Failed -remote 39-flashing Lock Flag Is Locked. Please Unlock It First 39-- ●
To avoid re-encountering the error, do not run:
fastboot flashing lock
Unless you are returning the device to a fully stock state for resale or warranty.
WARNING: Proceed with caution. Unlocking the flashing lock flag usually voids warranties and can result in a permanently bricked device (hard brick) if performed incorrectly.
Phase I: The Software Unlock (Standard Procedure) This is the most common resolution for consumer devices.
This error typically occurs when trying to flash firmware or system images to an Android device (often those with Unisoc/Spreadtrum chipsets) via Fastboot while the bootloader is still locked.
To resolve this, you generally need to unlock the bootloader before the device will accept the flash command. Common Fixes
Reboot to Bootloader: Ensure you are in the actual "Bootloader" or "Fastboot" mode, not "Fastbootd" (userspace). You can try running:adb reboot bootloader
Run the Unlock Command: Once in the correct mode, try running the standard unlock command. Warning: This will wipe all data on the device.fastboot flashing unlockNote: Some devices may require fastboot oem unlock instead.
Enable OEM Unlocking: If the command fails, ensure you have enabled OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging in the "Developer Options" menu within the phone's settings.
Verify State: Check the current lock status by running:fastboot getvar all or fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability
If you are using a specific flashing tool (like SPD Upgrade Tool or a specialized ROM flasher), ensure the device is connected in the correct state and the necessary drivers are installed.
Lock and unlock the bootloader | Android Open Source Project
The error "FAILED (remote: 'flashing lock flag is locked. Please unlock it first')" occurs when you attempt to flash custom firmware or system images onto an Android device while the bootloader is locked. The bootloader is a security layer that prevents unauthorized tampering with the system. Why This Error Happens
Locked Bootloader: Most devices ship with a locked bootloader to ensure the device remains in a state produced by the manufacturer (OEM).
Security Protocol: The device rejects "flashing" commands because it hasn't been authorized to accept unofficial or modified images.
Missing OEM Settings: "OEM Unlocking" may not have been enabled in the device's developer settings before attempting the flash.
Lock and unlock the bootloader | Android Open Source Project
This error typically occurs when you're trying to flash a system image or custom recovery via , but your device's bootloader
is still locked. Android prevents any unauthorized changes to system partitions unless you explicitly "unlock" this security flag first. ⚠️ Warning Unlocking your bootloader will factory reset your device and wipe all data . Back up everything before you begin. How to Fix the "Flashing Lock" Error Step 1: Enable Settings in Android
You can't unlock the bootloader through commands alone; you must first allow it in your phone's software. About Phone Build Number 7 times until it says "You are now a developer!". Go back to Developer Options OEM Unlocking USB Debugging
Note: If OEM Unlocking is greyed out, connect to Wi-Fi and wait. Some carrier-locked phones (like Verizon or AT&T models) may permanently block this option. Step 2: Enter Fastboot Mode Connect your phone to your PC via a USB cable.
Open a terminal (Command Prompt/PowerShell) on your PC in your Platform Tools folder adb reboot bootloader
Your phone will restart into a screen that often shows a lying-down Android robot. Step 3: Run the Unlock Command
Once in Fastboot mode, run one of the following commands depending on your device's age: For newer devices (Pixel 2+, most modern phones): fastboot flashing unlock For older devices: fastboot oem unlock Step 4: Confirm on Device Your phone screen will change to a warning message. Use the Volume buttons to highlight "Unlock the bootloader" and the Power button to confirm. The device will then wipe itself and reboot. Troubleshooting Common Issues Flash with Fastboot - Android Open Source Project
If you are trying to flash a custom ROM or update your device via Fastboot and encounter the error FAILED (remote: 'flashing lock flag is locked. please unlock it first'), it means your device's bootloader is currently locked.
Modern Android security prevents unauthorized software changes unless the "lock flag" is explicitly flipped by the user. Here is how to fix this and successfully unlock your device. 1. Enable OEM Unlocking
You cannot unlock the bootloader through a computer alone; you must first give the phone permission from within the Android OS. Open Settings > About Phone.
Tap Build Number 7 times until you see "You are now a developer". Go back to System > Developer Options. Find OEM Unlocking and toggle it ON.
Also, enable USB Debugging to allow the computer to send commands. 2. Enter Fastboot Mode
The "flashing lock" error only appears when you are in Fastboot (Bootloader) mode. To get back there after enabling the settings above:
Via ADB: Connect your phone to your PC and run:adb reboot bootloader To avoid re-encountering the error, do not run:
Via Buttons: Power off the device, then hold Power + Volume Down (common for most devices) until the Fastboot logo appears. 3. Run the Unlock Command
Once the device is in Fastboot mode and connected to your PC, use the following commands. Warning: This will perform a factory reset and erase all data on your device.
Try the modern standard command first:fastboot flashing unlock
If you receive an "unknown command" error, try the legacy command:fastboot oem unlock 4. Confirm on the Device
After sending the command, your phone screen will likely change to a confirmation page. Use the Volume Buttons to highlight "Unlock the Bootloader" and the Power Button to confirm. The device will then wipe itself and reboot. Troubleshooting Common Issues
This error occurs when you try to use to flash files onto an Android device (often Motorola or Lenovo) while the bootloader is still protected by a software lock. Essentially, the device's security prevents any unauthorized changes to its system partitions. Android Open Source Project 🛠️ How to Fix the Error To resolve this, you must follow these steps in order: 1. Enable "OEM Unlocking" in Android About Phone Build Number seven times to enable Developer Options Developer Options OEM Unlocking USB Debugging 2. Execute the Unlock Command Connect your phone to your computer via USB. Use the command adb reboot bootloader to enter Fastboot mode. Run one of these commands based on your device age: Newer devices: fastboot flashing unlock Older devices: fastboot oem unlock Android Open Source Project 3. Specific Case: Motorola/Lenovo Many Motorola devices require a unique Unlock Key Motorola Unlock Portal You will need to run fastboot oem get_unlock_data to get a string of characters to submit to their site. ⚠️ Important Warnings Data Loss: Unlocking the bootloader wipes all user data (factory reset). This process typically voids your warranty Your device becomes less secure against physical tampering. Android Open Source Project 💡 Troubleshooting Tips
Lock and unlock the bootloader | Android Open Source Project
Dismiss Got it. On this page. Get into the bootloader. Unlock the bootloader. Lock the bootloader. Set lock and unlock properties. Android Open Source Project Flash with Fastboot - Android Open Source Project
The error message "FAILED (remote: 39: flashing lock flag is locked. Please unlock it first)"
indicates that you are attempting to flash firmware or modify system partitions while your device’s bootloader is locked
. To protect system integrity, Android devices prevent unauthorized software changes unless this lock is explicitly removed. Common Fixes for this Error
To resolve this, you must unlock the bootloader through your device settings and a series of commands. Unlocking the bootloader typically erases all data on the device. Enable Developer Options & OEM Unlocking On your phone, go to Settings > About Phone Build Number seven times until "Developer mode" is enabled. Settings > System > Developer Options OEM Unlocking USB Debugging Use Fastboot Commands Connect your phone to your computer in Fastboot Mode (usually by holding Power + Volume Down during boot).
Open a command terminal on your PC and try one of the following commands based on your device manufacturer: fastboot flashing unlock fastboot oem unlock
Check your phone screen for a confirmation prompt and use the volume keys to select "Yes" or "Unlock." Manufacturer-Specific Codes (Motorola, Xiaomi, etc.) Some brands, like
, require you to request a unique "Unlock Key" from their official support site using a string generated by the fastboot oem get_unlock_data
devices often require using the official Mi Unlock Tool after a waiting period linked to your Mi account. Why is this happening? Security Protection
: The "lock flag" is a security feature that ensures only official, signed software can be installed. Incorrect Command : You might be trying to flash an image ( fastboot flash recovery recovery.img ) without first running the unlock sequence.
If you are just trying to get your phone to boot normally and it is stuck on this screen, try selecting Normal Boot from the Fastboot menu using the volume and power buttons. specific unlocking steps for a certain phone brand like Motorola or Xiaomi?
Lock and unlock the bootloader | Android Open Source Project
The error "FAILED (remote: 'Flashing Lock Flag is locked. Please unlock it first')" indicates that your device's bootloader is currently locked, preventing you from flashing custom partitions like recovery, boot, or system.
To resolve this, you must explicitly unlock the bootloader through the following steps: 1. Enable "OEM Unlocking" in Android
Before using fastboot commands, you must authorize the device to be unlockable: Go to Settings > About Phone.
Tap Build Number (or MIUI Version on Xiaomi) 7 times to enable Developer Options.
Go to Settings > System/Additional Settings > Developer Options. Toggle OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging to On. 2. Execute the Unlock Command
Once enabled, reboot your device into Fastboot Mode (usually by holding Power + Volume Down while booting) and connect it to your PC. Use one of the following commands based on your device: Standard Android: fastboot flashing unlock. Older Devices: fastboot oem unlock.
Critical Partitions (if needed): fastboot flashing unlock_critical.
Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will wipe all user data (factory reset) for security reasons. 3. Device-Specific Requirements Some manufacturers require additional proprietary steps:
Xiaomi/HyperOS: You must bind your Xiaomi account in the "Mi Unlock Status" settings and use the official Mi Unlock Tool on a PC. There is often a mandatory waiting period (e.g., 168 hours).
Google Pixel: Most allow unlocking immediately via the standard command unless they are carrier-locked (e.g., Verizon models).
Unisoc Devices: May require specific scripts or third-party unlockers to bypass the lock flag. Unless you are returning the device to a
Are you using a Xiaomi device, or a different brand like Google Pixel or Motorola? Fix Device State Locked Unlockable in Fastboot Mode
Here are some potential research paper topics or areas of investigation based on this error:
"Analysis of Lock Flag Mechanisms in Firmware Flashing: Security Vulnerabilities and Mitigation Strategies"
"Remote Firmware Update Protocols: A Review of Lock Flag Based Protection Mechanisms"
"An Experimental Study on the Impact of Flashing Lock Flags on Remote Device Management: Performance and Security Analysis"
"Enhanced Authentication Schemes for Unlocking Flashing Lock Flags in Secure Remote Updates"
"Case Studies of Failed Remote Updates Due to Flashing Lock Flags: Lessons Learned and Best Practices"
"A Cryptographic Approach to Secure Flashing Lock Flag Management for Remote Device Updates"
These topics are speculative and based on a somewhat ambiguous error message. However, they can serve as a starting point for research into secure remote device management, firmware updates, and the specific challenges posed by flashing lock flags.
The error "FAILED (remote: '39-flashing lock flag is locked. Please unlock it first')" occurs when you attempt to flash firmware or partitions to an Android device while its bootloader is still in a "locked" state. Simply enabling "OEM Unlocking" in your phone's settings is not enough; you must also execute the specific unlock command through Fastboot. Step 1: Preparation (In Android)
Before you can run the unlock command, your phone's OS must permit it.
Enable Developer Options: Go to Settings > About Phone and tap the Build Number (or MIUI version for Xiaomi) 7 times.
Toggle OEM Unlocking: Navigate to Settings > System > Developer Options and switch on OEM Unlocking.
Enable USB Debugging: While in Developer Options, turn on USB Debugging. Step 2: Enter Fastboot Mode Connect your phone to your PC via a USB cable. Open a terminal (CMD or PowerShell) on your PC.
Type adb reboot bootloader and press Enter. Your phone should reboot to a screen showing "Fastboot" or a similar logo. Step 3: Run the Unlock Commands
Try these commands in order. Warning: This will wipe all data on your device. For most modern Android devices: fastboot flashing unlock Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard For older or specific legacy devices: fastboot oem unlock Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard If the error specifically mentions critical partitions: fastboot flashing unlock_critical Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
Note: Some devices will display a confirmation prompt on the phone screen. Use the Volume keys to select "Yes" and the Power button to confirm. Step 4: Troubleshoot "Unknown Command" If you receive a "Command failed" or "Unknown cmd" error:
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: You cannot unlock using standard fastboot commands. You must use the official Mi Unlock Tool after binding your Mi account in the Mi Unlock Status settings.
Motorola/Sony: These often require a unique "Unlock Code" obtained from the manufacturer's website.
Unisoc-based devices: Standard commands often fail; you may need a specialized tool like the TomKing62 CVE Unlocker.
Drivers: Ensure the Google USB Driver is installed. If your PC says "waiting for device," check your Device Manager to ensure the phone is recognized as "Android ADB Interface". Step 5: Verify Status To confirm your device is truly ready for flashing, run:
The error "FAILED (remote: 'Flashing Lock Flag is locked. Please unlock it first!')" occurs when you attempt to flash firmware or system partitions using Fastboot while the device's bootloader is still in a "Locked" state. To resolve this, you must explicitly unlock the bootloader through a multi-step process involving device settings and terminal commands. 1. Enable OEM Unlocking
Before the device will accept an unlock command in Fastboot mode, you must authorize it from within the Android operating system. Navigate to Settings > About Phone.
Tap on Build Number seven times until "You are now a developer" appears. Go to Settings > System > Developer Options. Locate and toggle on OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging.
Note: On some devices like Xiaomi, you must also bind your account under "Mi Unlock Status" and wait for a specified period (e.g., 168–720 hours). 2. Enter Fastboot Mode
Connect your phone to your computer via a reliable USB data cable.
Open a terminal or command prompt in your Android Platform Tools folder. Run the command: adb reboot bootloader.
Alternatively, power off the device and hold Power + Volume Down until the Fastboot logo (often a mascot or text) appears. 3. Unlock the Bootloader
Once in Fastboot mode, use one of the following commands depending on your device's manufacturer:
This error occurs when you attempt to flash a system image or custom recovery to an Android device while the bootloader is still in a "Locked" state . To proceed, you must transition the device state from This error typically occurs when trying to flash
, which requires both a setting change in the OS and a specific command in Fastboot mode. Android Open Source Project Step 1: Enable OEM Unlocking (In Android OS)
Before the bootloader will accept an unlock command, you must permit it within the system settings. About Phone Build Number 7 times until you see "You are now a developer." Go back to Developer Options OEM Unlocking and toggle it
Note: For brands like Motorola, you may also need to request an unlock key from their official site Android Open Source Project Step 2: Enter Fastboot Mode Turn off your device. Volume Down + Power
simultaneously until the bootloader screen (often with a "lying down" Android robot) appears.
Connect the device to your PC using a high-quality USB cable. Android Open Source Project Step 3: Run the Unlock Command Open a command prompt or terminal in your platform-tools folder and run: For newer devices (2015+): fastboot flashing unlock For older devices: fastboot oem unlock Android Open Source Project ⚠️ WARNING: Unlocking the bootloader will factory reset
your device and erase all data. Confirm the action on the device screen using the volume buttons and power key. Android Open Source Project Step 4: Verify Unlock Status
After the device reboots back into Fastboot mode, check the status to ensure the "flag" is no longer locked: fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability (Should return fastboot getvar unlocked (Should return Fairphone Community Forum Troubleshooting "Remote 39" Failures If the command still fails with error code 39:
Lock and unlock the bootloader | Android Open Source Project
Dismiss Got it. On this page. Get into the bootloader. Unlock the bootloader. Lock the bootloader. Set lock and unlock properties. Android Open Source Project
This error message indicates that you are trying to write or "flash" software to a partition while your device's bootloader is still locked. In most Android-based devices, the bootloader must be explicitly unlocked before it will allow any manual changes to the system files. Phase 1: Enable OEM Unlocking
Before you can run a terminal command to unlock the device, you must give the device permission from within the settings menu.
Enable Developer Options: Go to Settings > About Phone and tap on Build Number seven times until it says "You are now a developer."
Toggle OEM Unlocking: Go to Settings > System > Developer options and switch on OEM unlocking.
Enable USB Debugging: While in Developer options, ensure USB debugging is also turned on. Phase 2: Run Unlock Commands
Once the software toggle is active, you must use a computer with Android Platform Tools installed to finalize the unlock.
Enter Fastboot Mode: Connect your device to the computer and run:adb reboot bootloader
Standard Unlock: Try the modern standard command first:fastboot flashing unlock
Legacy/OEM Unlock: If that fails, some older or specific devices use:fastboot oem unlock
Critical Partition Unlock: If you are trying to flash low-level files like the bootloader itself, you may also need to run:fastboot flashing unlock_critical Important Troubleshooting
Lock and unlock the bootloader | Android Open Source Project
It sounds like you’re seeing an error message from a printer, copier, or multi-function device (like a Canon, HP, Xerox, or Ricoh), rather than an issue with creating a paper document in software.
The error:
create paper: failed -remote 39-flashing lock flag is locked. please unlock it first
Here’s what this likely means and how to fix it:
Let's break down the error message piece by piece.
A: Possibilities:
Connect your device in bootloader/fastboot mode and run:
fastboot devices
If your device appears, proceed. If not, troubleshoot drivers.
Sometimes the standard unlock commands don’t work. Try these advanced techniques.
Manufacturers implement the flashing lock flag for several reasons:
Common devices that enforce this flag include:
This error occurs when you try to perform an operation (e.g., flashing firmware, writing data, or modifying a device) while the device’s flash lock flag is enabled. The “39” likely refers to a specific error code from the tool or device firmware.
The flashing lock flag is a safety mechanism that prevents accidental overwriting or corruption of critical memory regions. It must be explicitly unlocked before any write/flash operation can proceed.