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Weird APN / 3G issue

hi,
I'm on day 2 of trying to sort out my wife's new Captivate, so would appreciate any help at all. Phone is rooted, unlocked and has decent signal, but I cannot connect to 3g.
I'm on Optus network via TPG (Aussie network). I've tried many APN settings, and I'm at the point where I don't think this is the issue (yes, I know this is normally the issue).
I tried going into *#*#4696#*#* and doing WCDMA preferred, and WCDMA only, made sure AUS radio band was selected and did 'Enable data'.... also no help
I've also made sure data is enabled on the sim/account. If I insert the sim into another phone, it works with 3G. So it's something to do with the phone for sure.
Optus' 3g info says "2100MHz frequency band. Enabled with High Speed Packet Access technology (HSPA)". So WCDMA is the correct setting I think.
To be clear, I've never gotted the little 3G symbol at all (or an 'H' symbol that I've seen someone mention). I first tried emulating my own Vibrant's settings exactly, which didn't help.
Any ideas would be great.
thanks.

I'm completely out of options ... is there a chance this is an issue with bad contacts? I fixed my Vibrant's GPS by prying up one of the contacts...

All fixed. If anyone else has this trouble - flash back to stock, following this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884364
Note - I already had stock, so no idea what the hell was going on, but whatever.

[2G/3G/3.5G] Preferred Network Types Explained & How To Change It Easily

I'm noticing most of us are on the AT&T Network, yet there are those that do not want or need 3G/3.5G and want to use 2G or have another carrier so they cant take advantage of the speeds because they are on a Network such as T-Mobile.
Obviously someone using primarily or mainly 2G will see significantly more battery life.
This is good for someone that rarely uses data service or goes online using WIFI for the most part.
To change or edit your Preferred Network type go to your Phone app
then enter the following: *#*#4636#*#*
>Phone Information
>Set Preferred Network Type
Now you are able to change and edit the way your phone looks for and uses the Network you are currently on.
The Terms are explained below:
Preferred Network Types change the type of frequency the phone searches for.
Android is used on several devices that can gain access to different cell carriers.
For simplicity, there are two main types of cell carriers, GSM and CDMA.
The following popular data communication technology is associated with each cell carrier type:
GSM = GPRS (2g), EDGE(2g), UMTS(3g), WCDMA(3g), HSDPA(3g) {Cell Carrier examples: AT&T and T-Mobile}
CDMA = CDMA*(2/3g) EV-DO(3g) WiMax(3/4g) {Cell Carrier examples: Verizon and Sprint}
Now that the general stuff is out of the way, here's my take on the Preferred Network types:
WCDMA preferred - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 3G is favored more.
GSM only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
WCDMA only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more. This one is a bit confusing to me since PRL is associated mostly with CDMA technology and not GSM technology.
CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.
CDMA only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
EvDo only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - Some phones are equipped with both GSM and CDMA capabilities. This setting appears to just have the phone attempt to stay connected to the data communication type that works the best.
Unknown - If none of the above fit or the phone is acting weird as far as connecting to the carrier, you will see your preferred network type is set to this
When using the 'only' options you should still be able to make calls.
To put things into perspective, The Nexus One is set to WCDMA preferred as default and the Droid Incredible is set to CDMA auto (PRL).

My Samsun S does not recognise my sim.The sim works in another phone. I tried to change the preferred networkto CDMA preferred, as it is on "unknown". It does not allow me to change it. Please help, as this new phone is now doorstopper.

Azizj said:
My Samsun S does not recognise my sim.The sim works in another phone. I tried to change the preferred networkto CDMA preferred, as it is on "unknown". It does not allow me to change it. Please help, as this new phone is now doorstopper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to your devices section, seriously...
Sent from Team Pirate! Using Tapatalk 2

legend221 said:
I'm noticing most of us are on the AT&T Network, yet there are those that do not want or need 3G/3.5G and want to use 2G or have another carrier so they cant take advantage of the speeds because they are on a Network such as T-Mobile.
Obviously someone using primarily or mainly 2G will see significantly more battery life.
This is good for someone that rarely uses data service or goes online using WIFI for the most part.
To change or edit your Preferred Network type go to your Phone app
then enter the following: *#*#4636#*#*
>Phone Information
>Set Preferred Network Type
Now you are able to change and edit the way your phone looks for and uses the Network you are currently on.
The Terms are explained below:
Preferred Network Types change the type of frequency the phone searches for.
Android is used on several devices that can gain access to different cell carriers.
For simplicity, there are two main types of cell carriers, GSM and CDMA.
The following popular data communication technology is associated with each cell carrier type:
GSM = GPRS (2g), EDGE(2g), UMTS(3g), WCDMA(3g), HSDPA(3g) {Cell Carrier examples: AT&T and T-Mobile}
CDMA = CDMA*(2/3g) EV-DO(3g) WiMax(3/4g) {Cell Carrier examples: Verizon and Sprint}
Now that the general stuff is out of the way, here's my take on the Preferred Network types:
WCDMA preferred - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 3G is favored more.
GSM only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
WCDMA only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more. This one is a bit confusing to me since PRL is associated mostly with CDMA technology and not GSM technology.
CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.
CDMA only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
EvDo only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - Some phones are equipped with both GSM and CDMA capabilities. This setting appears to just have the phone attempt to stay connected to the data communication type that works the best.
Unknown - If none of the above fit or the phone is acting weird as far as connecting to the carrier, you will see your preferred network type is set to this
When using the 'only' options you should still be able to make calls.
To put things into perspective, The Nexus One is set to WCDMA preferred as default and the Droid Incredible is set to CDMA auto (PRL).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This option has not worked on any Sense ROM I have tried for the HTC Inspire. It works great on CM7 but does nothing but stay on 3G on sense.

For sense Rom if you are rooted this is how you do it
From today screen
1. Hit menu
2. Click settings
3. Click wireless and networks
4. Scroll down to mobile networks
5. Choose network mode
6. Change to gsm
This will lock you into edge only. Even after reboot settings will stay phone must be rooted or it does not hold settings
If you want 3g/4g only. Set tab to wcdma only
I am running coredroid 9.4
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda app-developers app

insanenyc said:
For sense Rom if you are rooted this is how you do it
From today screen
1. Hit menu
2. Click settings
3. Click wireless and networks
4. Scroll down to mobile networks
5. Choose network mode
6. Change to gsm
This will lock you into edge only even after reboot settings will stay phone must be rooted or it does not hold settings
If you want 3g/4g only set tab to wcdma only
I am running coredroid 9.4
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried this on CoreDroid and ARHD and no luck. Went through settings menu and used the *#*#4636#*#* options and neither one sticks. Could it be my radio and hboot and the interface with Sense?
EDIT: Going to try ARHD again and see. If not, I will try CoreDroid.
EDIT: Still a no go for either ROM...ClearDroid included. So far, I have only been able to do this via either method (plus a built in toggle) via CM7. This begs the question of whether this is a software issue with HTC Sense.

Strange I remember when I was on stock sense Rom the settings wouldn't stick. But as soon as I rooted and downloaded a custom Rom it did stick sorry you are having trouble. Here is my complete rom/radio/kernal
Coredroid 9.4 = Rom
12.56.60.25u_26.10.04.03m=radio
Lordmod 5.0 is the kernal
I also changed my build.prop settings to enable real 4g and tweaked gsm gprs umits huspa hsdpa I do not know if this had any effect on making settings stick
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda app-developers app

Build.prop tweaks
insanenyc said:
Strange I remember when I was on stock sense Rom the settings wouldn't stick. But as soon as I rooted and downloaded a custom Rom it did stick sorry you are having trouble. Here is my complete rom/radio/kernal
Coredroid 9.4 = Rom
12.56.60.25u_26.10.04.03m=radio
Lordmod 5.0 is the kernal
I also changed my build.prop settings to enable real 4g and tweaked gsm gprs umits huspa hsdpa I do not know if this had any effect on making settings stick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the feedback. I am running the same radio. I will revisit CoreDroid again. Perhaps editing the build prop is the way to go in this case. It is the one thing I have not tried on any of the ROMs for this phone other than to rename my phone from Desire HD to Inspire (which was only on one or two ROMS). Would you mind sharing your build.prop settings and tweaks so that I can have a baseline to work with? I'll tweak from there as necessary to meet my wants.

I edited only these in build.prop
ro.ril.gprsclass=10
ro.ril.hsdpa.category=28
ro.ril.hsupa.category=7
ro.ril.hsxpa=2
Reboot twice and don't forget to backup your settings
I used prop editor to edit build.prop its easier but I don't have a link for it but I think there is a link in that thread I posted below
All info can be found here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=982082
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda app-developers app

Give build.prop change a try
insanenyc said:
I edited only these in build.prop
ro.ril.gprsclass=10
ro.ril.hsdpa.category=28
ro.ril.hsupa.category=7
ro.ril.hsxpa=2
Reboot twice and don't forget to backup your settings
I used prop editor to edit build.prop its easier but I don't have a link for it but I think there is a link in that thread I posted below
All info can be found here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=982082
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I will give this a shot. I have edited the build.prop before but only for the purpose of changing device id name. I don't remember what I used to edit it but I am sure I can find it again. No worries about the backups. I kept copies of original build.prop saved plus did a nandroid right before making the changes. Never can be too careful. Will post results later tonight on whether this was success or not for locking in the ability to switch between bands.

In that thread I posted is the build.prop app 8th or 9th post down. That tweak is just for faster data speeds and I do not think it will lock u on to 2 g or 3g but who knows
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda app-developers app

insanenyc said:
In that thread I posted is the build.prop app 8th or 9th post down. That tweak is just for faster data speeds and I do not think it will lock u on to 2 g or 3g but who knows
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No go for 2g/3g options. Have not been able to really say about faster data speeds but definitely something I will keep notes on. Back to where I started. Looks like CM will remain my ROM of choice for now.

Preferred network type set to unknown
Hi frnds.. i had accidently set preferred network type to unknown by going in secret setting by using the code *#*#4636#*#* in my Micromax A54 and now my real imei number is changed into 00000000. My mobile is not recognizing any sim and on notification bar it says ''searching for service''. I am not able to reset previous setting i.e. unknown to gsm auto(prl) or gsm only or wcdma only. Please help me how can i resolve my problem.
Your help will be appreciated. thnx in advance..

hi i have samsung note2 my network show unknow but every thing is ok call sms is fine how to i fix it to my network when i restart it they show gprs but when i call some one they going to unknow

Turns out the device has two SIM card slots - one strictly for GSM, another with WCDMA support. If this is the same for you, change SIMcard slot and the preferred network type will change

legend221 said:
I'm noticing most of us are on the AT&T Network, yet there are those that do not want or need 3G/3.5G and want to use 2G or have another carrier so they cant take advantage of the speeds because they are on a Network such as T-Mobile.
Obviously someone using primarily or mainly 2G will see significantly more battery life.
This is good for someone that rarely uses data service or goes online using WIFI for the most part.
To change or edit your Preferred Network type go to your Phone app
then enter the following: *#*#4636#*#*
>Phone Information
>Set Preferred Network Type
Now you are able to change and edit the way your phone looks for and uses the Network you are currently on.
The Terms are explained below:
Preferred Network Types change the type of frequency the phone searches for.
Android is used on several devices that can gain access to different cell carriers.
For simplicity, there are two main types of cell carriers, GSM and CDMA.
The following popular data communication technology is associated with each cell carrier type:
GSM = GPRS (2g), EDGE(2g), UMTS(3g), WCDMA(3g), HSDPA(3g) {Cell Carrier examples: AT&T and T-Mobile}
CDMA = CDMA*(2/3g) EV-DO(3g) WiMax(3/4g) {Cell Carrier examples: Verizon and Sprint}
Now that the general stuff is out of the way, here's my take on the Preferred Network types:
WCDMA preferred - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 3G is favored more.
GSM only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
WCDMA only - The GSM phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM auto (PRL) - The GSM phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more. This one is a bit confusing to me since PRL is associated mostly with CDMA technology and not GSM technology.
CDMA auto (PRL) - The CDMA phone is capable of using both 2G and 3G data communication and when signal strength is low 2G is favored more.
CDMA only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 2G data communication. When the 2G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
EvDo only - The CDMA phone is capable of using only 3G data communication. When the 3G signal is too low you get nothing at all.
GSM/CDMA auto (PRL) - Some phones are equipped with both GSM and CDMA capabilities. This setting appears to just have the phone attempt to stay connected to the data communication type that works the best.
Unknown - If none of the above fit or the phone is acting weird as far as connecting to the carrier, you will see your preferred network type is set to this
When using the 'only' options you should still be able to make calls.
To put things into perspective, The Nexus One is set to WCDMA preferred as default and the Droid Incredible is set to CDMA auto (PRL).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, here's a tutorial on how to change network modes using AT commands: http://www.josemauricio.net/?p=486

When i try to change my network it automatic changes to wcdma preferred.
When i try to change my network it automatic changes to wcdma preferred

lock your infuse to cdma

Dial *#*#4636#*#* go into phone information scroll down and choose wcdma only and your done default is GSM/WCDMA auto (PRL)

samsungcaptivates said:
Dial *#*#4636#*#* go into phone information scroll down and choose wcdma only and your done default is GSM/WCDMA auto (PRL)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please excuse my ignorance, but what would be the purpose of this?

so that it dosent jump around from 3g 2g if its auto and your not using data it automatically defaults to 2g i think to save battery then switches to 3g oir hsdpa 3.5g or what att calls 4g on demand this keeps it locked on wcdma or 4g to my knowledge

samsungcaptivates said:
so that it dosent jump around from 3g 2g if its auto and your not using data it automatically defaults to 2g i think to save battery then switches to 3g oir hsdpa 3.5g or what att calls 4g on demand this keeps it locked on wcdma or 4g to my knowledge
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seems like it reverts back to auto after a reboot

This makes the phone work on Verizon, right?

MikeyMike01 said:
This makes the phone work on Verizon, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See that's what I thought too. ATT = GSM, Verizon/Sprint = CDMA.

kwaalude said:
seems like it reverts back to auto after a reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine goes back to auto as soon as I back out of the menu. Am I doing something wrong by using the back button?

wouldn't this, by locking it, render the phone useless when traveling out of area that support that network?

MikeyMike01 said:
This makes the phone work on Verizon, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
roflmao 10char

vbanh said:
Mine goes back to auto as soon as I back out of the menu. Am I doing something wrong by using the back button?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine does the same thing. did you figure out how to do it? I have been trying but I couldn't do it

I found this here in the forum someone posted and it worked for me thanks for him.
champoux said:
Here's an alternate method I puzzled out (and then afterward discovered it was already posted in thread 751237. It's a bit faster and has the advantage of surviving flight mode; still gets reset upon restart.
Dial *#*#2263#*#* (mnemonic: *#*#BAND#*#*).
This brings up the Band selection menu which you can also access from the above method by dialing *#*#197328640#*#* then going into DEBUG SCREEN > PHONE CONTROL > NETWORK CONTROL.
Select [3] GSM BAND
Select [1] GSM ALL
Select "Select GSM All Bands"
Menu key > END
To switch back, go to *#*#2263#*#* and select [1] AUTOMATIC > Select GSM &WCDMA All Bands > Menu key > END.
Something else I'm trying out is switching the acquisition order so when it is in "dual" mode, it'll try GSM first. Even so, it will still switch to 3g if there's enough signal. Seems to help keep it on 2G though, when it would otherwise cling to a faint 3g signal with 0-1 bars.
To do that, go into the NETWORK CONTROL menu (see above) then
Select [4] AQUISITION ORDER (yes they misspelled it)
Select [2] GSM->UMTS
Select "Select ACQ_ORDER_GSM_FIRST" (at least they abbreviated it correctly)
Menu key > END
This option does not get reset upon phone restart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I did this and now my sms or text messaging don't work help

I had this happen too, but I didn't use the above method. Don't know what happened, but when I checked message settings, I had no number under "Message Center" did a quick google search and found an ATT number "+13123149810"...now it works again.

Did u call the number

Never mind i fixed it.but now in my network type it says umts is that faster then hsdpa and are there any other number sequences i can use to tweak my phone

I'm getting RAT restricted, which I got on my Vibrant but never my Captivate...
How can I change to show the different bands?
Sent from my Samsung Infuse 4G

wcdma and cdma have nothing to do with each other. wcdma is also known as umts, the base part of 3g (and 4g when hspa+). hspa is a protocol that runs on top of this cell technology providing higher data speeds. gprs (known as edge, and some times called gsm) is 2g. you can turn one or another off so the phone does not seek and connect to both services, which could save battery life. even though ive yet to see my phone find less than 3g/4g in houston, i still dont turn it off, just in case.

The Jack of Clubs said:
wcdma and cdma have nothing to do with each other. wcdma is also known as umts, the base part of 3g (and 4g when hspa+). hspa is a protocol that runs on top of this cell technology providing higher data speeds. gprs (known as edge, and some times called gsm) is 2g. you can turn one or another off so the phone does not seek and connect to both services, which could save battery life. even though ive yet to see my phone find less than 3g/4g in houston, i still dont turn it off, just in case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, John Madden.

[Q] 3g issue

Hello there, i just got this phone 3 weeks ago and since i have wifi i didnt test the 3g conection before. i activated a data pack and i just realized that my 3g doesnt come on at all. the screen shows 4g left side of the signal strengh but it doesnt work at all. i got at&t version. i confirmed with my carrier and i did activate data, they even helped me to set up the apn but is still not working. can you helpe me? thanks!
PD: they said they couldnt have done more because they dont support that type of device

Does it say 4G or 4G LTE? The at&t icons are a bit different I'd you're not used to them.
4G = hspa
4G LTE = LTE
So if you're getting the 4G icon you are actually getting 3G hspa speeds.
Sent from my Evita

If another carrier besides AT&T, you will need to find the APN settings for your carrier and manually enter it into Settings>Mobile network settings>Access point names. Select "New APN" and enter the correct settings for your manufacturer.
The 4G icon simply means a network is present, it doesn't mean you are connected to it.

thank you for helping people. whel actualy i wouldnt mind getting 3g network access, the point is that i dont have internet access at all. i called my carrier (Claro - El salvador) and they helped me to set up the apt but is still not working. i was wondering if there is something else i could try to fix this

nevermind, i finally fixed it

Please share the fix so the information is available for anyone who might have the same problem in the future.
Sent from my Evita

Please share the fix so the information is available for anyone who might have the same problem in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry. well, first i did master reset, once done i set up an apn (carrier provides you with this info), then went to mobile network > network operators > select automatically. once the device found the "CLARO" network i turned data on and got internet service.

Thankyou, these threads live on long after we're finished with them so it's important to have the information readily available for future troubleshooters.
Sent from my Evita

tolonuia said:
sorry. well, first i did master reset, once done i set up an apn (carrier provides you with this info), then went to mobile network > network operators > select automatically. once the device found the "CLARO" network i turned data on and got internet service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you either had not entered the APN info exactly correctly the first time. Or also, after entering the APN you actually have to select it as the "active" one on the list of APNs (making sure it has the colored dot next to it). Maybe it did need a factory reset, but this shouldn't be necessary just to change APN.
Happy you got it figured out.

Lg g4 h810 works 2G only

Hi,
I bought this phone Lg G4 h810, it shows AT&T logo whenever i boot it and the problem is despite of network mode on lte/wcdma/gsm/auto it always runs on2G internet speed and shows E sign.
I am from india and many service providers are still not offering4G internet service. But this phone doesn't even runs on wcdma. My previous phone lenovo was nicely running on wcdma and always showed the sign H.
My cellular operator is idea cellular and i had a word with them, they sent me settings and all and help me input the settings manually too, but nothing worked.
I checked even the frequencies, idea cellular is offering UMTS B1(2100) and UMTS B8(900 gsm). I checked this on LG website and these bands are compatible with the phone i bought, but still i can't get anything more than2G. Why so?
Plus there is one more problem, when i switched it on for the first time it showed update available And when i tried to update, it showed error and now always there's an icon on top left corner of phone saying couldn't install system update. I tried restarting and updating the device many times, but it's still the same.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Have you put your Company APN?

Yes i did, the company executive even helped me to manually save the settings to run the internet in a 3G mode. But all efforts in vain.

Did you solve the issue?

Anything new? I have the same problem.

I have this problem too

Try hidden menu with *#546368#*810# and under Field Test menu / Modem settings if there is VoLTE on/off chose VoLTE and restart. I have done that and my phone starts working with 4G. Don't forget to set up good APN if it's not automatically set by network provider.

scytalemk said:
Try hidden menu with *#546368#*810# and under Field Test menu / Modem settings if there is VoLTE on/off chose VoLTE and restart. I have done that and my phone starts working with 4G. Don't forget to set up good APN if it's not automatically set by network provider.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Under VoLTE there is another entry named "Session" and in there
RPR(on/off) switch
I enabled it and restarts but it is again on 2g
Anyone further on this issue??

I have this problem too
I was flash the stock firmware,custom firmware customizing the build.prop,changed the settings in the engineering menu *#546368#*810# disconnected volte,changed LTE bands forcibly. Nothing helps,dont work 3G LTE - 2G only(. I realized that I need to re-flash (change) the original QCN file for H810 and re-register IMEI , but I can not find QCN it freely available.

Hello there, i had the same issue. The fix that worked for me was searching for network manuallly and reconnecting again to my carriers LTE network. Worked as a charm. The issue maybe was a brutal handover as I had been travelli g from a city to another one 200 km away. So somehow I had been disconnected from the LTE network and left stranded in the 2g one. Try it it should work