Having Trouble with Your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus Randomly Shutting Off? Here’s What You Can Do

Lately, many users of Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus have been complaining about their phones randomly shutting off at the most inconvenient times. If you’re experiencing this issue, it’s important to know that it may not be solely caused by recent firmware updates. It could also be due to a hardware problem, like a faulty battery or physical damage.
However, if you notice a connection between the update and the sudden shut offs, it’s likely a firmware-related problem. We’ve received numerous troubleshooting requests from our readers, so we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you address this issue.
But before diving into the solutions, I must emphasize the importance of seeking professional help. While our troubleshooting advice is generally safe, there are instances where the situation can worsen. So, if you decide to fix the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus on your own, you do it at your own risk.

Is the problem related to the battery?
One possible reason for your smartphone’s sudden shut downs is a malfunctioning battery. If the problem persists even while plugged into a stable power source, it’s not the battery. However, if the problem only occurs when not connected to a power source, it’s likely that the battery is either damaged or no longer able to power your phone.
To determine if it’s a battery issue, connect your phone to a charger, let it sit for a few minutes, and then restart the device. If the random shut offs stop after doing this, you’ll need to have the battery replaced by a technician. You can either order a replacement battery online and pay for the replacement service, or you can ask the technician to handle the entire process for you. Either way, you won’t be able to remove the battery yourself, so eventually, you’ll need professional assistance.

Could it be caused by a third-party app?
Sometimes, a faulty app can cause your phone to freeze or shut off unexpectedly. The best way to test this is by using the Safe Mode, where you can safely remove any problematic apps.

1. Boot your Samsung Galaxy S8 into Safe Mode.
2. Use your phone in Safe Mode for as long as possible to determine if the random shut offs still occur.
3. If the problem persists, identify and uninstall any problematic apps.
4. If you can’t pinpoint the responsible app, back up your data and reset your device.

To boot into Safe Mode, simply press and hold the Power button. When the text “Samsung Galaxy S8” appears on the screen, release the button and tap the Volume Down key until the phone reboots. Only release the key when you see the text “Safe Mode” on the display.
If the phone continues to shut down while in Safe Mode, it means the problem is not caused by a third-party app. In this case, you’ll need to identify and uninstall the faulty app. Alternatively, back up your important data and perform a factory data reset:

1. Exit Safe Mode.
2. Return to the Home screen of your Galaxy S8 Plus.
3. Tap on the Apps icon.
4. Open the Settings section.
5. Go to Backup and Reset.
6. Select Factory Data Reset.
7. Tap on Reset Device.
8. Enter your PIN or password if prompted (This may appear for those with an active screen lock feature).
9. Confirm by tapping on the Continue button.
10. Initiate the process by tapping on the Delete All button.

Could it be caused by the system cache?
Although it might not seem like an obvious choice when suspecting a firmware issue, a corrupt cache can cause problems for many Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus users. Therefore, it’s worth checking the system cache.
To do this, boot your phone into Recovery Mode and delete the system cache. This process is safe and won’t cause any data loss if you follow the instructions below:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Home button, the Volume Up button, and the Power button simultaneously.
3. Release the Power button when you see the text “Samsung Galaxy S8” on the display.
4. Release the other two buttons when you see the Android logo.
5. Wait for up to 60 seconds, and then navigate within the Recovery Mode.
6. Highlight the Wipe Cache Partition option using the Volume Down key.
7. Start the cache wipe process by pressing the Power button.
8. Use the same buttons to highlight and confirm the option “Yes” on the next screen.
9. Wait for the process to complete.
10. Use the buttons again to highlight and initiate the “Reboot System Now” option.
11. Wait for the device to finish rebooting, which may take longer than usual.

If all else fails, perform a Master Reset
If none of the previous methods resolved the random shut offs on your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus, it’s time to consider a master reset. Before proceeding, make sure to back up all your files from the internal storage to avoid data loss. Once you’re prepared:

1. Turn off the smartphone.
2. Enter Recovery Mode.
3. While holding the previous two buttons, tap the Power key.
4. Release the Power button when you see the text “Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus” on the display.
5. Release the other two buttons (you may also see the message “Installing system update”, in which case you’ll need to wait for the logo to appear).
6. In Recovery Mode, use the Volume Down key to select “Wipe Data / Factory Reset”.
7. Start the reset by using the Power key.
8. Confirm the action by highlighting the option “Yes – delete all user data” with the Volume Down key.
9. Officially begin the reset by using the Power key.
10. Once the reset is complete (which will take some time), select the “Reboot System Now” option.
11. Initiate the reboot with the Power key and wait for the phone to finish rebooting (again, it may take longer than usual).

After following these steps, your Samsung Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus should operate normally without the random shut offs. If the problem persists, it’s time to seek help from an authorized service center. Their technicians will have the necessary tools to troubleshoot even the most complex hardware problems.