Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 shuts down when folded? Here's what you need to know

Update 22/06/24 pm (IST): Some users claim that the problem turned out to be a broken display cable. If your phone is still under warranty, you should be able to get it fixed for free, as noted by one affected user.

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Original article published on May 13, 2024 follows:

While looking into bugs and issues on Samsung’s community forums, I stumbled upon an issue that led me down a rabbit hole. What exactly is the problem? Well, it seems that several Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 users have experienced a weird issue that results in the phone shutting down completely each time they fold the device. Reports about the problem started popping up sometime around the tail end of 2022 and early 2023, and I’ve seen several more appear in the recent months.

According to numerous reports from users across various online forums and communities, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 has a tendency to abruptly shut down when folded or closed. This issue seems to occur randomly, regardless of the device’s usage or battery level. Some users have reported that their phones restart automatically after a brief period, while others have had to manually power them back on. Here are some reports from users describing the problem:

I have just passed a couple weeks from 1 year of using this Z Flip 4, and suddenly my phone keeps randomly shut down and cannot be turned on without giving bait by charging it first. Then if it already turns on, either it can suddenly shut down or if folded, it will shut down. (Source)

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My phone was working fine until right after this update. Now it’s turning off on its own everytime I close this flip phone. Frustrated. Cleared the cache, did a soft reset, went through the settings with samsung technician, etc. Clearly this is a software update issue. (Source)

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Got my flip 4 in November and it has already started showing problems. Whenever I fold it close it shuts down. I bought it from Australia and I’m in India so can’t even get warranty. (Source)

While it’s difficult to determine the exact number of affected users, the problem doesn’t appear to be very widespread. However, there are a sufficient amount of complaints to indicate that this is indeed a serious problem that some unfortunate users have had to deal with.

Interestingly, the shutting down issue doesn’t seem to be exclusive to the Galaxy Z Flip 4. While reading dozens of comments, I noticed some users have reported experiencing a similar problem with the previous generation, the Galaxy Z Flip 3. This suggests that the issue may be related to the design or hinge mechanism of Samsung’s foldable devices, rather than a specific software or hardware problem unique to the latest model. Here are a couple of videos highlighting the problem:

What’s causing the problem and how to fix it?

As far as I’ve been able to deduce after reading various posts, the problem is likely due to a malfunction of the device’s battery and/or the motherboard. Some users claim that after Samsung’s technicians replaced the battery and cover (in some cases the motherboard too), the device was functioning normally again.

Hi, I took mine to Samsung customer service and they fixed it for free. Seems it was their fault. When I asked what was wrong with it they told me to read the report they will send me. I haven’t, because i can’t see their email. I asked what parts they changed, they said the cover and the battery. (Source)

While Samsung is repairing phones, the company is yet to make any public statement regarding this alarming defect. Furthermore, not all affected users are lucky enough to get the device fixed even when under the warranty period. According to multiple users, Samsung refused to cover the cost of the repair, citing minor scratches or dings on the device.

Some users have had to cough up a few hundred dollars to get the issue fixed. I haven’t been able to find evidence of anyone being able to fix the problem with software-based troubleshooting steps. Things like restarting the phone, resetting it or clearing the device’s cache don’t help. So if you’re experiencing the problem, your only option is to get in touch with Samsung support.

Additionally, a conversation between a technician and a Z Flip 3 customer on a reputable website suggests that this is a “well-known defect” in the Samsung Flip series, specifically related to a hinge malfunction that allows the phone to close improperly. Here’s what the technician says:

This is a well known defect in the Samsung flip 3 and more specifically a result of a hinge malfunction that allows your phone to close. There is no software fix for this and falls under the Samsung device warranty. You will have to place a warranty replacement order for the device or go to your carrier to switch it out free of charge.

So it’s clear that Samsung needs to sort out the issue and swiftly repair devices that are affected with this defect or bug. In case you experienced the same bug and figured out a workaround, please feel free to share it in the comments below. I’ll keep track of the situation and will post an update if and when there are any further developments.