Samsung Galaxy S26 problems and how to fix them

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series hit the market a bit earlier this year, and while it hasn’t been out for long, there have been a few issues reported already. Most of the problems have actually been related specifically to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, though a few issues apply universally to the whole family.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the currently known problems, as well as any potential fixes. Be aware that some issues have no fixes at this time, though we’ll update the guide if and when these issues are addressed.

A fairly wide number of Galaxy S26 Ultra users have reported issues with the display. This includes fuzzy text, dimming issues, and general eye discomfort from use. Samsung is currently investigating the issue and will hopefully resolve it with further software updates.

In the meantime, you’ll find there are a few potential fixes that could help. In fact, it’s worth pairing multiple solutions together as well, as that could help in some situations.

Potential solutions:

• Turn off Privacy Display:  This feature is supposed to control the brightness of specific pixels on the screen, which could be part of the problem. To adjust things, go to Settings > Display > Privacy Display. If you have Maximum privacy protection enabled, we’d recommend turning this off to see if it makes a difference.
• Set up Eye Comfort Shield: This feature is supposed to help protect your eyes from discomfort. Go to Settings > Display and tap Eye comfort shield. This could make enough of a difference to offset the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s current problems.
• Use the Extra Dim Setting: Go to Settings > Accessibility> Vision Enhancements. From here, you’ll be able to toggle on Extra Dim mode, which can be helpful if your eyes are sensitive to bright light.

Android Auto issues are very common with all Android devices, especially if you are using Android Auto Wireless. The new Galaxy S26 series is no exception, though it’s possible that this time the problem is somewhat more persistent. There are reports on Reddit of users who have tried the usual troubleshooting methods to little avail, but it’s very possible that this is a wider Android issue.

It’s likely this is just a temporary bug that will require waiting for Google or Samsung to patch it up. That said, it doesn’t hurt to try some of the more generic solutions below, as it could still help for some users.

Potential solutions:

• Android Auto Wireless won’t connect? Try a wired connection first. Some users have run into problems getting wireless to work without setting up a wired connection first. After that, some users report being able to use Android Auto Wireless normally.
• Did you use Smart Switch to set up your Galaxy S26? If so, you might need to clear your app cache and storage. Go to Settings > Apps > Android Auto > Storage and tap Clear Cache and Clear Storage.
• Your cable could be the issue.
• Ensure that the cable isn’t torn, frayed, or otherwise damaged: Test it with other devices if you can, and then replace it as needed.

While the Galaxy S24 had its fair share of overheating issues, this was less of a problem with the Galaxy S25 series. The same story plays out with the Galaxy S26 family as well, with only a few isolated reports of issues so far.

The truth is that while overheating shouldn’t be a major problem, modern Snapdragon chips can produce a fair amount of heat during intensive use, such as when playing graphic-heavy games.

If you do run into any recurring issues with overheating, the solutions below are probably your best bets for now.

Potential solutions:

• Wait for software updates: If Samsung feels that overheating is a significantly reported issue, it will likely make further optimizations to its software to improve the issue.
• Factory reset the device. While it’s not likely, sometimes installation bugs can cause your phone to behave in wonky ways. If your phone is unbearably hot, we recommend that you try a factory reset.
• Contact Samsung for a warranty replacement: If you feel your phone is getting excessively hot, contacting Samsung might be a good idea. It could be a hardware issue impacting your device, and a simple replacement could resolve the problem.

Despite offering up to 25W wireless charging speeds in theory, many users are finding it difficult to actually achieve this with the Galaxy S26 Ultra as it turns out. A large number of third-party and official Samsung chargers are failing to reach the max speed, with the phone often dropping to 10W or 15W instead.

Even dbrand’s own support has spoken up about incompatibilities with some of its products, while pointing out that even Samsung’s own $50 wireless charger will only get these speeds under very specific conditions, including requiring a 45W charger that Samsung’s accessory doesn’t come with out of the box.

So what’s the solution to this problem? It turns out there isn’t exactly a clean fix. Some brands, like Spigen, reportedly have a few options that might hit 25W. But it’s going to basically be a trial-and-error game. Hopefully, Samsung offers a solution to this problem in the future, though it is hard to say if it’s a software or hardware issue.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has racked up a number of reports, including one from Ice Universe, around issues with the Galaxy S26 Ultra camera lenses fogging up. The condensation makes an otherwise excellent camera experience turn sour fast.

Unfortunately, this is a defect with the sealing on the housing and isn’t something that can be easily addressed without a service center visit or an exchange. Even if the problem isn’t constant, we’d recommend not waiting around for this issue, as it could cause long-term damage to the cameras.

How to factory reset the Galaxy S26

There are times when you might need to factory reset your Galaxy S26, whether that’s to fix a problem or because you’re switching to another device. It’s a pretty simple step, but be aware that you’ll need to plug your phone into a PC to enter the recovery menu.

Here’s how to reset:

1. Turn off your phone.
2. Press and hold the volume up key and the power button simultaneously. Release the power button after the device vibrates and/or the Android logo appears.
3. Continue pressing the volume key until the Recovery menu is fully opened.
4. You’ll use the volume keys to navigate within the Recovery Menu. Press the volume down key until you get to Wipe data/factory reset, and then press the power button to confirm the selection.
5. Choose Yes – Delete All Data, and then tap the power button.
6. Once it’s finished, you’ll hit power to select Reboot System Now.

Boot the Galaxy S26 into Safe Mode

1. To enter Safe Mode, press and hold the power button to bring up the power settings menu.
2. You’ll then long-press the Power Off option. A new box will pop up.
3. Tap on Safe Mode to restart the device.
4. Once you’re done with Safe Mode, all you have to do is restart the phone to return to the normal operating mode.

How to wipe the cache partition on the Galaxy S26

1. First, turn the phone off.
2. Press and hold the volume up key and the power button simultaneously. Wait until the device vibrates or the Android logo appears, and release the power button. Keep holding the volume up key until the Recovery menu shows up.
3. When the Recovery menu opens, use the volume keys to navigate. Press the volume down key to go to Wipe Cache Partition and press the power button to confirm.