Samsung Galaxy S8 Keeps Restarting After Reaching the Lock Screen

September 17, 2026 3 answers
Asked by MellowCedar47
My Samsung Galaxy S8 starts normally and reaches the lock screen, but then it shuts off for a moment and begins booting again. It keeps repeating this cycle, so I can't use the phone. I've already tried letting the battery drain completely several times, but that hasn't helped. I'm not very experienced with phone troubleshooting and can't afford to replace it right now. Is there anything I can try to fix it?

Answers

NorthwindJules2
You can also try clearing the system cache from the recovery menu, which normally doesnโ€™t erase your personal files. Power the phone off, then hold Volume Up, Bixby, and Power until the recovery screen appears. Use the volume buttons to select โ€œWipe cache partition,โ€ confirm with the Power button, and then choose โ€œReboot system now.โ€ Be careful not to select a factory reset unless youโ€™ve backed up anything important.

CopperMango81: If the phone wonโ€™t stay off long enough to enter recovery, connect it to a charger first and try the button combination while itโ€™s plugged in.

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QuietOrbit39
Since draining the battery hasnโ€™t changed anything, this could be a failing battery, charging component, or other hardware issue rather than a simple software glitch. Check whether the phone is swollen, unusually hot, or physically damaged; if so, stop using it and donโ€™t keep charging it. If Safe Mode and clearing the cache donโ€™t work, a repair shop may be able to diagnose it more cheaply than replacing the phone. A factory reset is another software option, but it erases the phoneโ€™s data and may not fix hardware failure.
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PixelHarbor6
Try starting the S8 in Safe Mode. Turn it off, then power it on and hold the Volume Down button when the Samsung logo appears. If it stays on in Safe Mode, a recently installed app may be causing the restarts, so remove suspicious or recently added apps. If it still bootloops, the problem is probably not a normal third-party app.
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