[G4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] steadfasterX:
Complete list of methods to "fix" or preventing the G4 bootloop

First of all: this is just a link list / index of methods !

I take no credits or responsibility of those methods its just that I hate to search things again and again and the idea here is to keep the methods in 1 single place

If I missed one please let me know!

About

What is the ILAPO / Bootloop?

Read more about it here:

https://www.androidauthority.com/lg-admits-g4-bootloop-problem-hardware-fault-669603/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LG_smartphone_bootloop_issues

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=65511137&postcount=2

https://www.change.org/p/lg-mobile-launch-a-replacement-program-for-defective-lg-g4s

Backup

If you can still get into download mode I would recommend to do a full real nandroid backup before anything else: https://bit.do/SALTatXDA

Current state

There are only two

real

fixes available for the G4 bootloop and one advanced one:

1.

Replace

the mainboard or

2. send it to LG for

warranty repair

3. Disassemble device for soldering/heat paste

For those out of warranty:

1. Replace the mainboard on your own in ~20 minutes: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/LG+G4+Motherboard+Replacement/51202

2. All the other methods described here can bring back some life back to your device but no one can say if that means minutes, hours, days, weeks or even months (all these are reported time ranges).

the baking/oven method is clearly the one with the best chance of success and the longest life expectancy but it has one important limitation:

toxic fumes

.

Read the corresponding hint on that method with care!

Precautionary measure (unlocked devices only)

(skip to the next topic for locked devices)

Disabling the Big Cores reducing heat and so reducing the chance to bootloop.

There are users reporting that this method even works when it actually bootloops but its meant as a precautionary measure mainly:

https://xdaforums.com/g4/general/fix-lg-g4-bootloop-issue-t3647538

and to create your own boot image read on here for the

ultimative "X cores guide"

I have also created an ilapo TWRP version with the big cores disabled here so if TWRP bootloops try those first:

Ilapo TWRP

Locked & Unlocked devices

If you do

not

want to fight with LG support about warranty I would try this first:

aboot TOT

flashing or

hair dryer

method

A)

and if that doesn't worked and even when there is a little risk on using it: the freezer method

The recommended order on fixing the ILAPO would be like this:

aboot TOT

method ->

pressure

method ->

hair dryer

method

A)

->

hair dryer

method

B)

->

baking

method (as long as u have an oven which is not used for food anymore) ->

ironing

method (take care of the unknown temperature issue this has) ->

freezer

method

Low chances of voiding your warranty

(depends on the LG customer service)

1) aboot TOT flashing

Disabling the Big Cores reducing heat and so reducing the chance to bootloop.

There are users reporting that this method even works when it actually bootloops but its meant as a precautionary measure mainly

you need to choose the CORRECT aboot TOT file and you need to check your ARB!

If you flash a lower ARB aboot file you

WILL BRICK YOUR DEVICE

!

http://leech.binbash.rocks:8008/unbricking/max4cores/

High(er) chances of voiding your warranty

(depends on the LG customer service)

The following methods

MAY

get detected by LG customer service and so they MAY reject service on it (warranty void) due to detection of an unauthorized opened device:

2) pressure method:

https://xdaforums.com/g4/help/lg-g4-bootloop-quick-fix-try-baking-t3633595

(as u need to open the device it may be rejected by LG support for repair - but loosen the screws carefully and open the back cover even more carefully will usually work without being detected)

3) hair dryer method:

A) https://xdaforums.com/g4/help/temporary-boot-loop-solution-to-files-t3554469

B) https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=71647715&postcount=41 (checkout the video and the last comments of the writer in the XDA thread)

(as u need to open the device it may be rejected by LG support for repair - but loosen the screws carefully and open the back cover even more carefully will usually work without being detected)

4) ironing method:

s-X-s reported here this method as its working for him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=TM9umec5aeo

While I personally would prefer this method over the baking method its very very risky to use it. The reason is that you have no temperature indicators on an iron and so you may overheat in the worst case..

(as u need to open the device and disassemble the board it may be rejected by LG support for an eventually warranty repair)

5) baking method:

(as u need to open the device and disassemble the board it may be rejected by LG support for an eventually warranty repair)

Details regarding toxic fumes:

(READ THIS TO UNDERSTAND THE HEALTH RISK!)

https://xdaforums.com/g4/help/solution-lg-g4-bootloop-issue-story-t3322382

or:

https://xdaforums.com/g4/help/diy-h815-usa-variant-hardware-boot-loop-t3311623

6) freezer method: (100% a temporary fix only - e.g. just for taking a backup)

https://xdaforums.com/tmobile-g4/help/how-to-recover-data-boot-loop-defect-t3297766 (~1 hour at least in freezer)

(The freezer does not require to open the device

BUT

: it could be possible that LG may reject such devices for repair due to a water damage (depends on several things so this might or might not happen))

UPDATE:

Take out the battery before putting it in the freezer!

An easy way to prevent any damage is to use a plastic bag which can be closed with a zipper or similar.

7) Advanced disassemble method(s):

The following thread contains several methods to fix the mainboard issue without LG but may require some technical skills to handle but not is the best choice you have when you can't get a new mainboard. Ensure you read all posts there to fin your best choice:

https://xdaforums.com/g4/general/lg-g4-bootloop-fix-t3488449

Backup

Once booted up backup your data as fast as you can.

Btw if any of the above succeeds its very very likely that you have a defective hardware

again

.

If thats the case you may try another method but the chances to bring it back to life a second time - especially when you used the baking method is at 1% ...

Final destination - R.I.P. 9008 mode

Sooner or later you may reach this.

lets say u tried all or almost all of the above (especially the

baking

method) and it still does not work or its the second time you are here then your device is likely completely dead now.

If you turn on your phone and just seeing a black screen and nothing else happens the device is likely in EDL / QDL 9008 mode which is the final end of the journey for your device.

You can verify this by connecting the device to your PC and watch the device manager while doing so. You should see a new unknown device here named QHUSB...

This has nothing to do with those 9008 unbrick guides u can find here and elsewhere as the hardware fault goes deeper. Of course u can try out those guides (try my PoC unlock guide first..)

Its hard to say but you're gonna have to put up with burying this device.

Sell it as spare parts and say goodbye..

Credits

The above methods are created or reported by:

@celsius0010 (freezer)

@rogconnect (baking)

@gub1 (baking)

@s-X-s (ironing)

@nick camel (hair dryer)

@Minchan_5 (hair dryer)

@sloscotty (pressure)

@Martin Elias (aboot TOT)

.