One of the most popular hardware platforms today, on which modern smartphones and tablet PCs are built, is a solution created and developed by Mediatek. MTK-devices, especially the budget segment, literally flooded the whole world thanks to the efforts of a huge number of manufacturers from China. Such a variety of different devices has led to the emergence of a large number of the most varied software solutions that appear on MTK-based smartphones and tablets as a result of so-called firmware, i.e., transferring files to memory sections of devices using special programs.
Firmware Methods
Of course, for such a complex procedure as installing the Android operating system in smartphones and tablets, it is necessary to use specialized software tools - flashing utilities. Despite the fact that there are firmware methods that do not imply the use of Windows-based applications, but work with memory almost directly (for example, ADB and Fastboot) or manipulate directly from Android, without connecting the device to a PC, the most popular method for flashing MTK devices is proprietary application created by Mediatek programmers - SP Flash Tool. This wonderful program will be discussed below. We will dwell in more detail on the “Flashtool” errors, which can prevent the user from achieving the desired result, that is, a perfectly functioning smartphone or tablet.
SP Flash Tool
The popularity of the application is due to its high efficiency, as well as the relative simplicity of the firmware process control implementation. Indeed, after the SP Flash Tool became available for download by any owner of the MTK device, many users began to flash their own phones. Despite the ascetic interface of the application, it should be noted that the utility is a very powerful solution and is capable of performing a large number of operations. Almost all possible procedures involving the manipulation of the memory of Android devices, which are based on the Mediatek hardware platform, are feasible using the SP Flash Tool. There are times when Flashtool errors occur, which makes the process of installing the OS in a smartphone or tablet impossible. It should be borne in mind that most errors are easily resolved.
Features
Like any other software tool, the SP Flash Tool cannot be called a 100% effective tool with which the firmware of Android devices on the MTK processor is implemented. Due to the huge variety of smartphones and tablets, it is probably not possible to create a universal option that will work with absolutely all devices without problems. Flashtool errors that the program can generate during the process of transferring files to the device memory or during other manipulations with the hardware often cause irritation and dissatisfaction of users and complaints about the imperfection of the Mediatek programmer’s decision. It should be borne in mind that a process shutdown can be a kind of activation of the protection incorporated in the program. In other words, the program protects the paired device from hardware damage.
General recommendations
Before proceeding to the process of flashing a smartphone or tablet through the SP Flash Tool, you should carefully study the instructions, as well as the features of working with the program when manipulating a specific model of an “Android” device. In this matter, thematic resources on firmware, which are popular on the World Wide Web, will provide invaluable assistance. A weighted approach will avoid many problems and errors of Flashtool, as well as make the process of installing various software in a smartphone simple, clear and efficient. We should not forget about the thoughtful approach when searching and downloading the necessary files. Packages intended for installation using the SP Flash Tool should be obtained from trusted sources, ideally from the official website of the manufacturer that released the device.
Common mistakes
There are a fairly large number of problems that may arise in the process of working with the program in question. Frequently encountered errors "Flashtool" and recommendations for overcoming them will be discussed below. In general, it should be noted that in most cases the program is not to blame for the appearance of failures. Before proceeding with the cardinal actions, you need to check the reliability of the firmware files used, the quality of the USB cable connection, the applicability of the used version of the SP Flash Tool to a specific model of the device, and the correct installation of drivers. What to do if everything is checked, and the “Flashtool” gives an error again and again? You will have to deal with each specific application failure using the error number shown to the user in the message box when it occurs.
Error 3149
We begin the consideration of specific failures with an error that can be solved as a result of performing one of many actions. Error "Flashlight" 3149 is quite common and is characterized by a wide list of ways to resolve it. So, if error 3149 occurs, you should try:
- Use a different version of the SP Flash Tool. That is, if an error occurs in the third version of the program, you need to use the fifth, and vice versa.
- Perform the firmware process in Format all + Download mode.
- Reinstall the device drivers in order to get such a situation when the firmware of the smartphone in the Device Manager is displayed as MTK USB PORT.
- Record the PRELOADER section separately in Download mode.
- Pre-format the device’s memory by resorting to the capabilities of the Format section in the program, then only flash the PRELOADER section and only then (in the case of a successful PRELOADER record) record all other sections.
Error 8417
Also a very common, but at the same time easily resolved error. In the event that the Flashtool error 8417 interferes with the process of installing Android in the device, you just need to check the path to the files with the program and firmware. A failure occurs if one of these paths contains Russian letters. To fix the error, rename the folders without using the Cyrillic alphabet, restart the SP Flash Tool and repeat the process again. In general, the absence of Cyrillic characters, as well as spaces in the names of directories along the path to the program and firmware files, is one of the first and main requirements for ensuring an uninterrupted operation of the application when manipulating the memory sections of Android devices.
Error 4001
The Flashtool 4001 error, like many other errors, does not have an unambiguous interpretation, which means that it can be solved by one of several methods. If an error 4001 occurs, it is necessary to carry out the actions presented:
- Change the USB port (you must connect the device for firmware exclusively to the rear panel of the PC motherboard!).
- Transferring program files to the root of the system partition (C :) drive.
Among other things, the error in question may indicate the absence of information about the processor and / or flash memory in the DA file. In this case, you should try to use a more recent version of Flashtool.
Also, when a 4001 error occurs, one should not exclude the presence of hardware problems with the paired device. This error often occurs if the flash memory of the device is out of order.
Error 1013
A faulty USB cable can very often lead to malfunctions. The Flashtool error 1013 is usually resolved precisely as a result of changing the cable used to a better one. In addition, when searching for a way to resolve error 1013, you should check:
- Application version. The error practically does not occur in the fifth version of the SP Flash Tool, but when using the third version it is quite common.
- BIOS of a PC for the presence of disabled COM ports.
- USB port malfunctions (you must use a different connector).
Among other things, you can try to launch the "Flashlight" on behalf of the Administrator.
Error 5069
Unfortunately, when working with the SP Flash Tool, problems arise that can be solved by serious efforts or not solved at all. An example of such a nuisance is the appearance of the Flashtool error 5069.
This error is manifested as a result of the impossibility of the application interacting with the device’s flash memory, which has certain hardware features. This situation is due to the widespread types and types of memory chips used to create various "Android" devices. Not all chip manufacturers can ensure that their solutions fully comply with generally accepted standards. If error 5069 occurs during firmware, it is likely that you will have to refuse to use the SP Flash Tool and resort to using other methods and software tools.
Conclusion
Of course, the list of errors described above does not claim to be full. In the process of working with "Android" devices, the user may encounter many other problems. At the same time, the approach to the solution remains the same: initially you should check the health of all hardware components of both the computer and the Android device, as well as the compliance of the versions used when flashing the device model files. In most cases, the problem lies on the surface and is solved quite simply.