9 Fixes for Back Button Not Working on Samsung Galaxy Phones 2024

Luckily, this issue is often caused by something as simple as a temporary software glitch or a third-party app conflict, and can usually be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps. In this guide, we will walk you through various solutions to get your Samsung Galaxy phone’s back button working again.

Table of Contents

1. Disable and Enable Navigation Buttons
2. Force Restart Samsung Phone
3. Check the Back Button in Safe Mode
4. Delete Recently Installed Apps
5. Scan Your Phone for Malware
6. Remove Thick Case
7. Try Gesture-Based Navigation
8. Update One UI
9. Reset Samsung Phone

1. Disable and Enable Navigation Buttons

Sometimes, the back button may not be working due to a temporary glitch in your phone’s system settings. One of the quickest solutions is to disable and then enable your navigation buttons again. This process can help reset the button’s functionality.

Steps:

1. Open Settings and scroll down to Display.
2. Tap Navigation Bar.

1. You can either switch to swipe gestures or reorder the back and recent apps buttons. Try this and see if it resolves the issue.

1. Once done, revert to your original button layout and check if the back button works.

2. Force Restart Samsung Phone

If your phone has become unresponsive, a simple restart might solve the problem. Force restarting your Samsung phone can refresh the system and resolve any temporary issues with navigation.

Steps:

1. Press and hold the side button and volume down key simultaneously.
2. Wait until the phone restarts and then check if the back button works.

3. Check the Back Button in Safe Mode

Third-party apps can sometimes cause issues with the functionality of your navigation buttons. To rule this out, you can restart your Samsung phone in Safe Mode to disable all third-party apps temporarily.

Steps:

1. Press and hold the side button and volume down key at the same time.
2. Tap Power off, then wait for the screen to go black.
3. When the Samsung logo appears, release the side button and continue holding the volume down key.
4. Release the key when you see the “Safe mode” banner at the bottom left.
5. Test the back button. If it works, the issue is likely caused by a recently installed app.

4. Delete Recently Installed Apps

If the back button functions properly in Safe Mode, the issue could be due to a newly installed app. Try uninstalling recently downloaded apps to see if that restores the back button’s functionality.

Steps:

1. Open Settings and scroll to Apps.
2. Find and select any newly installed app.

1. Tap Uninstall.

1. Repeat for other recently installed apps and check if the problem resolves.

5. Scan Your Phone for Malware

Samsung includes a built-in security feature powered by McAfee to help protect against malware and other security threats. Running a scan can ensure that no harmful files are interfering with your device’s functions, including the back button.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings and scroll to Battery and Device Care.
2. Tap Device Protection.

1. Hit Scan Phone and follow the instructions.

6. Remove Thick Case

If you’re using a thick or bulky phone case, it could be interfering with the touch sensitivity of your Samsung device, causing the back button to malfunction. Try removing the case and see if that resolves the issue.

7. Try Gesture-Based Navigation

Samsung’s One UI allows users to switch between button navigation and gesture-based navigation. If the back button continues to be unresponsive, try switching to gestures to navigate your device and bypass the problem.

Steps:

1. Open Settings and go to Display.
2. Tap Navigation Bar.
3. Select Swipe Gestures to enable gesture-based navigation.

8. Update One UI

Sometimes a buggy version of One UI can cause issues with the back button. Make sure your Samsung phone is running the latest software update to fix any bugs or glitches.

Steps:

1. Open Settings and scroll to Software Update.
2. Download and install any available updates for One UI.

9. Reset Samsung Phone

If none of the above solutions work, performing a factory reset on your Samsung phone may be the last resort. This will restore your device to its original settings, wiping out all your data, apps, and personal information.

Steps:

1. Open Settings and go to General Management.
2. Select Reset, then tap Factory Data Reset.

1. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your phone.

Conclusion

The back button not working on a Samsung Galaxy phone can be a frustrating experience, but with these troubleshooting steps, you can likely resolve the issue. Whether it’s due to a simple glitch, a problematic app, or even a thick phone case, you have a variety of solutions at your disposal. If all else fails, resetting your phone may be the solution to get your back button functioning properly again.

Don’t forget, if your device suffers from accidental hardware damage, such as a cracked panel, visiting a Samsung service center is the best course of action.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What if the back button is still not working after a force restart?

If the problem persists after a restart, consider checking if any third-party apps are causing the issue. Use Safe Mode to troubleshoot.

2. How do I switch from buttons to gesture navigation on Samsung?

Go to Settings > Display > Navigation Bar and choose the Swipe Gestures option.

3. Can malware cause the back button to stop working?

Yes, malware or corrupt files may interfere with your device’s functions. Run a device scan using Samsung’s built-in protection tool.

4. What should I do if the back button works in Safe Mode but not outside of it?

Uninstall any recent apps you installed before the issue started. If the back button works in Safe Mode, it’s likely a third-party app causing the problem.

5. Will a factory reset fix the back button issue?

A factory reset should fix persistent software issues by restoring the phone to its default settings, but it will delete all your personal data. Make sure to back up your data before resetting.