[Q] Problems Charging - Motorola Droid Bionic

I have an unrooted (never been) un-modified Bionic with the original OEM battery and OEM charger and Standard dock.
Fairly regularly I can plug my phone in and it will show charging (both on the lock screen and in the notification bar) but will fail to charge (at least the percentage never increases and often decreases normally as if it were not plugged in. I can usually remedy this by rebooting the phone, and then it will take a charge normally, however, this is inconvenient, especially if I don't catch it until I take it off the charger expecting a full battery.
It is not due to something running using battery as sometimes even after a reboot, it will not charge.
Is this a known issue with the Bionic? Is there any fix? Should I be talking to motorola about a replacement?
Thanks for the advice.

I'd be talking to Verizon or Motorola about the issue, definitely not a common issue.

I think my girlfriend has this issue with her Bionic. Either way she has infinitely more problems than my Rezound.

What type of charger do you have for your bionic? Some non-Verizon chargers have problems as Verizon has it so you actually need a Verizon charger on some Bionics. Fortunately for me, I'm able to charge from a nonbranded.charger but if I want to sync up to my computer, I need a Verizon USB or I can't sync or even read the SD card. Kind of messed up if you ask me, but I guess Verizon has to make every last dollar they can to keep Wall St happy.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA App

Related

Bionic won't turn on...

Well, I'm baffled.
Last night I looked down to see my Bionic bootlooping. I let it do its thing and after a few reboots it stopped. Whatever, it's android, it's buggy.
Then when I picked it up, I realized it wasn't even on anymore. I tried to turn it on, nothing. So, I pulled the battery for a minute, popped it back on, and... still nothing.
Long story short, I ended up going to Verizon, trying different batteries, chargers, etc, and I can't get an inch of life out of the phone.
I can see a white LED light up when the phone is connected via the stock USB cable. No other cable will do it, and the wall charger won't do it. I don't know if this really indicates anything or not...
Is there anything else I can even try? It won't even boot into recovery - I never see the red M at all, the screen doesn't so much as even flicker. Unfortunately I bought the phone second hand from an iPhone 4S switcher, so there's nothing I can do to get a warranty replacement.
It's back to my original Droid for now...
I had the same problem Sunday night. Called tech support and they overnight-ed a replacement.
Try holding Volume down + power from the off state for a few seconds then letting go.
Or try Both Volume buttons + Power.
If those do nothing, it sounds like you have a very expensive paperweight. You need a replacement, sorry.
Whatever you do, DO NOT send the phone into Verizon!
Make up some excuse like you lost it or someone stole it or something.
Had my first Bionic do this I said I lost it claimed on my insurance but new one acts up also usually when it's overheating got my old one to fastboot did a complete restore to stock tested it by steaming netflix that lasted for about half an hour now it's just a paper weight!
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA App
Would Motorola honor the 1 year warranty?
cryptiq said:
Would Motorola honor the 1 year warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it covers your excuse, yeah.
Tivo7 said:
If it covers your excuse, yeah.
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Click to collapse
Based on what details we have from the OP, it doesn't sound like he did anything to damage or modify the phone. So if the phone is stock he should be able to get help from Moto I presume?
what i did was
i had the verizon rep patch me straight through to insurion and got my o.g droid replaced.
I tried to get into recovery with no luck.
Unfortunately I'm not the original owner, so I can't send a receipt or anything Motorola's way. I do have the original box, though, and the original owner had it all of three days...
My phone was rooted to freeze some bloatware, but still on the stock ROM. It was running that way for weeks, so there's no way that would have caused it. I've never seen a phone just... completely keel over before. I'm half tempted to just use my original droid for 2-3 weeks and grab the nexus when it comes out.
If you haven't messed with any system files and you're completely stock, you can take the phone in for repair.
It's rooted, but there's no way for them to tell if it won't boot.
Motorola's live chat rep offered to let me send it in for RMA repair. The fine print says, though, that the repair stops being free the second they see anything that voids the warranty. My assumption is that they'll never be able to tell it's rooted because they will need to just send a refurb if it's shorted out, but should I bother risking it?
c0LdFire said:
I tried to get into recovery with no luck.
Unfortunately I'm not the original owner, so I can't send a receipt or anything Motorola's way. I do have the original box, though, and the original owner had it all of three days...
My phone was rooted to freeze some bloatware, but still on the stock ROM. It was running that way for weeks, so there's no way that would have caused it. I've never seen a phone just... completely keel over before. I'm half tempted to just use my original droid for 2-3 weeks and grab the nexus when it comes out.
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Click to collapse
Did you try calling Moto? It would be one thing if the phone has been in the market for say 16 months and then the 1 year warranty period would come into question, but in this case the phone hasn't been out for more 3 months so it should be covered. I could see where they would require a receipt to make sure it was purchased from an authorized reseller vs. a grey market seller, but it's worth a shot to give them a call.
Any chance you can get in touch with the person that sold you the phone?
Same thing happened to me...
Was tethering my bionic to PC for web access when it died. It was really hot so I thought it was some sort of safety measure to keep the processor from frying and I tried all of the stuff lots of you proposed in addition to letting my phone lie on a heat sink to relieve some of that heat.
I know you mentioned that you took it to a store and tried all sorts of chargers, but did you try leaving it plugged in to a wall/car charger for a while? That's what did it for me after leaving the batteries out of the unit overnight (I don't think that part is necessary... I was just fed up messing with it and went to sleep hoping it would be magically fixed by some house gnomes) - after plugging the batteries back in that morning and having it still not work, I switch to a car charger (which is rated 1a - higher than the included 850ma charger) and on in the middle of a trip to the Verizon store it simply turned on displaying 5% power on battery.
Odd thing is, before it was tethered the last night, it was at 100% power. So either somehow phone got shorted and drained the battery really fast, or the bionic simply eats so much power with that LTE that even when being supplied power from the PC, it still drains the battery. And from reading some of the other stuff online after googling "white light droid on," it seems that white light indicator is some sort of charge indicator and that the OS won't show if the battery is less than 5%.
hanafubuku said:
Was tethering my bionic to PC for web access when it died. It was really hot so I thought it was some sort of safety measure to keep the processor from frying and I tried all of the stuff lots of you proposed in addition to letting my phone lie on a heat sink to relieve some of that heat.
I know you mentioned that you took it to a store and tried all sorts of chargers, but did you try leaving it plugged in to a wall/car charger for a while? That's what did it for me after leaving the batteries out of the unit overnight (I don't think that part is necessary... I was just fed up messing with it and went to sleep hoping it would be magically fixed by some house gnomes) - after plugging the batteries back in that morning and having it still not work, I switch to a car charger (which is rated 1a - higher than the included 850ma charger) and on in the middle of a trip to the Verizon store it simply turned on displaying 5% power on battery.
Odd thing is, before it was tethered the last night, it was at 100% power. So either somehow phone got shorted and drained the battery really fast, or the bionic simply eats so much power with that LTE that even when being supplied power from the PC, it still drains the battery. And from reading some of the other stuff online after googling "white light droid on," it seems that white light indicator is some sort of charge indicator and that the OS won't show if the battery is less than 5%.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah your computer USB port does not provide enough power to compensate for the draw you will get off LTE. Your phone will eat much more juice than you are giving it. Leaving the battery out allows the phone to fully discharge any built up charges (ever had this with a laptop? Looks like a bad motherboard but you pull out the battery ans hold the power button down to drain the capacitors and then reinstall the battery and instant boot.) Same thing happening here would be my guess.
Leave the battery out overnight or hold the power button down for about 30 seconds. Put the battery back in and let it charge for awhile. Profit?
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA App

[Q] Battery with question mark, unable to charge/boot/SBF

Hey all,
I got my Droid 4 a month ago and rooted it. It ran out of power while I was outside. When I tried charging it, a battery icon with a question mark comes up. I can't boot to Safestrap, and when I go to Fastboot, it says "Battery Low -- Cannot Program".
The phone doesn't turn on unless I plug it into the wall charger. If I plug it into the USB port on my laptop, the green LED comes on, but it won't turn on. I can boot to Android recovery, and I tried formatting /data and /cache, but that didn't help.
Funny thing: I can keep the phone in Android recovery, leave it plugged in, and it charges up enough to stay on for a while when I unplug it.
Now, I know about the Macgyver trick, and I'd like to give that a shot. iFixit has a fantastic teardown of the Droid 4, but unfortunately, removing the battery would very clearly void my warranty (although I guess having Safestrap voids that already), and I'm worried about doing permanent damage to my device. Are there any solutions besides "beg Verizon for a new phone"? Has anyone tried Macgyvering a Droid 4?
Curious, if you do BP Tools, does it drop you into Safestrap? I know mine does, and then maybe you can change some settings. Also, you could try to make a "Factory Cable". I know I made mine from my old OG Droid dock as it had the 5 wire jumper, and just jumped the 2 wires and it allowed me to flash w/o a charged battery.
I would ensure that the charger is putting out 5.1v and 850mA as my d4 won't charge or power on after the battery dies unless its with the factory charger or one that meets these specs
Sent from my DROID4 using XDA
Soulmech said:
Funny thing: I can keep the phone in Android recovery, leave it plugged in, and it charges up enough to stay on for a while when I unplug it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried leaving it plugged in for an extended period of time, say overnight, and see if it'll boot up?
gdeeble said:
Curious, if you do BP Tools, does it drop you into Safestrap? I know mine does, and then maybe you can change some settings. Also, you could try to make a "Factory Cable". I know I made mine from my old OG Droid dock as it had the 5 wire jumper, and just jumped the 2 wires and it allowed me to flash w/o a charged battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried BP Tools. It lets me drop into Safestrap, but Safestrap won't load due to the battery issue.
Hope you don't mind me asking, but what's a factory cable? Is it just a USB cable with the B end cut off, and the black and red wires stripped? My issue with jumping the device/battery is that I'm unable (or supposed to be unable) to remove the battery, so any solution along those lines would have to allow me to keep the battery in place. Otherwise, my warranty is voided.
I know root voids it, but I'd have a better chance of sneaking that by than an obviously-moved battery.
dbreezy187 said:
I would ensure that the charger is putting out 5.1v and 850mA as my d4 won't charge or power on after the battery dies unless its with the factory charger or one that meets these specs
Sent from my DROID4 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using the charger that came with the phone. It says 5.1V/850mA on the side.
bdbraaten said:
Have you tried leaving it plugged in for an extended period of time, say overnight, and see if it'll boot up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried it last night. Left it in recovery for a good 8 hours or so. No dice.
Did you try opening it, then removing the battery? If you pull up too hard with out a removal tool, the glue is strong enough to allow the battery to bend and break internally, causing this error. Might check if another battery works, there are some available online if you search.
nequeelrey said:
Did you try opening it, then removing the battery? If you pull up too hard with out a removal tool, the glue is strong enough to allow the battery to bend and break internally, causing this error. Might check if another battery works, there are some available online if you search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't the reason the battery is non-removable because the type of battery chemistry used can explode of that type of damage occurs? Or do they just hate us?
Has anybody ever been turned down for warranty work that is hardware related, even if they are rooted, etc? I've never heard of it happening...
If OP get a dud battery, s/he should just get it replaced by Moto. They shouldn't have to try to replace it themselves.
Try the instructions from this thread and let us know if it works...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=23678683&postcount=1
The OP said they tried the BP Tools method but it is disabled due to Safe strap using that as the trigger for its bootstrapped recovery.
Using a factory cable would allow you to boot the phone and either flash the stock firmware or uninstall Safe strap and let you charge the phone while in BP Tools mode.
That is the only safe a certain way to recover the device. Hot wiring the battery with a USB cable cannot be considered safe, but will work if you want to fix it yourself without a factory cable.
Using a factory cable to flash the full XML.zip with RSD Lite is the first thing a technician would do to restore it if it was returned under warranty anyway, after checking for physical damage of course.
I've got a few factory cables laying around and would be more than happy to send you one, let me know. Just cover the postage and you'll be flashing in no time.
So to update: I have an insurance policy with Global Warranty Group, and I filed a claim with them, which got me a new device (instead of a refurb). So, I suppose the issue is moot.
Rick#2 said:
I've got a few factory cables laying around and would be more than happy to send you one, let me know. Just cover the postage and you'll be flashing in no time.
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Click to collapse
I would be grateful if you could send me one. I will PM you to figure out details on paying you for postage.
The same thing is happening to me and I have Droid X, any help?
Will BP work after removing safestrap from the advanced menu? If so I think you could use that link to charge from BP.
Sent from my DROID4 using xda premium
usb cable splice works
Just chiming in here to confirm a spliced usb cable will charge an xt894 battery. my situation was pretty much an xt894 with a wiped system (therefore, unable to charge) and not enough battery to fastboot. if I plugged it into a charger or a 5v usb slot from my computer just a green led would show on the front, but no charge. I removed my battery, cut a usb cable in half, and hooked up the wires to the coresponding terminals on the battery (which are clearly marked) and it charged up just fine and I was able to fastboot.
Not the prettiest solution, but it really helped me out when I absolutely needed to charge in order to fastboot, although it will void your warranty if that's important to you.
I currently have a problem where the question mark shows in the battery while charging and I'm unable to boot into OS or safestrap. I'm not at home right now, but I have an extra battery that I'll pop in later to see if that changes anything, or has enough juice to fastboot.
This morning my wife woke up to no battery charge, because I stole her charger in the night. But she has the question mark even though the phone was working fine last night! I wonder, considering I left the USB cord plugged in on the D4 end when I took the charger (to use my cord) could I have screwed something up? She's going to leave it in the OEM charger all day at work, but the quesiton mark worries me.
My question is, if I do the cut cord trick to manually charge the battery at the terminals, does that help recover it so that it can be charged via regular means? Or is it just a way to get the data off the phone? Phone is stock 4.1 with root.

Turbo Charger

Hello,
I seem to have lost the ability to turbo charge on my N6. When I use the turbo charger, the phone charges normally, but does not "turbo" charge. I've also lost the ability to connect to a PC. No machine will recognize my device, so I'm also wondering how to update to 5.1 once released without a PC.
Not sure if these issues are related. Maybe a hardware issue? I'm on a stock, rooted device (with forced encryption off) with TWRP recovery. The problems seem to have started after I manually updated to 5.0.1 using this method:
http://nexus5.wonderhowto.com/how-t...ncryption-when-updating-your-nexus-6-0159062/
Please let me know if anyone can help.
Thanks
there's no real "turbo" mode in the n6, if its charging normally, then its right. how long would you say it takes the device to charge? and about connecting to the pc, is your nexus driver installed? sounds like it had an error somewhere. try installing it again, or manually. if the n6 driver isnt installed, your pc will never see the n6.
I noticed, I used a longer cord plugged into the Turbo charger, it would take about 5-6 hours to charge (I forget the %). Then I switched the cord back to the one that came with it, and the time was cut in half, 2-3 hours. Make sure you are using the correct cord.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
simms22 said:
there's no real "turbo" mode in the n6, if its charging normally, then its right. how long would you say it takes the device to charge? and about connecting to the pc, is your nexus driver installed? sounds like it had an error somewhere. try installing it again, or manually. if the n6 driver isnt installed, your pc will never see the n6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It takes about 5-6 hours to charge from 0%. And yes, I have tried deleting the drivers and reinstalling them automatically and manually. It's not a driver problem as I've tried multiple computers (both PC and MAC). I've used multiple USB ports and cables. I've tried literally everything.
Casper34 said:
I noticed, I used a longer cord plugged into the Turbo charger, it would take about 5-6 hours to charge (I forget the %). Then I switched the cord back to the one that came with it, and the time was cut in half, 2-3 hours. Make sure you are using the correct cord.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm using the correct charger and cable. In fact, I thought I had a defective charger so I had Motorola send me a brand new one. Still not working correctly. In fact, when I enable USB debugging and MTP connection, it won't charge at all using the turbo charger. I have to disable USB debugging and MTP to get it to work. Very strange. That's why I think something went wrong with my installation of 5.0.1 or one of my modifications (enabling landscape mode on home screen, enabling screen mirroring, enabling tethering, franco kernel, root, decryption, etc.). I'm really hoping it's not hardware.
If it takes that long to charge on a wallplug you're hardware is probably defective. It generally takes me 3 hours to charge from 0 to 100 with a 5v 1amp wall charger. A little less with a 5v 2amp port. About 2 hours in fact.
5 to 6 hour charge rates only make sense if you're charging off the a powered USB port from a computer.
ryan4a said:
Hello,
I seem to have lost the ability to turbo charge on my N6. When I use the turbo charger, the phone charges normally, but does not "turbo" charge. I've also lost the ability to connect to a PC. No machine will recognize my device, so I'm also wondering how to update to 5.1 once released without a PC.
Not sure if these issues are related. Maybe a hardware issue? I'm on a stock, rooted device (with forced encryption off) with TWRP recovery. The problems seem to have started after I manually updated to 5.0.1 using this method:
http://nexus5.wonderhowto.com/how-t...ncryption-when-updating-your-nexus-6-0159062/
Please let me know if anyone can help.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either it's charger's issue or it's charging IC's issue. If you can find another turbo charger, try charging with that. If the same issue repeat, then ask for a replacement
SAW_JOK3R said:
Either it's charger's issue or it's charging IC's issue. If you can find another turbo charger, try charging with that. If the same issue repeat, then ask for a replacement
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck getting a replacement charger. I have been trying to get a replacement charger for two weeks. Moto customer service is terrible.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Premium HD app
Hey all, I find my nexus with the turbo charger goes from empty to full in about an hour and ten maybe twenty. Today I plugged it in at 13% at noon and by one it was at 94% so some of the charge times I'm seeing here seem way long compared to what I've been getting on my device. Is there different turbo charge blocks out there!?
BxingFetus said:
Hey all, I find my nexus with the turbo charger goes from empty to full in about an hour and ten maybe twenty. Today I plugged it in at 13% at noon and by one it was at 94% so some of the charge times I'm seeing here seem way long compared to what I've been getting on my device. Is there different turbo charge blocks out there!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your's appears to be working fine. OP's isnt.
Dang mine gets from zero to 100 in 1.5hr
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Must be my Canadian electricity.
If by any chance you have access to the Note 4's charging block, try that one. It works extremely well with every turbo charge device I've used.

Fast charging

Is there a set of rules that it follows before fast charging works? I'm not sure if it's that or my phone or charger is bad..
Seem like I can only get it working 30% of the time. I would have to unplug and plug in multiple times before the notification pops up saying fast charging.
I tried multi USB cables and pushed it all the way in the charger.
I haven't managed to look at kernel source yet (not yet released), but maybe charge type is not only dependant on charging source type, but current battery level. ie top off charging. Just guessing for the moment............
I have the same issue. The quick charging notification never pops up the first time. If I unplug the cable and plug it back in, then it's fine. I'm using the wall plug and cable provided by Samsung.
Sent from my SM-N920T
Don't know. I've only charged my phone 2x, but fast charging popped up both times.
crawldit said:
I have the same issue. The quick charging notification never pops up the first time. If I unplug the cable and plug it back in, then it's fine. I'm using the wall plug and cable provided by Samsung.
Sent from my SM-N920T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it you got the sprint note 5? I just went and exchanged for a new one. Its giving me the same problem
sheryip said:
I take it you got the sprint note 5? I just went and exchanged for a new one. Its giving me the same problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually no, I bought the T-Mobile version. I doubt it matters but it's the 64gb model. It sucks that you exchanged yours and have the same issue.
Sent from my SM-N920T
I picked up the AT&T model yesterday. Plugged into my car charger, 2amp, works fine. Got home and plugged in before bed with samsung supplied charger, showed fast charging. Passed out and woke up to 40% battery this morning. Turns out it will connect fast charge (ONLY if i use the supplied brick AND cable), but cuts out after about 5 mins! If i use the 9v brick with a random cable, it will just say cable charging, but seems to be decently speedy and won't stop charging. Seeing how crawldit replaced his and has the same issue leads me to think Samsung really was hoping people would get the wireless pad. Hopefully its a minor software update/patch needed. Phone is a freakin winner on all other aspects. Battery life appears to be better than the note 4 even with a slightly lower mah.
Definitely a software issue IMHO, from the sound of it. Also, on my VZW 32gig I do not have this issue. Every time I plug it in (to the supplied charger) it fast-charged. Cant say if it gives the message every time though, but I know it fast-charges because its never on that charger more than 15-30 minutes and the charge jumps massively. But even on a normal charger it still charges fairly quickly.
Well... turns out my brick was bad, used the one from my Note 4 with the new note 5 cable and it works like a charm. I'd recommend checking out a new brick.
Glad you got it figured out. Mine works fine now as well. I don't know if everything was overly stiff from being brand new, but after a day or two the fast charge pops up the first time every time now.
Sent from my SM-N920T

VZW Moto G6 Charging Issue

Had to sneak this thread at work lol Chrome and Firefox, all adblocks disabled at home, can't post a thread title.....
Anyway, I have had my g6 for almost a year I think, and while wishing I could ROM it, I can't. I have G6 Play I mess with for that, but can't use as my daily due to it being locked to sprint
The issue with my G6 is a weird one. It only works with certain USB C cables and wall plugs. Fast Chargers only, and seems to take about 3 to 10 minutes, or sometimes doesn't notice for HOURS, that I have it plugged in. It'll either trickle charge or turbo charge. No in-between. If I turn the phone off, the compatibility of chargers and wires goes up and seems to charge, but its rare that I can turn my phone off for extended periods.
I'll be pulling my phone apart later this week (Its what I do for a living anyway) and trying to do the wireless charging mod to see what happens, but I'd really rather just see if anyone else experiences this charging issue

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