Dead S5

[Rgarner]

The last time I used the S5 was Friday morning. It was fine then. I picked it up Saturday morning only to find that the battery had fallen out because it has no back. Naturally I put it back in but the phone isn't working at all. It doesn't come on or make a sound. What could be wrong with it?

 

[Jfalls63]

With the battery in place and you connect to charger, do you get the charging animation or anything?

 

[Rgarner]

No, there's nothing. Ordinarily it shakes a little and then does the boot animation. I don't get it. Everything looks ok. The contacts on the phone and battery are apparently all right. I have removed and reinserted the battery numerous times and unplugged and replugged phone and charger, charger and wall. What do I do now?

 

[Rgarner]

Well, I guess it's official. I just plugged the S5 into the pc and it didn't even show. What can I do about it, anything?

 

[Jfalls63]

Do you have access to another battery?
If still no reaction with a different battery, and no reaction to being plugged in to charge, sounds like motherboard.

 

[Rgarner]

How would I get another motherboard for the S5? That doesn't sound very diy. Maybe I can at least pick up another battery, but where, and how much would it cost?

 

[mikedt]

How would I get another motherboard for the S5? That doesn't sound very diy. Maybe I can at least pick up another battery, but where, and how much would it cost?

Samsung certainly won't supply something like that to an ordinary consumer. Another donor S5 that's been broken up for parts? That's usually no problem near where I am, at Shandong Communications Market. But look at Ebay or something? Of course you need to be sure that the replacement part actually works, and it isn't IMEI/MEID/ESN blacklisted because the phone was reported stolen or whatever.

Replacing a logic board can be DIY, but of course you need to know what you're doing, and must have suitable tools, and a very steady hand helps as well. Ifixit.com has videos and detailed info about disassembling and repairing the S5.

 

[Jfalls63]

Batteries and rear cover can be found at Amazon and other places.
Replacing the motherboard, might be cheaper and easier to just get a replacement S5. Depending on model number, usually around a $100 for a refurbished S5

 

[PitCarver]

Do you have a Batteries Plus nearby?
My local store still has them in stock. They may also be able to check your existing battery to see if it's the problem or not.

 

[Rgarner]

Would Best Buy have those batteries? I guess Batteries Plus might, but they would probably charge too much. I probably wouldn't mess with motherboard replacement or anything that way.

 

[Rgarner]

Would Batteries Plus charge to test it? If they don't have exactly the same battery in stock, would one with the same volts and mah do? I can probably include photos of this one. It's 2800 mah and 3.85 V li-ion.

 

[Rgarner]

Ok, I went to Best Buy, and for the record, they DO NOT have smartphone batteries, except for one that was external and a lot more than 2800 mah. Still, it was only $14.99 (plus tax of course). Should I have bought it? Anyway, I went to Batteries and Bulbs, apparently the new name, and got the battery tested. I was told it was no good. Long story short, I ended up with a new battery that cost $43.05 and can be taken back within 14 days if it doesn't work. The only thing is it's 2600, not 2800. Will it still work with the S5? What do I do if it doesn't, besides take it back? Is there any way for me to test a phone battery myself? I still have the old one.