Cell phones are currently the most prominently used electronic device globally. In the US alone, there are approximately 310 million smartphone users among its population of 340 million. And according to UN reports, since most users replace their cell phones every three to four years, they also account for a large share of e-waste per user. Users typically replace their phones for better features and designs, but damage to the device is also a leading cause for buying a new smartphone.
Buying a new smartphone before it becomes obsolete harms the environment and your wallet. For this reason, in order to reduce the financial and environmental impact of damaged cell phones, we’ve compiled a list of some common cell phone repair issues and their respective solutions.
Broken Phone Screen
A broken phone screen is the most common cell phone repair issue many smartphone users are familiar with. All it takes is one small fall, and your cell phone screen can get completely shattered. Apart from falling, phone screens can also get damaged due to metal keys rubbing against the phone or sitting on it while it’s in your back pocket.
If your phone’s screen breaks, you don’t have to throw it away. It is easy to replace the screen on your phone. Any reliable technician should be able to fix it within a few hours at most. Just be cautious and ensure that they use genuine screens for replacement. Although it is possible to replace a phone screen, it is expensive. Some manufacturers provide a warranty on their screens, but they often take time to have your phone fixed and delivered. Hence, it is best to implement the preventative measure of using a screen guard, which can significantly protect your phone screen from damage.
Slow charging or No charging
Another common cell phone repair issue is damage to the charging port. This usually occurs due to dirt lodged in the charging path, wetness or rust, or physical damage to the charging portion of the cell phone. Most of the time, you can fix this issue on your own.
First, try another charger to be sure the problem is not the charger but your phone’s charging port. Then, use a needle and a soft cloth to clean the port. If the metal piece is bent, gently adjust it to the center to fit the shape of your charger’s pin. If the problem persists, visit a professional technician who will most likely be able to repair it immediately.
Fast battery drain
This is another common issue many users encounter and might require cell phone repair. The problem with faster battery drain can occur due to several underlying causes:
- Not closing background apps: Ensure you close apps when you’re not using them, including those running in the background.
- Third-party app or system glitch: Try restarting your device or using safe mode. If the battery works safely, a third-party app will likely be to blame. In that case, delete recently installed apps.
- Using too many apps: Having too many apps can also drain your battery. Remove unused apps and check if any specific app uses excessive power. For it, go to “Settings,” then “About Phone,” then “Battery Use.” Here you will see the list of apps and their battery consumption. Delete unnecessary apps that still use battery power.
- Un-updated software: Keep your phone’s system and software up to date. You can check for updates by going to “Settings” then “System Updates.”
- Excessive notifications: Frequent notifications and ads can drain the battery too. You can turn off notifications by going to “Settings,” then “Manage Apps,” and then “Notifications.” Turn off unrequired notifications and set them as needed.
- Poor charger or charging habits: Always use the original charger and follow the 20-80 rule for charging. Keep your battery level between 20% and 80% for optimal battery health.
Slow operations and frequent hanging
If your phone has become slow or hangs often, your RAM is likely overloaded. Or, there might be potentially harmful apps on your phone. To prevent this problem, consider the following recommendations:
- Regularly clear cache data.
- Avoid downloading applications from untrusted sources. Use only Google’s Play Store or App Store.
- If your phone has a RAM lower than 4GB, avoid playing resource-intensive games like PUBG or CODM.
- Always keep your phone’s operating system and applications updated.
- Periodically delete unused files (such as pictures, videos, and PDFs) and apps.
- Having more available RAM space results in better performance. So aim to keep around 30% of your smartphone’s RAM space free.
- When your phone starts hanging, troubleshoot by deleting any recently installed suspicious apps. Then, restart the phone and clear the RAM.
- If necessary, consider performing a factory reset. If the issue persists, seek professional support from a trustworthy repair center.
Overheating
It is normal for cell phones to become slightly warm after prolonged use, especially while playing demanding games or editing images and videos. However, if it becomes excessively hot, it is usually due to a malfunction, such as a glitch in the software or some applications. Alternatively, it could be because some liquid has gotten into the phone.
If your cell phone tends to overheat easily, you can try the following:
- Update all software and applications.
- Avoid playing demanding games and watching high-definition videos for extended periods.
- Don’t let your battery charge completely, i.e., to 100%, or discharge completely to 0%.
- Keep your cell phone out of direct sunlight.
- Use an original charger; do not keep your phone in overnight.
And in cases where your phone becomes too hot, stop using it immediately. Unplug the phone if it is charging and let it cool down. It is also a good idea to activate Airplane mode to prevent it from doing too much when cooling down. Then, close any app you are not using and restart your phone. Also, remove your phone case if you have one.
Water Damage
Water damage is another common cell phone repair issue, usually due to spilling beverages or getting your phone wet in the rain. Likewise, your phone can get damaged if you leave it on a wet surface, such as a sink or a bathtub, for a long time.
A bad wet cell phone generally gets heavily damaged, making it unrepairable. However, if you’re lucky, you can still save your phone.
- First, switch off the phone. Separate the battery, SIM card, SD card, and phone cover. Next, use a soft cloth or cotton to remove moisture from these components. Then try turning the phone on again.
- You can also try the traditional rice or silica gel technique to revive your phone. It will take a couple of days to restore your phone after placing it in a plastic bag filled with rice or silica gel. It can absorb moisture from deep within the phone and hopefully revive it.
But rather than trying these tricks, it is always better to take measures to prevent water damage. Firstly, keep your cell phone away from wet surfaces or spillable liquids. And secondly, consider safeguarding your phone from liquid damage using a waterproof pouch when heading to a pool or beach. These pouches are also helpful when caught while carrying your phone in the rain.
Conclusion
So these were some common cell phone repair issues and their solutions. Remember, being just a little careful can avoid most cell phone damage. And even when damaged a professional technician can easily repair them. Just be sure to utilize a technician you can trust and rely upon.