FP2 Screen can't be reactivated during/after calls - See first post for Workarounds

@Simone_Ricotta Have you tried the reboot? For me the reboot fixed it (for now)! And yes, the Power button workaround is just an emergency fix, you are right…

@AndreasLieser Yes, I’ve tried by rebooting for three times, without any success. In one attempt, the screen remains “on” for only one-two seconds, just for a moment. What have I to do? Calling the support team? Asking for a substitution of the phone? :frowning:

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@Simone_Ricotta If the reboot did not fix it for you, I suggest opening a support ticket or file a bug. I think (hope) this is just a software problem, because after the reboot the phone function on my FP2 works as expected and the proximity sensor works fine, too. So there seems to be no hardware problem.

@therob @AndreasLieser I’ve solved the problem :slight_smile: The problem was the tin plastic film on the screen. I’ve removed and everything now it’s ok. I think the film make some problems with the proximity sensor… Thanks for your attention! :slight_smile:

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Sometimes (Edit: almost all the time!!) the screen lock during telephone call does not turn off. I then have to remove the back cover and remove the battery in order to reboot the Fairphone 2. All other keys are dead. Is this a software problem or a hardware problem (e.g. the proximity sensor)?

Edit: it appears as if this problem only happens when the call is not answered…

Another Edit: After some tests I’m just pretty sure that the settings for the proximity sensor are way too sensitive. I think there is just some dust blocking the sensor (on the upper left of the display) and that is enough to turn the screen off…

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Hey, I’m sorry you didn’t get an answer for so long. (I have only noticed this topic taday :confused: )

Do you think you can clean it yourself?

Thanks for your reply. I think I should have written „if there is some dust (or a fingerprint) blocking the sensor, it is enough to turn off the screen“. So, I was able to clean it by myself and I wanted to give a hint to other Fairphone 2 – users that might have the same problem. Sorry for the confusion. Anyways, the sensor might be a little bit to sensitive :blush: .

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Ok great, so everything works now?

Yes, if I avoid any little fingerprint on the proximity sensor :slight_smile:

I moved our posts here as I think this is the same problem.

Maybe the proximity sensor is extra sensible during calls and therefore reacts even to fingerprints and screen protector foils.
One might argue that this over-sensitivity is a bug. What do you guys think? (Can you reproduce it by smearing the sensor or using a foil?)

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Hello,

it seems to be the same problem. Just a little smear (e.g. from “face grease” from a previous telephone call) or a fingerprint on the display at the position of the proximity sensor is enough to activate the lock screen. Even holding a finger 5cm away from the proximity sensor activates the lock screen. In the beginning, I thought it was a software bug since, in addition, I had an audio problem. But this was due to a microphone bug in the IPhone that I had used for testing; so this problem has been resolved.

However, I’ve just tested it with a few objects. A (transparent) plastic foil, a greasy finger print, a (transparent) plastic cover or glass are suitable for activating the lock screen with the sensor. Or just holding your finger a few centimeters above the sensor (even in the vicinity of bright light).

My solution for now is to keep the display very clean at all times.

My screen went black while talking when I used headphones/earplugs. even when i disconnected the headphones the screen stays off. Maybe there is a tiny short signal from the headphones port, so the fairphones assumes someone plugged headphones in.
In my case I simply could turn on the screen with the power button although I configured it to end calls.
I think in my case it works as it should. I can wake the screen with the power button and end the call by pressing a second time.
Maybe the problem could be fixed if the srceen turns back on when unplugging a headphone.

Maybe your problem could be connected to this?

I actually don’t have a Problem. I just wanted to point out, that I could turn on the screen with the powerbutton. And maybe there is a connection to the headphones jack

I just had a similar issue:

  • Made a call
  • The person didn’t answer and I ended up on the voicemail
  • I wanted to end the call
  • I removed the phone from my ear, the screen remained black
  • Touching the screen didn’t work, all the physical button didn’t work
  • The call was still going on (and I was being recorded on voicemail), so I had to hard reboot the phone

I’ll try and see if it happens again after making sure nothing blocks the proximity sensor

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Hallo,
when i get called, the screen turns black, immediatly as i accept the call, (not because it’s close to my Head) and it is not possible turn it on, except the other person hangs up.

greetings from munich, germany!
michi

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Does it make a difference if you clean the proximity sensor before you call someone?

Hallo,
no, i don’t think so. Sometimes it works as it should. I did the thumb test during a call, when it worked and the Sensor did his job, even with greasy fingers. About every second call, weather it is incoming during lock screen or while i use the phone, there appears this problem. When its an incoming call the screen turns black as i accept it and only turns back in when the other Person ends the call. When i call someon it sometimes turns black correctly when it comes near to my ear but only turns back on when the other Person ends the call.

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Hey,
my Fairphone shows the same behavior. During nearly all calls the screen stays black and it is not possible to end the call. Till now I made some Mailboxmessages by accident because of this problem. The Proximity sensor of my phone isn’t too dirty or covered by something.
So I think even if the cause is a thin layer of dirt: It is a bug and we should ad it to the list of known bugs. @paulakreuzer: Could you please add it?

P.S. Thanks @AndreasLieser for your advise!

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I’m not convinced it’s a bug yet:
Only 7 people posted here that they had the problem at least once, for some it seems to have been a singular incident and/or gone after a reboot or cleaning the proximity sensor. There is no way (described yet) to reproduce this issue on most FP2s.

But it would be interesting what you hear back from support.

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