How to fix a “Continuous” Reboot problem on HTC 8X with Windows Phone 8
[Update on 31 Dec 2013 - video link added at end of the blog post]
[Update on 10 Feb 2014 - 2 issues found when the below fix won't work]
Few weeks back, I tried the same method on 2 HTC devices and I could not apply the fix. There were 2 interesting issues found -
1. Super-fast reboot
In this case, the white HTC start screen would show only for 2-3 seconds and then the phone would reboot. And this happened only when the phone was connected to the charger. The moment, the charger was removed, the phone would be dead as a rock.
2. Missing "RED" light during charge
In this case, the reboot worked correctly and the white HTC screen would stay for a good 15-20 seconds. However, when I plugged the phone with the charger, the "RED" charging indicator on the top right area of the phone DID NOT TURN ON (see screen shot below). I tried with few different charges and wires, but the RED LED did not turn ON during charge. I tried the factory reset combination on this phone, but could not get to the "!" icon (see the solution below). H
So, in case you have the above 2 issues of super-fast reboots and the missing "RED" during charging, then it is possible that the below solution might not work.
[Update on 10 Feb 2014.... ]
This post will help you solve a continuous reboot issue with HTC 8X. In this problem, the phone won't be able to go pass the "HTC Quietly Brilliant" screen. It keeps rebooting itself on and on and on and it will not POWER OFF. The HTC 8X has a non-removal battery and so the phone cannot be switched off by removing the battery.
BTW, I got this issue, in a brand new box packed HTC 8X.
The solution, which worked for me was a FACTORY RESET of the phone. For doing a Factory reset, the HTC Manual gives the following steps -
The other way to reset is by using the phone buttons, which will be applicable in this case knowing the fact that the phone can't be turned ON or access the setting screen.
- Turn the power off. Well you cannot turn off the power as it keeps rebooting.
- I had to plug the phone on a charger as the phone battery drained out due to the continuous reboots for ~4 hours
- Press and hold the VOLUME DOWN button, and then briefly press the POWER button. Release the VOLUME DOWN button when you see an icon on the screen. At this point, keep the VOLUME DOWN button pressed continuously, and keep pressing the power off button briefly couple of times. The phone keeps on rebooting between these attempts. During these reboots, there is a very small window in which the phone actually powers off. If during this window period the combination of VOLUME DOWN and POWER BUTTON is pressed, an "!" icon is displayed. Once the "!" icon is visible, release the VOLUME DOWN button.
Here is the "!" on me phone (Whew! it took me 6 attempts to get to this screen)
- Then press the following hardware buttons in sequence: VOLUME UP > VOLUME DOWN > POWER > VOLUME DOWN
Post that, the phone will reboot once and you should see the following screen:
I fixed another phone for my friend. On his phone, I got these screen shots during retries –
Just reboot once more if you get such a screen and attempt to get that "!" icon.
[Update on 31 Dec 2013]
I have recently uploaded a video on YouTube on how to do a factory reset on HTC 8x and get the “!” icon. I could not re-create the reboot problem on my phone, but have tried explaining the concept on how you can get the ! icon and set the timings, which is the key to do a factory reset.
[View:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohzuvDtB7M]
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohzuvDtB7M
Comments
Anonymous
February 04, 2013
Thank you!Anonymous
February 23, 2013
I Reset my phone from setting but i have to press power button randomly otherwise phone will be restartAnonymous
April 25, 2013
I have tried the hard reset but its is still rebooting itself after i do that. I have no idea what is causing the problem. So if you can help me i'd be grateful, becuse no one else seems to know anything helpful about this.Anonymous
April 25, 2013
Hi Krom, You have to try a couple of times between the reboot. Keep the VOLUME DOWN button pressed continuously, and then press the power off button as soon as the mobile shuts down. Remember, that there is a very small window, when the mobile will shut down and start again. If you are able to press the "Power Off" button between the shut down and restart, you will get the "!" icon. Once you get the "!" icon, press the following hardware buttons in sequence: VOLUME UP > VOLUME DOWN > POWER > VOLUME DOWN All the best.Anonymous
April 29, 2013
hi Rohit, I have the reboot loop issue since last week - think after I downloaded a new update. I tried the method you mention above, but I am not able to get the ! symbol also.... what is the alternative?Anonymous
May 14, 2013
i ve tried to press the power off button many times between that small window but still i dont get the exclamaition mark...please helpAnonymous
June 07, 2013
The comment has been removedAnonymous
June 27, 2013
Not working for me :( I thought there is a button of factory reset too. Isn't there?Anonymous
June 27, 2013
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July 09, 2013
i tried everything,factory reset, soft reset, nothing helped. so i ve just returned my phone. i hope they wonk reset it and give me back, becouse it works for a couple of hours, but then it starts to do taht again.Anonymous
October 09, 2013
Thanks- great solution that worked. Think this is a pretty major fail!Anonymous
October 31, 2013
REALLY HELPED MY HTC ONE THANK YOU OMGAnonymous
November 04, 2013
Helloo Bro, i am facing the same issue right now in my 8X, Didnt knew what to do, then find your method like a miracle, tried & gave a lot of shots, but unfortunately still not working in my case, Is there any other solution to this , please man, it will be really Kind if you can Help :) Phone is only responding & rebooting when connected to a charger right, Still its not showing ! Icon :( [Harsh] : Remember that until you don't get the "!" icon, you won't be able to do the factory reset. When the phone switches off, count till 5 (like 5 seconds) and then press the combination . If not, then take 6 seconds, and so on and so forth. Remember, when the phone switches off, there is a delay of maybe 3-8 seconds, when it starts again. That is the only time window when you should try to press the combination.Anonymous
November 07, 2013
after the secound step how long does it take to shut off? cuz my phone has been on that secound pic for like an hour should i just leave it alone or power it off again?Anonymous
November 07, 2013
@V - What do you mean by second pic? Is it the exclamation " ! " icon then press the following hardware buttons in sequence: VOLUME UP > VOLUME DOWN > POWER > VOLUME DOWN . If not, then try the steps again. It should not take 1 hour.Anonymous
November 10, 2013
Wow, this is considered a solution.Anonymous
November 11, 2013
Thanks, it worked.Anonymous
November 15, 2013
OMG!!!! ITS WORKED FOR ME ---- THANKS ROHITAnonymous
November 20, 2013
Thanks a lot.. it worked :)Anonymous
December 15, 2013
thanx ..........it helped a lot..........Anonymous
December 25, 2013
Hi..my son got the phone for Xmas and within few hours it just kept switching on and off.. I've tried everything on here what you said but no joy..any advice plz..I've had different icons come up I've done what you suggest but nothing now the screen has gone completely blank..help plz thanksAnonymous
December 25, 2013
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December 30, 2013
@Theresa - Seems that the battery might have completely drained out. Can you try doing the reset by keeping the phone charging. I have uploaded a video on YouTube - www.youtube.com/watch When the phone is starting, there is a vibration in the phone. Keeping the Volume Down button pressed, press the Power button briefly after 3 seconds from the vibration. Keep increasing the number of seconds from 3, 4, 5, 6..and so on in subsequent retries. All the bestAnonymous
January 05, 2014
The comment has been removedAnonymous
January 09, 2014
Tried this but did not work with my phone. Keeps continuously rebooting. Not able to get to either the ! icon or to the other screen with bar codes shown here.Anonymous
January 15, 2014
thanks man this thing really work for meAnonymous
January 17, 2014
I get the reboot loop every single time I reboot the phone. This makes customizing it so cumbersome that I've givien up. Yeah, I can use one of these processes to get out of it, but that negates having installed something new... any ideas there?Anonymous
January 20, 2014
omg it really worked........ thanks alot..Anonymous
February 04, 2014
My wife's phone was in a state where it would continuously reboot when connected to the charger and appeared dead otherwise. In the process of failing to do a hard reset by power button and volume down I tried volume up and power and got a lightning bolt and gear image on the screen. I disconnected from charger and hit power and down volume. Phone rebooted normally with no hard reset or data loss. I suspect that she got the phone in some funny mode by accidentally reboot in pocket with other buttons pressed.Anonymous
February 08, 2014
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February 17, 2014
Hello, I bought the phone from a friend, and it started doing the reboot after one month.. I don't have guarantee on it so I really need to fix it.. I've managed to get it to do the reset already many times, but while those wheels are turning, it just shuts of again an then switches on again and stays on the HTC, Quietly Brilliant sign.. Do you know what to do about this? Thx !!Anonymous
February 18, 2014
This worked for me. I had to try it couple of times, but after few times trying it did worked for me! Thanks a lot!Anonymous
February 18, 2014
Hi @no guarantee Check if the phone is charging and the "red" light is showing up on the top corner of the phone. If that is working, then not sure, what could be the problem.