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How to Fix It When Your S Pen Is Not Working

Quick tips for fixing a faulty Samsung Galaxy Note stylus

By Fionna Agomuoh Fionna Agomuoh Writer University at Buffalo Fionna Agomuoh is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, International Business Times, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 12, 2020 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Samsung Samsung Quick Tips As the Samsung Galaxy Note models become more advanced, more issues crop up with the S Pen, which is a special stylus integrated into Galaxy Note devices. The S Pen can be fragile and susceptible to malfunction. Here are some common issues that may arise with S Pens on Galaxy Note phones and how to troubleshoot these problems. These troubleshooting tips apply to to the S Pen for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, 9, 8, and earlier versions.

Causes of Samsung Galaxy Note S Pen Malfunctions

Many things can cause the S Pen not to work properly. For example, faulty cases or screen protectors from unofficial third-parties might affect the way the stylus works. Sometimes, accessories manufactured without Samsung's quality standards in mind may not work as expected. It's also possible the S Pen is getting old, and there's wear and tear on the stylus tip. This happens when the S Pen is used frequently. In addition, Galaxy Note devices sometimes get system bugs that can affect S Pen functionality. Drew Angerer / Getty Images

How to Fix a Galaxy Note S Pen That' s Not Working

If your S Pen is malfunctioning, try each of these troubleshooting steps in the order presented until you get your S Pen working properly again. Reboot the device. Sometimes a simple reboot is all you need to solve the problem. Remove any third-party cases or covers. Many third-party protective cases have metals and magnets that interfere with the connection between a Galaxy Note smartphone and its S Pen. This can leave blank spots on the screen when drawing with the stylus. Remove screen protectors. Some screen protectors may be too thick to detect the Galaxy Note S Pen correctly. These protectors might also be sensitive to hard, rubbery, and uneven surfaces that affect how the S Pen drags on the screen. Check for a software update. How you do this depends on your wireless provider, software version, or phone model, so consult the documentation. After you update your Galaxy Note device, restart the smartphone before testing the S Pen. Reset the S Pen. The S pen might have become disconnected from your device. Reconnecting it is a simple fix. Reboot the phone in Safe Mode. Similar to Safe Mode on a Windows PC, this is a minimal way to boot the phone without apps or other extras getting in the way. It will help you rule out a low-level problem and figure out what's getting in the way. After rebooting your device in Safe Mode, try the S Pen again. Replace the S Pen tip. If the Galaxy Note device can't register its S Pen or pen strokes are inconsistent, it may be time for a new S Pen tip. Samsung includes five replacement tips and an S Pen tip remover tool with every Galaxy Note device. Replacing the tip is a simple process. Perform a factory reset of the Galaxy Note. This process returns the phone to its factory settings. For safe measure, reset the S Pen by pressing its Reset button. Back up the information on your smartphone before performing a reset so that you don't lose valuable information. Replace the S Pen. Sometimes the pen is at fault. Samsung sells replacement S Pens, and you can also find S Pens on sites like Amazon. Make sure to buy the correct S Pen for your Galaxy Note version. Contact Samsung customer service. If your S Pen doesn't respond to any of these methods, contact Samsung for your repair options. Samsung offers walk-in, mail-in, and at-home services. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Galaxy Z Fold 3: News, Price, Release Date, and Specs How to Fix Black Screen on Android Phones How to Fix It When Your iPhone Microphone Isn't Working How to Fix It When WhatsApp Voice Messages Aren't Working Samsung Galaxy S22: News, Price, Release Date, and Specs How to Turn Safe Mode On and Off on Android How to Use the S Pen With a Galaxy Book Pro 360 Samsung Unpacked 2022: Announcements, News, and More How to Fix it When iPhone Call Volume Is Low How to Fix It When a Lenovo's Mic Is Not Working How to Fix It When Chromecast Isn't Working How to Fix the Green Line on an Android Phone How to Fix It When Your PS4 Wi-Fi Is Slow How to Fix It When Your PS4 Won't Turn On Surface Pen Not Working? Here's How to Fix It The Galaxy Note 21 Is Dead: Here's What It Could Have Been Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies