WSOD - Sony Ericsson W550i

Article
08/03/2006

I bought a Sony Ericsson W550i 2 months back. Its a great phone and gives excellent value for its cost. So all was well and i thought i will live happily ever after.

But no, since yesterday the phone is stuck in WSOD - White Screen of Death. The phone shows a white screen when i try to start and doesn't get anywhere from that. I tried all the common 'engineer' tricks like restart( no use) take out battery and restart( still no effect) remove battery & SIM wait for a couple of hours, put them again and restart( still the same). I got a feeling this is a much serious issue at this point.

Web searches pointed out that this is quite a known problem and quite a number of people have had this. Apparently a 'firmware flash' could bring this back to life. One of the forums suggested to use the update service from Sony ericsson's website to upgrade the firmware. I tried that and it got stuck at 90% updation. So the firmware is really really screwed.

I mailed the product support and they asked me to send it to their UK service center. I am not gonna do this - international shipment & a delay of 3 weeks being the main reasons. Now, i have to take it back to the seller and hope he can do something for me. The seller is in a different town and i cannot go there until Saturday :-( .

If you have had this problem drop in a line to suggest what worked for you. If you havent found out still watch this space for more updates.

Update 1 : Aug 07 : The service center duly accepted the phone after checking the warranty card. I didnt have 'proof of purchase' but that wasn't a big issue. The phone should be ready by Tuesday Aug 08 - however all user data wil be *lost*. Not that i had a lot of files/settings. The loss of address book is the one that i am very upset about.

Update 2 : Aug 13 : I got my phone back. Not all's well. All my files are gone and so is the addressbook :-( But my phone is back with very little fuss.

Lessons Learnt :

1) Don't install themes unless sure about the source( Mohamed's advice was second-ed by servic rep)

2) Dont pull the USB connectivity from the PC without 'stopping' the device.

Comments

Anonymous
August 10, 2006
Good Day , I faced same problems after 2 days " I have it since 3 months " anyway I go to SonyEricsson Agency and they install new system "Firmware " and when I ask them why ? They answer me “Don’t full memory give phone around 50 MB Free" also don't install Themes ... It destroys Firmware if it’s containing any error.

Thanks
Mohamed
mmaregy@gmail.com
Anonymous
August 25, 2006
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
August 26, 2006
i have a problem with my w550i that its stuck, showing the sony ericsson logo.
Tell Solution.
Anonymous
August 27, 2006
Adil,

what was the last thing you did before this happened? AFAI can see the three issues reported here have all been during connectivity to the PC.

BTW, the sureshot solution to fix these kinds of problems is to take it to the nearest service center abd get your phone flashed for free( and loose all data). May be you could try updating the firmware. The sonyericsson page has 'howto' for this.
Anonymous
September 09, 2006
my sony ericson w550i is just showing me a white screen could some help me out because i dont know what to do
Anonymous
September 13, 2006
I have sony w550i mobile phone.i have face many problem ,like bluetooth,camera etc. are not working and when i save any file in the memory it is show memory is full.but memory is free up to 65mb.pls give me solution of this problem.

Thank & Reg
AJit
Anonymous
September 20, 2006
I bought a Sony Ericsson W550i 1 months back. Its a great phone and gives excellent value for its cost. but problem is not send record sound not save, bluetooth not sent data camera not save picher video recording not write
Anonymous
September 25, 2006
THe sony w550i has two ribbons conecting the screen, these are plug in units that can come lose from time to time due to the spinning movement of the phone. If they come lose your screen will go white or not display at all. Take the phone to bits and make sure they feel secure,? if they dont then refitt them and hopefully this will sort the problem?
Anonymous
September 25, 2006
I bought w550i sony Ericson phone April 22, 2006 by exaactly may 27 same year the phone developed a fult as follows
1. If I open the walkman fo play any music it always get stuck till the phone refuse to go off unless i pull offthe battery
2. When i put the baterry, in order to put on the phone a white screen came up and did not boot up to the icon.
Till now, the phone refused to get connected like that of Mohammed's case. help me out the phone is so precious to me because of its distint features. please helpme out
will sony ericsson be responbible for this deffect?
Ajewole Kehinde Nigeria
Anonymous
September 25, 2006
I bought w550i sony Ericson phone April 22, 2006 by exaactly may 27 same year the phone developed a fault as follows
1. If I open the walkman fo play any music it always get stuck till the phone refuse to go off unless i pull offthe battery
2. When i put the baterry, in order to put on the phone a white screen came up and did not boot up to the icon.
Till now, the phone refused to get connected like that of Mohammed's case. help me out the phone is so precious to me because of its distint features. please helpme out
will sony ericsson be responbible for this deffect?
Ajewole Kehinde Nigeria
Anonymous
September 25, 2006
help get my phone back to life from its temporary loss of memory, it does not boot to the application window since it walk man got stuck like a cracked compound disc system.
Anonymous
October 06, 2006
hi i have a similar problem as kehinde Ajewole. pls what can be done. i dont want to give it to quacks.
Anonymous
November 10, 2006
UM I DONT KNOW HOW TO DOWNLOAD GAMES OF THE INTERNET AND PUT IT ON MY FONE PLZZZZZZZZZ HEEEELP
Anonymous
November 23, 2006
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Anonymous
November 23, 2006
HEEELLLPPPP!!! i bought my phone 2 months ago.. and i have that same problem.. except i didnt didnt use my usb cable at alll since i had the phone [mainly because i ost it] but i did use bloothooth and i dont no if that why bu it wont turn on it stays on the Sony Ericsson logo screen.. and im really aggrivated .. can someone tell me where the nearest sony erricsson store is to Everett, MA??
Anonymous
December 04, 2006
can anybody tell me what size 't' (star) size screwdriver needed to open the w550i. as i am experiencing WSOD 2 monthes after buying the phone or can any 1 diagnose a different cause of the problem?
Anonymous
December 06, 2006
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Anonymous
December 10, 2006
w550i I have problem wen i try to recevice any file fr another mobile via bluetoot ... its say connection fail due to memorry full ..wen i have 230mb free memorry still....
Anonymous
December 10, 2006
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
December 15, 2006
my w550i had wsod and i had it flashed. this fixed the phone but all my files were lost. now it has come up wit another problem just because i switched it off to change sim card. when i try to put it on, the screen comes up with white color and it goes blank again. can someone tell me how to fix this problem. i tried updating and it does work
Anonymous
December 16, 2006
i am also experiencing the WSOD before flashing it is there any way with which i can recover my contacts. And is flashing the only option to get it back to normal?!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous
December 26, 2006
WSOD - i have just experienced it after one year - on it i have hundreds of photos and videos thayt I am desparate to keep - but i am carpping it in case the WSOD takes it from me - does anyone know if there is a way of getting the data off in wsod mode ??
Anonymous
January 05, 2007
I've found a way to fix the WSOD. This is how I fixed it: 1st, go to the Sony Ericsson Update Service thing and update you phone. Then take out the battery(turn it off first), then take out the simcard, then place the battery back. Don't turn it on. Connect your phone to the PC with the usb cable. It should go to the "file transfer" mode. Open "My Computer" then go to the phone's drive (in my case its F:). There you'll have the chance to save the files you want. Then right click on the drive, then choose to format it. Don't do a quick format, do a full one. ALL YOUR FILES WILL BE ERASED! BUT as tested, YOU GET TO KEEP YOUR PHONEBOOK! Now unplug your phone from the PC but not before you "safely remove hardware" it. Take out your battery, put in your sim, and put back your battery in, and turn on your phone, and the WSOD IS GONE!! Important Stuff: 1.) Its BEST not to install themes. 2.) Allow atleast 20mb of space in your phone. 3.) Everytime you put files in your phone(from the PC) and then disconnect it, always take out the battery and then put it back in before turning it on. (Dont forget to "safely remove hardware" it) If ever the WSOD returns, just FORMAT your phone again, its much faster and more convenient than having to go to CellShops to fix it.
Anonymous
January 16, 2007
hey umm i bought a sony ericcson w550i and it is the most wikkedest phone i have ever had! and i got it for a realy good price...but for some really weird reason i turned it on one day and the screen just went blank. like it just goes white and the only way to turn it off is to take the battery out of the phone! does anyone out there know how to fix this problem cuz I WANT MY PHONE BAACCKK! haha! but yeah i really want it back. so if anyone knows the secret to my problem please get back to me! cheers. Jos.
Anonymous
January 16, 2007
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Anonymous
January 17, 2007
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Anonymous
February 08, 2007
Can the W550i open video files like mp4 or mpeg transfered from the PC? Or how to do so?
Anonymous
February 13, 2007
plz help i want my w550i fixed its got wsod plz help ={
Anonymous
February 19, 2007
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Anonymous
February 20, 2007
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Anonymous
February 20, 2007
i m getting white screen on my cell plz give m solutin &i m going to die for it & no mobile servers are helping me plz give solution pppppppppppppllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Anonymous
March 06, 2007
im getting the wsod too. i tried the seus but have no luck. tried to browse the web, still, they all suggested to do 2 things: try davinci or just send it to the service centre. does anyone has idea to help? (i mean repair it for free instead?) is it possible?
Anonymous
March 09, 2007
I have problem with my w550i phone. since last time when i use USB cable for data transfer from pc ,my phone had got a critical problem. It does'nt display anything on the screen.Entire display is bend to the upward direction. The screen remains black.whenever we start the phone it shows two items i.e calls & menu at the bottom.But i got it on the top of the screen. plz give any solution.
Anonymous
March 13, 2007
I have just sent a text to my mate and as it was sending the phone screen went white...im guessing this is what you refer to as the WSOD! well its really annoyed me as ive taken the battery out, sim card n all that but still nothing! i am going to take it back to the carphone warehouse tomorrow where i got it from as its still under warrenty so hopefully they can sort it out or even better get me a new phone!
Anonymous
March 15, 2007
my 550i is has a menu error. there is no menu show,even walkman is ok what i do?
Anonymous
March 15, 2007
please give me format code of w550i
Anonymous
March 18, 2007
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
April 05, 2007
I also have a 550i that I just got back from repair for the 3rd time TODAY ~~ it was replaced this time and I put in my old simcard (they sent a new one incase it was tht??) and I turn it on and I get the WSOD!!! Im soo cheesed off since its a brand new phone!!!! Please help me!!!
Anonymous
April 11, 2007
plz.. send me format code of w550i becoz.. I forgot my unlock password... reply me as soon as possible....
Anonymous
April 12, 2007
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
April 15, 2007
can i format my Sony Erricsson W550i phone? If, Yes, Plese Tell me. If it is possible, so please give me all details abut this phone. I ill be very thankfull to u. Please mail me at rahulsharma29@rediffmail.com
Anonymous
April 15, 2007
please mail me fast. i m waiting 4 u.
Anonymous
April 17, 2007
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Anonymous
April 20, 2007
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Anonymous
April 21, 2007
i can get it fixed but it is gonna cost me big time dnt no if it is worth it some1 wb to tell me how i can get away wiv out payin
Anonymous
April 21, 2007
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Anonymous
April 28, 2007
I have a new one for ya. i bought my w550i a week ago - great phone, but the screen loses black / red colours from time to time, leaving me with pale green and grey screen, and the words are unreadable. switch it off, battery out and 4/5 times it will respond and return to normal. I thought it could be heat induced as my phone is alway in my pocket or on the dash of my car. . .but have yet to prove this. any ideas?
Anonymous
May 20, 2007
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
June 08, 2007
i had a SE W550i too. I had this problem of the so called WSOD(white screen of death), when i tried to turn it on,it stays as plain white & the power button blinks in red color, what does this mean? i tried to follow every instruction from the site itself but still it has no effect. don't they have programs for Mac? PC easily gets viruses & stuff,it can easily affect the phone just by simply connecting to it. if you have the same problem as i did, please share your solution. thanks! gelomellow
Anonymous
June 12, 2007
i had a sony problem too, when i try to turn it on, it stays as plain white.. this is the 2nd time problem.. btw what should i do?? tq..
Anonymous
June 12, 2007
i had a sony problem too, when i try to turn it on, it stays as plain white.. this is the 2nd time problem.. btw what should i do?? tq.. reply plzzz shin_ley@yahoo.com
Anonymous
July 11, 2007
iv had a w550i for 2 years without any problems however 2 days ago the screen went white the dreaded WSOD, i went on to the SE website and downloaded the software needed to update it, just connected the phone to the pc pressed the start button and wheeeeeeeee it was done, i then dissconnected the phone from the pc removed the battery and sim replaced the sim and battery turned on the phone and it came on as normal without any applications being lost.
Anonymous
July 15, 2007
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
August 04, 2007
YAR MERA PASS W550 MOBILE PHONE HAI YA SIRF WHITE SCREEN SHOW KAR RAHA HAI ON HONNA KA BAAD AGEEE NAHI DISPLAY DAI RAHA ANY ONE PLZ HELP ME MAI BHII AP K KISSI KAAM AA SACTA HOO MY ID OR CELL NUMBER XTREME_ARSALAN@YAHOO.COM 0345-2295045
Anonymous
August 08, 2007
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
August 11, 2007
hi, i have a really strange problem with my phone i went up to a place in yorkshire for a couple of days and my phone completly lost signal, along with everyone elses. but when i returned home (where i usually have fine signal) my phone has still not adapted to normal signal after being back for several months. I have tried resetting it etc. It is definately the phone because my sim works fine in other peoples phones regarding signal strength. it's getting really irritating as no one can get through to me If anyone has any suggestions, i'd really appreciate it. thanks.
Anonymous
August 13, 2007
sony ericsson w5501 like many other people my phone as white screen. it as done this about 5 time befor. but as alway come back on when i take the battery out and put it back in. this time it is staying white. my dad will be able to do it if someone out there can tell us what to do. please help as it as got lots op phptos of my grangma. who is 86. and i dont want to loose them. thanks again shareen
Anonymous
August 13, 2007
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
August 27, 2007
I have downloaded the games. It is as zip file. Now can any body say how to install in my sony ericsson 550i.
Anonymous
September 09, 2007
TelepoN JELEK, ane udah 2x error.... Dont Buy This HP again man.... Tell all your friends.... thx...
Anonymous
September 16, 2007
i have problem with my bluetooth it is not recieving data what can i do so plz help me sony ericsson plz plz plz plz plz it is sending data but not recieving data
Anonymous
September 22, 2007
for sanker while downloading games & saving on ur pc change the zip words to jar. then transfer it through bluetoth or transfer it with obex file transfer. it will work .
Anonymous
September 23, 2007
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Anonymous
September 24, 2007
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Anonymous
September 28, 2007
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Anonymous
October 04, 2007
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Anonymous
October 05, 2007
when i m starting my mobile phone ,it directly starting phone mode, since my walkman option disapear so please give me solution.
Anonymous
October 11, 2007
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Anonymous
October 11, 2007
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
November 16, 2007
white sreen give me format code no of w550i
Anonymous
November 22, 2007
There is no format code. TO FORMAT IT:

Plug it into computer.
It should be like 'removable disk'
Right click and go down the list to 'format'
Choose it. Uh, it formats? x

Anonymous
December 13, 2007
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Anonymous
January 03, 2008
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Anonymous
January 12, 2008
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Anonymous
January 25, 2008
reflash your phone guys.i went to a cell phone repair shop and they reflash it, WSOD is gone and my phone is working again
Anonymous
January 29, 2008
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Anonymous
February 20, 2008
WOW! The SE update service fixed my WSOD, which i was GUTTED ABOUT! And also, it fixed the Java problem it had had for a year! Now I can play games! Trust me, if you stick with it your phone will eventually work.
Anonymous
March 26, 2008
I have sony w550i mobile phone.i have face many problem ,like bluetooth,camera etc. are not working and when i save any file in the memory it is show memory is full.but memory is free up to 65mb.pls give me solution of this problem.
Anonymous
March 26, 2008
I have sony w550i mobile phone.i have face many problem ,like bluetooth,camera etc. are not working and when i save any file in the memory it is show memory is full.but memory is free up to 65mb.pls give me solution of this problem.
Anonymous
April 02, 2008
My w550i is showing fully charge, but when I am trying to switch on, dosent work at all. also if I remove batory and keep it on charger, its restating again and again. it only stable at "fully charge" screen... pl help me and reply back on madhupat@yahoo.com
Anonymous
April 17, 2008
configuration error is my big problem on my w550i
Anonymous
May 08, 2008
The comment has been removed
Anonymous
May 10, 2008
press and hold the C button on the phone while putting in the USB cable..
Anonymous
May 10, 2008
oh forgot u have to take the battery out and back in first then hold C and putin cable.....
Anonymous
May 12, 2008
PingBack from http://sullivan.freemedianewsservice.info/w550imain.html
Anonymous
May 24, 2008
when i turn my w550i its always on WSOD but before that i am downloading a 3gp video and after that, we had a brownout(lost of electricity) and when i turn my phone it stucks at WOSD even if im charging,... pls help me,..
Anonymous
May 24, 2008
when i update my phone it stucks at 94% and it says error pls try again, is it a mechanical failure?,.. or it is just a program error?,.. it remains in WSOD,..
Anonymous
May 26, 2008
I also get stuck on 94%, this is so frustrating
Anonymous
August 15, 2008
i bought a sony errickson w550i 3 months ago and now its stuck on a white screen.right now i have given it to a friend who i feel knows electronics beter to fix it.its a very good phone but being stuck on a white screen is the only annoying thing.email mphatsomagwira@yahoo.com
Anonymous
August 27, 2008
i expierenced the WSOD problem and then left my phone for a day now i try to turn my phone and and there is no response please help
Anonymous
September 09, 2008
dont buy this product agin yaar....... it is cheap but can be costly after getting this white screen problem
Anonymous
September 19, 2008
my cell Sony Ericsson W550i what to do if cell is if all data gone delete then how to recover that data
Anonymous
September 19, 2008
Sony Ericsson W550iwhat to do if cell is if all data gone delete then how to recover that data 9820838675
Anonymous
November 07, 2008
me toooooo..help naman..where can i get an installer for sony Ericssons W550i????
Anonymous
November 25, 2008
i have sony ericsson w800i turns on white screen flashes onces white screen just stays like that i've tried everything SEUS and everything any help plz help because i have been trying to fix it for over 5 months
Anonymous
November 25, 2008
Seems like it required new/latest firmware. If it doesn't work take it to ur nearest SE service centre..... Hope this helps....!
Anonymous
February 04, 2009
Seems like it required new/latest firmware. If it doesn't work take it to ur nearest SE service centre..... Hope this helps....!
Anonymous
May 29, 2009
PingBack from http://paidsurveyshub.info/story.php?title=dlr-hosting-and-related-stuff-wsod-sony-ericsson-w550i
Anonymous
December 06, 2009
The comment has been removed

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WSOD - Sony Ericsson W550i

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