Exact model-family answer directory
Samsung Galaxy S21 family troubleshooting
Samsung Galaxy S21 family (SM-G998* (S21 Ultra), SM-G996* (S21+), SM-G991* (S21)): heat from the camera; screen faults; five years of battery wear, and a fix for each symptom below.
- Heat from the cameraOwners and reviewers list camera overheating as the S21 Ultra's best-known fault, especially on long telephoto or video use, which can end with the camera shutting down or the phone freezing.
Samsung Galaxy S battery drains too quickly
Open record Samsung · overheatingSamsung Galaxy S21 family gets hot or shows a temperature warning
Open record Samsung · touchscreenSamsung Galaxy S21 family screen or touch input is not working correctly
Open record Samsung · not chargingSamsung Galaxy S21 family will not charge or charges slowly
Open record Samsung · Wi-FiSamsung Galaxy S21 family will not connect to Wi-Fi or keeps disconnecting
Open record Samsung · camera blurrySamsung Galaxy S21 family camera is blurry, shakes or will not focus
Open record Samsung · callsSamsung Galaxy S21 family cannot make calls or send messages
Open record Samsung · microphoneSamsung Galaxy S21 family microphone is quiet, muffled or not working
Open record Samsung · update failedSamsung Galaxy S21 family software update will not download or install
Open record Samsung · BluetoothSamsung Galaxy S21 family will not pair or stay connected over Bluetooth
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Which units this covers, and how to tell yours is one of them
- Model numbers and patterns
- SM-G998* (S21 Ultra), SM-G996* (S21+), SM-G991* (S21)
Published specification
What is true of this model and changes how you fix it
- Screen faultsGreen lines have been reported, and some owners described the middle of the screen not registering touches. Lines are a display fault; a dead touch zone is worth testing with the screen protector off.
- Five years of battery wearDrain and random reboots are mostly a battery that has lost capacity. A swollen battery, which lifts the back panel, is a stop-using-it problem.
Manufacturer support for this product line. Samsung Support — Mobile device support. Official Galaxy model manuals, diagnostics, updates and repair support.
Also read for this model. Android Authority — Samsung Galaxy S21 problems and how to fix them; Digital Trends — Common Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra problems.
Exact questions
Questions that only have an answer for the Samsung Galaxy S21 family
Why does my Galaxy S21 Ultra camera overheat?+
It is the best-known S21 Ultra complaint, worst on long telephoto and video use. Let the phone cool, close other apps and record in shorter clips; a warm phone while idle points at the battery.