Oneplus 8 pro bricked installing e-3.0.1-a14

/e/OS Devices OnePlus
1

Hi,

I wanted to switch my Oneplus 8 pro from the original Oneplus Android 13 version to e-3.0.1-a14 (U). I exactly followed this documentation:
https://doc.e.foundation/devices/instantnoodlep/install

Every single step I did seem to be successfull - confirmations were all positive.
Here’s the last steps from bash (using ubuntu 24.04):

fastboot flash dtbo dtbo-e-3.0.1-a14-20250608498955-community-instantnoodlep.img

fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta-e-3.0.1-a14-20250608498955-community-instantnoodlep.img

fastboot flash recovery recovery-e-3.0.1-a14-20250608498955-community-instantnoodlep.img

adb reboot recovery

adb sideload e-3.0.1-a14-20250608498955-community-instantnoodlep.zip 
Total xfer: 1.00x

After doing the final “Reboot system now” on the phone, it started into rebooting …
… and never came back ;-(

Since then I’m not able to get the phone back to life.
The screen is black, there’s no reaction on any tries to start the phone pressing the keys on it.

Had really been careful following the exact install instructions.

Has anybody a hint what I could do now?

Regards,
Jürgen

Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/OS the deGoogled mobile OS and online servicesphone

2

Something with Slot A and Slot B?

3

You really want to spend a bit of time to check if bricked and what would be the best way forward. In this post I gave some OnePlus “recovery” links.

Although a different device and circumstances the thread may be an encouraging read to anyone new to OnePlus recovery tactics.

4

unfortunate outcome.

Also have a look in the documentation feedback threads for the device (or sibling), at times they point out errors. Or leave a warning of your own

5

It happens partly that OnePlus devices “freeze” after a successful flash, which means they don’t visibly react to anything anymore, but are fully functional (just not starting).

This seems to be the case if they are - in the background - still “active” but not shutting down, restarting.

There’s a way to enforce a shutdown and as such allow a new restart by holding the power switch for 15+ (probably 30+… in some of my tries) seconds without any USB cable attached.

If this doesn’t do the trick, try volume up plus volume down plus power switch for 30+ seconds.

If it is successful, it should allow a clean start up by holding the power switch a few seconds.
Happened on my OnePlus 9 Pro as well, it just “hung” without shutting down or reacting clearly, but in the background still was successful flashed.

6

It’s ‘‘often’’ happen that oneplus devices freeze with black screen as said @Fox

In case of : here unbrick tools for oneplus devices : https://onepluscommunityserver.com/list/Unbrick_Tools/
Those tools only work on windows…

In disorder you have to know :

  • how boot into edl mode with your phone
  • install qualcomm usb drivers into your windows workstation
  • how to use msmunbricktools
  • chose the well unbricktool version for your devices

Have fun, your devices isn’t dead.

2 Likes
7

I tried everything from the above suggestions:

  • let the battery run out for some weeks to try, if it would wake up after being empty
  • downloaded msm tools and qualcom drivers on the windows pc
  • used every possible combination of buttons (left/right side) even for more minutes

Result:

  • no sign of live from the smartphone
  • msm tools do not detect it - the device entry does neither appear in the msm tools nor in the windows device manager.

I can’t get it back to life so far.
Has somebody any different approach?

Regards
Jürgen

8

When reading this guide OnePlus Community there are three slightly different approaches depending on circumstances. Did you realise that EDL mode is an inert black screen (thus hard to differentiate from dead) but while the guide may suggest EDL will persist for 10 seconds, many users have found the EDL state almost transient so timing the hitting the MSM can be hard in that you get no feedback till the one time it works.

9

Thanks for your reply. Just to confirm, that I do the right things:

  • Qualcomm Drivers are downloaded and installed - PC has been restarted after that. I took the latest version of the drivers from qcomdriver.com (v1.0.10065.1)
  • Downloaded OnePlus 8Pro MSM Tool EU 11.0.4.4 (not sure if this is the correct version - I can’t look it up on the phone - but berfore it bricked, I had updated it to the latest version I could get).
  • Start MsmDownloadTool V4.0.exe
  • Plug a USB Cable to the PC (have no original one and have only USB 3)
  • Hold Volume +/- pressed simultaneously for 5 seconds then plug the USB cable into the phone
  • Hit the “enum” button in the MSM Tools as fast as possible

Is this the correct procedure or do I get anything wrong?

10

Only as hub is specifically mentioned … you might check if this USB 3 is soldered to the motherboard. Probably fine if it is but especially on a laptop it may go though a hidden hub. It might also be worth to try a different / new data cable.