Symptoms
- Screen stays in one orientation regardless of how you hold the phone
- Rotation icon doesn't appear
- Some apps rotate but others don't
- Worked before and stopped suddenly
Likely causes
- CommonRotation lock enabledA quick-settings toggle can lock orientation without you noticing.
- CommonApp doesn't support rotationMany apps are designed to stay portrait-only regardless of phone settings.
- PossibleOrientation sensor glitchA software bug can cause the accelerometer reading to get stuck.
- Less commonPhysical sensor damage from a dropHard impacts can rarely damage the internal sensor.
What to do
- Check the quick-settings panel for a rotation lock icon and turn it off.
- Test rotation in a different app, like a web browser or photos app, to see if it's app-specific.
- Restart the phone to reset the sensor reading.
- Lay the phone flat then tilt it fully on its side slowly to see if rotation eventually kicks in.
- Check for a software update.
- If no app rotates and rotation lock is off, suspect the orientation sensor.
When to call a pro
See a repair shop only if rotation fails in every app with rotation lock off and after a restart, which points to a sensor fault.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.