Fix Bricked Samsung Phone

         Sometimes our phone doesn't power on or gets stuck in the logo. Technically our phone is bricked. That  means our smartphone due to software or  a hardware problem, can no longer function normally This usually happens when update attempt is interrupted. Installing custom ROM, apps from unknown sources  or zip files  can also cause bricking. Bricks are of two types .

Hard brick

When the device generally doesn’t  turn on or shows no signs of life it is said to be hard bricked.  Hard bricked smart phone doesn’t power on or show start up logo. The main reasons for hard bricking are installing custom ROM or installing zip file.

Soft brick

When the device  usually turns on  and  shows some signs of life it is said to be soft bricked. Soft bricked smartphone  generally gets stuck on the boot animation, or keeps rebooting. The major reasons for soft bricking trying to root the device or flashing the device.

Bricked 

Fix 

If you ever get your device bricked try these fixes before taking it to the technician.

1  Press the Volume down , Power and  Home simultaneously( volume down+ power+home). If the phone boots to download mode then connect you device to your laptop using USB cable. Using odin install the original firmware for your device. You can download the firmware from www.sammobile.com/.

2   If the three button combination does not set your phone to download mode then you can try this: fully charge your phone and then switch off your device or remove the battery and place it again after that  smack you phone on any hard surface with the side having power button facing the surface several times. Now switch on the phone.

3  You can download 300k tool and install it in your laptop/pc. After installing it connect your device to the laptop with data cable and click the resistor icon. This will set your device to the download mode. You can download this tool by clicking the link https://www.gsmsolutionbd.com/samsung-300k-tool-download

300k tool

USB jig

(150k+150k)300k ohms resistance

(300k)300k ohms resistance

(100k+100k+100+1k)301k ohms resistance

  

Paper with pencil film in it 

setting phone to download mode with jig

When the device usually turns on  and  shows some signs of life it is said to be soft bricked. Soft bricked smartphone  generally gets stuck on the boot animation, or keeps rebooting. The major  reasons for soft bricking trying to root the device or flashing the device 

4     If the method given above don’t work then you can order USB jig online or buy it from the stores nearby. Just plug in the jig into your phone and this will set the phone in download mode within couple of seconds. A USB jig is a simple circuit consisting of a 300K ohms resistance connected to a micro USB plug. A jig may cost between $1-$3 when ordered online.

If USB jig is not available nearby you or you aren’t able to order it online don’t worry you can make you own jig.

To make a jig you require:

i)         A micro USB plug

ii)        Resistor (one resistor of 300k ohms or two resistor of 150K ohms each or three resistor of 100K ohms each, you can add one 1k ohms in the circuit to compensate  the resistance of the wires used)

iii)       Soldering iron and soldering wire.

Remove the plastic casing of Micro USB by using knife so that the pins are visible. Make sure that the pins remain intact.

Solder the resistors in series to the pin no 4 and  5. (300k+1K or 150k+150k+1k or 100k+100k+100k+1k) the total resistance should be 300k ohms

Remove the battery for couple of minutes and insert it again

Now plug in the jig to the device and within couple of seconds the phone is set into download mode.

                          

 It is hard to find the desired resistance nearby so incase if you are unable to get the desired resistance you can make your own variable resistance. For this you require:

i)              Two paper clips

ii)             Pencil

iii)            Paper

iv)            Micro USB plug

v)             Wires

vi)            Multi meter

We all know graphite can act as a resistor. So this idea is based on this. Rub the pencil on the paper making a thin film over paper. Connect the wires to pin no 4 and 5 of Micro USB plug and then to paper clips separately. Now insert the paper clips onto the paper having film of graphite. Adjust the distance between the paper clips until you get 300k ohms resistance or you can use multi meter to measure the resistance if you have.