Several problems with marshmallow: clock, camera and low volume

[ArnoldNemesis44]

Just got a second hand Xperia Z3 D6603 on 15th this ,month, but once I factory reset it and started setting it the way I wanted it, it then updated the OS to Marshmallow 6.0
After the update I have 3 issues with the phone that were perfect before the update.
I would really appreciate any help to resolve the issues.
Issue 1, I removed the BLACK clock from my home screen, I have now found it as a WIDGET and re set it back on my home screen, but when the phone goes to the LOCK screen it doesn't show through it, like it did originally
Issue 2, The camera has a shaded blur in all pictures taken with the flash,, I have tried is both SUPER AUTO and under manual, and just can't get a decent picture from the camera anymore.
Issue 3, and this is the worse problem I have with the phone now, the volume is so low it can hardly be heard, I am missing calls due to this fact, I have set ALL sound levels to max and ran the diagnostic app and it fails on the sound test?
I just can;t hear the sound test.
I am thinking that these problems can only be due to a corrupt installation of Marshmallow but don't want to reset the phone unless absolutely necessary
I have read a lot about the camera fault and it looks like at least this issue.is down to the Marshmellow update, but as for the other 2 faults, I am not sure of how to fix them.
If I do have to reset the phone, how to I go about it to aoide the same thing happening as it did the update without me asking it to and therefore I can't stop it from happening again.
PS I am using the Google now Home. settings
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I love Sony phones and have had them for the last 15 years going back to my G400 red candy bar and then the K750i and W800i then my Xperia Miro, don't laugh , it served me well.
Kind regards
Andy Smalley

[Zahid_Rehman]

I am not sure about your other issues but the low volume is a persistant issue with the z3, if you search the forums you can find x amount of topics about it.

I have it too and i dont think there is a fix for it. I had it on  lollipop and I have it now on Marshmellow.

Ringer, loud speaker, music all low (even at max settings)

I think its a hardware issue (not sure if they have the same issue on other xperia models), if you put your ear to both speakers you can cleary hear one is louder then the other.

Anyhows because of this, I am jumping back to the iphone once my contract is up.

[ArnoldNemesis44]

OK, so now I am getting annoyed at the problems and lack of upport!

After surfing for the camera problem I have found numerouse posts about the the problem I have, along with the low sound problem it looks like I have no other solution than to reset the thing and start again!

My new question is, if I reset to factory settings, will this return it to KitKat 4.4.1 or Lolipop?

and omce done that as long as I disable the autoomatic restore feature and manually restore after updating the OS will this return everything back to what I have now?

I have backed up everything using the back up to SD feature, All acounts home screen messages and APPs have been backed up.

Or am I just being silly thinking it would be this easy?

PS, I have now found that I can;t send emails although all settings have been applied and I am getting emails with any problems on 2 accounts.

I am guessing that this is due to the fact that I havent set the exchange server as this requires a lock screen and password, and I don't want a password.

[LittleBlueDot]

Factory reset will only get you back to a clean install of Marshmallow. To get back to Lollipop you'll have to find an old firmware from somewhere. Something like this, /t5/Software-Updates/Downgrade-Z3-compact-and-others-from-Lollipop-to-KitKat/m-p/955640/highlight/tr...

[NemesisArnold44]

So I have now resisted but under the name NemesisArnold44 as ArnoldNemesis44 was only a visitors post. anyway back to my findings on this post: The lock problem is now sorted, I fixed this by resetting my screen lock, then setting the clock back to DIGITAL, it now shows on the lock screen. The BLUR white marks in the camera was due to a flash back from the flash on the camera cascading off my phone cover, remove the cover, pictures are perfect. But the sound is still too low and I am still missing calls and texts, as far as I can see this issue has been going on for over 1 year or since they updated from Lollipop. it looks like Sony, are not willing to instigate/pursue this issue and correct it when they are fully aware of users notifying them of this fact. I am now looking into a APP that will boost the volume level on a Z3 that is unroored. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

[exsanguinator]

I'm still on kit kat and my ringing volume is still low.
I refuse to upgrade and see how much lower it can get.
I've learnt to live with it.
I've tried boosting ringtones, to when you preview them they are basically distorting,but when a call comes in,it's still soft.
If i can sell this fone I'll get a Huawei Mate 8.
Until then, I'll perservere.

[Meroamar]

Hello.. I find proplem with my phone in sound.. Sound become very low after upgrading to marshmallow android.. I suffer from it as i can't hear any call and notifications... Please sony.. Find for us the solution for this problem.. We waiiiiiit.

[exsanguinator]

Congratulations, do a search and you will find an abundance of similar complaints for the same issue.
There is no easy fix other than sitting in a quiet room all day, every day.

[Meroamar]

Hhhhh. Quiet room.. All day!!!!! Are you serious. How