Introduction: Many problems you encounter on Galaxy S23 may be solved by following the following troubleshooting procedures.
Before contacting a Samsung Service Centre or an authorised service centre, please attempt the following solutions. Some situations may not apply to your device.
You can also use Samsung Members to solve any problems you might encounter while using your device.
- When you turn on Galaxy S23 or while you are using Galaxy S23, it prompts you to enter one of the following codes:
- Galaxy S23 displays network or service error messages
- Galaxy S23 does not turn on
- The touch screen responds slowly or improperly
- Galaxy S23 freezes or encounters a fatal problem
- Calls are not connected
- Others cannot hear you speaking on a call
- Sound echoes during a call
- A cellular network or the internet is often disconnected or audio quality is poor
- The battery does not charge properly (For Samsung-approved chargers)
- The battery depletes faster than when first purchased
- Error messages appear when opening the camera
- Picture quality is poorer than the preview
- Error messages appear when opening multimedia files
- Bluetooth is not working well
- The screen brightness adjustment bar does not appear on the notification panel
- A connection is not established when you connect Galaxy S23 to a computer
- Galaxy S23 cannot find your current location
- Data stored in Galaxy S23 has been lost
- A small gap appears around the outside of the device case
- There is not enough space in Galaxy S23’s storage
- The Home button does not appear
- Other Galaxy S23 Online User Manual pages
When you turn on Galaxy S23 or while you are using Galaxy S23, it prompts you to enter one of the following codes:
- Password: When Galaxy S23 lock feature is turned on, you must enter the password you set for the device. Face recognition and fingerprint reader require a password or PIN.
- PIN: When using the device for the first time or when the PIN requirement is turned on, you must enter the PIN supplied with the SIM or USIM card. You can turn off this feature by using the Lock SIM card menu.
- PUK: Your SIM or USIM card is blocked, usually as a result of entering your PIN incorrectly several times. You must enter the PUK supplied by your carrier.
- PIN2: When you access a menu requiring the PIN2, you must enter the PIN2 supplied with the SIM or USIM card. For more information, contact your carrier.
Galaxy S23 displays network or service error messages
- When you are in areas with weak signals or poor reception, you may lose reception. Move to another area and try again. While moving, error messages may appear repeatedly.
- You cannot access some options without a subscription. For more information, contact your carrier.
Galaxy S23 does not turn on
When the battery is completely discharged, your device will not turn on. Fully charge the battery before turning on Galaxy S23.
The touch screen responds slowly or improperly
- If you attach a screen protector or optional accessories to the touch screen, the touch screen may not function properly.
- If you are wearing gloves, if your hands are not clean while touching the touch screen, or if you tap the screen with sharp objects or your fingertips, the touch screen may malfunction.
- The touch screen may malfunction in humid conditions or when exposed to water.
- Restart Galaxy S23 to clear any temporary software problems.
- Ensure that your device software is updated to the latest version.
- If the touch screen is scratched or damaged, visit a Samsung Service Centre or an authorised service centre.
Galaxy S23 freezes or encounters a fatal problem
Try the following solutions. If the problem is still not resolved, contact a Samsung Service Centre or an authorised service centre.
Restarting Galaxy S23
If your device freezes or hangs, you may need to close apps or turn off the device and turn it on again.
Forcing restart
If Galaxy S23 is frozen and unresponsive, press and hold the Side key and the Volume Down key simultaneously for more than 7 seconds to restart it.
Please check Galaxy S23 layout for the locations of the Side key and Volume down key.
Resetting Galaxy S23
If these methods do not solve your problem, perform a factory data reset.
Open Settings and tap General management → Reset → Factory data reset → Reset → Delete all. Before performing the factory data reset, remember to make backup copies of all important data stored in the device.
Calls are not connected
- Ensure that you have accessed the right cellular network.
- Ensure that you have not set call barring for the phone number you are dialling.
- Ensure that you have not set call barring for the incoming phone number.
Others cannot hear you speaking on a call
- Ensure that you are not covering the built-in microphone.
- Ensure that the microphone is close to your mouth.
- If you are using headphones, ensure that they are properly connected.
Sound echoes during a call
Adjust the volume by pressing the Volume key or move to another area.
A cellular network or the internet is often disconnected or audio quality is poor
- Ensure that you are not blocking the device’s internal antenna.
- When you are in areas with weak signals or poor reception, you may lose reception. You may have connectivity problems because of issues with the carrier’s base station. Move to another area and try again.
- When using the device while moving, wireless network services may be disabled because of issues with the carrier’s network.
The battery does not charge properly (For Samsung-approved chargers)
- Ensure that the charger is connected properly.
- Visit a Samsung Service Centre or an authorised service centre and have the battery replaced.
The battery depletes faster than when first purchased
- When you expose the device or the battery to very cold or very hot temperatures, the useful charge may be reduced.
- Battery consumption will increase when you use certain features or apps, such as GPS, games, or the internet.
- The battery is consumable and the useful charge will get shorter over time.
Error messages appear when opening the camera
Galaxy S23 must have sufficient available storage and battery power to operate the camera app. If you receive error messages when opening the camera, try the following:
- Charge the battery.
- Free some storage by transferring files to a computer or deleting files from your device.
- Restart Galaxy S23. If you are still having trouble with the camera app after trying these tips, contact a Samsung Service Centre or an authorised service centre.
Picture quality is poorer than the preview
- The quality of your pictures may vary, depending on the surroundings and the photography techniques you use. See Galaxy S23 Camera Settings. You may also enable Camera Assistant.
- If you take pictures in dark areas, at night, or indoors, image noise may occur or images may be out of focus.
Error messages appear when opening multimedia files
If you receive error messages or multimedia files do not play when you open them on Galaxy S23, try the following:
- Free some storage by transferring files to a computer or deleting files from your device.
- Ensure that the music file is not Digital Rights Management (DRM)-protected. If the file is DRM-protected, ensure that you have the appropriate licence or key to play the file.
- Ensure that the file formats are supported by the device. If a file format is not supported, such as DivX or AC3, install an app that supports it. To check the file formats that your device supports, visit the Samsung website.
- Galaxy S23 supports pictures and videos captured with the device. Pictures and videos captured by other devices may not work properly.
- Galaxy S23 supports multimedia files that are authorised by your carrier or providers of additional services. Some content circulated on the internet, such as ringtones, videos, or wallpapers, may not work properly.
Bluetooth is not working well
If another Bluetooth device is not located or there are connection problems or performance malfunctions, try the following:
- Ensure that the device you wish to connect with is ready to be scanned or connected to.
- Ensure that your phone and the other Bluetooth device are within the maximum Bluetooth range (10 m).
- On your phone, open Settings, tap Connections, and then tap the Bluetooth switch to turn it on again.
- On your phone, open Settings, tap General management → Reset → Reset network settings → Reset settings → Reset to reset network settings. You may lose registered information when performing the reset.
If these tips do not solve the problem, contact a Samsung Service Centre or an authorised service centre.
The screen brightness adjustment bar does not appear on the notification panel
Open the notification panel by dragging the status bar downwards, and then drag the notification panel downwards. Tap 
→ Quick panel layout → Brightness control → Show always.
If you have updated your Galaxy S23 to Android 14 (One UI 6), you can also use Quick Settings Instant Access to directly open the Quick Settings panel.
A connection is not established when you connect Galaxy S23 to a computer
- Ensure that the USB cable you are using is compatible with your device.
- Ensure that you have the proper driver installed and updated on your computer.
Galaxy S23 cannot find your current location
GPS signals may be obstructed in some locations, such as indoors. Set the device to use Wi-Fi or a mobile network to find your current location in these situations.
Data stored in Galaxy S23 has been lost
Always make backup copies of all important data stored in the device. Otherwise, you cannot restore data if it is damaged or lost. Samsung is not responsible for the loss of data stored in the device.
A small gap appears around the outside of the device case
- This gap is a necessary manufacturing feature and some minor rocking or vibration of parts may occur.
- Over time, friction between parts may cause this gap to expand slightly.
There is not enough space in Galaxy S23’s storage
Delete unnecessary data, such as cache, using the device care feature or manually delete unused apps or files to free up storage space.
The Home button does not appear
The navigation bar containing the Home button may disappear while using certain apps or features. To access the navigation bar, drag upwards from the bottom of the screen.
Other Galaxy S23 Online User Manual pages
Pages also in this part:
List of all pages of Galaxy S23 Online User Manual:
You may check other Galaxy S23 guides organized in the following 4 sections.
- Galaxy S23 new features guides. Galaxy S23 new features guides explain the new features of Galaxy S23 and show you how to use them. New features in the One UI 6 (Android 14) update are also covered in this section.
- Galaxy S23 how-to guides. Galaxy S23 how-to guides show you how to use and customize Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra to meet your needs.
- Galaxy S23 camera guides. Galaxy S23 camera guides show you how to use Galaxy S23 camera features to shoot the best photos and videos with the top-notch camera system in Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra. The new camera features in the One UI 6 (Android 14) update are also covered.
- Galaxy S23 accessories guides. Galaxy S23 accessories guides explore useful Galaxy S23 accessories and show you how to use them to protect your phone or increase your productivity (or fun).
Besides, you can read and download (in PDF format) the official Galaxy S23 user manual (including the updated Galaxy S23 user manual for Android 14 (One UI 6).
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Enjoy your Galaxy S23!
