Seemingly non-responsive, flickering screen on Samsung Galaxy S4 - Hardware & Software

So, after it leaving on and asleep overnight, I woke up to find my Samsung Galaxy S4 phone's screen completely unresponsive and when powered on, a solid green color with flickering lines of white, blue, and red/brown. I'm hoping it's a software/firmware issue and not a hardware one, but I can't say for certain- the phone's not been dropped severely or anything along those lines, and the device has no rogue apps or problems up until now. I'm hoping I can find a fix, since it's really hard going from having a phone always on hand to not having one.

Well, if it is somehow software related, you can try to boot it into safemode. Power off the device, hold the power button til the logo appears, release the power button and hold down the volume down button til it finishes to boot. For firmware, thats where things may get tricky and the possibility to resolve it on your own dwindles. The best way to tell if it is firmware related is by 1 single question: Did you do any OTA updates since the last time you've used it? But in the end, this really sounds like a hardware related issue. If the safemode option works, then you're going to have to factory reset or find the offending application that is causing this problem. If its firmware, you're going to have to flash another firmware in there if possible. It might not be a possibility for you to rollback firmware depending on what firmware was updated.

[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;51798694]Well, if it is somehow software related, you can try to boot it into safemode. Power off the device, hold the power button til the logo appears, release the power button and hold down the volume down button til it finishes to boot. For firmware, thats where things may get tricky and the possibility to resolve it on your own dwindles. The best way to tell if it is firmware related is by 1 single question: Did you do any OTA updates since the last time you've used it? But in the end, this really sounds like a hardware related issue. If the safemode option works, then you're going to have to factory reset or find the offending application that is causing this problem. If its firmware, you're going to have to flash another firmware in there if possible. It might not be a possibility for you to rollback firmware depending on what firmware was updated.[/QUOTE] I attempted a safemode boot just a couple minutes ago, but it simply performed its normal startup vibration and stayed on a blank screen- and as far as I know (since AT&T's force-pushed updates to my phone when I've left it on WiFi overnight before) I've not done an OTA update at all in recent memory. I was hoping it's not a hardware problem, but it's increasingly looking like one- would it just be better to try and get a new device and just transfer off my data/SIM, or try and get the hardware fixed?

[QUOTE=ScriptKitt3h;51798711]I attempted a safemode boot just a couple minutes ago, but it simply performed its normal startup vibration and stayed on a blank screen- and as far as I know (since AT&T's force-pushed updates to my phone when I've left it on WiFi overnight before) I've not done an OTA update at all in recent memory. I was hoping it's not a hardware problem, but it's increasingly looking like one- would it just be better to try and get a new device and just transfer off my data/SIM, or try and get the hardware fixed?[/QUOTE] I'm not seeing a surprisingly amount of news either on XDA or elsewhere about any updates for the i337 (AT&T S4). Seeing the device is a couple generations old, its very unlikely they pushed an OTA update. Depending on what piece of hardware went bad, it actually may be a very easy fix. If you want, you can always check the video ribbon cable is firmly fitted to the boad (or reseat it incase). If you believe enough in your ability to handle small electronics, this will be a walk in the park. If its the screen, you're looking at a $80-100 part. Scratch out the labor costs it can be a cheapfix. You just need to watch out for the softbuttons on the bottom, they're super flimsy and prone to breaking on LCD removal. HW replacement on phones is something you just need to weigh in. A few factors for that would be if you got insurance, if you can pick up a replacement phone for cheaper than the cost of a replacement part, or if its time you can upgrade. Since your likely on AT&T Next, if your term is up you can always get another phone.

The s4 is pretty much a dead phone to samsung and I don't blame them. The camera seems to stop working after some time and when recording video the left channel just makes pop sounds that hurt to listen to. If I were you and had the money I'd take another phone.

[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;51798735]Depending on what piece of hardware went bad, it actually may be a very easy fix. If you want, you can always check the video ribbon cable is firmly fitted to the board (or reseat it incase). If you believe enough in your ability to handle small electronics, this will be a walk in the park.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Plaster;51798737]The s4 is pretty much a dead phone to samsung and I don't blame them. The camera seems to stop working after some time and when recording video the left channel just makes pop sounds that hurt to listen to. If I were you and had the money I'd take another phone.[/QUOTE] While I will likely be getting a replacement in the form of a newer Android phone ASAP, I might very well make a project out of trying to repair the GS4 when I get some time to invest into doing so. For now, I'll just have to see what I can get for a decent price phone-wise these days. EDIT: Decided to try and grab a Nexus 6 unlocked off Amazon, and then perhaps later on I'll try fixing my GS4.