
The power sleep/wake key on the Samsung S6 is the button used to turn on the device's display or lock the screen. There are several ways to wake the device, including pressing the power button, hovering your hand over the device, and lifting the device. In some cases, the device may experience the Sleep of Death issue, where it fails to wake up despite multiple attempts. This can be resolved by forcing a reboot or using third-party applications.
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What You'll Learn

Fixing the 'Sleep of Death' issue
The Sleep of Death (SOD) issue occurs when a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge device goes to sleep and then fails to wake up, regardless of how many times the user presses the Power or Home button. This issue requires immediate attention. Here are some methods to fix the Sleep of Death issue:
Force Reboot
One way to force the device to wake up is to simultaneously press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons for more than 7 seconds. This will force the device to reboot. However, this method does not ensure that the issue will not reoccur.
Remove and Reinstall Battery
For devices with a removable battery, removing and reinstalling the battery can help resolve the Sleep of Death issue. However, the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge has a non-removable battery, so this method is not applicable for this specific device.
Restore to Factory Settings
Restoring the device to its factory settings has been suggested as the most effective method to resolve the Sleep of Death issue. While this may resolve the issue, it is a more drastic measure as it will result in data loss.
Use SOD Killer App
An app known as SOD Killer can be used to keep the device awake, preventing the Sleep of Death issue. However, this solution will result in increased battery consumption.
Cache Wipe
Performing a cache wipe can also be a potential solution to the Sleep of Death issue. This method does not affect user data, but it is recommended to back up important data beforehand as a precautionary measure.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of these solutions may vary, and in some cases, a combination of methods or further troubleshooting steps may be required. If the issue persists, it is advised to contact Samsung support for further assistance or consider a warranty exchange.
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Using 'Lift to Wake'
The Lift to wake feature on the Samsung S6 allows you to turn on the display by simply lifting your phone from a table or removing it from your pocket. This feature is useful if you want to avoid accidentally waking up your phone or pocket dialling someone when it's stored in your pocket or bag.
To enable Lift to wake, go to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures. Then, tap the switch next to Lift to wake to turn on the feature. If you combine it with face recognition, you can activate and unlock your phone in one swift move. First, turn on Lift to wake and set up face recognition.
The Samsung S6 also has a feature called "Gesture wake-up" which allows you to wake the screen by hovering your hand over the device. To enable this, go to Settings > Accessibility > Dexterity and interaction > Gesture wake-up and toggle it on. The proximity sensor located near the front-facing camera will detect a wave or hover of your hand to turn on the display.
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Gesture wake-up
The "Gesture wake up" feature on the Samsung Galaxy S6 allows you to wake the screen to view notifications without having to physically touch the device. This feature is exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.
To activate the "Gesture wake up" feature, go to the Settings app on your device and scroll down to find the "Accessibility" menu. Open the "Dexterity and interaction" tab and locate the "Gesture wake up" option. Toggle the switch in the top-right corner to activate the feature.
Once activated, you can simply wave your hand slowly over the screen to wake up your device. The proximity sensors on the top portion of the screen will detect your hand movement and turn on the display. This feature can be particularly useful when your device is lying on a flat surface, such as a desk, and you want to quickly check your notifications without having to pick it up.
Keep in mind that this feature only works when your device is lying flat. Additionally, the gyroscope in your device ensures that the screen only turns on when it is in a stable position, preventing accidental activations.
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Restarting without the Power button
If your Samsung S6 is not waking up from sleep mode, it may be experiencing the 'Sleep of Death' (SOD) issue. This is when your phone goes to sleep and doesn't wake up, regardless of how many times you press the power button.
If your device is affected by SOD, you can try the following methods to restart it without using the power button:
Use the Volume and Home Buttons
If your device has a Home button, you can try double-tapping the screen to wake it up. If this doesn't work, try pressing the Home button to wake the screen. Modern devices without a Home button can usually be woken up with a double-tap on the screen.
Force Restart
You can force your Samsung S6 to restart by simultaneously pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons for more than seven seconds. Note that this method may not address the underlying issue causing SOD, and your device may fall victim to it again in the future.
Gesture Wake Up
You can enable the 'Gesture wake up' feature in your device's settings. This feature allows you to wave your hand over the device to wake the screen. To enable it, go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Dexterity and interaction -> Gesture wake up. Ensure that the feature is toggled on. With your phone lying flat, the proximity sensor near the front-facing camera will detect a wave of your hand and turn on the display.
Android Debug Bridge (ADB)
To use this method, you need to ensure that the USB Debugging Mode is activated on your device. Then, follow these steps:
- Download and install Android Studio SDK on your computer.
- Navigate to the directory where ADB was installed and run CMD.
- Go to the proper ADB location.
- Connect your Samsung mobile to your computer with a USB cable.
- Execute commands to restart your mobile.
Third-Party Apps
There are several third-party apps available, such as QuickPanel (the official app by Samsung), that can help you restart your Samsung S6 without using the power button. These apps are designed to reboot Samsung or any Android device with a damaged power button.
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Using third-party apps
If you are looking for an alternative to using the power sleep/wake key on your Samsung S6, you can try using third-party apps to enable the sleep/wake function.
One such app is the free app 'All in One Gestures'. This app allows you to put your phone to sleep or wake it up by simply double-tapping on the top status bar. To set up this app, you can follow these steps:
- Install 'All in One Gestures' from the Play Store.
- Open the app and tap on the 'Status bar' tab.
- Enable the option 'Tap on the status bar to perform an action' and grant the necessary permissions.
- Now, enable the 'Double Tap' option and select 'Screen off' from the pop-up screen.
By following these steps, you can enable the double-tap to sleep function on your Samsung S6 without having to use the power button. This can be a convenient alternative to the physical power key and can extend the lifespan of your hard key.
Additionally, there is another feature called "Gesture wake up" that allows you to wake your Samsung S6 by hovering your hand over the device. To activate this feature, go to Settings > Accessibility > Dexterity and interaction > Gesture wake up, and make sure it is toggled on. With this feature enabled, the proximity sensor near the front-facing camera will detect a wave or hover of your hand and turn on the display.
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Frequently asked questions
The power sleep/wake key is the button that allows you to turn on the display of your Samsung S6.
The power/sleep wake key is located on the side of the device.
If the power button is not working, you can try the following:
- Double-tap the screen.
- Connect the device to its charger.
- Ask a friend to call your phone.
- Use third-party apps to reboot your device.
- Use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method.
To prevent your Samsung S6 screen from turning on by itself, you can disable the "Lift to wake" and "Double tap to wake" features in your settings.
The Sleep of Death issue occurs when a Samsung S6 goes to sleep and fails to wake up when the user presses the Power or Home button. To fix this, you can force the device to reboot by simultaneously pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons for more than 7 seconds.











































