Go to settings- About phone- Software information- Service provider software version= what does it say? If it doesnt match your region thats probably why.
Try booting into safe mode and trying again? power off the device and then power it on while holding the Volume Down button. The Samsung logo will appear, and when the Samsung logo appears, hold down the Volume Down button until "Safe Mode" is displayed on the bottom left
As mentioned by another user does your phone pass the diagnostics?
It says Ssoftware version 6.1, An̈druid version 14. It passes the diagnostics. About safe mode: I just cannot get the phone to start in safe mode. Thank you for your replies.