LG G4 malfunctions: Difference between revisions

 

Shortly after its release, it was found to have issues that resulted in the device to become unstable, inoperable, or to cause {{Wplink|data loss}}. LG released a series of forced updates, which were automatically installed without the user's consent.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Nicole |last=Arce |title=AT&T LG G4 Users Complain Of Automatic Update: What's Happening? |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/59241/20150610/at-t-lg-g4-users-complain-of-automatic-update-whats-happening.htm |website=Tech Times |date=10 Jun 2015 |access-date=11 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612201958/https://www.techtimes.com/articles/59241/20150610/at-t-lg-g4-users-complain-of-automatic-update-whats-happening.htm |archive-date=12 Jun 2015}}</ref>

In 2015 it was identified that the G4 was experiencing touchscreen issues, making the device unresponsive or causing the device to restart.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Ketan |last=Pratap |title=Some LG G4 Users Reporting Touchscreen Issues; LG Says It's Investigating |url=https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/some-lg-g4-users-reporting-touchscreen-issues-lg-says-its-investigating-704572 |website=Gadgets 360 |date=17 Jun 2015 |access-date=11 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001181541/https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/some-lg-g4-users-reporting-touchscreen-issues-lg-says-its-investigating-704572 |archive-date=1 Oct 2022}}</ref> LG released several patches in an attempt to rectify the issue, although some patches had to be pulled because they caused more problems to the device itself. By November 2015, LG released a series of software updates to address the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Anu |last=Passary |title=LG Outs Fix For LG G4 Touchscreen Issues |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/62417/20150622/lg-outs-fix-for-lg-g4-touchscreen-issues.htm |website=Tech Times |date=6 Jun 2015

From around September 2015, users reported an issue with device where it would continuously cycle between booting and restarting without being operable (known as a "{{Wplink|Booting#Bootloop|boot loop}}").<ref>{{Cite web |first=Andrew |last=Williams |title=LG G4 Bootloop Problem: Global Software Upgrade Centre the final fix? |url=https://www.trustedreviews.com/opinion/lg-g4-bootloop-problem-how-to-diagnose-and-fix-2946272 |website=Trusted Reviews |date=12 Apr 2018 |access-date=11 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604022107/http://www.trustedreviews.com:80/opinion/lg-g4-bootloop-problem-how-to-diagnose-and-fix-2946272 |archive-date=4 Jun 2018}}</ref> Initially appearing to only affect a small number of devices, the issue quickly became more widespread and by the end of 2015 it was apparent that this issue could afflict almost any model.

Users either complained that the devices were not having appropriate repairs undertaken or called for LG to acknowledge there was a major fault with the devices. In some instances users started online petitions calling for LG to address their concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Santiago |last=Archila |title=Launch a replacement program for defective LG G4s |url=https://www.change.org/p/lg-mobile-launch-a-replacement-program-for-defective-lg-g4s |website=change.org |date=2016 |access-date=11 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016135326/https://www.change.org/p/lg-mobile-launch-a-replacement-program-for-defective-lg-g4s |archive-date=16 Oct 2016}}</ref>

In January 2016, LG acknowledged the hardware issue causing the boot loop and announced they would repair or replace affected devices.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Kris |last=Carlon |title=LG admits G4 bootloop problem is a hardware fault, will repair affected devices |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/lg-admits-g4-bootloop-problem-hardware-fault-669603/ |website=Android Authority |date=26 Jan 2016 |access-date=11 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127084809/https://www.androidauthority.com/lg-admits-g4-bootloop-problem-hardware-fault-669603/ |archive-date=27 Jan 2016}}</ref> LG did not offer assistance with the recovery of data from affected devices.

It was identified that the fault was caused by detached soldering between components, resulting in lost user data and complete interoperability of the affected devices.

*Touchscreen not turning on with tap to wake, random LED blinking notifications despite no new messages, keyboard glitches and countless others.<ref name=":0" />

LG settled one class-action lawsuit in relation to boot loop issues in the USA, with LG offering affected device owners either $425 in cash or $700 in store credit to buying an alternative LG device.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Chaim |last=Gartenberg |title=LG settles bootloop lawsuit with $425 in cash or a $700 rebate toward a new LG phone