Help Settings wont open!

[lil_pacman]

I've had an s4 for the months now and lately it won't open my settings. I don'tknow what's up,when I click on the settings icon it opens for a split second and then closes and returns back to the home screenfunny enough if I open the multi windrow it has a settings tab open with a screen shot of the home screen? Does anyone know how to fix this?is very irritating and ican modify or remove apps because of it.

 

[Shotgun84]

Welcome to the forum lil_pacman:wavey:

The first thing I do in these situations is to clear data and cache for the problematic app however this could be a problem as you need to go through settings to get to the application manager. If you long press the home button to bring up your recent apps and long press on settings does it let you open app info? If it does hopefully you'll be able to clear cache from there. Also if you haven't tried a reboot I'd try that.

 

[Petrah]

Wiping the cache partition from the recovery menu might work, but I'm leaning more towards file corruption or permissions causing the issue. If that's the case you you will more than likely need to factory reset the phone from the recovery menu.

NOTE: Be sure to back up everything on your phones internal storage (pictures, music, etc.) to a safe place before factory resetting.

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To wipe the cache partition from recovery, follow these steps:

Turn off the device.
Press and hold the following three buttons at the same time:

Volume Up key
Home key
Power key

1. When the phone vibrates, let go of the Power key but continue to press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key.
2. When the Android System Recovery screen appears, release the Volume Up and Home keys.
3. Press the Volume Down key to highlight 'wipe cache partition.'
4. Press the Power key to select. The phone will automatically restart after the cache is wiped.

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To perform a master reset from recovery, follow these steps:

Back up all data on the internal memory.
Turn off the device.
Press and hold the following three buttons at the same time:

Volume Up key
Home key
Power key.

1. When the phone vibrates, release the Power key but continue to press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key.
2. When the Android System Recovery screen appears, release the Volume Up and Home keys.
3. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight 'wipe data / factory reset.'
4. Press Power button to select.
5. Press the Volume down key until 'delete all user data' is highlighted.
6. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
7. When the master reset is complete, 'Reboot system now' is highlighted.
8. Press the Power key to restart the device.

 

[Ari karjalainen]

Hello, I had same problem when I changed carrier. Solution in my case was, that I had installed avast anti-theft app which restricted access to my settings.

 

[Zack3090]

I'm having the same problem with a tab 3. Factory reset and cashe clear from recovery mode not working and can't access settings app. Can't open Wi-Fi or google play. Keep getting unfortunately touchwiz home has stopped.