I’m going to go through every problem the Marshmallow update causes for the Note 5, and then tell you all the ways to solve the issue. Each fix will normally take a minute or two at best, but in the worst cases you’ll need to check your warranty and see if you can start fresh with your Galaxy Note 5.
1. My PIN, Pattern, Password or Fingerprint is Rejected on Lockscreen
This is by far the biggest, and the scariest problem that happens on the Note 5 when updating to Marshmallow. This will not happen to every user, but it’s a devastating issue that only has two solutions.
1. Try Clearing the Cache Partition
The first solution is much less intrusive, and won’t erase all of your phone’s important data. If you’ve never cleared the cache partition before, now’s the time to learn how the process works After clearing the cache partition, try to enter your lockscreen a second time. If it doesn’t work, then the only thing you can do from here is perform a factory reset.
2. Performing a Factory Reset
Unfortunately, because of Factory Reset Protection, performing a factory reset without a way into your Note 5 is difficult. Normally, FRP is something you can disable in your Settings, but that’s impossible when you’re stuck at your lockscreen.
2. I Can’t Access OTA Updates
At first glance, this doesn’t sound like a problem that’s possible if you’ve already updated to Marshmallow. Unfortunately, if you’re reading this, you already know it’s more than possible, but luckily it has a fix.
1. Revert Your Phone Back to Stock Firmware
This doesn’t mean you need to do a factory reset, or that you need to wipe a large chunk of data off your phone. All you need to do is revert to stock firmware if you’re rooted, or have a custom recovery installed.
Unrooting, or reverting your firmware sounds like a difficult task, but we’ve detailed the process here. If you haven’t rooted your Note 5, or installed a custom recovery, reverting to an older version of your firmware isn’t recommended.
2. Update from a Different Source
Sometimes the problem is with the update file itself, not any files on the Note 5. If one version of your update isn’t working, or isn’t advancing, try from a different source from your specific carrier.
3. Try Other Troubleshooting Steps
The two steps above will solve 99% of all problems with OTA updates, but if you’re still running into problems, try following these steps until you hit a solution. There’s no need for a factory reset here, since at least one of these steps will fix your problem with Android Marshmallow.
3. My Note 5 Won’t Hold a Charge / Won’t Boot After a Full Charge
I’m not just talking about your battery dropping slightly faster since the update, but about your battery failing completely. Some users have been experiencing major battery issues ever since upgrading to Marshmallow, so here’s what you can do about that.
1. Let the Note 5 Idle While Powered Down
While not every user has the time for this, try powering off your Note 5 if it’s on, and leave it off for at least an hour before booting it up again. From this point on, see if it charges and boots normally. If not, let’s try something else.
2. Clear the Cache Partition
I’ve mentioned the cache partition before, and clearing it is an effective way to solve a large number of Note 5 issues. Clearing the cache partition doesn’t take long, and will hopefully solve all of your battery problems.
3. Factory Reset the Device
Unfortunately, past the two solutions above, there isn’t much else you can do besides a factory reset if this is truly a software problem. If you want to avoid doing a factory reset at all costs, which clears all of your data, then you have no choice but to return your Note 5 for repairs if you’re still covered under your warranty. In some cases, Factory Reset Protection (FRP) will be turned on to prevent you from doing this. This is the case by default if you’ve never changed this setting, so take a look at this video to see how to turn it off: Just to be safe, make sure to backup all of your important data, since this will delete everything you have. Once FRP is turned off, follow our guide to factory reset your device to get it back to normal, even after a bugged Marshmallow update.
4. Incoming Calls on My Note 5 Won’t Ring (Dual SIM)
This is a problem that only affects Dual SIM card Note 5 users. The problem usually stems from installing new software, and in cases like this, from a new update. Thankfully, there are a few small things you can do to try and fix this. If these options don’t work, there’s always the nuclear option left, even though I don’t like mentioning it.
1. Clear the Cache Partition
This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned the partition, and it won’t be the last. It’s pretty important to clear this any time you’re experiencing issues, so here’s how to do that. I can’t stress enough how important this is, so please bookmark the article for when you must clear your partition again.
2. Go Over Basic Troubleshooting Steps
After you clear the cache partition, take a few extra steps to troubleshoot and figure out where the problem is. Using tools like Safe Mode is invaluable in figuring out if the Marshmallow update is what caused this problem, or if it’s a rogue piece of software on your Note 5. If none of these steps fix the issue, there isn’t much left to try.
3. Remove and Reinsert the SIM Card
If this isn’t a software problem (or at least one that can’t be fixed without a factory reset), the SIM card might be the problem. Warning, do not attempt this while the phone is powered on. Before attempting a factory reset, try removing and then reinserting your SIM card. Now power your Note 5 back on and see if the problem is resolved with a quick test. If it isn’t, and Marshmallow is really corrupting your Note 5, the only option left is a factory reset.
4. Perform a Factory Reset
This is the absolute last resort of troubleshooting, but if you reach this point, you’re already out of options. If software like the Marshmallow update is causing the problem, this will fix it, but also deletes all of your data. Please make sure to backup your important data before attempting this. I’ve mentioned it before, but the Note 5 does have FRP enabled, so you need to disable it before you can factory reset your device. Follow the instructions in this video here to continue: After you’ve followed the instructions completely, you’re ready to reset your device. It’s never a fun process, but once it’s finished you can update your Note 5 without fear, and have your phone ring just like it normally would.
5. My Note 5 Constantly Gives Me a “Refreshing SIM Data” Error
This is another issue that often happens with Dual SIM phones, but can happen even with a single SIM card. This problem is caused by a variety of different reasons, and has a few small fixes that won’t take much time to perform. Unfortunately, if the smaller fixes don’t work, this is a problem your carrier or place of purchase must fix.
1. Clear the Cache Partition
This is the last time I’ll mention this, I swear, but clearing the cache partition really does fix many problems. If you don’t know how to, please learn about it here. Ideally this all you need to do to fix the issue.
2. Follow Basic Troubleshooting Steps
There’s a pretty big list of different things to try when troubleshooting an Android phone. Since the list is extensive, I like to lead with the cache partition first since it solves a large bulk of any problem you’ll run into after updating to Marshmallow. However, for problems that aren’t fixed by clearing the cache, please follow these additional steps to reach a solution. If none of these work, then there’s only one option left.
3. Start a Factory Reset / Return Your Note 5
Neither of these options sound appealing, and that’s because they aren’t. One potentially ruins your data, and leaves you without a phone for an extended period, and the other clears your phone completely of any and all data that isn’t factory installed. You don’t want to be forced to turn to either option, but if you’ve come this far, you have no other choice left. There aren’t any extra steps for turning your phone over to your carrier, you’ll have to refer to your warranty for that, but you do need to turn off FRP to factory reset your Note 5. Since you can still access your phone with this error, even though it’s annoying, FRP is easy to disable. I’ve explained it a few times before, but take a look at this video that explains the process inside and out: Once you’re sure FRP isn’t enabled, follow our instructions to factory reset your device. Be warned, this will wipe all your data completely. If you still have time, make backups up of your important data.
Conclusion
Updating the Note 5 to Android Marshmallow may not take a lot of time, but the number of big issues at risk are more than just troubling. Thankfully it’s easy to fix them with a few basic troubleshooting techniques and a level head, so don’t be afraid to update. Marshmallow has a lot to offer, and you deserve to experience it through the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. If you’re still having any of these problems above, or have new problems that aren’t mentioned here, please leave a comment below so we can help you fix the issue. Featured Image Credit
