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Death Grip and wireless mode.

So, I've been afflicted with the death grip issue at home something fierce. If I hold the phone in landscape mode as if I were to type with my thumbs, the wifi cuts out. It doesn't seem to matter how close I am to the wifi router or if I turn on Wi-Fi best performance. At home, the network is configured to use 802.11g for compatibility with some older devices.
At work, I run an 802.11n network (I'm the IT Director). While I've got much better access points and better line of sight, I have similar sorts of distances. With 802.11n the death grip issue seems less significant. The network never drops out completely (I lose maybe a bar) although network *traffic* seems to stall to a degree. This is true even if I go into other rooms where I don't have great line of sight.
I'm still doing some surreptitious testing (since I have work to do, too) but I thought I'd ask the rest of you if you're having seriously issues with the death grip, what mode is your wifi in? 802.11g or 802.11n?

I really haven't had this problem, when I hold it in landscape it goes down 1 bar but comes right back,I'm starting to think its device related ,just like the HD2 some of them had wi-fi issues and it was just the hardware couldn't do nothing about it but exchange the device

I used to have this issue until I changed the wifi performance to maximum and out a gel skin case on. Now mine doesn't even drop a bar from 2 rooms away.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App

How do you set the WiFi to maximum?
Thanks in advance

adamtheluck said:
How do you set the WiFi to maximum?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Menu/settings/wireless settings/wifi settings/menu/advanced settings/set wifI on maximum performance.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App

jrwingate6 said:
Menu/settings/wireless settings/wifi settings/menu/advanced settings/set wifI on maximum performance.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you

I would notice the signal go down when I held it in landscape but it never dropped completely but last night I got the real effect of it. I was streaming a movie from my computer and viewing it on my sensation using splash top (only about 15-20 feet away from the roiter) Everytime I held the sensation and touched the "death grip" spot my video would stutter.. Tried setting the wifi to max performance and I have the tmo gel case on.
I guess one difference between this and the Iphone antenna-gate is that if HTC does consider it a problem and does fix it, they only have to replace the back cover and not the whole phone
I heard someone said foil on the outside helps out the issue, but it looks really ugly. Wonder if we can come up with a fix that can be done on the inside of the cover. Maybe attach more wiring to the connections or something..
Wonder if those cheap cell phone singal booster on the inside cover would help out at all.. hey if foil did then maybe one of the will shrugs

I just have to say I don't think this "death grip" is a hardware issue .... I think it is a software issue. I had a g2 and flashed cyanogen ... Worst WiFi reception ever. Went for a more stock based Rom and bingo! Also I noticed if you turn off mobile networks from the task bar and turn on WiFi, you will have superb WiFi...
On the sensation of course. Lol
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

jrwingate6 said:
Menu/settings/wireless settings/wifi settings/menu/advanced settings/set wifI on maximum performance.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gave you a thanks for this

jrwingate6 said:
Menu/settings/wireless settings/wifi settings/menu/advanced settings/set wifI on maximum performance.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip!

Trying to Figure out the Wifi-Death Grip Issue
Something Odd happened to me, i wanted to share with the rest of the comments here because i have not been impressed with my Sensation's performance so far. I have had the normal low volume and the erratic sense speeds along with what Phil showed when trying to use the carousel, but nothing was more annoying as with the wifi issue. I got it five feet from my router and i have two routers and one is open and one has PS2K. I tried it with and without the cover and behold i lost my signal when i held it in landscape or put it lying flat. I decided i needed to go to a T-mobile and complain about it, but while i was waiting to be attended, i went ahead and started playing with the sensation they had on display. To my surprise i could not duplicate the issue at all, I checked their version and went to the advanced setting under wifi and it was no put on maximum performance. I pulled out mine and as you could imagine, i could not duplicate the issue anymore. I was puzzled because although i lost some bars, it remained connected and i did not lose the signal completely or as easily when i was at home. I decided not to look like a fool and when across the street to a Best-Buy, and logged onto their open network and had no issue again i tried to put the death grip on it, put it in landscape or lay it flat on it's back and although i was looking some bars, i could not duplicate what was going on at my house. I went back home and reset my routers and the issue is still there. So from what i can tell, i think we may need to find out if this issue is with some routers only or with the encryption used.
FYI: I have a N1, IPad2, HD2, MY3G and don't have any wifi or death grip issues with any one of them so i am seriously leaning to a software issue.
Whatever, the issue i can see Why Phil and a lot others do not see this issue and i can understand why a lot of us are experiencing the issue. Hope something is found out soon.
Routers i use:
DLink (DIR 601) Open network
Ambit WPA2-PSK
(i have tried changing channels and updating firmware on both routers)

Does every HTC Sensation have the death grip issue?

Before I exchange my phone again, I was wondering if there is 100% confirmation of this issue. I use my phone with WiFi in landscape mode, so this problem is really bothering me.

If you not having the issue, why worry about others?

I am having the issue. I apologize if I wasn't clear, but I had said that "this problem is really bothering me" as in it is literally bothering me.

No i don't have this issue. Can't even make it happen. If that's couse of the signal strength i have on the wifi's i use it on, who knows. But it's never been a issue here!

Can't say I've found it an issue but I don't use my phone in landscape for anything

Death Grip.
Hi OP, Ive had this problem when browsing in landscape, a certain grip can knock WiFi signal strength right down or if its already low completely kill it. Another thread on here advised
Settings - Wireless and Networks - Wireless Settings - Advanced - Tick Best WiFi Performance.
This seems to have made a significant improvement and TBH I havent noticed a change in battery life.
Hope that helps.
(Never had the problem WRT 3G/4G)

Third Sensation also has death grip issues, performance setting doesn't seem to help substantially. Bummer. I guess I'll just have to find an new handling position when reading.

no problems here, works fine

Symbi said:
no problems here, works fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using it in landscape mode and gripping the left side (near the HTC logo) with your left hand? Also, you must be a reasonable distance away from your router. If you are within 8 feet, the drop isn't noticeable.

When I first got the phone I was staying in a hotel. WiFi dropped constantly if I held the phone in my "normal" grip. Now I'm at home and I'm unable to kill it, no matter how I hold it.

Yeah I have the problem too when I use it in landscape mode sometimes it'll be so bad I'll be put on 4g thinking if I should replace it I also have the lock screen issue is there really sensations out there with absolutely no death grip?

Got my Sensation yesterday. Just tried the death grip test and can't make it drop below 4 bars no matter how I hold it. This is with "Best wifi performance" unchecked. Wifi Analyzer does show a drop in signal strength of about 20dB, but I never lose connectivity. Played a YouTube HQ video and it never stutters in landscape, with both hands wrapped around the phone. Based on the signal drop it's very likely that in a low signal location holding it certain ways would cause connectivity loss. But that's very likely true of any phone.
So, being conservative I'd say at least some Sensations with some routers do not have the problem.

Hi. I've heard that there may be a difference in the models. Some have 3 pins connecting to the back cover/antenna and some have only 2 pins connecting to the cover. If people could post if they're having problems and how many pins they have under their back covers there could be a link?

i just purchased my phone last Saturday, and i am already on my second phone. they both exhibit this "death grip" issue, and the problem is very apparent--enough to render the wifi useless for me.
it does seem to be based on the wireless AP though. i do not experience an issue at work, nor at certain public wifi points. however, my cheesy home wireless AP seems to have a problem, and i suspect most hotel wireless APs will as well. since i travel for work, this is a problem.
i was informed by a T-Mobile employee that this is a known issue with the first generation of these phones. phones manufactured after June 1st are supposed to have resolved the problem. i am currently waiting for their shipment of these new phones to arrive so that i can get a replacement to see if it truly does resolve the problem.

When I throw my gorilla grip on my sensation (just below the point of annihilation) I have no signal issues. No change.

Maybe only certain sets have the issue, because I haven't faced it at all. I browsed the web using WiFi and had no issues. I have issues with the signal, but that is more due to my service provider and where I work. Otherwise, no dropped calls and surely no deathgrip.

My Phone has the. Issue. When I hold it with a death grip, I can see my wifi bars going down. I don't know how it affects the practical use and the internet speed.

Mo0oSaH said:
My Phone has the. Issue. When I hold it with a death grip, I can see my wifi bars going down. I don't know how it affects the practical use and the internet speed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be 'signal attenuation' rather than 'death grip'.

I don't have any signal attenuation on my Sensation. It does not matter how I hold the phone. My phone is dated 6/6/11.
Sent from either my N1, NS, or Sensation4G....

My first Sensation had the best screen but the worst connection with the death grip. My second handset has the worst screen but the best connection with death grip. Much like ALL android phones, you always have to compromise with some feature/defect.

Death Grip

I just called HTC and had them send me out a new battery door. I was having problems with the signals. Have any of you had these same problems? If so have Yall got a replacement from HTC and did it fix the issue?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App

nope, haven't had any reception/signal issues at all.

I believe the death-grip affects your wi-fi signal. When I move my phone to landscape mode and hold it as indicated in some videos, momentarily a bar goes down in my wifi signal but nothing like an interuption. It doesn't drop (and reconnect) wifi either.
It seems to be a hit or a miss with these phones

sbihue said:
I believe the death-grip affects your wi-fi signal. When I move my phone to landscape mode and hold it as indicated in some videos, momentarily a bar goes down in my wifi signal but nothing like an interuption. It doesn't drop (and reconnect) wifi either.
It seems to be a hit or a miss with these phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I'd really like it if someone who replaces their battery cover could post before and after wifi signal strength from the same location. It is possible that there has been a redesigned battery cover with a better antenna placement.

I only lost 1 signal bar so i think its normal - like other phones

I am currently having a HUGE problem with death grip. So bad that it drops my WiFi calling when im texting in landscape even from about 15 feet from my router. I am going to call HTC tomorrow and request a new back cover just because its a free step I can take to try and fix it.

seems like HTC have a problem with this model
i have to wait 7 days for my Sensation to come from service
then i will see what is the next step... media, solicitor .... we will see
signal its rubish anyway

silentsnow31802 said:
I am currently having a HUGE problem with death grip. So bad that it drops my WiFi calling when im texting in landscape even from about 15 feet from my router. I am going to call HTC tomorrow and request a new back cover just because its a free step I can take to try and fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok... so after reading your post I decided to test it out. My router is on the 2nd floor in the study. I used landscape mode to send a couple of emails and texts from the first floor and outside my home. The signal dropped a couple of bars each time and recovered. Didn't drop the wifi signal for sure.
I think it is still a problem and HTC needs to get a fix out. Don't know if it will be a f/w or h/w but it needs to be out. I guess if everyone having this issue raises enough hell, HTC may act sooner.

The 4g phones seem to have a different placement of the wifi antenna and does not contain a death grip like problem due to this reposition.

You can higher the wifi signal (battery usage) in the wifi advanced settings.
Doesn´t help anyway?

All sensations will do this. Rooting the phone and installing custom ROM will fix the issue. Before if i placed my hand over the top of the phone, wifi would drop, sometimes even lose signal entirely. Now after root and ROM, it doesn't even drop one bit.
I was about to return my phone due to this issue, i am glad I waited a bit.

jjcobm said:
All sensations will do this. Rooting the phone and installing custom ROM will fix the issue. Before if i placed my hand over the top of the phone, wifi would drop, sometimes even lose signal entirely. Now after root and ROM, it doesn't even drop one bit.
I was about to return my phone due to this issue, i am glad I waited a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is rooted (s-off) with all bloatware removed. Its still on stock ROM though.
Since we have S-OFF now, the custom ROM's for sensation have started to flow. Just waiting on those ROM's to be stable before deciding on which one to use.
BTW which ROM are you using!!!

Changing the back cover will make no difference. I got a replacement and saw no difference at all.

When I would go into landscape I would lose 1-2 wifi bars, but after I flashed Android Revolution 1.1.6 and kept the stock radio I started only losing 1 bar if any at all.

sbihue said:
My phone is rooted (s-off) with all bloatware removed. Its still on stock ROM though.
Since we have S-OFF now, the custom ROM's for sensation have started to flow. Just waiting on those ROM's to be stable before deciding on which one to use.
BTW which ROM are you using!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using:
InsertCoin Sense Android 2.3.4 STABLE 1.2
I have tried them all. This one is by far the best for everyday use.
Everyone complaining about death grip. It's there on all phones, it will go away with a root and custom ROM.

I haven't experienced this at all. compared to my buddies iphone 4 where there is a serious death grip problem any drop in signal on my sensation is moot.

MonkeyK said:
This is why I'd really like it if someone who replaces their battery cover could post before and after wifi signal strength from the same location. It is possible that there has been a redesigned battery cover with a better antenna placement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard that it does, but I'm still waiting on mine to arrive. We have FAR FAR lower signal strength with this phone than with our other phones (motorola cliq / mytouch 4g's)
I just checked and I'm on zero bars right now. I usually have 4 bars right here with my other phone. It's rediculous. Holding the phone reduces my signal strength by ~40-50%. It can completely lose signal, right under a tower (in visual range) if you hold your hand flat against the back.
Flashindude said:
I only lost 1 signal bar so i think its normal - like other phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For many people, this is not the case. I know there are different revisions for the back cover. I think it is due to that.
jjcobm said:
I am using:
InsertCoin Sense Android 2.3.4 STABLE 1.2
I have tried them all. This one is by far the best for everyday use.
Everyone complaining about death grip. It's there on all phones, it will go away with a root and custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad this is the case for you. It is not for me.

chisleu said:
I've heard that it does, but I'm still waiting on mine to arrive. We have FAR FAR lower signal strength with this phone than with our other phones (motorola cliq / mytouch 4g's)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did your wifi situation improve after u got the new cover? my device sucks.. it drops all the way down to zero.. thinking of getting the g2x instead

Signal is good when phone is turned to 2G only, so this appears to be a firmw-/software issue rather than a battery-cover issue.

I had the same problem when i first recieved the devie but as you say custom rom sorted that

Wifi Issues

When I move into my room, my laptop gets 90%-100% signal strength from my Wifi, my phone however randomly looses signal completely and especially when I take up the phone to use it. It's very frustrating. Plus when I'm on 3G, it constantly switches from 3G to H too.

The 3g H switching is normal if you are on tmo us and running the eu roms and has been discussed quite a bit
not sure what you mean by losing signal, but i get diff bars diff places in my house. never lose the whole connection as in not being able to dl or browse web
did you run speed tests at these diff locations in house

rugmankc said:
The 3g H switching is normal if you are on tmo us and running the eu roms and has been discussed quite a bit
not sure what you mean by losing signal, but i get diff bars diff places in my house. never lose the whole connection as in not being able to dl or browse web
did you run speed tests at these diff locations in house
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you misunderstood his post. His primary problem is that the wifi on his phone doesn't come close to the signal strength his laptop has when in the same room.
The secondary problem was the 3g/4g switching.
OP -- I have no idea what to tell you.

no, i understood. just saying my phone wifi bars fluctuate even if my laptop has good signal. may just be the way they both display strength readings
i think op should run speed tests btw the two at same time. however both devices are splitting signal so may not be as good as only one running at a time
his speeds may be fine even though bars don't show it

rugmankc said:
no, i understood. just saying my phone wifi bars fluctuate even if my laptop has good signal. may just be the way they both display strength readings
i think op should run speed tests btw the two at same time. however both devices are splitting signal so may not be as good as only one running at a time
his speeds may be fine even though bars don't show it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in Jamaica, no T-mobile. I'm not sure if I'm running an EU rom. My problem is that I loose connectivity to Wifi totally randomly in my room with even little motion. I mentioned my laptop for reference... it's like there's poor signal in my room. The phone'll just bit sitting on my bed, I hear an alert and pick up the phone to realize I've lost Wifi.
Speed is not the problem, I've been able to run a speed test to confirm I get the speed I'm supposed to get. Other times though, the speed test could not complete because I moved a little and lost connectivity.

HTC One S wifi
HTC One S wifi
Make sure that your SIM access cover is snapped in place.
It happened to me with the WiFi signal - The phone was losing signal, and had low signal 1 foot away from the router.
I 'pinched' the top-right corner of the access cover (thumb on the glass, index finger on the back cover) - I heard a 'click' and suddenly my WiFi was at full strength. I believe that the WiFi antenna is not connected unless it snaps together.

ok, not sure what to suggest. you could try turning airplane mode on and of and see if that helps
maybe router settings with the phone if you always had the issue
under settings/wifi/ tap on wifi then the 3 dot menu--Advanced. See if Keep Wi-Fi on during Sleep is Always. If not tap on it and change to Always
Also at bottom of Advanced menu is a DLNA setting, you could toggle that
barring that or someone else's ideas--maybe hardware and needs replaced

Try turning on Best Wifi Performance in Wifi, advanced settings.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U

Turning on best WiFi performance totally killed my battery life, but that may just be me.
If you're losing signal on one device but not another, I'd recommend changing the channel on your router. Interference on certain channels can cause weird issues with some devices. There are apps on the market that will show you which channels are congested in your area.

ptweasel said:
Turning on best WiFi performance totally killed my battery life, but that may just be me.
If you're losing signal on one device but not another, I'd recommend changing the channel on your router. Interference on certain channels can cause weird issues with some devices. There are apps on the market that will show you which channels are congested in your area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... I'll try that. So far turning on DLNA and Best Performance hasn't made any difference. I'll try changing the channel when I get home later and post the results. I REALLY hope h/w is not the problem.. it's gonna be a hassle sending this back.

It might be worth gently cleaning the contacts exposed when you remove the SIM access panel. As District noted, good contact is necessary for wifi (and probably other features). Dust or a fingerprint may be problematic.

Anything to bear in mind when trying to clean it or adjust it? I'm really paranoid I'll mess it up.

make sure you use electrical cleaner
radio shack sells it, comes in spray can
if you haven't had sim card out or phone long, probably not issue. but, worth try
if you have another router, you can always try that

Nothing seems to work... I'm using channel 11 @ home which doesn't seem to be crowded. I have the same issue @ work with our router. I've been having this problem from I got the phone last week. This is after I initially removed the back cover to first insert my SIM.
I'm going to try and see if I can secure a cleaner... I tried blowing on it mean time. Also turned on DLNA and best wifi performance and all.

DLNA auto-IP setting worked for me.
Hi OP,
I had the exact same wifi issues on my One S. I tried the router at work, the router at home and my mates router with the same results.
Mine seems to work now, with no disconnections or manually connections. What seems to have worked for me -- Wifi - Advanced menu -- DLNA auto-IP setting - toggle on. Then restart, making sure the setting is still set after reboot. Seems to have fixed my wifi issues.
HTH.
Darren.

[Q] HTC ONE S Wifi Problem

I have a HTC one s and it is experiencing wifi problems. I know the one x has had some of the same issues, but the problem with my one s is that whenever i hold the device from the top, the wifi drops suddenly and it than cuts off. When i remove my hand about, 5 seconds later the wifi shoots up to 4-5 bars.

return it and get a new one

That's where the antenna is!! Your SIM cover has the antenna built in to it.

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Thanks ✟
Moving to Q&A

Try to remove and reseat SIM card cover, if its still too bad have the phone replaced. A friend of mine had his One S replaced after we compared Wifi signal with Wifi analyzer and his was ~20 dBm worse than mine at same locations. New one is fine. Didn't know about the wifi antenna on sim card cover back then though, might have helped since it seems it has for some users here.

I have almost the same problems with WiFi antenna although it's not as worse as others are saying. I can confirm though that when you put your hand next to the SIM cover the WiFi signal drops 1-2 even 4 lines at some times. However I don't think it's a manufacturing defect for some phones but I think it's a general problem with all the models. I am saying this because I had the exact same problem with all my HTC devices (Diamond, Desire and One S). So I think it's a poor WiFi project and maybe cheap raw materials rather than a poor WiFi in some phones. In a way it's normal that this happens because your hand will screen the antenna. Try to do this with all antennas out there and you will see that your hand (your body) will influence the signal in all devices). So if they couldn't overcome this problem they had to put the antenna in the place where you will cover it most rare, and this place is on top of the phone. I don't like it either but that's the way it is.

amoiz said:
I have a HTC one s and it is experiencing wifi problems. I know the one x has had some of the same issues, but the problem with my one s is that whenever i hold the device from the top, the wifi drops suddenly and it than cuts off. When i remove my hand about, 5 seconds later the wifi shoots up to 4-5 bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just noticed the same this morning, though only happens when i try to wrap the upper part of the device with my hand. i never hold the phone in that position so it does not happen.....

Actually when you are browsing the internet, view pics one-by-one, view movies - usually you are holding the phone in the landscape mode so most people will rotate the phone counter-clockwise until it reaches landscape mode and will hold it with the left hand exactly from the upper part (if the phone is rotated clockwise then the supporting hand will accidentaly touch the lower 3 buttons so not too many people will rotate it clockwise) and with the right hand they will browse. So in these situations, which come very often, we will loose (almost all) signal. If these will not bother you/me/all of us, for sure it will bother all of us when browsing internet. I really don't know if a fix can be made for this issue. Even if I would change the SIM cover (so change the WiFi antenna), the replacement will be built exactly the same so the problems will persist. I am curios to see if SGS3 has the same problem or not. I really think it's a question of antenna position so it's a crappy board design of the phone. It shouldn't happen at a 500+ euro device.

I have the same wifi issues on the One S. There is a firmware upgrade available OTA, it may fix it. I will see.

Any chance this is fixable or not device-wide? It's somewhat of an annoying problem when holding in landscape. I'm assuming this is no more than a design "flaw"

I'm having the same issue. When holding the phone in landscape mode, the wifi signal drops to one bar.
I noticed that when I'm closer to the router, like within a 3 meters range there is no signal dropping.
It's very annoying...
Could it be fixed by improving the contact between the antenna and the back-cover?

Sent an email to htc support about it, this is their response:
The location that you describe, on the side with the Power button near the camera lens, is where the HTC One's antenna is located. Covering this location will provide less-than-optimal results with regard to cellular and WiFi signal. You may want to try holding the device slightly to the side of this location, more towards the center of the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I seem to recall a certain fruit phone with a similar problem and it was kinda a big deal lol. I'll get over it, but fokkkkkk

ThudButt said:
Sent an email to htc support about it, this is their response:
I seem to recall a certain fruit phone with a similar problem and it was kinda a big deal lol. I'll get over it, but fokkkkkk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you guys try remove and reseat SIM cover? Might help a bit even though its natural with some signal loss when holding it that way. If your phone has significantly worse signal when laying on a table or whatever compared to another phone then try to get it exchanged. Compare with https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer
Edit: Love how your quote from HTC disappeared when I quoted you

traffic stops after few minutes
Hey,
my signal is ok, but after few minutes of working the internet connection just will not go through anymore. I have tried installing 4.04 but no change. AP is still connected, full signal, but not even google comes on. Restarting wifi helps for another few minutes. Doesn´t have to do anything with sleepmode, that I am sure of - it happens even during download from Play Store i.e.. Wifi best performance ON, Keep Wifi on during sleep Always.
Any idea on what that might be? - the old HD2 (android 2.3.) works like a charm on my home network
Getting desperate , otherwise such a nice phone.

WIFI problems
Ive been trying hard to figure out the flash 1.85 thing and have had no luck. any way someone can help me with exact directions on doing it. i have downloaded 1.85 2.85 files but having issues flashing it.
please help