Xperia Z is bricked after failed firmware update

[gascrank]

Hi everyone,

Updating the firmware to the most recent version on my Xperia Z, the installation failed, presumably when my laptop went to sleep during the update. Now the phone will not turn on at all. It won't progress past the 'Sony' load screen, where it just loops back to this point while trying to power up. The power icon remains red irrespective of charge.

Using the power & up-volume button trick to force a reset does not work (as per this post). Nor does charging the phone for 8+ hours. Using the Sony PC Companion software does not recognize the model of the device, only that it's a Sony phone (and advises doing a battery removal to force a reboot).

Any thoughts? The device is thoroughly bricked, not even showing the colorful flame/wave load animation, which is somewhat  given that I was following the manufacturers instructions. In retrospect, I should have just left the working software version in place, and learned to live with the persistent popup to download the latest firmware.

Cheers, Al.

[Sam · Accepted solution]

Please try following the specific steps below to run a repair with the handset powered off. Note that you should not have the phone connected when you start this process:

To repair the phone software
1.     Install PC Companion on a Windows PC from Support
2.     In PC Companion, under Support Zone and click Start.
3.     Under Phone Software Update, click Start.
4.     Click repair phone.
5.     Follow the on-screen instructions. 

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[gascrank]

Tried it and worked a treat, thanks.

Worth noting that you need to disconnect the phone first to trigger the phone repair process.

Also to charge the device first, as even though the phone was fully charged when I began, the battery was at 33% after I finished the reinstall (30 mins later).

Lost all my texts and photos, but that was expected.

[belrand]

Hi, I have a similar problem. But I am unable to repair my phone as PC companion stops me at the instructions on how to connect my phone. Since the phone is unable to start, it can't even reach the repair page. Please advise. Thanks

[Sneeuwwietje]

Hi, I have the same problem, it wont start up, cant get past the sony screen and the  sony PC 'companion' doesnt recognize my phone. I have no clue what to do now, please help.

[Rasmus]

I have the same problem with a xperia st15, appriciate any help into how to get life back to it. Thanks.

[darvins]

i had the sama problem with my xz..i had used it for only six months but now it wouldnt even start up even by pressing volume up and pwer botton..id even used pc companion but when its done and i will turn it on,,it's still the same,,did'nt work...only when the phone plug to the wall charger that the sony logo apears..and nothing more it will turn of again.....i was a sony products user and all of my gadgets are from sony,,,but now i was disappointed......

[hasanemara]

pc companion downlaoded unknown update for about 2 hours and then gave fail result. this is not a solution.

are you kidding . sony gives the problem but no solution

[diesean]

19/052/2014 19:52:12 - INFO - <- This
level is successfully initialized
19/052/2014 19:52:12 - INFO -
Flashtool Version 0.9.13.0 built on
2013-06-04 22:50:00
19/052/2014 19:52:18 - INFO - Device
disconnected
19/052/2014 19:52:52 - INFO -
Selected C6603 / 10.5.A.0.230 /
Generic BE
19/052/2014 19:52:52 - INFO -
Preparing files for flashing
19/055/2014 19:55:31 - INFO - Please
connect your device into flashmode.
19/055/2014 19:55:43 - INFO - Device
connected in flash mode
19/055/2014 19:55:44 - INFO -
Opening device for R/W
19/055/2014 19:55:44 - INFO - Device
connected in flash mode
19/055/2014 19:55:44 - INFO -
Reading device information
19/055/2014 19:55:44 - INFO - Phone
ready for flashmode operations.
19/055/2014 19:55:44 - INFO - Current
device : C6603 - CB5A1P3KTU -
1270-5695_R5B -
1269-5309_10.3.1.A.2.67 - GLOBAL-
LTE_10.3.1.A.2.67
19/055/2014 19:55:44 - INFO - Start
Flashing
19/055/2014 19:55:44 - INFO -
Processing loader.sin
19/055/2014 19:55:45 - INFO -
Checking header
19/055/2014 19:55:45 - INFO -
Flashing data
19/055/2014 19:55:45 - INFO -
Loader : S1_Root_5ca3 - Version :
APQ8064_39 / Boot version :
S1_Boot_Lagan_1.0.1_5 / Bootloader
status : ROOTABLE
19/055/2014 19:55:45 - INFO -
Processing partition-image.sin
19/055/2014 19:55:46 - INFO -
Checking header
19/055/2014 19:55:46 - INFO -
Flashing data
19/055/2014 19:55:46 - INFO - Parsing
boot delivery
19/055/2014 19:55:46 - INFO - Phone
boot version : S1_Boot_Lagan_1.0.1_5.
Boot delivery version :
S1_Boot_Lagan_1.1.1_1
19/055/2014 19:55:46 - INFO - Going
to flash boot delivery
19/055/2014 19:55:46 - INFO - Ending
flash session
19/055/2014 19:55:46 - ERROR - -1
19/055/2014 19:55:46 - ERROR - Error
flashing. Aborted
19/055/2014 19:55:46 - INFO - Device
connected in flash mode
19/055/2014 19:55:47 - INFO - Device
disconnected
19/055/2014 19:55:49 - INFO - Device. Pls help me device bricked

[Svani13]

 My Brand new z3 Compact, just 1 day old. Was asking me for an update, which failed and the phone gives this failed update message and keeps rebooting if connected to charger. I've been using Bridge for mac 

then I installed pc companion on my other laptop. Tryed to repair from PC companion, followed all the steps including keeping vol-down key and plugging it in the usb..  everything seems to work fine but it says PC Companion failed to connect to server, so basically it doesn't download software... I've disabled my firewall. I know my internet is working, but it can't reach the server? 

PLEASE HELP