Nokia aims to have software updates available for every single phone and we share information about the latest software for different models on your local Nokia website (software update section in the support page). To find out if an update is available for you, just
Update availability is influenced by many factors including existing Nokia device firmware version, country, and operator. It may be due to one of these variables, that there currently is no new firmware update available for your phone. For example if your mobile service provider hasn't approved the latest Nokia device firmware, it isn't available for that specific operator variant you are using but it can be available for a generic country version your friend is using.
New firmware may become available later, so it's best to setup your device in a way that it automatically informs you when a new software version is available. You can do this in the following way:
First, it is normal for the Nokia phone display to go blank during an update.
However, it may be that the PC update application Nokia Suite has lost contact with your Nokia phone and the phone display is suspended.
Do the following:
If there is still no response, take your Nokia device to your nearest Nokia Care point. If the device is within its warranty period, Nokia will repair the device under the usual warranty terms and conditions.
Note: If the Nokia device is not within its warranty period, Nokia is not liable for any loss as defined within the End-User Software Agreement.
If your device isn't recognized by PC when plugging via USB cable, try the following actions to recover:
If the above actions don't help, reset the device back to factory settings.
Check also that you have the latest device software version installed in your mobile device.
It is possible to fix many phone problems yourself in a few minutes – including phone freezes or does not switch on, application crashes, sound problems and a blank display. To save yourself time, try these three fixes.
1. Restart your phone
If the phone hardware is jammed, you should first try restart your phone. This does not reset the Microsoft Account (Windows Live ID) or remove any consumer data.
Option 1: To perform the power reset for phones with integrated battery (phone has a special electronic circuit which switches off the power when the key combination is pressed):
Option 2: To perform power reset for phones with removable battery:
2. Update the software
You might not be using the most recent software for your phone. Updating to the latest version of your phone may resolve your issue.
You can check for the availability of Lumia software updates in your region here.
3. Reset your phone
Warning: This erases all the personal content in the phone, including apps that have been purchased and downloaded (may be re-downloaded again), and restores the factory settings.
To reset your phone to the state in which the phone was in the first time you turned it on, go to Settings > About and then Reset your phone.
If you lose your phone, you can reset your phone remotely. In this option you need have the Find My Phone feature enabled and your phone must be connected to mobile network.
1. Login to http://www.windowsphone.com.
2. Click on the drop down menu right next to your name, and select the device that you would like to erase.
3. At the top left corner, you will see the name and model of the Windows Phone.
4. Click on Erase your phone.
This FAQ applies to Nokia Lumia phones with Windows Phone 8, and a computer running on Windows 7, Vista or Windows 8. If you have Windows XP use the search field on this page to find this related FAQ: What should I do if my Nokia Lumia phone is not recognized by a computer running Windows XP?
Preparations:
Start by disconnecting your phone and other USB devices connected to your PC. Exit the PC software, such as Nokia Suite, Zune and Windows Media Player, which can establish a USB connection at the background. Use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see and manage processes that are running on your PC.
Check that you have latest updates installed on your PC
Here are two options to follow (ensure that Administrative rights are available):
Option 1
Option 2
Check your USB connection
Make sure that you are using the USB cable which was included with your phone. You may also try another port on the computer, but do not use a USB hub or the ports located on the front of your computer. Most versions of Windows (excluding Windows RT) allow you to connect to your Lumia with Windows Phone 8 by using Windows Explorer, which you can use to validate that you have an active connection.
Check and update your device driver
Confirm that your PC is able to communicate with Windows Update service through firewall(s).
You can also use the Windows Phone app, which is a free app for PC and Apple Mac. With the app, you can sync media content between your computer and your phone. This includes the music, pictures, videos, movies, ringtones, and podcasts on your computer that you want to copy to your phone. Windows 8 installs the app automatically. With Windows 7, you can download it from www.windowsphone.com. If you have a Mac, to download and install the Windows Phone app, go to the Mac App Store.
When a Nokia Lumia phone with Windows Phone 8 software is connected to a computer running Windows XP, the phone may not be recognized if the computer does not have Service Pack 3. Instead, a USB connectivity error will be displayed, or the device might be recognized as an MTP device. To fix this, do the following:
1. First, install the latest Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 to your PC. You can download the Windows XP Service Pack 3 from Windows Update or manually from the Microsoft web pages: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24
2. Next, install the latest Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 to your PC. You can download Windows Media Player 11 from the Microsoft web pages:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8163
After this, reboot your PC and you will be able to browse files in your Nokia Lumia phone with Windows Phone 8 software using a USB cable and Windows Explorer.
These simple steps can help in a majority of cases.
Restart your phone
For phones with removable battery:
1. Switch your phone off
2. Remove the battery.
3. After a few seconds, put the battery in and switch your phone on.
For phones with non-removable battery:
1. Press and hold the power button until the phone vibrates and switches off.
2. Switch your phone on again.
Reset the settings
Restore the original factory settings as instructed in your phone's user guide.
Update the software
Make sure your phone is running the latest software. For downloads and assistance, go to your local Nokia website's support page.
Press and hold the Volume Down key and Power key simultaneously until you will feel vibration. The phone will reset and boot up automatically. Note that this does not reset your Microsoft (Windows Live) Account or remove any of your data.
If your phone still does not respond, remove the SIM card and try again.
When the phone switches on, confirm that it has the latest software version by going to Settings > Phone update, and then tap Check for updates.
Many features in your Nokia Lumia phone increase the demand on battery power and reduce the battery life time. For example if the signal strength of the mobile network varies much in your area, your phone must scan for the available network repeatedly. This increases the demand on battery power.
You can set your phone to automatically save power when the battery charge level is low. To check the battery status, and switch battery saver mode on, go to Settings > battery saver. Windows Phone 8: To choose when you want battery saver mode to be activated, switch Battery saver toggle to On and tap advanced.
Note: When Battery Saver is on, your phone will no longer: automatically receive email and calendar updates, update some Live Tiles and allow apps to run in the background.
If you are listening to music or otherwise using your phone, but do not want to make or receive calls, switch airplane (flight) mode on under the Settings menu.
To save battery power, note the following:
Background apps
The screen
Use network connections selectively
Anything else I need to know?
The instructions to save power on your Lumia phone presented on this video (English) from Nokia Care.
If the battery drains faster even there is no active feature or applications, try to switch off the power and then switch back on. The battery may also be worn out and needs to be replacing with a new one.
If the battery keeps draining fast, the battery may be wearing out and require replacing.