[Update]
Okay, this is bizarre, but I think I have solved the volume key problem. First, I discovered that the volume key problem was oddly related to the USB port. When I put pressure on that port, the volume key would start working again. But I explored further, and it's actually very slight *downward* pressure on the USB port that solves the problem.
So I then just wedged a piece of thin somewhat hard plastic (sliver from a plastic folder) along the top ridge of the USB port, and the volume key now works perfectly.
I think this might also be related to keyboard problems (keys not responsive), because now my keyboard also works perfectly. Can people please test (downward pressure on USB port) and report back?
[Original post]
Hi all - I need help and would appreciate some advice:
My volume key is starting to become unresponsive. At first I thought it was a ROM problem, but it continues with several different ROMs. And if I press the buttons VERY hard, they work.
I presume this is the same basic issue that occurs with the keyboard, but I have it in the volume key.
I am off the warranty. Anyone have ideas/ tricks for how to fix this? I might try a bit of WD-40 for the hell of it.
I have already mapped other keys to control the volume, but I still can't zoom with the camera.
Thanks for any advice.
i too am experiencing the same problem, however i found a solution, pressure on the battery solved this for me....
what i did was put layers of tape on the battery and under the cover...
i guess the hardware becomes worn out after a while, and i dont mean the housing, because i have a brand new housing, i think it lies on the motherboard or the keypad board
this also solves the keyboard letters that never worked too like
m, i and t
HOLY COW, you are right! How did you ever figure that out???!!! So bizarre!
I pressed on the battery and it started working again. Still somewhat unresponsive but definitely better. I'll try your tape trick now.
Spike, a 1000 thank yous! I can't believe there is a fairly simple fix.
lol i figured that out when certain keys on the keyboard wont work, out of anger i tried to put pressure on the bottom slide by squeezing it with a little more pressure on the top and bottom, then the keys worked, weird huh??
anyway, the volume key happened to give trouble too and the pressure fixed it... so, i have some tape on my battery until i can get some spongy sticky tape to replace it
glad it worked for you
Yeah, I had noticed some odd things like when I applied pressure laterally across the top, then pressed the volume key, it would be more responsive.
Unfortunately putting pressure on the battery only worked temporarily, and the tape trick did not work. Perhaps my problem is farther along. But I really appreciate the hint. I'll keep messing with it (till I break it )
For what it's worth:
I can solve this problem by putting the charger into the mini-USB and pushing it in hard while having my finger on the other side just below the volume button. After this the volume button works normally for a while. That's the only consistent fix so far.
So, one thing I can conclude is that it's not the volume button itself, but some connection inside???
I've had my Xperia for a year and 4 months. I'm surprised others aren't reporting this. Anyone else with volume button problems?
I too have this problem, but must be a software problem for me. When I press the volume down button and power on at the same time while the phone is off I do get in the red/blue/green screen.
I have send my phone for repair for two times now because of this problem. When I get it back, the volume buttons are working for two days.
I also have problems with the the following keys: Sym, au, shift, @, Z, X and the blue button. But when I press time for like a 100 times they start working again... grazy
Celio1987 said:
I too have this problem, but must be a software problem for me. When I press the volume down button and power on at the same time while the phone is off I do get in the red/blue/green screen.
I have send my phone for repair for two times now because of this problem. When I get it back, the volume buttons are working for two days.
I also have problems with the the following keys: Sym, au, shift, @, Z, X and the blue button. But when I press time for like a 100 times they start working again... grazy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's tricky sorting out whether it's a hardware or software issue, because it comes and goes. But I am convinced that mine is a hardware issue.
Try the trick I mentioned above. I also just pressed down on the whole keyboard hard in different places. It's been working for 6 hours straight!
[I also wonder if the SE repair people cause the volume button issue. I send mine in for repair 2 or 3 times, including for the same keyboard problem you mention]
See the first post for what I think is the solution to this problem
doesnt work for me... what does is the pressure on the main board
i too have the same issue. pushing down on the usb port seemed to have fixed my volume keys better than adding tape under the battery cover.
sigh.. i don't know how much longer this device is gonna last me..
You need to massage your XPERIA every now and then to smoothen the electricty flow throughout the circuit board. Think of it as a human, hmm... just kidding lol
I've had the same issue and I would like to thank all of you for your valuable inputs.
Alright, fellas, here is what it is. Having the USB port on the opposite side of the keys, means slight pressure nudges the board towards the silicone membrane that is on the inside of the hardened metallized shell that forms the volume key itself. The way it is folded inside means that over time it will mould itself to the housing, hence partial usability problem.
A word of warning: nudging the USB port will dislodge the port itself off the main PCB and then you will have a much bigger problem than partially working volume key.
Tape under the battery cover is a gimmick.
enigma1nz said:
Alright, fellas, here is what it is. Having the USB port on the opposite side of the keys, means slight pressure nudges the board towards the silicone membrane that is on the inside of the hardened metallized shell that forms the volume key itself. The way it is folded inside means that over time it will mould itself to the housing, hence partial usability problem.
A word of warning: nudging the USB port will dislodge the port itself off the main PCB and then you will have a much bigger problem than partially working volume key.
Tape under the battery cover is a gimmick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the explanation! Although without a diagram it's a bit hard for me to follow. What's the basic problem? The connection to the volume key gets dislodged?
When I nudge the USB port downwards, it's literally about half a millimeter, so it's hard for me to imagine that that could brick the USB port; then again, I know nothing about the internals.
I've had the "permanent nudge" going for a couple months without problems, but I will report back if something worsens.
the presssure trick really worked for the keyboard and volume
i have the same problem guys nd didnt resolve by the methods u told ... plz help me for this
i have the same problem, y buy a new case housing but the problem of the volume key isnt solved changing the housing...i will try some things in the next days..
Another problem that i have is that my usb port doesnt recognize when its plugging in the computer,so i dont have active sync or mass storage,only usb charging...any ideas??thanks in advance!
I have a HUGE problem My Physical Keyboard is acting up to the point where i had to unroot thinking it was going to fix it and now im stuck at the google signup stage without been able to press the letter P cause it types like 6 letters together..... i was on google all night last night looking for the solution and saw many other people having the exact same problem Heres what the keys do:
my P key presses pq8yt19d
my del key presses JHGL
my enter key presses amncs,x
my right side cap key presses / ~Z{
my back key presses u542i3
Can Any one help Me??????
Sounds like hardware issues. I experienced something similar with a G1 that had minor water damage. If the damage is due to liquid, attempt to rice-dry the phone. Worse case, open up the device and make sure the keyboard is able to make proper contact as needed.
Either way: This is a hardware issue.
i have the exact same issue.. i mean EXACT. my p and delete do the same things yours does. i found this thread by searching pq8yt19d... were you ever able to resolve it??
Hello Guys,
I have the very same issue, but I changed the housing plus keyboard recently.
I read on this forum sometimes twisting, shaking the house can cure it. So it is probably a loose connector problem. It is possible the phone was dropped or something end the connector got loose because of it...
I am sure this is a HW error and nothing to do with the ROM.
Csarlee
This is a hw issue that I fixed, the cable that goes from the keyboard to the circuit board comes loose easily. Tightening this cable ( make sure the little side tabs on the ribbon are up against the connector its going into, that will ensure its far enough in and located properly). The wires on this ribbon cable are very small and easily get off a little making the keyboard erratic or not work at all. Also run some alcohol on a q-tip over the keyboard to make sure its clean. You will be shocked how much crap comes off the keyboard especially if you smoke. Also make sure there is no liquid between the membrane covering the board and the buttons. The picture attached shows the cable in the small red circle. The link for disassembly is here formymobile.co.uk/googleg1disassembly.php
Ok got pissed off and now my volume buttons do not work.
Two questions
1. Good place to get replacement for those buttons
2. Registry entry to edit and lock volume at max
button board repair
I had a volume button issue as well before and looked for a button replacement. But when I took out the actual button, it was an easy fix for me.
Taking it out is easy breezy. Remove your battery back, battery, SIM card and pry open the bottom cover (a bit of force.. or youtube it). Remove all the obvious torx screws (including the kickstand) and you have clean access to the volume button board. Check this photo out: http://www.parts4repair.com/product_images/j/521/htc_hd7_volume_flex_cable_01__71999_zoom.jpg
All you have to do is disconnect the ribon cable (lift up the little plastic lock) and you can take out the whole button board. The board itself is a simple circuit. I pealed back the black tape (from both ends so I don't have to remove the tape completely) and cleaned the two silver button cones (the actual metallic cup thing that gives you the clicking) and the circuit board. When you put the tape back (check you alignment), just don't tighten the fabric so much the button is anchored too tightly to the board. Slip the puppy back in and you're good to go. Fixed my sticking/nonclicking/nonworking volume buttons.
Otherwise, last I checked, the button board is around $15 off the bay.
EDIT: might want to consider upgrading the microSD card too. I took open the buttom cover too much on one HD7 and the little clips eventually broke off. Just a thought.
Well I got pissed off with it changing volume up/town at will so a my one is broken now ...
Maybe I'll buy new one.
long story but i was trying to fix my rear camera lights and opened the phone up. when i popped off the volume/power ribbon from the mobo, it popped the part of the mobo the ribbon was attached to as well. i don't if i had a dud of a phone but there was literally no way in hell it was going to stay on the mobo because it was on the ribbon TIGHT and like connected to the mobo by a drop of glue. zero resistance when it came off.
anyway can i hook up my phone to my computer and boot it that way? surely there has to be a way to do this without the power button working.
tuffluck said:
long story but i was trying to fix my rear camera lights and opened the phone up. when i popped off the volume/power ribbon from the mobo, it popped the part of the mobo the ribbon was attached to as well. i don't if i had a dud of a phone but there was literally no way in hell it was going to stay on the mobo because it was on the ribbon TIGHT and like connected to the mobo by a drop of glue. zero resistance when it came off.
anyway can i hook up my phone to my computer and boot it that way? surely there has to be a way to do this without the power button working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a YouTube video on how to replace the power button and when he removed the power assembly you can see there is a small silver pressure button which is what the plastic hits. If you can touch and hold that with a pin it should start up. If it doesn't power up by depressing the silver button then you are going to need to replace the assembly itself as shown in the video. Keep the buttons though, I don't think they come with the power and volume assembly.
Link (Assembly shown at 2:47) : https://youtu.be/xvTPrGXBaiQ
i put it on my qi charger and it booted right up, if anyone is curious