[Q] Note pro 12.2 screen flickers
- Thread starter kidtkd73
- Start date
hopping this would be the solution
Just activate battery saving mood ..... It worked fine for me.:good::good:
Sorry but it helped a little less than I thought first but you can try it and tell the others about the results
Just activate battery saving mood ..... It worked fine for me.:good::good:
Sorry but it helped a little less than I thought first but you can try it and tell the others about the results
Last edited:
Finally got mine back, my girlfriend has been using it and it's been working fine she tells me.
Updated Information
I contacted several Samsung service centers, here in the Middle East and in Frankfurt, Germany. They couldn't help. Frustrated, I rooted the tablet but still no good. I, like you, searched the internet for anything that might work. I recalibrated the battery several times. I ran battery repair several times. Nothing worked for long. I even went into recovery and cleaned the cache. That worked for a few days but always the problem came back.
Then today after my tablet rebooted again at only 84% of charge, I went looking for more answers. I found this thread and thought, I've already rooted it so the warranty's voided so what can I lose? It took less than five minutes to get the back off. Then, calling on skills in electronics I learned and used for over 20 years, I checked all the connections to be sure they were secure and reseated a couple. The battery connection was already taped down but I pressed on it just to be sure. And then I took your advice and installed a thin plastic shim under the mother board to the right of the battery connector. After re-installing the back, I turned the tablet on and checked the battery charge - 95%. I launched a video and allowed the battery to discharge. When that video was over, I checked the voltage - 91% - and launched another video. I kept launching videos until the battery charge was 46%. Then, I turned the videos off and launched my Kindle app. I switched between screens over and over again trying to make the tablet fail but thankfully, it appears the shim has worked - for now. I will check it over the next several days and see whether or not it holds. I'll follow up here if it doesn't hold.
UPDATE: It's now going on day three since I opened the back of the tablet, checked all the connections, installed the shim as suggested, and physically reseated the ribbon cable on the right (display?). Because I pressed on every connection and reseated the ribbon cable in addition to installing the shim, I cannot say which has worked so far. My experience tells me it's possible one or more connection may have come loose - especially after a year of using the tablet daily with the occasional drop or knocking off the counter. However, it's also possible the shim could have provided more support to the board at the point where the battery plugs in. One thing I can tell you definitively: my battery life has returned to what it was before this problem began. In other words, the battery no longer drains to 74% in just a few hours. It now takes pretty much all day of active use to get it to the 50% mark. And that's the point: over the past two days I have managed to get to the 50% charged point without any flickering or rebooting. I've plugged the tablet in each time it's gotten at or near the 50% point.
As for those users who have not had success with the shim, may I recommend you check EVERY connection. Press on them, re-seat them if necessary. While the issue *could* be software, I know from almost thirty years repairing electronic equipment of many types, sometimes contacts get loose or dirty and something simple as pressing on them can make all the difference in the world.
I have a Galaxy NotePro 12.2 LTE (SM-P905). This problem began for me several months ago when I had to travel to another site for business and did not take my charger as I felt certain I would not be able to plug it in. I was correct. I had in the past however been able to run the tablet all the way down to 15% with no issues. This time however, the tablet began shutting down and rebooting once the battery voltage dropped below 50%. Over and over and over again it looped through to the home screen only to reboot again. I tried going into the debugging mode and using the settings there that were recommended here but no good. Eventually the pin I had set stopped working and I was locked out of the tablet altogether. Frustrated and locked in the back of a taxi still hours away from home, I went into recovery mode and tried that. No good. Of course, when I got home and plugged my tablet in everything began working again except I was still locked out. Even after the tablet was fully charged, the pin wouldn't work. I ended up re-flashing the ROM. Since that day, this tablet has gone into a reboot loop every time the battery dropped below a certain percentage. Initially, less than 50%, then 65%, then 70%, and eventually 84%. It would do it whenever I watched a video or switched between apps and between screens.
I contacted several Samsung service centers, here in the Middle East and in Frankfurt, Germany. They couldn't help. Frustrated, I rooted the tablet but still no good. I, like you, searched the internet for anything that might work. I recalibrated the battery several times. I ran battery repair several times. Nothing worked for long. I even went into recovery and cleaned the cache. That worked for a few days but always the problem came back.
Then today after my tablet rebooted again at only 84% of charge, I went looking for more answers. I found this thread and thought, I've already rooted it so the warranty's voided so what can I lose? It took less than five minutes to get the back off. Then, calling on skills in electronics I learned and used for over 20 years, I checked all the connections to be sure they were secure and reseated a couple. The battery connection was already taped down but I pressed on it just to be sure. And then I took your advice and installed a thin plastic shim under the mother board to the right of the battery connector. After re-installing the back, I turned the tablet on and checked the battery charge - 95%. I launched a video and allowed the battery to discharge. When that video was over, I checked the voltage - 91% - and launched another video. I kept launching videos until the battery charge was 46%. Then, I turned the videos off and launched my Kindle app. I switched between screens over and over again trying to make the tablet fail but thankfully, it appears the shim has worked - for now. I will check it over the next several days and see whether or not it holds. I'll follow up here if it doesn't hold.
UPDATE: It's now going on day three since I opened the back of the tablet, checked all the connections, installed the shim as suggested, and physically reseated the ribbon cable on the right (display?). Because I pressed on every connection and reseated the ribbon cable in addition to installing the shim, I cannot say which has worked so far. My experience tells me it's possible one or more connection may have come loose - especially after a year of using the tablet daily with the occasional drop or knocking off the counter. However, it's also possible the shim could have provided more support to the board at the point where the battery plugs in. One thing I can tell you definitively: my battery life has returned to what it was before this problem began. In other words, the battery no longer drains to 74% in just a few hours. It now takes pretty much all day of active use to get it to the 50% mark. And that's the point: over the past two days I have managed to get to the 50% charged point without any flickering or rebooting. I've plugged the tablet in each time it's gotten at or near the 50% point.
As for those users who have not had success with the shim, may I recommend you check EVERY connection. Press on them, re-seat them if necessary. While the issue *could* be software, I know from almost thirty years repairing electronic equipment of many types, sometimes contacts get loose or dirty and something simple as pressing on them can make all the difference in the world.
Last edited:
it worked!
Hi Guys,
just wanted to give my feedback concerning the little "platic piece mod" .
I was quite sceptical if this was going to work, but in the end it really did.
The flickering of the screen occurred on high britness and high load of CPU/GPU.
I was following the instructions of the video and voilà. Flickering good bye.
Thanks a lot for giving this advice, i am very pleased to have a fully working tablet again!
It's worth a try if you are rooted, because warranty is void anyway.
Thanks again!
Take care.
Hi Guys,
just wanted to give my feedback concerning the little "platic piece mod" .
I was quite sceptical if this was going to work, but in the end it really did.
The flickering of the screen occurred on high britness and high load of CPU/GPU.
I was following the instructions of the video and voilà. Flickering good bye.
Thanks a lot for giving this advice, i am very pleased to have a fully working tablet again!
It's worth a try if you are rooted, because warranty is void anyway.
Thanks again!
Take care.
STICKY THIS **** NOW! I tried it as shown in the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvxbVft69Kg
...And it worked perfectly. I got my tablet back!! I haven't even used it forever because it was just too damn depressing, having spent $850, replaced 2 already and the 3rd did the same damn thing.
I also believe that we should all start a class action suit against Samsung-- who the f____ is with me???
The fix did not work for me for more than 2 days. Started flickering again and the problem is now worse and the tablet shuts back off as soon as it hits the red Verizon screen now.
I performed the shim fix and that worked for me. I am completely astounded of this obvious design flaw. With so many people experiencing this issue and Samsung applying incorrect fixes left and right, this has class-action written all over it.
EDIT: also, the original video showing the fix was removed by the user. I wonder if he was contacted by Samsung asking to remove it?
EDIT: also, the original video showing the fix was removed by the user. I wonder if he was contacted by Samsung asking to remove it?
Last edited:
Hi everyone, I wanted to take the time to register and post in hopes that this would help someone else out. The posts here are on the right track, however the only reason the plastic shim method here is working is that it is likely adding additional pressure to poor solder joints to help them hold a better connection.
forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-note-pro-12-2/369546-samsung-note-pro-12-2-screen-flickering-problems-4.html
In the above linked post you will find information on resoldering the battery power connector. This resolved the issue immediately for me and has caused it to stay resolved.
This is the 6 pin connector from your battery to your motherboard:
forums.androidcentral.com/attachments/samsung-galaxy-note-pro-12-2/178024d1432488436t-samsung-note-pro-12-2-screen-flickering-problems-sat-may-23-11-14-35.jpg
It will have 6 wires going to it, 3 colors total and is right smack in the middle of where the battery sits at the bottom of the motherboard. If you are comfortable with soldering some non-corrosive liquid flux swiped on with the a flux pen, and a quick drag solder job should permanently resolve the flickering issues for you. Obviously, please disconnect the battery FIRST before performing any work.
edit: I cannot make the links clickable as new users are preventing from posting links.
forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-note-pro-12-2/369546-samsung-note-pro-12-2-screen-flickering-problems-4.html
In the above linked post you will find information on resoldering the battery power connector. This resolved the issue immediately for me and has caused it to stay resolved.
This is the 6 pin connector from your battery to your motherboard:
forums.androidcentral.com/attachments/samsung-galaxy-note-pro-12-2/178024d1432488436t-samsung-note-pro-12-2-screen-flickering-problems-sat-may-23-11-14-35.jpg
It will have 6 wires going to it, 3 colors total and is right smack in the middle of where the battery sits at the bottom of the motherboard. If you are comfortable with soldering some non-corrosive liquid flux swiped on with the a flux pen, and a quick drag solder job should permanently resolve the flickering issues for you. Obviously, please disconnect the battery FIRST before performing any work.
edit: I cannot make the links clickable as new users are preventing from posting links.
You don't need to change any part. If you have experienced these problems: flickering screen, battery's capacity fluctuation, auto shut down, auto reboot, quick discharge...etc.... all related to power, the only simple thing needed to do : re solder the battery connector. Any other solutions posted here won't fix a hardware problem: cracked battery connector solders.
You can verify this cracked battery connector by many ways:
1- When the screen is flickering: press on the back rear cover, near the center ( location of battery connector ), the problem will go away at that moment.
2-Slap on the back cover hard with your hand: your tablet will shut down immediately if it has a badly loose or cracked battery connector. This method won't work if the crack is not really bad. A bad one when you can move or lift it slightly with a screw driver or any other tools.
3- Inspect it under magnified glass or microscope, this one requires experiences or just simply push it slightly to right or left to see if it's moving, a bad one can be lifted easily.
The video on Youtube is no longer available because the poster may realize lifting the motherboard is only temporary close the gaps of cracked solders from battery connector.
This rework only takes under 5 minutes for who knows how to solder. Any repair shop can help you with little charge, all you need to do is to remove the back cover and ask someone to do the rework, no need the experience how to repair a Samsung tablet, even the experienced ones may not know how to fix this flickering problem.
When doing rework, add more solders as much as possible to secure the connector to mainboard, the reason: nothing to hold the mainboard along with the battery. The mainboard has only 3 screws to hold it at two speakers and it sit on top of the LCD, use your finger to push the mainboard at its' battery connector, you'll see it moves up and down easily. No matter how old your tablet is, sooner or later the battery connector will crack, especially if you have a habit to use it on your lap. To avoid this problem, I recommend a hard case cover should be used to minimize the movement of mainboard as it sits mainly on top of a flexible and fragile LCD assembly.
Last edited:
Must be firware related
I have terrible screen flickering at random times, and today even getting SD card unexpectedly removed errors. The flickering only started after Kitkat update. Also, after the flickering starts I have been getting problems with apps installed to SD card and copying files to SD card using MY files. Today is the first time I got the Unexpectedly removed error while using a Samsung card. I did have it before with a Sandisk card though. Maybe I'll try to return to original Android 4.3 firmware if I can.
I have terrible screen flickering at random times, and today even getting SD card unexpectedly removed errors. The flickering only started after Kitkat update. Also, after the flickering starts I have been getting problems with apps installed to SD card and copying files to SD card using MY files. Today is the first time I got the Unexpectedly removed error while using a Samsung card. I did have it before with a Sandisk card though. Maybe I'll try to return to original Android 4.3 firmware if I can.
Try different SD cards to see any differences. Flickering screen is not firmware problem to blame as many users already tried to root and the problem is the same.
Trust me, re solder the battery connector will resolve the problem. Post #74 and #100 are the confirmation of what was done to fix the flickering screen: Connector Header is the battery connector, it's not need to replace as re solder is sufficient to fix the loose connection.
In case if SD card reader slot needs to replace. It's easy to change, search Ebay for OEM-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-Pro-SM-P900-12-2-Replacement-Micro-SD-Card-Reader-
Last edited:
Still under warranty
Thanks though.
The SD cards can be trouble. I had the sandisk one and it wouldn't work in this or my s4 active, but works fine in my Galaxy s2. I bought samsung cards and they worked fine. Its only the last few days I'm having trouble. Maybe it is a broken SD card reader. That should be fixed as well under warranty hopefully?
Mine is under warranty, so I'll be sending it back to be fixed. They'd better fix it.
Thanks though.The SD cards can be trouble. I had the sandisk one and it wouldn't work in this or my s4 active, but works fine in my Galaxy s2. I bought samsung cards and they worked fine. Its only the last few days I'm having trouble. Maybe it is a broken SD card reader. That should be fixed as well under warranty hopefully?
can anyone have a link that peterjo78 made how to lift up the motherboard? thanks
I did the OTA update to 5.0.2 and so far my screen flicker issue has not occurred. Sadly, the Logitech keyboard does not work with the update.
We're all in the same boat with you on that one. Hopefully that gets fixed, but I was curious about 5.0.2 fixing the flickering since I have had this problem since purchasing it used from someone about 6 months or so ago. It bugged me but as long as I kept it charged above 50% it was fine.I did the OTA update to 5.0.2 and so far my screen flicker issue has not occurred. Sadly, the Logitech keyboard does not work with the update.
so far i have not seen the flicker return after the update. I did not see the flicker occur until about 6 months ago. I am the only owner (bought new). I will report back if the flicker returns.
So far I have not seen it return. I am at 47% right now. It may have been a firmware issue.
on my sm-p905 , when it reboot my screen sometimes is being blue,i don't think it's only a power issue, and i have that problem only when my hdd is nearly to be full(sorry for my bad english. i'm italian :b)
Our Apps
Get our official app!
The best way to access XDA on your phone
Nav Gestures
Add swipe gestures to any Android
One Handed Mode
Eases uses one hand with your phone