How To Unstick The Samsung Galaxy S3 Boot Screen Issue

The Problem

A couple of days ago, I noticed that my phone had randomly powered off. At first, I thought maybe I had accidentally turned it off while it rested in my pocket. So, I turned it back on and went about my day.

Unfortunately, the phone continued to randomly shut down without notice. I knew this was going to be a problem, but when it started affecting my morning alarm clock, it was time to take immediate action.

Unlike the numerous times before, I was able to press the power button and continue forward. However, this morning my phone wouldn't go past the Samsung logo screen. Even after removing the battery, the phone would consistently load the Sprint splash screen, followed by the Samsung Galaxy S III logo, and then resting on the word "Samsung." 

Resolution 1: Reset the Phone

After numerous attempts to restart the phone, I had no other course of action. It was time to do a factory reset. 

Step 1: Take out the battery for about 5-10 seconds and then replace.

Step 2: Hold the Home + Power + Volume Up buttons until you see the Samsung Galaxy S III screen.

Step 3: Once you see the Samsung Galaxy S III screen release the power button, but continue to hold Home + Volume Up until the green Android appears.

Step 4: Using the Volume Up or Down buttons, select "wipe data/factory reset" from the options and press Power to select.

Note: You may also try using the "wipe cache partition."

Step 5: Using the Volume Up or Down buttons, select "Yes -- delete all user data" from the options and then press the Power button to select.

Note: Please be aware that saying "Yes" to this step will permanently erase your pictures, phone numbers, videos, applications, and anything else you hold dear. 

Step 6: Once the factory reset has finished, select "reboot system now."

Resolution 2: Restoring the Phone's Firmware Using Odin   

After attempting the aforementioned resolution, I was still frozen at the "Samsung" logo. What else can I do?

Well, it was time to bring out the big guns and restore the phone's firmware using an application called Odin.

Step 1: Download and install the Samsung USB Drivers on to your computer. Please be aware that this file is the same for all Galaxy S III's and it will require a computer reboot.

Step 2: Download Odin to your computer and unzip the folder to your computer's desktop.

Step 3: Put your phone into Download Mode by pressing Home + Power + Volume Down buttons.

Step 4: Connect the phone's USB cord from the computer into the device and open the Odin application from within the unzipped folder.

Step 5: Make sure Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time are checked. Wait long enough for Odin to connect with the phone. You can tell it's connected when you see something listed under ID:COM and in the Message box. Mine says, "<ID:0/005> Added!"

Note: During my installation, the computer downloaded additional drivers and installed them. It may have taken about 2 minutes before it connected. Your connection time may vary.

Step 6: Download your phone's firmware. My phone is the the SPH-L710 from Sprint. Yours may be different so be sure to search the device listing on http://www.samsung-updates.com for the latest version.

Step 7: Once the phone connects to Odin and you have the most recent version of the firmware, click on PDA within Odin and select the downloaded firmware. It should end in ".tar."

Step 8: Click Start. Once Odin completes its process, the phone will restart. Voila!

I hope this information helps you address any issues that you may have had. A special thanks to the following sites for their assistance: WonderHowTo.com, XDA-Developers.com, and Samsung-Updates.com.