Phones shutting down randomly is can be extremely frustrating, especially if you’re in the middle of a video call with someone. Fortunately, an Android phone turning off for no reason isn’t that common.
However, it can still have from time to time. And if you spend a lot of time browsing apps, then having a reliable phone is particularly important.
In this article, we are going to tell you the possible cause of this issue. Then, we’ll find a solution to fix your Android phone shutting down itself.
Phone turning off randomly – The cause
The most common reason why Android users find that their device shuts off is that the phone’s software is out of date. If you’re not using the latest version of Android OS, this can happen.
An outdated operating system might not be the actual reason that your phone turns off and on by itself. However, when your phone is updated, the applied changes might actually fix the problem automatically.
So, updating your phone is usually the quickest resolution to your phone turning off randomly. Plus, you can enjoy the latest version of Android.
However, there are other potential reasons why your Android phone may be turning off. Follow the seven steps below to resolve any Android issues on your device.
Step 1: Update your Android phone
- Go to your home page and select Settings.
- Scroll down and select Software Update.
- Tap on Download and Install.



Your phone will be automatically updated once the download has been completed. Restart your phone once. If the phone shuts down again, try the following methods.
Step 2: Keep an eye for rogue apps
If your phone is up-to-date, another possible reason for Android phones shutting off might be malware and viruses.
Most malware comes from pop-up ads, free apps, unauthorized apps, and applications without Google Play Store verification. Having rogue apps on your phone is detrimental and might lead to random shutdowns.
Step 3: Check Malware and virus disinfection
First, you have to make sure that the problem arises from an app on your Android phone. Therefore, you have to enter safe mode, where the phone blocks apps other than the original applications installed by the factory. Then, keep using your phone for two or three hours. If it doesn’t shut down anymore, you have to start uninstalling suspicious apps. However, if your phone continues to turn off, you have to try other issues listed below.
Step 4: Detecting suspicious apps using battery consumption
Check the battery consumption of your apps. The apps that use more battery, especially those you don’t use frequently, are more likely to cause your phone to turn off suddenly. To check how much battery your apps use:
- Go to settings
- Tap on Battery and device care
- Select Battery, and fix any issues that Android has detected.
- Click on the usage infographic. Now, you can see the applications that use the most battery. Next, you have to delete those apps.



If the problem persists, move on to the next step.
Step 4: Uninstall app that may be causing errors
- Go to your applications.
- Tap and hold your finger down on the icon until a small box pops up.
- Select Uninstall.

Step 5: Check the battery
If your phone keeps turning off, even after updating and removing suspicious software, check your battery. If your phone has been unsealed, become wet, or physically damaged this may cause a hardware problem.
In that case, there is a higher probability that the random shutdown problem stems from a hardware failure, especially a damaged battery.
To check your batteries health
- Go to settings.
- Select Battery and device care
Now, your Android phone will display any problems with your battery, so you can fix it yourself or go to a certified maintenance center.
In addition, if any application shows abnormal behavior, the battery and device care feature might alarm you.



For example, the picture above shows that the mobile phone has detected an application that crashes frequently. Thus, you can update or remove the app to solve the shut-down problem.
Step 6: Fix a wet battery causing phone shut down
Phones previously damaged or unsealed for maintenance are more susceptible to moisture.
If you have dropped your phone in water or exposed the phone to high humidity for a long time, your battery might have become wet and damaged.
You can check your battery for water exposure using a designated color patch on the battery. The patch is usually white with red dots or stripes. If the battery is not damaged, you will be able to distinguish the two colors clearly.
However, if you see a single pink color, it is proof of water damage to the battery.

If your battery is wet, do not turn on the phone. Dry the phone first; then, replace the battery. Finally, you can turn your phone on safely.
Step 7: Perform a Factory Data Reset
Perhaps you should consider resetting your phone to a factory setting as a last resort since it will remove all the data on your phone. Then, your Android cellphone will restore itself as if you just bought it from the store.
If your phone still shuts down itself, you should probably take it to a registered device care center.
How to factory reset your Android device
- Turn off your phone.
- Enter boot setup mode by pressing and holding the power button and the volume up button at the same time.
- Release the power button when the Samsung logo shows up.
- Now, you have entered the Android recovery screen and can release the volume up button.
- Now you can move the selector up or down using the volume keys.
- Move to Wipe Data/Factory Reset
- Press the power button to select.
- Select Yes to confirm.
- When the factory reset is complete, select “reboot now”
- Now your phone is reset back to how you got it from the store. Therefore, you have to select the language and other settings and start using your phone.
If the reset factory did not prove effective, you could be almost sure that the problem lies in your phone’s hardware.
You can either contact the manufacturer for a warranty or move on and get yourself a new phone.
Conclusion
Your cellphone might shut down randomly several times due to software or hardware issues.
You can troubleshoot some of the possible errors yourself; however, if the problem persists, you should ask for professional maintenance at the manufacturer’s official stores and service centers.