LG US996 keeps going into Firmware update.

[JethroFloyd]

tl;dr

Hey guys, The title says it all basically. So here's the actual issue. My US996 was running great. Then, a week or so ago it just randomly started getting super sluggish. Today, I turned it off and when i turned it back on, it went right into the "firmware update" screen. I pulled the battery, played it with then got it into the recovery screen. Only thing is, i was able to move up and down using the Vol down button and power button but, i couldnt actually go into anything. So i once again pulled the battery, and now it wont do anything but go back into the "firmware update" screen. after playing with it some i finally got into the Fast Boot screen. which allowed me to do nothing. I pulled the battery again and it wont do anything but go to that "firmware update" screen.

I have tried using Uppercut to flash it. But when the LGUP program does it's reboot it dumps me right back off on the same screen. Since Uppercut and the correct KDZ are not working. Is it a hardware or software issue?

Also please forgive me, I do not understand all of the Android terms. Like, I am not sure what ADB means. I am a bit tech savvy.

 

[Obamaloominaty]

Try using LG Bridge. It will reset your phone to complete stock, but it should fix up your phone.

 

[JethroFloyd]

Try using LG Bridge. It will reset your phone to complete stock, but it should fix up your phone.

I've tried that, Uppercut, pretty much everything. I think it's the dreaded bootloop issue. When I connect it to Bridge it tells me "no updates available" . Or, the update failed.

 

[Obamaloominaty]

I've tried that, Uppercut, pretty much everything. I think it's the dreaded bootloop issue. When I connect it to Bridge it tells me "no updates available" . Or, the update failed.

Did you click "update error recovery"

 

[JethroFloyd]

Did you click "update error recovery"

I did. It went through the update process on the phone. But, once again, when the phone restarted the it went right back to the "firmware update " screen. That tells me it's a hardware issue, right?

 

[runningnak3d]

This doesn't make sense. If you had a bad NAND then the flash would fail because it wouldn't pass the hash check. If you had a bad CPU, it wouldn't be able to just load firmware update.

I am guessing that you have a corrupt misc, persist or persistent partition.

Use the patched LG UP to dump misc, persist and persistent. Then...

With the phone off, hold vol down and plug in the USB cable. That should that you to fastboot. If it does:

fastboot format misc
fastboot format persist
fastboot format persistent

Let me know what happens. If that fixes your phone, I can help you determine which partition is corrupt and help you fix it.

 

[JethroFloyd]

This doesn't make sense. If you had a bad NAND then the flash would fail because it wouldn't pass the hash check. If you had a bad CPU, it wouldn't be able to just load firmware update.

I am guessing that you have a corrupt misc, persist or persistent partition.

Use the patched LG UP to dump misc, persist and persistent. Then...

With the phone off, hold vol down and plug in the USB cable. That should that you to fastboot. If it does:

fastboot format misc
fastboot format persist
fastboot format persistent

Let me know what happens. If that fixes your phone, I can help you determine which partition is corrupt and help you fix it.

I do appreciate your help. I attached a photo of what the ADB command prompt was telling me. but if for any reason you can't see it. It's telling me formatting isn't supported. Perhaps I'm using the wrong cmd

 

[runningnak3d]

Weird.

Try erase instead of format.

 

[JethroFloyd]

Weird.

Try erase instead of format.

Yeah. Everything about this situation is baffling. It just randomly started to happen.

Also, That command didnt work.

 

[runningnak3d]

Did you unlock the bootloader with the bin file or using DirtySanta?

If it was with the bin file, you need to unlock it again. If you used DirtySanta, there is nothing that can be done. When you flashed the KDZ it replaced aboot, and now you can't fix the corrupt partition unless you can unlock it again.

I always tell people that if you have TWRP, don't ever flash the KDZ to try and fix your phone. There is nothing that it will do that you can't do if you have TWRP, and in your case you have an issue with a partition that isn't flashed by the KDZ ... and now no way to fix it.

Sorry, just reread your first post. I read recovery the first time and just assumed TWRP, but you meant the "vol down / press power" screen.

Is it possible an OTA got taken? Either way, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is no fixing this except sending it to LG.

---------- Post added at 07:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:38 AM ----------

Actually, send me a PM. I can send you a tool that can wipe those from download mode. You may be able to save your phone yet.

 

[JethroFloyd]

I didn't try to root the device. It did all this on its own. The device is still under warranty. I got in contact with LG about it. They sent me an RMA. All i tried to do was use Uppercut to try and fix it. Everything was stock on it when it did this. I purchased it brand new unlocked from B&H Photo. But, nonetheless thank you for your time and effort to help me.

I'm going to send out back to LG. But, i wouldn't mind getting that tool from you. I like LG devices. So i do plan on getting more.

 

[mrcceo]

I had the same issue. The phone was locked onto the firmware update and I could not override it. Pulling the battery and trying to re-flash the phone would not work. LG could not resolve it unless I sent the phone in for repair. ($42.00 + Shipping both ways)
This is what finally worked. Use the USB cord from your charger and connect the phone to a computer then power up the phone. This will override the firmware update and let the phone boot up normally.
Good Luck.

 

[Stonkers]

I gave up on this phone a while ago because of this issue. The only way i could start it up was if it was plugged in.. recently i started playing around with it again due to aosp second screen and started looking into the issue again. I forget where (it wasnt on xda) but i read that putting a little bit of water on the c type plug that goes into the phone fixes the issue. I dont know how or why someone discovered this and i first thought that it was someone joking or being malicious but i tried it and after 8 fricken months my phone can boot untehered!