Accidentally dropped phone and now it shuts down when opening apps

Understanding the Impact of a Dropped Phone on Device Functionality: Troubleshooting and Solutions

Introduction

Dropping your smartphone can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when it leads to unexpected malfunctions. If you’ve recently dropped your Android device and are now facing issues where newly installed apps crash or cause the device to restart, you’re not alone. This article explores potential causes, troubleshooting steps, and practical solutions to help you address these problems effectively.

Identifying the Problem

Symptoms Post-Drop:
– Newly installed apps and games crash or fail to load
– The device shuts down and restarts when opening certain apps
– The pre-installed ‘Phone’ app crashes consistently
– Older apps continue to function normally
– Hardware checks via built-in diagnostic features fail due to app crashes

These issues suggest possible hardware damage resulting from the drop, such as loose components or internal damage, even if the device appears visually intact.

Potential Causes

1. Hardware Damage:
2. Internal dislodgment of components like the storage chip, memory modules, or connectors
3. Damage to the motherboard or other internal circuits
4. Software Corruption:
5. Corruption of system files or apps due to physical shock
6. Storage or Memory Issues:
7. Bad sectors or damaged memory modules impacting app loading
8. Battery or Power Supply Problems:
9. Unexpected power fluctuations causing shutdowns

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Soft Reset and Basic Checks
2. Restart your device to clear temporary glitches.
3. Ensure the device is charged adequately (preferably above 50%).

4. Observe if the device heats up during use, which may indicate hardware issues.

5. Boot into Safe Mode

6. Safe Mode disables third-party apps, helping identify if apps are causing crashes.
7. To boot into Safe Mode:
   • Press and hold the power button.
   • Tap and hold ‘Power off’ until the ‘Reboot to Safe Mode’ prompt appears.
   • Confirm and observe if problems persist.

8. If the device functions normally in Safe Mode, suspect third-party app conflicts.

9. Check for Hardware Damage

10. Since the built-in diagnostic functions fail due to app crashes, consider physical inspection:
    • Gently shake the device to detect loose parts.
    • Check for abnormal movement or rattling.
    • If comfortable, open the device (if you have technical skills) to inspect internal connections.
11. Be aware that opening the device may void