Why Isn’t the Galaxy Tab 9’s Always On Display Working?
Why Isn’t the Galaxy Tab 9’s Always On Display Working?
3 Answers

Why Doesn’t Galaxy Tab 9 Always On Display Work?
The Always On Display (AOD) feature on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 may not always do what you expect it to. Getting to the bottom of why it doesn’t work can be a bit of sleuthing, so let’s dig through some potential reasons together.
First up, the Galaxy Tab S9 isn’t exactly set up for Always On Display like Samsung’s smartphones. Here’s the deal: phones often have OLED screens that let them display stuff without running down the battery too fast. Tablets, including the Tab S9, usually don’t come with this perk due to their hardware and design choices. You might find that the screen tech just isn’t built for showing notifications or the time while chilling in standby mode.
Now, if your Tab does have AOD and it’s just acting up, a visit to the settings might do the trick:
- Check if AOD is Enabled: Scoot over to Settings > Lock Screen > Always On Display and make sure it’s switched on.
- Display Mode Settings: This one can be tricky—the AOD might be set to show with a tap or on a schedule. If it’s on “Tap to show,” then it’ll only pop up when you give it a nudge, which might seem like it’s not working.
Power-saving modes are known for cutting down on things like AOD to make your battery last longer:
- Disable Power Saving Mode: Jump to Settings > Battery and Device Care > Battery and flip off Power Saving mode. This setting might be keeping AOD under wraps, along with other behind-the-scenes stuff.
Here’s the kicker: When Do Not Disturb is on, notifications are silenced, which might mess with your AOD showing anything:
- Turn Off Do Not Disturb: Dive into Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb and make sure it’s off.
Updates can fix the quirks affecting AOD:
- Check for Updates: Go to Settings > Software Update and see if there’s a new version to smooth out any issues with AOD.
If the proximity sensor isn’t vibing right (maybe because of a case or screen protector), it might not let the display work as expected:
- Inspect Proximity Sensor: Ensure there’s nothing blocking the sensor on top of your gadget.
When all else fails, a factory reset might squash those pesky software bugs messing with AOD:
- Backup Data First: Don’t forget to save your data before wiping everything through a factory reset.
The bottom line is, while the Galaxy Tab S9 might not be built for Always On Display like its smartphone buddies, tweaking settings, disabling power-saving modes, checking for updates, and making sure the hardware isn’t playing tricks can help sort out any AOD-related woes.

So, why doesn’t the Galaxy Tab S9 have that handy Always On Display (AOD) feature? Let’s jump into a couple of ideas that might explain it and what you can do about it.
1. Hardware Limitations
Let’s start off with the hardware. Maybe the Galaxy Tab S9 doesn’t have the right setup for AOD. Tablets like these often focus on keeping the battery running longer rather than on cool extras. Even though it rocks an OLED screen like some smartphones, Samsung might have turned off the AOD to save juice on that big display.
Here’s what you can try:
- Are you sure about your screen type? Check if your Tab S9 model—whether it’s the standard, Plus, or Ultra—has an OLED panel, because AOD needs it to keep things power-efficient.
- Sneak in some battery tricks: Dive into Samsung’s Device Care. No AOD because of the hardware? You got options like third-party apps—Glance Plus is one that might do the trick.
2. Software Restrictions
AOD might be turned off by default on tablets running One UI. Samsung may have sidelined it to avoid redundancy with smartphones. And you could be rocking an older software version that just doesn’t play nice with AOD.
Here’s what to do:
- Get that Update:
- Swing by Settings > Software Update > Download and Install.
- Make sure you’re on One UI 6.1 or later. Newer updates might bring AOD into the fold.
- Give AOD a Hand:
- Hit up Settings > Lock Screen > Always On Display.
- Not seeing the option? Try peeking into the Screen Saver settings under ‘Display’. Samsung likes to shuffle things around sometimes.
3. Power-Saving Modes
If you’re running low on power, AOD might have been automatically nixed in Power Saving or Battery Saver modes to keep things ticking longer on your tablet!
To get around this:
- Go ahead and turn off Power Saving:
- Head over to Settings > Battery and Device Care > Battery.
- Switch off Power Saving or tweak Battery Limits to let background features like AOD show up.
- Give AOD a free pass: Add it to the “Never sleeping apps” list under Battery > Background Usage Limits.
4. Device Model Variations
Some Tab S9 models, like the Galaxy Tab S9 FE, might skip AOD due to how Samsung divides features based on models.
Take these steps:
- Check your model’s perks:
- Find your device’s model number under Settings > About Tablet.
- Match up those specs with Samsung’s official info to see if AOD’s in the cards.
- Need a hand? Hit up the 24/7 chat support via the Samsung Members app if there’s buzz about AOD that you’re not seeing.
5. Third-Party App Conflicts
Got a bunch of overlays or apps messing with your lock screen? They might be mucking up the AOD settings.
What’s worth trying:
- Fire up Safe Mode:
- Hold the Power button, then tap and hold Power Off till “Safe Mode” pops up.
- See if those third-party apps are being a pest when it comes to AOD.
- Do a little app decluttering:
- Head to Settings > Apps > Reset App Preferences.
- Try switching on AOD once you’ve reset.
Extra Tidbits
- Try Your Own Tricks: If AOD isn’t showing up, things like Smart Lock or Double-Tap to Wake might help keep you in the loop with your notifications.
- Keep an Eye on Updates: Samsung could toss AOD in with future One UI versions. Turn on Auto-Update in Galaxy Store and Play Store to snag those patches when they drop.
If you’re feeling stuck, think about a Factory Data Reset (backup your stuff first!) or swing by a Samsung Service Center for a hardware look-see.

You ever wonder why your Galaxy Tab 9 doesn’t have the Always On Display (AOD) feature? Let’s dive into a few things that could be going on.
First off, some Galaxy tablets, like the Tab 9, might not be built with AOD from the get-go. Check Samsung’s website or your user manual to see what’s up with that.
Then there’s the settings—all it takes is a little tweak here and there. Head over to your settings, look for Display, and make sure the AOD option is flipped on.
But wait, it could be about saving juice too. If you’re running battery saver mode or any sort of battery optimization, these might be putting the brakes on your AOD feature. Peek into those battery settings and see if they’re being a bit too protective.
Another thing to keep in mind is your software version. Make sure it’s updated, as that can play a big role in how features operate. You can do this by hitting up the Settings and navigating to Software Update.
And hey, sometimes third-party apps or system bugs can meddle with the AOD feature. When that happens, restarting or even doing a factory reset could clear things up.
If you’re still scratching your head after all this, check out Samsung’s support page or, better yet, chat with Samsung customer service. They can give you the lowdown and help sort things out. At the end of the day, keeping your tech in top shape is the secret sauce to getting the most out of it.