In 2020, foldable smartphones brought a breakthrough in the mobile phone industry, and Samsung led the way with its innovative folding devices. Since then, the company has released many different models such as the Samsung Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 smartphones. But some users have faced a frustrating issue with these phones and their folding mechanism: can’t open them fullyand they think it may be due to some kind of hardware damage.
This is a common problem that affects many foldable phones, not just Samsung ones, because have moving and bending parts that can be damaged by too much pressure, friction, or even dust and dirt. If the folding hinge of your Samsung mobile does not work correctly, do not worry, we will try to help you here. Right away you will find all the possible solutions to this annoying problem.
What to do Samsung Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 do if it won’t open all the way?
The opening failures of the Samsung Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 may be due to a hardware problem that requires professional assistance. However, sometimes you can fix it yourself with a few simple steps. Here are some tips you can try before contacting Samsung support experts.
Remove dust and dirt particles
Foldable smartphones have moving parts, so are prone to accumulate dust and dirt particles. These particles are tiny, but they can accumulate on the folding hinge and create problems.
There is no official method to clean the hinge, but you can try use an adhesive tape or similar to remove the particles. This should work in most cases and resolve the issue.
Yes indeed, don’t even think about using a hair dryer or hot air blower to clean the hinge. This will push the particles inside the phone, making things worse later on.
Look for signs of corrosion
The moving parts of a phone are not ideal, as they can rust over time, causing various problems. Corrosion cannot be completely avoided, especially if you live in a humid place. However, you can check for any signs of rust with a flashlight and use a Q-tip with an acetone solution to clean it off. Surely you will not be able to remove all the corrosion if it is a lot, but at least you will get the mobile to open and close correctly.
Clean the hinge with a vacuum cleaner
If cleaning the hinge doesn’t help, the dirt particle that is causing the problem may be deep inside the folding hinge mechanism. As we mentioned before, using an air blower or hair dryer is not an option. Therefore, we recommend using a handheld vacuum cleaner to vacuum debris and other particles from the phone.
Many users on the official Samsung forums and Reddit have tried this technique and have obtained good resultsso try it yourself and see if you succeed.
Clean stuck hairs
No matter how careful you are to keep your phone clean and tidy, there is always a big chance that hair or other string-like material getting caught in the hinge mechanism. This was a common problem on older flip phones back in the day, and sadly still exists today.
So get yourself a magnifying glass and a flashlight and Check for stuck threads or hairs. These strands can get caught in the hinge, preventing it from working properly. To remove them, you can use a small tweezers.
Ditch the case and screen protector
If you have a foldable smartphone, like the Samsung Z Fold 4 or Z Flip 4, you should know that they are not made to be used with phone cases. Some brands may claim that their cases are compatible with these devices and will not affect the hinge mechanism, but that is not true. So, if you have any case on your device, remove it and check if it fixes Samsung Z Fold 4 or Z Flip 4 won’t open at all issue.
Likewise, there are some screen protectors on the market that claim to be ideal for foldable smartphones. Nevertheless, these screen protectors can put pressure on the screen, preventing the device from fully unfolding and leaving a small gap at the end. Be sure to remove these screen protectors if you use any.
The hinge rubber is tight
All foldable smartphones use rubber hinges to protect them from water and humidity. But with time, this rubber can become stiff and begin to shrink or tighten. The only way to fix it is to contact your nearest Samsung service center or a local smartphone technician to have the rubber hinge replaced.
Some users have reported that the problem with the rubber hinge is temporary, especially in cold seasons of the year. And it is that extremely low temperatures can harden the rubber, causing the hinge problem. Therefore, if it is currently very cold in your area, this is an inconvenience that you must deal with due to how the mobile is manufactured.
Take it to the official technical service
If none of the above methods work for you, then the problem may be caused by a hardware failure. In this case, you will not be able to claim the hardware warranty unless you have purchased Samsung Care+ with your device. So if you have one, claim it for a free repair. If not, you can contact Samsung support for a paid repair.
Click the following button to find the support center closest to your area:
Anyway, we hope that with these solutions you can get your Samsung Z Fold 4 or Z Flip 4 to open completely. If you got another solution that is not listed hereplease comment below to share it with everyone.
