Everyday Phone Fixes: Common Problems and How to Solve Them
Smartphones are supposed to make life easier—but sometimes they do the exact opposite. Maybe your flashlight won't turn on, your phone refuses to charge, or voice-to-text keeps mishearing you. If you've ever muttered "Why is my phone acting weird?" you're not alone.
At TechPals, we hear these questions every day, and we've helped hundreds of people fix common issues with just a few quick tips. This guide walks you through the most common smartphone problems (on both iPhone and Android) and shows you how to fix them. We’ve also included a Q&A section for each issue to answer the questions we hear most often.
Need more help? Visit techpals.org to book one-on-one support or explore our other helpful how-to guides.
1. My Flashlight Won’t Turn On or Is Hard to Find
Your phone’s flashlight can be a lifesaver—but only if you can find it when you need it. If it’s missing, hard to access, or doesn’t respond, here’s what to do:
Try This First:
On iPhones: Swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Control Center. Tap the flashlight icon.
On Androids: Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings. Look for the flashlight icon.
If the icon is missing:
iPhone: Go to Settings → Control Center and add the flashlight back.
Android: Tap the pencil icon in Quick Settings to customize your tiles.
Tip: You can also ask Siri or Google Assistant to turn the flashlight on or off with your voice.
Related: How to Use Your Phone as a Flashlight
Q&A
Q: Can I change how bright the flashlight is?
A: On iPhones and some Androids, press and hold the flashlight icon to adjust brightness.
Q: Why does my flashlight turn off by itself?
A: If your phone is overheating or the battery is low, it may turn off non-essential features like the flashlight.
2. My Phone Says It’s Charging… But the Battery Won’t Go Up
This is one of the most frustrating problems—and one of the most common. Just because your phone shows the charging icon doesn’t mean it’s actually gaining power.
Try This:
Note your battery level when plugging in.
Wait 10–15 minutes.
Check again. If it’s not increasing, something’s wrong.
Next, try:
Switching charging cables and wall adapters.
Restarting your phone.
Cleaning out the charging port with a soft brush or toothpick.
Avoid charging from computers, which often provide weak power.
Related: How to Tell If Your Phone Is Charging Properly
Q&A
Q: Can charging overnight damage my phone?
A: Not usually. Most phones stop charging at 100%, but heat buildup can shorten battery life. Keep your phone on a hard, cool surface.
Q: Should I let my phone die completely before charging?
A: No. Lithium-ion batteries prefer partial charges. Try to keep it between 20–80%.
3. My Voice-to-Text Isn’t Working Right
Voice-to-text is a powerful tool, especially for people who don’t like typing. But it can be frustrating when it misses your words or won’t start at all.
Quick Fixes:
Make sure your microphone isn’t blocked or dirty.
Restart your phone.
On iPhone: Go to Settings → General → Keyboard and check that "Enable Dictation" is on.
On Android: Go to Settings → System → Languages & Input → On-screen keyboard and check for Google voice typing.
Related: How Do I Use Voice-to-Text?
Q&A
Q: Why doesn’t it understand what I’m saying?
A: Background noise, unclear speech, or weak signal can all affect accuracy.
Q: Can I use voice-to-text offline?
A: On some phones, yes—but you may need to download a language pack first.
4. My Phone Is Acting Weird
If your phone is glitchy, slow, or just “off,” here are a few things to try:
Quick Fixes:
Restart your phone.
Clear your browser cache.
Uninstall apps you don’t use.
Check for software updates.
Related: Why Is My Phone Acting Weird?
Q&A
Q: Should I reset my phone completely?
A: Only as a last resort. Try restarting, updating, and clearing space first.
Q: Can apps cause weird behavior?
A: Yes—especially apps that run in the background or use a lot of power.
5. Auto-Correct Keeps Messing Up My Messages
Auto-correct is helpful—until it isn’t. If your phone keeps "fixing" things you didn't want changed, you can adjust or disable it.
To Turn Off or Customize Auto-Correct:
iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Auto-Correction
Android: Settings → System → Languages & Input → Keyboard → Text correction
Related: How to Turn Off Auto-Correct
Q&A
Q: Will turning off auto-correct affect spell check?
A: No. You can turn off auto-correct while keeping spell check active.
Q: Can I train auto-correct to learn new words?
A: Yes. Many phones let you add words to your personal dictionary.
[Word Count So Far: ~950]
6. Copy and Paste Isn’t Working Right
Copying and pasting should be simple—but on a touchscreen, it can be tricky.
Try This:
Press and hold on the word or sentence you want to copy.
Use the sliders to adjust your selection.
Tap "Copy."
Go to the destination field and press-hold to "Paste."
Related: How to Use Copy and Paste on a Smartphone
Q&A
Q: Why won’t my phone let me select text?
A: Some apps block text selection. Try copying from a different app.
Q: Can I see what I’ve copied before?
A: Some Android phones have a clipboard manager. iPhones only store the last copied item.
7. My Location Is Showing in My Photos
Location data in your photos can be helpful—or a privacy risk.
To Turn It Off:
iPhone: Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Camera → Never
Android: Open the Camera app, go to Settings, and turn off "Save location."
Related: How to Turn Off Location Tracking in Your Photos
Q&A
Q: Can I remove location data from existing photos?
A: Yes. On both platforms, you can use the Photos app to remove or hide location info.
Q: Does turning off location affect my maps app?
A: No. You’re only turning it off for the camera.
8. What Does Airplane Mode Actually Do?
Airplane Mode turns off your phone’s wireless functions. It’s not just for flying—it can help with charging and troubleshooting too.
What It Affects:
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Cellular and data signals
Use it to:
Disconnect quickly
Save battery
Reset your connection
Related: What Is Airplane Mode and When Should You Use It?
Q&A
Q: Can I use Wi-Fi in Airplane Mode?
A: Yes. You can turn Wi-Fi back on manually while keeping other signals off.
Q: Will I still get texts?
A: Not until you turn Airplane Mode off.
9. I Keep Getting Suspicious Messages and Scam Alerts
From E-ZPass texts to PayPal phishing emails, digital scams are everywhere. Don’t click on anything suspicious—check first.
Quick Safety Tips:
Never click links in messages from unknown numbers.
Don’t enter personal info on unfamiliar sites.
When in doubt, visit the official website directly.
Related:
Q&A
Q: What if I already clicked a suspicious link?
A: Close the page. Run a virus scan. Change your passwords. Ask TechPals for help.
Q: Can I report these scams?
A: Yes. You can report texts to your carrier by forwarding them to 7726.
10. How Do I Stop Getting So Many Spam Emails?
Inbox flooded with junk mail? You’re not alone. But unsubscribing can be tricky.
Try This:
Use the “Unsubscribe” link—but only if the email looks legitimate.
Block senders from your email settings.
Report spam using your email provider’s tools.
Avoid clicking anything in clearly suspicious messages.
Related: How to Unsubscribe from Spam Emails
Q&A
Q: What if the email doesn’t have an unsubscribe option?
A: Mark it as spam. That helps your email provider block similar messages.
Q: Should I open suspicious emails to unsubscribe?
A: No. If it looks shady, don’t interact with it at all.
Final Thoughts: Small Fixes, Big Results
Smartphones don’t come with instruction manuals anymore—but that’s why TechPals exists. We help people untangle the little things that get in the way of enjoying their devices.
Whether your flashlight won’t turn on or your inbox won’t stop buzzing, there’s almost always a simple fix. Bookmark this guide and share it with someone who might need it.
Need help with your phone, tablet, or tech setup? Visit techpals.org to schedule one-on-one help, explore our blog, or just get friendly answers without the tech jargon.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. TechPals is here to help.
