How to Fix a Broken Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 after a failed LineageOS upgrade

Introduction

Are you trying to upgrade your Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (or another old Samsung device) to a newer Android version using LineageOS (or CyanogenMod), but the upgrade failed, wiping your firmware, OS, and data?

This guide will show you how to:

• fix a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 stuck with no Android system installed, and
• restore it to official stock Android firmware.

If you prefer watching instead of reading, here's the full video guide: Watch the video on YouTube

Requirements

• Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (bootloop / no OS)
• Charging cable
• Correct firmware (GT-P3100 or GT-P5100)
• Samsung Odin (Firmware flashing tool)

Pre-Flash Checklist

Before flashing any Samsung device with Odin, make sure you have the following ready. This prevents most errors and soft bricks.

Device Requirements

• Your Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 turns on and can enter Download Mode
• Battery is at least 40-50%
• USB cable is working and not loose

PC Requirements

• Windows PC (Odin works only on Windows)
• Installed:
  • Samsung USB drivers (usually installed automatically, but recommended to manually install if Odin doesn't detect the device)
  • Latest Odin version
• Firmware file matches your exact device model
  • GT-P3100 ≠ GT-P5100 — they must match!

Files Prepared

• Firmware ZIP extracted
• Odin ZIP extracted
• .tar.md5 file is visible and not corrupted
• No antivirus/firewall blocking Odin (rare but possible)

Step 1 - Downloading Tools

Download the correct firmware for your device:

• GT-P3100: https://samsony.net/en/firmwares/samsung/GT-P3100
• GT-P5100https://samsony.net/en/firmwares/samsung/GT-P5100

Download the latest version of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean for your model. Then download the latest Samsung Odin tool here: https://samsungodin.com/

Firmware compatibility table

How to Check Your Model Number

• Check the back cover (Model: GT-Pxxxx)
• OR enter Download Mode → shows PRODUCT NAME

Do NOT Mix These Models

Recommended Firmware Sources

Step 2 - Extracting Tools and Flashing the Firmware

After downloading:

• Extract the firmware ZIP
• Extract Odin Open Odin on your PC.

Enter Download Mode

On Samsung Galaxy Tab 2:

• Hold the Power + Volume Down at the same time
• When prompted, press the Volume up button. This enters the Download Mode (Odin Mode), which means the device is ready to flash the firmware.

Now connect the device to your PC using the charging cable.

Load Firmware in Odin

On Odin:

1. Click on AP
2. Select the firmware file: *.tar.md5.

Click on the START button and wait until Odin displays PASS.

When the Samsung logo appears, the firmware flash was successful.

Step 3 - Perform a Factory Reset

To prevent boot issues after flashing:

1. Hold Power + Volume Up
2. Navigate to Wipe data/factory reset.
3. Select Yes
4. Finally, choose Reboot system now.

Step 4 - Initial Setup

After reboot, complete the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 setup:

1. Choose your Language (e.g., English (United States))
2. Tap Start
3. Connect to Wi-Fi or skip
4. Enable Automatic date and time
5. Skip Samsung Account
6. Skip Google Account for now
7. Enter a name (optional)
8. Skip Dropbox setup
9. Tap Finish

Your Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 is now restored to working condition.

Common Errors & Fixes

These are the most common issues encountered when flashing old Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy Tab 2.

1 - Odin Doesn't Detect the Device (No COM Port)

Symptoms

• Odin does not show any blue COM port
• "Added!" does not appear

Fixes

• Reinstall Samsung USB Drivers: https://developer.samsung.com/mobile/android-usb-driver.html
• Try a different USB port (use USB 2.0, not USB 3.0)
• Try a different USB cable
• Re-enter Download Mode
• Restart PC and the tablet

2 - Odin Stuck at “SetupConnection…”

Symptoms

• Progress bar does not move
• Odin freezes at the beginning

Fixes

• Use another USB port/cable
• Close Samsung Kies / Smart Switch if running
• Reboot tablet & PC
• Uncheck Auto Reboot in Odin, then:
  1. Flash again
  2. Manually reboot to recovery after PASS

3 - "FAIL!" Message in Odin

Symptoms

• Odin shows red FAIL
• Flashing stops immediately or halfway

Possible Causes

• Wrong firmware model
• Corrupt .tar.md5 file
• Bad cable or port

Fixes

• Re-download firmware
• Extract firmware again
• Use the correct model (P3100 vs P5100)
• Try another version of Odin (3.07 or 3.12)

4 - Device Bootloops After Flash

Symptoms

• Samsung logo loops forever
• Tablet doesn't boot into Android

Fix: Wipe data/factory reset → Yes → Reboot system now

5 - Tablet Cannot Enter Recovery Mode

Try these combinations:

• Power + Volume Up
• Hold longer (10–15 seconds)
• From Download Mode, use Power + Volume Down → when screen turns off → switch to Volume Up

If recovery is still inaccessible, reflash firmware again.

6 - Odin Closes Immediately After Opening

Fixes

• Right-click Odin → Run as administrator
• Disable overly aggressive antivirus
• Extract Odin to Desktop, not inside nested folders
• Check if the ZIP wasn't blocked by Windows (Right-click → Properties → “Unblock”)

7 - Odin Says “Invalid SHA256” or “MD5 Error”

Cause: Firmware file corrupted.

Fix

• Re-download firmware
• Make sure the .tar.md5 file is complete (sometimes hosting sites fail mid-download)

8 - No Android After Flash — Still No OS

Cause: Rare, but happens if:

• Wrong firmware
• Interrupted flash
• Partition table mismatch

Fix

• Reflash the correct firmware file
• Ensure the file contains boot.img, system.img, recovery.img
• Try another Jelly Bean firmware build for your exact model

Conclusion

And that's it! Your Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 has now been fully repaired and restored to official stock Android.

If you'd like to upgrade the Tab 2 (or another old Samsung device) to LineageOS in the future, please follow every step carefully to avoid losing the Android system again.

Thanks for reading the guide! For more troubleshooting and firmware tutorials, check out my YouTube channel.

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