topic Re: Vibration issue? in Z Series

Vibration issue?

Insatri — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 23:36:41 GMT

Hi everyone!

Yes, the phone is perfect and despite subjective critics from mere haters, I have to admit it's more than anyone desires.

Though, I think i have a hardware problem related to the haptic vibration. It's currently turned on while typing, being set on medium intensity. Even so, after a few words or constant presses on various buttons which trigger the vibration it stops ONLY if I keep the phone in a vertical position (as in, the bottom is pointing straight to the ground while the screen is in front of me). If the phone is kept still, nothing works - it's simply not vibrating anymore (I tried to reset the phone, turning the feature on/off etc). Though, if the Z1 is even slightly tilted everything goes back to normal. Is my unit faulty?

Cheers and looking forward to your answers!

Re: Vibration issue?

MUSHARAB — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 00:06:11 GMT

Try a RESET by pressing the Power + Volume UP key for 5 Seconds. If that doesn't helps visit your nearest Sony Service Centre.

Re: Vibration issue?

Insatri — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 00:12:33 GMT

Can anyone else who owns the Z1 test if the vibrations stop when spamming various buttons ONLY if the unit is in a perfect vertical position (the bottom where the speaker is located points straight to the ground, screen towards viewer)? Might be a hardware limitation? Other than this vibration work like a charm

Keep in mind vibrations return if I easily tilt the phone horizontally.

I'll also try the reset feature now...

Re: Vibration issue?

Uliwooly — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 00:12:45 GMT

Repair your phone

Update Service (SUS)

PC Companion (PCC)

Bridge (for Mac)

Alternatives on How to backup Xperias

http://talk.sonymobile.com/thread/36355

Re: Vibration issue?

Insatri — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 00:53:24 GMT

Thanks for your answers.

Before diving into a restore, i want to know if this is a normal behaviour. It seems I can reproduce the issue way easier if I lean the phone towards left, right or front while typing in a vertical position (a very subtle move). Again, moving the phone even just a bit towards horizontal restores all vibration functions.

Re: Vibration issue?

Insatri — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 10:01:59 GMT

My apologies for the double-post, it seems harder and harder to reproduce the "issue". Though, it did happen twice today after constantly spamming the letter/back/space buttons when writing a text message, again only by keeping the phone in a vertical position.

I tend to believe it's how the Z1 is built. I mean, vibrations work perfectly other than that. Can anyone else check this please? It would be much appreciated!

Re: Vibration issue?

SwitchTrix — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 10:17:09 GMT

I've tried recreating your issue and am not able to do so. I've held the phone in various positions, but to no avail.

Re: Vibration issue?

Insatri — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 12:05:44 GMT

Thanks SwitchTrix.

It seems I now have troubles reproducing it myself. I'm pretty sure it's how the Z1 is supposed to behave, not being an issue at all...

I mean, if the vibration system was faulty I guess it didn't matter in what position I was keeping the phone, plus the fact it was either randomly either it would have stopped completely.

Anyway, if anyone encounters this please let me know, I'm ore than curious to see the outcome.

-later edit-

Ok, I might have found an easier way to reproduce it without spamming or anything. While keeping the phone in your hands, in a vertial position - slowly move the right bottom corner towards you & the ground. Anyone?

By the way, who knows where the vibration motor is located?

Re: Vibration issue?

Rickard — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:38:51 GMT

The vibration should not stop working when holding it in a certain position or angle. If it does i recommend that you contact a service location or local Sony Xperia support (http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/support/contact-us/) for assistance.

When testing this, make sure that you're not tapping the same key repeatedly though. Alternate between at least two different keys.

Re: Vibration issue?

Insatri — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:42:59 GMT

Pressing just a single key might trigger this behaviour?

Re: Vibration issue?

Rickard — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:48:19 GMT

Yes, if you keep tapping one single key repeatedly vibration decreases after a while.

Re: Vibration issue?

Insatri — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 14:08:18 GMT

It happens when I alternate as well. But then again, it's very very hard to manage to actually reproduce the "issue" (overall, it's working great).

I know for example that an Xperia Z (in perfect condition) doesn't vibrate anymore if it's vertically put on the table, and little pressure is put on top of it. Maybe it's the case here, but the vibration motor is placed somewhere else and I accidentally touch it while holding the phone in my hand? I don't know, I'm just assuming right now... the thing is i really don't want to go to a service, I'll keep it as a last option (the idea of them "trying to fix" my phone isn't very appealing). I have it insured though, maybe it can be exchanged.

Re: Vibration issue?

Rickard — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 15:24:13 GMT

If you apply pressure to the phone or bend it slightly (which is not recommended) the vibration may be affected.

It's hard to say if there's anything wrong with your phone or not without investigation on service but try the vibration under Settings -> About phone -> Diagnostics and hold the phone at different angles. If you don't have any problem then i would not worry.

Re: Vibration issue?

Insatri — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 16:53:30 GMT

I've made three tests, spinning the phone and keeping it at different angles (moving it both slowly and faster in the process). It constantly vibrated throughout each test...

The only mention is that when I was quickly flipping the phone the vibration stopped for less than half-a-second (maybe even less). After that, it continued to vibrate strong and continous. I assume this is normal, since the motor was re-calibrating for the new position?

-later edit-

OK, I've been to the closest Vodafone center (the store from where I've actually bought the phone) and I've tried to reproduce the "issue" on another kit. Same behaviour, I've easily managed to follow all the steps mentioned above and kill the vibrations! So it's not a problem at all, most likely that's how the Z1 should act in that particular moment. Pfew!

Re: Vibration issue?

SergioPL1 — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 21:15:31 GMT

@Insatri wrote:
I've made three tests, spinning the phone and keeping it at different angles (moving it both slowly and faster in the process). It constantly vibrated throughout each test...
The only mention is that when I was quickly flipping the phone the vibration stopped for less than half-a-second (maybe even less). After that, it continued to vibrate strong and continous. I assume this is normal, since the motor was re-calibrating for the new position?
-later edit-
OK, I've been to the closest Vodafone center (the store from where I've actually bought the phone) and I've tried to reproduce the "issue" on another kit. Same behaviour, I've easily managed to follow all the steps mentioned above and kill the vibrations! So it's not a problem at all, most likely that's how the Z1 should act in that particular moment. Pfew!

Mine does it too. I always had haptic disabled in Xperia P because it was annoying and too hard. I like the one in Z1. It's very smooth. But... sometimes I can type one, maybe two words and it disappears, sometimes I can write long e-mail and it works fine. If haptic vibration disappears it comes back after 1 - 2 minutes with screen off. Really strange. Just checked it again. It turned vibrations off when I started to type very fast.

I did "Diagnostics / vibrations" test before trying to reproduce this error. Vibrations were working fine. After haptic feedback disappeared vibrations in diagnostics stopped working too. Left the phone with screen off for two minutes. Vibration came back.

What's more funny. Sometimes haptic disappears and few words later it starts working again.

I did factory restore using Bridge for Mac when tried to troubleshot WiFi issue so it is not the bad firmware case. It happened on two versions of firmware. Now I'm waiting for the newest one to roll out into Poland. We will see. I feel better that it's not only mine problem 🙂

Re: Vibration issue?

Insatri — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 21:19:55 GMT

Just tilt the phone horizontally, it should instantly restore the vibrations.

Re: Vibration issue?

johnmueller — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 13:44:54 GMT

Yes exactly, I have this exact same issue as SergioPL. To my understanding, it has nothing to do with the devices physical position in space. Tilting it has no effect on vibration. It happens most often if I type very quickly on my keyboard. The vibration motor will turn off for a couple of minutes and not even the Vibration Test in the Diagnostics app will work.

What firmware do you guys use? I use version 534. I'd like to know whether its faulty hardware or software, so just in case I can get my device swapped out.

Re: Vibration issue?

Harime — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 14:13:53 GMT

I also have a vibration issue, let's see if someone can explain it.

My girlfriend and I both have a Xperia Z1, she has the purple and i have the black (C6903).

In my Z1 with the haptic response activated (vibration every time i touch a key), if I spam "clicks" very fast, my vibration goes stronger and stronger and stronger to a point where it's very strong and noisy. The vibration in my girlfriend's Z1 is softer and it never goes to the point where the vibration gets too strong or loud.

Shouldn't the vibration be regulated by the OS in strength? I mean, don't allow it to go past a certain point of strength even if you spam keys?

I didn't find anywhere where i could regulate the vibration length or strength.

Re: Vibration issue?

SergioPL1 — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 21:03:20 GMT

@Harime wrote:
I also have a vibration issue, let's see if someone can explain it.
My girlfriend and I both have a Xperia Z1, she has the purple and i have the black (C6903).
In my Z1 with the haptic response activated (vibration every time i touch a key), if I spam "clicks" very fast, my vibration goes stronger and stronger and stronger to a point where it's very strong and noisy. The vibration in my girlfriend's Z1 is softer and it never goes to the point where the vibration gets too strong or loud.
Shouldn't the vibration be regulated by the OS in strength? I mean, don't allow it to go past a certain point of strength even if you spam keys?
I didn't find anywhere where i could regulate the vibration length or strength.

Go to Settings / Language & Keyboard. Tap Settings icon on the right side of Xperia International Keyboard and on the bottom you will find Sound & Vibration. There you can set vibration feedback intensity using slider.

Re: Vibration issue?

Harime — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 21:47:26 GMT

It's not only when I type, and that doesn't limit the maximum strength of the vibration.

If I keep spamming it keeps getting stronger and very loud.