Physical buttons on smartphones are becoming harder to find these days. However, we still use a small number of buttons to carry out everyday tasks like turning on the screen and adjusting the volume. Mechanical keys can become worn out over time since we use them frequently throughout the day. Do not hurry to the repair center just yet if your power or volume buttons are not functioning. Here are some tips to assist you in fixing the keys on your Android device. Here’s what to do when Android buttons stop working.
What To Do When Android Buttons Stop Working?
There are a handful of things you can perform when you find out that the buttons are on the verge of being broken or are already broken. You can go to the service center and have them fixed, but there are other things you can do before that.
Is it Actually Dead?
If the buttons on your phone aren’t functioning, there’s a possibility that a software error is to blame. We advise performing the basic troubleshooting procedures listed below to make sure the key is truly dead.
- Reboot
The first thing you should do is reboot the smartphone. In the event that something malfunctions or crashes, this will reboot all background processes and refresh the important components of your smartphone.
If it is the Power button that is not working, then do the following. This will work only if you have enabled the “Double Tap to Wake” feature.
- Double-tap on the screen to wake it.
- Enter the PIN or Password.
- Go to Play Store and download Restart: Power Menu.
If you have a Google Pixel running on Android 12 or 13, then follow the steps below.
- Swipe down twice on the home screen.
- Select the Power icon from Quick Settings.
- Tap on Restart.
Samsung Galaxy users can enable Auto Restart at Set Times feature.
What if your device doesn’t have the aforementioned feature? Then do the following.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Enable Accessibility Menu.
- Restart using the Accessibility Menu.
If you do not have this feature, then you can download Accessibility Suite from Google Play.
- Safe Mode
By rebooting your device in safe mode, you can further examine whether a software flaw is to blame for your button issue. Safe mode is fundamentally an isolated setting that limits your smartphone to the apps that came preinstalled.
On the majority of new Android devices, you can enter safe mode by:
- Press and hold the Power button.
- Press and hold the Power Off icon on the Power Menu.
If your Power button is the one that is not working properly, then you can enter safe mode via ADB. Just connect your device to your computer and enter a couple of commands. You will need root access for this to work. Also, you must have booted to safe mode at least once before for this to work. Follow the instructions on this Stack Exchange thread to boot your android to Safe Mode via ADB.
- Diagnose
Using a third-party tool to analyze your phone’s buttons will be the last step to determining whether your issue is caused by hardware breakdown. Install the TestM app from the Google Play Store to do that.
- Launch the app.
- Go to the Hardware tab.
- Select the Hardware Buttons option.
- Follow the instructions.
Clean The Gaps
The volume keys on your phone are frequently in contact with the dirt and grime of the outside world. It’s likely that some little debris has collected in the cracks surrounding them, which could impair the internal connections. On more recent IP68-rated devices, this is less likely to cause a problem, although it can be on older mobile devices. You have the option of utilizing compressed air to blow within the potentially damaged areas and cleaning them with a toothpick, however, there isn’t much that can be done without professional assistance. Occasionally, this will be sufficient to get things moving once more.
Use Virtual Buttons
You can experiment with virtual button substitute apps before getting professional assistance. These applications can mimic button actions allowing you to function without using the actual keys. It’s worthwhile to try gesture control apps because they can make using your Android phone a little bit simpler.
- For Power Button
Your first problem will be waking your smartphone from sleep if the power button is that which is malfunctioning. The best course of action is to set up apps that allow you to unlock the smartphone without pressing the power button. If you have a smartphone with a fingerprint reader, you can use it to unlock it, so you don’t have to worry about it. You have a couple of alternatives for everything else.
Installing an app such as Gravity Screen will wake your phone immediately as you pick it up by detecting motion. Even when you place the phone in your purse or on a table, the software has the ability to lock the device. You can also use Accessibility Suite.
Another option is to configure the double-tap to wake screen feature. To activate the display just double-tap it. There is a built-in feature for this from many phone manufacturers, including OnePlus and Samsung. Try looking for it in the search bar at the top of the settings if you are having trouble finding it.
- For Volume Buttons
There are apps that can help you get around broken buttons if your Android device’s volume button isn’t working and you don’t want to use the phone’s built-in accessibility suite.
For those who seek a simple replacement for their phone’s broken volume buttons, there is the Assistive Volume Button app. Two floating volume up and down buttons are attached to the border of the screen. Three bars appear when you tap on one of them, allowing you to individually change the call, media, and notification volumes. The appearance, size, and other features of the virtual buttons can also be changed. You won’t even notice if the volume buttons are broken if you have this app loaded on your phone.
Final Words
Although many modern phones have an IP rating, this does not make them waterproof. To properly maintain a water-resistant phone, first, understand what the phone’s IP rating signifies. You shouldn’t take any action just yet if your phone’s buttons ceased functioning as a result of being dropped in water. First, make sure the inside of your phone is absolutely dry. There are several ways to recover a phone that has fallen into the water. After completely drying out your device, turn it off right away and begin troubleshooting. You should be able to discover a solution for the majority of situations in at least one of the mentioned steps. A virtual substitute should work, especially in the situation of dead volume keys. Of course, going to a repair center and getting expert assistance should be your final resort. Hopefully, it won’t cost you as long as there is no water damage as well as the smartphone is still covered by warranty.
