The Google Nexus 7 tablet featuring the Android Jelly Bean operating system is the first Android tablet developed by Google. As a result, a number of hang-ups and nagging problems are common, most of which can be resolved by restarting the tablet. Common problems include issues with apps, overheating, battery/charging difficulties, misunderstanding the device's settings and more. Before reaching out to Asus for support, see if you can tackle your device's problems on your own. If all else fails, see if the device is still covered by the manufacturer's warranty. If so, you may be able to exchange it for free.
An app that locks up or doesn't work correctly can be a huge pain in the neck. Sometimes this can be a one-off glitch between the app and your Nexus 7, and sometimes it can be a larger problem. Work through the following solutions to see if you can resolve your app problem:
- Restart your Nexus 7 tablet. For one reason or another, if you just installed an app and haven't rebooted your device, this sometimes gives your tablet a chance to regroup and get things back in working order.
- See if an update for this app is available in Google Play in case your problem is the result of an operating system upgrade or in case the issue has already been identified by the app developer and addressed in an update.
- Tap "All Apps" from the list of icons along the bottom of the Nexus 7 screen. This icon looks like three blocks stacked on top of another three blocks. Select "Settings" and then select "Apps." From within this section you can force the app to stop running, clear the cache associated with the app or clear any data associated with the app. Forcing the app to quit and then clearing the cache associated with the app are your first courses of action in this area. If neither of those work, back up as much data associated with the app as you can somewhere else and then clear the data associated with the app to try resolving your issue. After executing each of these processes, reboot the device.
- If nothing else works, uninstall and then reinstall the troublesome app.
Screen Won't Rotate
If the Nexus 7 tablet screen isn't rotating, it's likely you have the screen locked in position. To make sure your screen isn't locked in place, place your finger along the top edge of the screen and then pull down to access the Notification screen. Tap the icon along the top edge of the screen that appears immediately to the right of the date and time, and to the left of the Settings icon. After the icon changes its appearance, close the Notification screen, open an app or access some other feature where the screen should rotate (such as the Web browser), and try rotating the screen.
Bluetooth Problems
- Position your Nexus 7 tablet closer to the Bluetooth device you're attempting to connect it to. Also, make sure there are no objects between the two devices. Ideally, the devices should be more than a few feet from each other when establishing a connection. After you connect the devices, you can test the range within which they communicate.
- Because Bluetooth functionality isn't automatically enabled on your tablet, you need to enable it so both devices are discoverable to each other. You can do this on your Nexus 7 tablet by tapping "Wireless & Networks" within the Settings menu and then setting Bluetooth to "ON."
- Make sure the Bluetooth device is turned on and discoverable to your tablet. Consult the instruction manual that came with your Bluetooth device for doing this.
Charging/Battery Issues
- Make sure you're using either the charging cable that came with the Nexus 7 or a Nexus 7-certified charging cable. A third-party cable may not be certified to work with your specific device, and if they do work, they may not charge your device as fast or may encounter a number of other problems.
- Ensure your charging cable isn't damaged. Even if there aren't physical signs of damage on your cable, the cable may have been rolled over by a desk chair or suffered a number of other problems that can result in it not working.
- If your battery life isn't what you'd hoped it would be, consider how you're using the device and what the settings are on the device. For example, playing video requires more battery power than just flipping through screens on your device or surfing the Internet; having Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or location-based services enabled when you're not using them can rapidly decrease your battery; and also consider reducing the brightness of your screen, as the brighter it is, the more battery power it requires.
Overheating
If the Nexus 7 tablet starts to feel very warm after a long period of use, consider turning it off and letting it cool so as to not damage any internal components, which can lead to operational instability with your device, such as it randomly shutting down or not turning on at all. If your device does suffer from operational instability and you have often used the device while it feels exceptionally warm for very long periods of time, operational issues are likely the result of this and you should get in touch with Asus support as soon as possible to look into exchanging your device. Also, keep in mind while using your device that some functions, such as watching video, result in your device heating up faster than it normally would.
Restore Factory Settings
If you can't resolve problems with your device in any other manner, try restoring the device to its default factory settings by doing the following:
- Tap the "All Apps" icon from the list of icons that appear along the bottom of the Nexus 7 screen. This icon features six small squares, three stacked on top of another three.
- Tap "Settings" on the next screen that appears. This icon is trimmed in blue and has knobs for three different levels. The Settings screen appears.
- Tap "Backup & Reset."
- Select "Factory Data Reset" and then tap "Reset Tablet." A security box appears on the screen, prompting you to input any form of protection that's enabled on your tablet. For example, if PIN protection is set up on your Nexus 7 tablet, you'll be required to enter that number before you can proceed.
- After inputting any required security fields, select "Erase Everything." The device automatically begins restoring itself to its original factory settings.
- Turn off your Nexus 7 tablet.
- Hold down both the volume buttons and the "Power" button along the edges of the Nexus 7 until the device begins booting up. You'll see an image of the Android robot.
- Remove your fingers from the three buttons you're currently holding down and then tap the "Volume -" button two times. The words "Recovery Mode" appear and then the device turns off.
- Turn the device on. It should boot up to another picture of the Android robot.
- Hold down the "Power" button until a list appears. Choose "Wipe Data/Factory Reset" from the list of options and then hit the "Power" button again.
- Choose "Yes. Erase All User Data" from the list of options that appears and then hit the "Power" button one more time to initiate the factory recovery.
