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Samsung Galaxy S4 battery drains quickly

RichPlummerPowell
2: Seeker
2: Seeker

Hi,

 

I've noticed recently that the battery in my Samsung Galaxy S4 drains rapidly while I'm not using the device. It was fully charged one night so I unplugged it, slept for several hours and woke to see a battery warning displayed.

 

I have tried terminating all apps and restarting the device to ensure that the problem isn't related to a bad app. Today, for example, the battery was down to about 36% charge two hours after disconnecting the charger, and with little use. The Battery status page shows the following apps:

Android OS 45%

Android System 12%

Google Play services 11%

Cell standby 9%

Screen 6%

BBC Weather 4%

Facebook 3%

Wi-Fi 2%

 

I understand that this model has had some battery problems and that it might be possible to obtain a replacement battery. Please would you advise?

20 REPLIES 20

DaveCD - I have now visited a Vodafone store where they explained they'd need to send my handset away for a couple of weeks. This would be an infuriating and hugely disruptive next step given that the issue's likely to be with the battery or software.

Phil
Community Manager (Retired)
Community Manager (Retired)

Hi RichPlummerPowell, 

 

As the store and DaveCD both mentioned, the phone will need to be sent away for repair.  It can be away for up to 10 days whilst the engineers have a look at it.  

 

Thanks, 

 

Phil

Phil
Community Manager (Retired)
Community Manager (Retired)

Hi all, 

 

As a follow-up to this, we have just approved a software update which will be rolled out in stages by Samsung starting this week.

 

Please install the latest version when you receive it over the air to fix any bugs you’ve experienced.

 

Thanks, 

 

Phil

Hello,

 

I am one of the many victims of the battery draining issue for Samsung Galaxy S4. I sent the phone to Vodafone repair 3-4 times already and everytime I get the same default response saying everything is fine and you need to close background apps or have updated software'. I just got along with the phone due to my busy work life.

 

As a last trial I travelled 15miles from my place by bus and visited SAMSUNG Service centre and they told that there is an issue with motherboard, which proves that Vodafone repair centre didn't even go to the root cause of the problem. Quite surprising!!

 

Ironically, even after SAMSUNG Service centre replacing the mother board the problem didn't fix and they said they can't do anything else. They confirmed that I have a FAULTY device since the battery was still draining 1-2% every 2minutes JUST ON DISPLAY (without running any apps) and asked me to contact either Vodafone or Samsung head office to get other options.

 

Now I am being told by Vodafone that I need to send the device 3 times in 3 continuous months on the same problem to get a repalcement??!!! So, are you saying that you will not go into root cause all the 3 times and then give me a replacement?? Superb..fantastic!!

 

On top of all these VODAFONE store have most dumb specialists than any other operators since they don't even try to understand the problem and just say that we can't decide anything and will just send the device for repair.

 

I am getting frustrated to the core and surely will not recommend any of my friends to get in to Vodafone contracts which will not resolve the problems of customers and not go into root causes of the problematic devices to fix them in case of any fault.

 

Just to let you know I have used all the tips and tricks available online but in vain.

 

Y.A.Suresh

 

I've received advice here from Vodafone both to have my handset sent away for repair, and to wait for this week's OTA update. These are two contradictory actions.

 

Given the knowledge of the software/firmware causing power drain, and the disruption to customers that results from sending a device away, Vodafone shouldn't be advising the more costly and disruptive approach.

 

I'm unimpressed.

hrym
17: Community Champion
17: Community Champion

Since there's an update due this week, I'd be inclined to try that first.   If it solve the issue, you don't have to be without your phone.  If not, then it'll be the repair route.

 

ashylite002: If even Samsung are struggling with this, I'd be inclined to go back to them.  They're more likely to give you a replacement anyway.

Hi everyone,

 

@RichPlummerPowell - The post was sent a day later after Phil had been given information regarding a software update. I'd recommend waiting for this before sending it for repair as hrym mentioned.

 

@ashylite002 - As the manufacturer, they have a lot more access to the phone when repairing it. This will be why they've diagnosed further issues.

 

Thanks,

Matt B

Matt,

 

Thanks for your response. Then it would have been better if VODAFONE REPAIR didn't send a certificate all the 3 times saying that everything is fine with the device. Insted they should have suggested it to be sent to the manufacturer in any of the instances.It would have saved me lot of time and effort.  They just blindly flashed the firmware and sent it back saying there is no problem with the device at all. This is where the gap lies.

 

Thanks & Regards,

 

Y.A.Suresh

There's no sign of the OTA update yet.... My handset shows battery draining linearly in about 4 hours when not in use. Would you advise on specific app/process that causes this?

 

I'm now disabling/uninstalling all Vodafone apps/processes in the hope of improvement.

hrym
17: Community Champion
17: Community Champion

There are two obvious things to try on this.  The first would be to disable Rich Communications Suite as it's been known to causes issues with the battery (Settings|Apps).   The second would be to limit the device to 3G and below if you're not in a 4G area (Settings|Networks|Mobile Data, as I recall).  If the device is set to receive a 4G signal but isn't getting one, it can use quite a lot of power constantly searching.

 

One the update is in place, reset these changes and see if everything's more stable   Also, in Settings, there should be a entry for Battery (it may be in About Phone) and this will show you usage, but only as a percentage, so it may be of limited help.  Screen and Android OS are normally the main users and that's fine, but a percentage doesn't really indicate whether they're excessive.  There are other battery monitor apps available, but I haven't used any of them.