proximity sensor failure

[SeraphTan]

I've been using my Xperia Z1 for some time now, and since the latest update, I have noticed a few strange problems.

1) the screen will suddenly go very dark, and gradually increase to maximum brightness. This happens when I'm playing Dragons - Rise of Berk, or Knights and Dragons. Don't think it happens when I play Jetpack Joyride or Crazy Hill Climb.

2) The ear proximity sensor doesn't seem to be working when I make calls. My display is still on even though I hold the phone flat against my face during calls. Doesn't matter if it's on the right or the left side.

3) the backlight on the screen remains on, even though I press the power button to shut off the screen. This is also another indication that a problem has occurred.

4) I suspected that this might be due to a faulty light sensor or proximity sensor and ran a diagnostics. It shows that the ear proximity has failed.

5) starts working properly as soon as I reboot/restart it. But if I leave the phone on standby after a period of time, the proximity sensor fails again, forcing a restart.

6) phone occasionally gets very hot for a short period of use(under 5 minutes), and remains hot to the touch. To the point that it gets uncomfortable to have the phone in my pants pocket due to the heat.

Do note that these problems only surfaced AFTER I updated the phone to the latest firmware that was prompted on my phone update program.

Is there anything that is being worked on to have this resolved? Or, is there anything that I can do to fix it?

[Hampus · Accepted solution]

Hi and welcome to the community! Since you're new please be sure that you have checked out our Discussion guidelines.

I suggest that you boot your phone into safe mode to see if you experience the same behaviour:
http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/FAQ/How-to-boot-your-phone-into-safe-mode/m-p/348008

Otherwise, I suggest that you perform a software repair on your phone via PC Comapnion to exclude software related problems:

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/tools/pc-companion/

In PC Companion you press start on Support Zone > Start on Update the phone/tablet software > Repair phone/tablet (the blue clickable link in the message) > Follow these steps without having your device connected to the PC.

Follow the instruction that appears in the program and do not connect your device until this guide tells you how to connect it.

[SeraphTan]

I've tried the safe mode a few times but was unable to locate the problem.. Also, I think I've done an automated backup of my phone on Google servers, but can't be quite sure about it.. And am going ahead with the software repair today. After which, I'll probably test it out for another couple of days, monitor it and drop in my feedback.. Wish me luck!

[ptcbdn]

hello i have a sony xperia z1, after i've change the lcd i begin to have a  problem with all sensor, and it is not a software problem, i've try even a custom rom, same problem, all sensors are dead, i think it is a hardware problem, but i don't now were the sensors are locate into the phone, please can you tell me what i have to change in the phone to resolv this problem, thank you.

[SeraphTan]

Hi.. First, an update on my issue. I've seemed to have resolved my proximity sensor problem by performing a clean install of the software on my Z1. And yes, it does appear to be a problem caused during the update. All the issues have been resolved from performing a software repair!

Next, to your query. May I please check if you have performed a diagnosis of your phone's hardware? This may be done via settings>about phone>diagnostics..

Do let us know which sensor has failed.

Also, you may wish to perform a clean install of the original Sony software (software repair) instead of a custom ROM to test it from a baseline.