look up phone numbers. Jotting down a “to do” list or 
•	
flipping through your address book takes attention away from your primary 
responsibility of driving safely.
Dial sensibly and assess the traffic. Place calls when you are not moving or 
•	
before pulling into traffic. Try to plan calls when your car will be stationary.
Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations that may be 
•	
distracting. Make the person you are talking to aware that you are driving 
and suspend conversations that could potentially divert your attention from 
the road.
Use your device to call for help. Dial a local emergency number in the case of 
•	
fire, traffic accidents, or medical emergencies.
Use your device to help others in emergencies. If you see a car accident, a 
•	
crime in progress, or a serious emergency where lives are in danger, call a 
local emergency number.
Call roadside assistance or a special, non-emergency assistance number 
•	
when necessary. If you see a broken-down vehicle posing no serious hazard, 
a broken traffic signal, a minor traffic accident where no one appears injured, 
or a vehicle that you know to be stolen, call a number that is designated for 
reporting these types of situations.
Proper care and use of your mobile device
Keep your device dry
Humidity and liquids may damage the parts or electronic circuits in your 
•	
device.
Do not turn on your device if it is wet. If your device is already on, turn it off 
•	
and remove the battery immediately (if the device will not turn off or you 
cannot remove the battery, leave it as-is). Then, dry the device with a towel 
and take it to a service centre.
Liquids will change the colour of the label that indicates water damage 
•	
inside the device. Water damage to your device can void your manufacturer’s 
warranty.
Do not use or store your device in areas with high concentrations of 
dust or airborne materials
Dust or foreign materials can cause your device to malfunction and may result 
in fire or electric shock.
Store your device only on flat surfaces
If your device falls, it may be damaged.