Nokia 6555 powering itself off

[jforcey]

I don't know how many other people have been experiencing this, but for the past month or so, I've been having issues with my 6555 powering itself off. This happens many times a day, with very little difference based on what I'm using it for or if I'm not using it.
There are also other issues, but this is the one that's causing the most disruptance to my everyday activity.

I tried talking to someone at the Live Chat,  and she sent my phone its necessary updates, but it continued doing what its been doing within a couple of hours of me getting off of the Chat.

I'm wondering if other people have experienced this and what helped them or any suggestions.

(I'll probably try calling into AT&T this weekend, anyhow.)

Thanks.

[Pantherlynx]

This is a classic Nokia Problem, I experienced it back when I owned the Nokia 6340i. When I experienced this problem I would contact Cingular and have them update my IRBD and also have them resend my Activation. Once they do this it is important to Power Cycle your phone, turn it off then on. It helps if you call them from another phone and your wireless device is Off. However, in my experience this is only a temporary fix and the problem shows up again about a month later. I would try this method first. If the problem consists, I would recommend a New Device utilizing the Exchange By Mail option.

[plasmoidia]

I have been having this exact problem with my 6555.  At first, it seemed to be correlated to me closing the phone.  But recently it has been more and more random.  At times it seems to stay on for a long time without shutting itself off.  But then it will turn itself off again.

I haven't tried to have someone look at it because it is too random.  I most likely would not be able to demonstrate the problem.  Also, I bought mine from Best Buy, so I do not know what kind of service I could get.

[Pantherlynx]

Regardless of where you purchased your phone, all new Nokias come with a 1yr Manufacturers Warranty, AT&T honors the warranty by providing you with a replacement phone should something fail that is covered by the Manufacturer's Warranty. Should you decided to send the phone is for exchange thru AT&T it is highly possible that you will get a refurbished devices as a replacement. You can also send your phone to Nokia. If you choose this option Nokia will first attempt to fix your device, then at they discretion send you a replacement device.

[JPL50]

My 6555 powers off randomly.  AT&T told me to take it their Device Support Center on 42nd St. in Manhattan. They could not find anything wrong and so all they did was to log that I had come into the store.  The phone is still under warranty.  It is not a serious problem yet....

[Gb755c]

I wonder if this is a firmware issue if it's the case I don't know to get it flashed I talked with a Nokia rep and she said they only allow the Nokia software updater to flash unlocked phones and it's up to AT&T to provide any firmware updates etc.  I wonder if the firmware 3.31 has a bug that's what mine has and if you look it has a January 2007 date.  I wanted to see if there was an update bieng that th eone on here is almost 1 1/2 years old but I can't find where to get the flash so apparently AT&T doesn't allow this.

[Pantherlynx]

Unlocking your device should allow it to be flashed with the NSU utility from Nokia. A prime example is that the N75 in not on the NSU support page. However, after unlocking my device and then attaching it to the NSU I was able to flash it.

[Gb755c]

Looks like I'll have to wait some time though because I opened my account at the end of April I got my phones on 4/30 and my billing cycle starts on the 4th of every month.  I guess I will have to wait until at least August to try and get these beasts unlocked.  I don't know if Customer Service or Technical Support will feel that if I tell them I want to update the the firmware as a valid enough reason to issue me the unlocking code.

[hme83 ACE - Professor]

While it never hurts to try, as long as your phone has the latest version of the at&t branded software I'd say it's doubtful that they'd provide the subsidy unlock code to you for this reason - as in effect you'd be requesting to upgrade to a non-at&t firmware version.

[sanjoe]

Ahhh, I found this forum to see that we are not alone in having this problem with the Nokia 6555. My son keeps telling me his is powering off randomly and in some cases messing up his pictures and having to re-load them. I of course dismissed him and told him to read his manual. Well he brought the manual to me and no where is there any info regarding troubleshooting for this problem. This phone was also bought at Best Buy just prior to Christmas. I guess we will have to call Att if he thinks it is a problem too much. All of this talk about firmware downloads...is this something that should happen automatically or how does it get to your phone?

Thanks,

Sandy:

[marrec]

same thing happens to my Nokia N95.

Very upsetting,

usually happens when i try to download a file from its browser.

[JPL50]

Possible solution.  My 6555 randomly turned off when I carried it around in my jeans or jacket pocket. I set automatic keypad lock on and the problem no longer happens.

[godsofchaos]

Lol. Yeah its a classic nokia problem. Your best bet is to clear up the phone memory as much as you can.

[plasmoidia]

Well, I have had the automatic keypad lock on since day one.  So that does not help me.  I have had the thing turn off in my hands.  When it does, it is not like you hit the power button.  It goes straight from being on to no power, like what would happen if you yanked the battery.

[Gb755c]

I have a 6555 and I have the auto keyguard set to on and my phone does not power itself off randomly so I thnk the OP may most likely be looking at a mechanical failure of the phone.  If the phone is within it's first 30 days exchange it.  If over 30 days but less than 1 yr call warranty exchange at 1-800-801-1101.  Keep in mind that you will get a refurbished phone body.  You'll need to transfer your SIM, battery, and back cover to the replacement then send the dead phone back in the box using the prepaid mailing label. 

[iankaikkisuus]

Mine just started doing this yesterday, but it's already become a huge problem.  There is a huge lag when I push buttons and I don't have much time before the phone shuts off again.  I charged the battery last night as it was getting low, but it froze and shutdown again and I can see that that has reduced battery life... it's now really low and I don't know what to do...

[Gb755c]

If the phone is under 30 days old you can do an exchange where you get a new phone in box with everything you'll have to have the old box and all accessories that came with the phone you're sending back, box, battery, charger manual etc.  If more than 30 days but under 1 yr old call warranty exchange at 800-801-1101.  Keep in mind that you'll get a refurbished phone body phone without battery, back cover and SIM you will have to transfer the stuff from the dead unit to the replacement and send dead unit back.  If out of warranty if you have the Asurion you can file a claim be advised next bill jumps by $50 for the deductable.  If you don't have the insurance only things you can do is buy a new phone at Full retail price, an exception upgrade which gives you a slight discount but no where near a 2 yr one and restart your contract with anew 2 yr one or try something like Ebay or Craigslist.

[Don1]

I have had 2 new Nokia 6555s for about 2 weeks.

1 has the keypad locked and 1 doesn't.

Both were purchased online through AT&T.

I do NOT have that problem with either phone.  I will note however that both phones are carried around in cases with the belt clip.

Am curious to see what the exact cause of this problem is.

A couple of replies noted they purchased their phones through Best Buy.  But others with that problem did not note the source of their purchase.  Just wondering if the Best Buy source is the problem.

[JPL50]

Well, after another three weeks of use, I have to report that the problem still exists.  Even if the phone is sitting on a table and not being carried around in pants pockets.  Locking the keypad has reduced the frequency of turning off.

[tgeorge123]

I am having the exact same problem. I got my first phone from the at&t website, then when it started with this problem, I had to take it to the support center where they replaced it. But the new phone i got is having the exact same thying happen to it! I keep on automatic lock and that doesnt help at all. I don't know what to do now 

[JPL50]

I received a replacement nokia 6555 and so far it has not turned off. I even turned off the lock of the keypad and it is working fine. You might go back to AT&T and ask - no demand another replacement. I talked to one salesman at an AT&T store and he will not sell this phone because he knows it has many problems.

[JPL50]

My phone was purchased from an AT&T corporate store.

[Leezt]

If your Nokia 6555 is powering itself off like mine was for the past two weeks (my phone

is new) then try this, it's worked for me so far.  Take a small piece of paper, about 1/2 inch

long and about 1/8 inch wide, fold it over onto itself about 4 or 5 times.  Then take the

battery cover over the back of the phone.  Take this piece of paper and shove it into the

tiny gap between the top of the battery and the battery containment pocket.  Basically,

copper leads which connect the battery to the phone are not contacting the battery sufficiently.

I had to push the battery into the leads as much as possible.  It's been over 24 hours

and my phone hasn't shut off yet.  I hope this helps someone.... I just wish AT&T

would have told me about this when I asked them if there were any known problems

with this phone before I bought it.... I would have bought something else. 

[StephenLegh]

I tried the Battery/Paper Thing, and It seems to work.

Put 4 thicknesses of a filecard at the top of the battery so that it pushes the battery down toward the contacts.

Hasn't turned itself off yet.

Such a simple fix, you'd think they would publish it and lower the aggrivation level.

[sdo]

OK, I have 3 of these phone, and have solved the problem on all three... I know what is causing the problem, and I know how to fix it.. I can create a document describing the fix, if enough people still need it.

{Removed to prevent spam}

Message Edited by IanSee on 01-25-2009 07:44:12 PM

[plasmoidia]

@sdo Yeah, if you know what is going on and how to fix it, such info would be great.  My phone seems to be doing better than before, but it still will occaisonally turn itself off.  I have tried all the "fixes" listed here and none has completely solved my problem.  Please post the info here (or at least a link to the info).  This is not an uncommon problem from what I've seen.  Thanks!

[tchaloupka]

sdo--I need a fix bad. I have 12 company phones that are all having the same problem. It looks like they removed whatever link you added to your reply previously.

[airforcewife]

I am on the second 6555 Nokia - the first phone shut itself down daily; especially when opening the phone to make a call.  The first phone started having strange issues - began with the inside cover starting to slowly black out, numbers coming up missing from the address book, then the entire inside screen turned black followed by the outside cover screen turning black.  When I called Nokia and AT&T they told me that it was more or less my fault - that I got it wet.  Well, NO I did not get it wet, nor had it been exposed to excessive heat.  It is either in my home or at my office.  Since my home and office are NOT located underwater I believe there is NO water issue.  They even went as far as to document the water damage comments to my files.  Everytime I call AT&T or Nokia regarding the issues with the 2nd phone I get the same re-hash of "water damage".  I am tired of being treated like a fool instead of a company owning up to manufacturing errors/mistakes/problems.  I am on the 2nd phone which has, since day 1, just like the 1st phone - SHUTS DOWN RANDOMLY.

I have learned there is NO cure nor resolution with this phone - suggest another brand - I also own a motorola which has never had issues and it is carried by two teenage boys.

[Dcookie ACE - Geek]

You may want to do what this user did and see if it helps your phone's shutting off issue.

"I just bought the Nokia 6555 a couple of weeks ago and it was shutting off all the time.

So, I realized that when I shook the phone quickly it shut off immediately.  Doesn't

matter if the phone is fully charged or not.  I'm on about 24 hours now and the phone

hasn't shut off yet....I may have fixed it.  I took a small piece of paper, about 1/2 inch

long and folded up until it was about 4 or 5 paper thicknesses and shoved it between

the top of the battery (edge closest to the hinge) and the edge of the battery containment

area.  What was happening is that the copper leads that take the power from the battery

are not contacting the battery too well.  The battery needs to be pushed down into the

leads more to make better contact.  Good luck."                            .......taken from Leezt16

Also, how could they say your phone has water damage?? What color is the dot inside the phone?? If it white, there is no water damage.

Message Edited by Dcookie on 02-01-2009 11:11:13 AM

[sdo]

OK, here's the deal, I had tried to put together a page with photos. However, several attempts to post have not gone thru... Not sure why!

So here it is in text: The root cause of the failure are the pogo pins that contact the battery terminal. If you don't know what that is that's OK. To fix the problem you need to place a shim between the battery and inner cavity of the phone to take up the extra space and keep the battery from moving. Plastic works best, cut a piece of plastic about 1/4" x 1 1/4" x .040" thick (that's basically a match book cover), in fact, worse case use a match book cover and put a couple layers of scotch tape around it, until the thickness when pushed between the top of the battery and the upper inner cavity of the battery compartment.

Think of it this way, the battery is moving, and sometimes as it moves the contact lose there connection with the battery terminals. Then the phone will power down, because it requires continuous power. Like I said, the problem is the pogo pins (the things that touch the little terminals of the battery) they are spring loaded and the springs are not strong enough to keep the battery from moving. 

Ok Now for those of you who are having battery problems. Similar cause, except your battery is being damaged every time the power source spikes on and off. Or you may simply not be charging completely because of the power on/off problem.

steps:

1) open battery cover.

2) use your finger to move the battery down and up inside the phone (this will help you understand the problem)

3) make and install shim

4) verify that the battery no longer moves (available space now taken up by shim)

5) replace your cover

6) power on your phone and call someone you love to tell them how happy you are!

If the problem still persists you may not have a thick enough shim Or you may have a damaged battery you should replace.

Sorry, I know picture would have been better.  

SDO