Why is my battery draining after the update?

After I updated the software last week, my phone has increased in temperature and the battery drains in 3 hours, even if the phone isn't being used. I've tried turning off the wireless on the phone when I am traveling in my city but the battery drains so quick after the update.

Is there any fix for this? This is causing a huge problem and I don't want to carry a charger with me everywhere I go.

Accepted answers

tikibar1

Another thing to check is the mobile network, i.e., settings > more networks > mobile networks, then ensure that Network Mode is set to CDMA/LTE/EVDO and not Global.

All comments

Verizon_Support

I know the importance of having good battery life bdyglve88. I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties. Which model is this, the S4 or the S4 mini? Did you retain all your apps during the update? Have you tried a battery pull since the update? How about a full charge with the power off?

JonathanK_VZW

VZWSupport

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tikibar1

Another thing to check is the mobile network, i.e., settings > more networks > mobile networks, then ensure that Network Mode is set to CDMA/LTE/EVDO and not Global.

kpollinger

I'm seeing this same problem. I have nothing running and can watch the % charge drop every few minutes. Have pulled the batter and started fresh, no change. Also have verified that I do not have the network mode set to Global. Not in Wireless mode, not in Bluetooth mode.

ILLINI4030

I am also having this problem. I have the regular S4. A battery pull? Are you saying to pull the battery out and then put it back in?

fastlane99

I'm having the same issue with my S4. I rely heavily on my phone to be able to communicate with my team of employees. I'm always on the move and I can't have my phone sit on a charger multiple times a day. I went from having to charge my phone once, maybe twice on a busy day, to three times within a ten hour workday since this update.

When will this battery drain issue be fixed?

tonyview

Same issue with my S4. Battery lasted all day before update. Why verizon? Why?

Verizon_Support

fastlane99,

We know it's quite important to have a reliable phone, we're here to help! Please access Settings>More>Mobile Networks>Network Mode>LTE/CDMA. Then, use http://vz.to/1hEDpyl to determine what is using the most.

AdaS_VZW

Follow us on Twitter at @VZWSupport

MyKroFt_Mt

I have the same probem now - got a update 2:49a on 5/7/15 - update_sch_i545_mk2_to_nc5

and since then I am lucky to get 3 hrs of battery life - even with it sitting idle on the table

adrioid os is at a averare of 29 to 31% and never goes down

I used to be able to go a whole day, and only charge at night at the bed stand....

Help Pls

Verizon_Support

Let's find a way to bring your battery back to normal, MyKroFt_Mt. Are you still using the original home charger that came with your phone? There's a few extremely helpful tips at http://vz.to/1mieDtZ to help extend the life of your battery. Some of those settings may have changed with the update, causing the new battery usage.

If you don't notice an improvement with a few of those steps, the new software may be conflicting with some of the applications in your phone. Try placing your phone into Safe Mode by powering off your phone then when you power on the device, press and hold the Power button until the Samsung Galaxy S4 logo appears then release. With the Samsung Galaxy S4 logo on screen, press and hold the Volume down key. Continue to hold the Volume down key until Safe mode appears in the lower-left of the unlock screen then release. Keep us posted if that improves the battery on your phone.

JenniferH_VZW

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jim_ohio

I am having the same issue, I don't have Bluetooth on, GPS is off, and don't use WIFI. The sync wasn't working on my phone with my email so I had to turn on syncing under the data setting. I used to be able to go all day without charging my phone now I make to 10:00 and it is dead. I use the charging cord and plug that came with the phone. If I use the USB port on my PC to charge my phone, that doesn't charge at all with the cord that came with the phone.

Did any of you notice the phone is hotter than is used to be since the update happened. My outterbox feels like it is going to melt.

THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN BEFORE THIS UPDATE WAS PUSHED OUT!!!!

ltg123

I am having the same issue as Jim - No Bluetooth, no GPS, no Wifi. Sync not working. Charge holds maybe 4 hours, used to hold for a day or so. WTH?

jim_ohio

You can get your sync working by going under setting/data uages then hit the option button on the screen and select auto sync. I think that cause everything to sync all the time, I just check my data uage and it is though the roof so far.

Anyone know how to roll back the change?

Verizon_Support

Let's explore options to resolve this battery issue jim_ohio! I had similar issues after updating my software and I resolved all post software update issues (including battery quick discharge) by doing a hard reset. http://vz.to/1mZotDR Give it a try.

AntonioC_VZW

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VZWSupport

lizarddjp

I am having the same issue, I was planning on calling technical support to get help. I just got the phone last month. Did the upgrade a week ago. My battery does not last my 7 hour work day. I have been bringing charger to work. I have no apps running. I was thinking I had a defective phone.

Verizon_Support

jim_ohio,

Oh no, I am sorry to hear your battery is draining quite rapidly since the software update. However, once you update your software there is not way to go back to a previous software.

KarenC_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

jwarren

Same issue. Battery used to last all day, could skip a night charge, and would still have use in morning. Now 3-5 hours at best. Phone is really hot. Tried battery removal. No difference. Not sure why that was even suggested.

Resetting the phone with all 8 email accounts, several cloud accounts, vpn settings and data backup s, etc is a 2 hour adventure. Anyone figured this out? What is the culprit? Really won't have time to do complete reset until mid June at best. Until then, I have a much less than useful s4. Ugh!

jim_ohio

I did all the troublue shooting steeps. Even the restore to factory defaults and my battery life is still nothing. I can't belive there is not way to roll back to ealier release. That isn't very good.

Verizon_Support

Thank you for reviewing these steps, jim_ohio. Out of curiosity, do you have any apps that may utilize the camera app? (Skype, etc) Please try disabling/uninstalling apps of this kind that aren't pre-installed, to see if you notice any differences in battery life. Keep us posted!

NicandroN_VZW

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jim_ohio

No, they only thing going on with my phone is email, text messages and clash of clans which was on my phone prior to the update.

Scoobyshack

I am having the same problem as well. Even went so far as to do a Factory Data Rest and reinstall my applications. Battery lasting 4 hours max and the phone is overheating. Please fix this, Verizon

keltoid

I'll tell you why - because Verizon is incompetent with phones. Pretty ironic, huh.

They act like its normal for you to have no battery life on your phone you paid a pretty penny for. In my case, I've had my S3 for less than 2 years and I can't use it the last 3 days due to it won't charge. Like one of the Flintstones, I have to take my charger and keep it plugged in wherever I am so I can maybe collect my text messages and voicemails... I have like no apps, screen set to barely visible -- but still the battery became useless in that time. And I can't get a new battery for the S3, because the Verizon stores apparently don't carry them anymore (to hell with you, customer!!) so I have to go and try and dig up one somewhere else online.

I will be filing a complaint.

steelyrick

Ditto. Has anybody gotten anywhere with this?

fastlane99

I'm still in the same boat after the update, except I've started to notice issues with wifi connectivity. And it doesn't seem to matter whose wifi I'm connected to. I've checked and done everything that's been suggested. I don't know why they keep suggesting a factory reset...that's not a solution! That's a poor attempt at a guess! Clearly there's a string in the update that caused this issue.

DickWestphal

I have had my S4 for several months and it replaced my OLD HTC Thunderbolt. To be on the safe side, I always carried a spare battery in my pocket and would need to use it now and then. Nearly 2 weeks ago, I got the update for Kit Kat and have been sorry every since. I don't have to use my S4 for business since I am retired so don't have the heavy use with many calls and Texts. Since the update, I have been wishing I had my old Thunderbolt back. By cocktail hour (5 PM), the phone is nearing shutdown. Right now, I think the only thing better on the S4 than the Thunderbolt is the camera. I am wishing that I had paid attention to my friend who recommended the Droid Maxx. I hate the idea of carrying around a spare battery. Dump the Kit Kat update or offer our choice for a new phone without penalty.

jim_ohio

Well I have done it all , re-sets. lost my clash of clans and have to start over. replase the the wall plug, the charging cable etc..

And this morning my phone lasted until 10:30 and it was out of battery and shut off in the middle of a meeting.

When are you goig to admit there is an issue with the kitkat version that was pushed out and either restore the old version or pushout a fix?

I know there are most likely up some firmware updates too and it is a pain to back out those changes but something needs to be done. I can't walk around with 100 ft extension cord and my phone plugged in at the office.

If the S4 isn't able to run kitkat with out issues. Was the S5 built and tested with Kitkat? And how do I get one for free!!!!!!! My kid keeps deferring his update and his phone is still holding a charge all day. Two exact phone one on JB and one on Kitkat. Both phones were bought at the same time from the same store. The kitkat version is killing the battery and the JB phone still works just fine. QA is done. it is Kitkat.

I switched to Version less then a year ago after being with T-mobile for 9 years. Now I understand why T-mobile didn't run on pushing out new releases.

tewman

Although they won't admit it, it's due to Verizon's bad programing.

skkflowers

I found that my phone kept trying to find "the cloud" to backup my contacts, music, etc. I personally don't need to backup anything except maybe every few months, so I will do it manually. The phone would not let me delete the backup assistant but when I deleted "the cloud" app, my phone's charge would at least last the day. I'm in a semi rural area, so do not always have a strong signal. I understand the GPS app can drain power quickly too. I had a Droid X for 4 years and thought they would have improved the battery life in phones in that time, but I guess not.

roz5

Why in the world should we have to jump through hoops to maintain battery life on a phone that we paid mega bucks for???? I bought my S4 a month ago and the past 2 days, I have watched my battery drain right before my eyes!! This is absolutely ridiculous!!! I have done everything suggested in this forum---then again, I ask myself... WHY should I have to do all of this garbage for a phone that is not even one month old???? Shame on you, Verizon!! Now I am stuck with this piece of junk for TWO years!!! What good is a smart phone if it dies in the middle of a day?? Disgusted doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about Verizon!!

Scoobyshack

Is Verizon working on a fix for these problems? Anyone?

bbonz001

Im experiencing the same problems.

Having to charge my phone by midday if im lucky. Have noticed an excessive amount of heat when using it too.

Also experiencing the syncing issues where im not getting emails, and especially whatsapp messages. I rely on whatsapp heavily as i moved here from New Zealand and have a large international group. I have to open the app and play around with it for a few seconds then literally receive 100's of messages all in one go.

This isnt on. My phone used to be great. Not its just a pain in the ass as im constantly worried about battery life and being able to use it when i actually need it.

I have been through all of the steps mentioned. And to be honest, its rubbish. Just a shot in the dark.

Just please fix the issue, or let us revert back to the last version that was fine.

4LeafClover

Same here. Had the update a couple of days ago, and my battery is drained mid-day. Additionally, the phone gets extremely hot. Not sure what is with this update that is causing such a major malfunction

I have read through these posts and it seems as though Verizon does not provide a clear answer on what is going on. Why go through all 25 steps to improve my battery live, when two days ago I had a perfectly working battery.

kkells

MANY makes and models are experiencing this issue. Just do a Google search & you'll see it. Or ask your friends & family who are on Verizon. Thus far, Verizon has not explained why this is an issue, nor have they been able to fix it.

As for removing the battery... Some phones, such as the HTC One, do not have removable batteries. So we are especially *screwed* by this problem since we can't carry around a spare battery to swap out several times a day.