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Any way to improve wifi reception?

Is the problem the hardware? Or can the software be tweaked? Just wanna know because as everyone knows it is horrible on this phone.
Infuse running infused v2.0.2.

Obviously you have a crap router. I'm 30 feet from mine right now and I have full bars.

strychninetwitch said:
Obviously you have a crap router. I'm 30 feet from mine right now and I have full bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Helpful....
and really, 30 feet? that's not exactly far.....
Its not the router, it is the phone. Mine, though it will remember the networks I use, will NEVER reconnect to one when its in range. Signal strength is also an issue. All previous phones I've had have been able to get at least 2 bars of wifi signal at the other end of our house, but the Infuse just can't do it. Drops to the very least signal indicator on the display and will not pull any data.
I've had a bit better luck with Infused 1.6, but it may just be in my head as I don't think that it actually changes anything in the software for wifi over the stock ROM.
There are a LOT of posts about this and there doesn't seem to be an answer (at least that I have been able to find) to it or any work-arounds. This is really my only complaint with the phone, the wifi is absolute garbage. Some have said that its because the phone only does b/g and not N, so if you have N and you can set it to B or G that may be better.

strychninetwitch said:
Obviously you have a crap router. I'm 30 feet from mine right now and I have full bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well from 30 feet away you should have full bars.
But at the op, I know what you mean about wifi signal. I learned though that even though it shows low bars, my speed was still good.
On the other hand, for some odd reason the miui rom made my wifi signal better. I went from about 16 mbs down to 23 down. Maybe a coincidence, I dunno.
Strychnine, try not to come across as such an ass.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA App

Try being more successful trolls. Even laptops rarely have perfect reception through 4 walls and a ceiling at 30 feet.

strychninetwitch said:
Try being more successful trolls. Even laptops rarely have perfect reception through 4 walls and a ceiling at 30 feet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Learn the definition of troll. Lol
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA App

I think it's mostly a hardware problem. The consensus among those who own the phone seems to be that wifi reception is average to poor.
I don't have the knowledge to be able to speak authoritatively, but I think software *can* have an impact.
With my particular Infuse, I have better reception with the new MIUI rom posted by Mikey than anything else I've tried (almost all of them). I get full reception - "excellent" - in locations where on any other rom I would have "fair" or "poor"...
I don't know if this makes sense but that is my experience.

iruleyounow said:
Is the problem the hardware? Or can the software be tweaked? Just wanna know because as everyone knows it is horrible on this phone.
Infuse running infused v2.0.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While Strych is being rude (normal from his other posts) I have to agree that it might just be your situation.
My router is on the ground floor and I can use my wifi from the third floor in my house.
Then again I've used Wifi Analyzer (from the market) to test the channels and see what wans were overlapping mine and select one that was empty with good strength.
I also tend not to flash beta roms and then wonder why things aren't working as expected.
If you want help with your issue, you may want to post in the Q&A forum and describe what you're running, what problem you're having (specifically), and what you've done to test/fix the problem. Otherwise, if you're just ranting, I can understand that as well.

Hmm well a lot of helpful tips. I will be purchasing a brand new router. The one I have is just a basic Linksys. So ill upgrade the next level up. Idk I've never been able to get great reception. But on the flipside Ive always used a basic router.
Infuse running infused v2.0.2.

TOA Duck said:
Well from 30 feet away you should have full bars.
But at the op, I know what you mean about wifi signal. I learned though that even though it shows low bars, my speed was still good.
On the other hand, for some odd reason the miui rom made my wifi signal better. I went from about 16 mbs down to 23 down. Maybe a coincidence, I dunno.
Strychnine, try not to come across as such an ass.
Sent from my SGH-I997 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What were you on before? AT&T Froyo or Rogers Gingerbread?
One of the problems with Rogers Gingerbread were crappy TCP buffer settings - CM7 had the "better" AT&T settings for a long time until it was updated to the new UCKI3/I4 settings. This would explain faster WiFi performance regardless of signal quality.
Signal quality has always been fine for me. Froyo has some annoying power management issues where the wifi chipset basically dies and needs to be disabled/reenabled to reconnect (This is actually common across many devices with the BCM4330 - happens a lot on the Tab 10.1 too, and in that case it's sometimes so bad that it hoses up the lockscreen.), Gingerbread seems to have fixed the wifi-death issues on our devices.

Wifi Connection
iruleyounow said:
Hmm well a lot of helpful tips. I will be purchasing a brand new router. The one I have is just a basic Linksys. So ill upgrade the next level up. Idk I've never been able to get great reception. But on the flipside Ive always used a basic router.
Infuse running infused v2.0.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am pretty sure this wifi problem is def not your router. I use wifi here at work and home while both receptions are TERRIBLE. I think its hardware related because I have still yet to find anyone with a fix.
thanks

I agree...both the thrill and my new phone have better reception and speeds than my infuse did.. same conditions/same router
bbayless said:
I am pretty sure this wifi problem is def not your router. I use wifi here at work and home while both receptions are TERRIBLE. I think its hardware related because I have still yet to find anyone with a fix.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA App

Flash the latest modem.
Cranky...

apallohadas said:
While Strych is being rude (normal from his other posts) I have to agree that it might just be your situation.
My router is on the ground floor and I can use my wifi from the third floor in my house.
Then again I've used Wifi Analyzer (from the market) to test the channels and see what wans were overlapping mine and select one that was empty with good strength.
I also tend not to flash beta roms and then wonder why things aren't working as expected.
If you want help with your issue, you may want to post in the Q&A forum and describe what you're running, what problem you're having (specifically), and what you've done to test/fix the problem. Otherwise, if you're just ranting, I can understand that as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have the same exact issue. I went thru 3 diff routers and no change. I also have an inspire and a iphone and they connect perfectly when mine cant. I live in a apartment and my router is in the same room. My wifes inspire works and mine dont. I know one of you are gonna say something like maybe you have too many things connected. Well that would be false. Both inspires had no problems but when i got my infuse it was just still 2 phones connected. Im calling samsung tomorrow to see what they have to say. I had alot of calls about the infuse and wifi problems also
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium

Oh and i was on stock with these issues and now rooted with the same issues
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium

[Q] Little to no signal? [Valhalla Black]

I searched but didn't come up with anything, or I'm doing it wrong.
In the last three days suddenly I have little-to-no signal. My wife has a SGS4G with the stock T-mobile Gingerbread ROM on it and she'll have anywhere from 2-3 bars more signal than I do.
Right now I'm staring at my phone and I have excellent wi-fi (being 6 feet from my router) but no cell signal at all.
I haven't done anything differently with my phone in the last three days.
I *have* started jogging with it in the last few weeks... could the antenna be coming loose from the bouncing? I wear it in one of those neoprene armbands.
Where should I start?
Thanks in advance!
Jim

Signal bars are not going to be exact. Its better to check the dbm rating.
settings>about phone>status then check signal strength.
I have seen two phones running stock firmware sitting side by side and the bars are different but the dbm rating is the exact same.

eollie said:
Signal bars are not going to be exact. Its better to check the dbm rating.
settings>about phone>status then check signal strength.
I have seen two phones running stock firmware sitting side by side and the bars are different but the dbm rating is the exact same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough! So what is considered "good" signal? Earlier I had "-97dbm/11 asu" and no service. Right now I have -103/5 and 3 bars.
Also, I forgot to mention in my original post that sometimes when I have no service if I flip to airplane mode and back I get my service back. But then sometimes no.
Very annoying.
Thanks again!
Edit: Now I'm at -109/2 and no signal. My wife is at -105/4 and "2 bars." The phones are side-by-side.

You just have to wait. When the internet thing becomes "E" it usually becomes 4g in a few seconds to minutes.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

Try a few different modems and test them for a bit to see which may work best for you.
A modem that works best for me here in Orlando may not work as good for someone in lets say.....Ohio

Okay I'll look into that. I still don't get why this would be a change in the last week when it's been fine for the last year that I've had the phone and the past two months I've been on VB. :dunno:
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA

May just need to clean the phone...
I use to wipe format and reinstall windows on my computers every 6 months

Wiping doesn't do anything except get rid of all the apps and giving you more room. I would be a suggestion if you new how to back the stuff up. Also it will go back to little to no bars.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

Well I'll look at a different modem - I'm just baffled that it could go to crap so fast. It's really irritating to have the data come and go while I'm standing still looking at a tower less than ¼ mile away.
I'll do some searching but if anyone has an idea of what modems work best for what & where... that'd be great.

Tried flashing to KG4.
"Mobile network not available."
Wifey's phone is running KJ6 just fine. *sigh*
Edit: Ditto for KC1. (I'm going through the modem thread to see what modems people like.)
Edit: Ditto for KG6.
Edit: Ditto for KD1.
Edit: Ditto for KI3. (Almost looked like it was going to work - had a little signal at first but it disappeared before I could register on the network.)

JaimeZX said:
Right now I'm staring at my phone and I have excellent wi-fi (being 6 feet from my router) but no cell signal at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wifi and modem are two separate chips so that makes sense. Seems like you've already done a lot to try and get better service. Have you flashed back to stock? I'd try that and then see. If the problem persists I would bet hardware.

hechoen said:
Wifi and modem are two separate chips so that makes sense. Seems like you've already done a lot to try and get better service. Have you flashed back to stock? I'd try that and then see. If the problem persists I would bet hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on the line with T-mobile tech support right now. She's recommended a "factory reset." I figured what the heck because it seems like the next step is reflashing VB again...
EDIT: Weird weird weird. The "factory reset" from the Settings menu didn't work. Tried it twice. Then I tried it from the CWM menu. Also did not delete my data. But after rebooting from the CWM "factory reset"... I had my signal back.
So........... wtf. lol
Right now I'm on KI3 and I guess I'll leave it unless I have some reason to switch back to KJ6. lol
Thanks for the help guys!

Hmm so I guess I was right....lol
About the wipe and re flash.

Replacement S3, now what?

So I have had since day one of getting my S3 considerably less of a cell signal than my droids in the past (zero data issues, stock, un rooted, rooted, multi-rommed, bad signal). Trouble shot everything I could think of, finally had vzw send me a new device. Just got the new phone, popped in sim, set up, same thing, bad cell signal (not the sim, did that twice). In the Boston area, it's not a network thing, it's the device.
Now, I have a small dent on my phone, do I go through the effort to return to stock and send back my original device to not have a dent anymore and keep the "new" refurbished phone? Or keep my already customized original NEW phone?
This is a tough one, I hate the dent, but like knowing I have a brand new device.
Next thing, I assume at this point that the S3 just does not get as good reception as other phones. Any mods that can help? Love this phone so much that I will deal with a bad signal, but would rather not.
Please offer some valid, valuable input on what I should do. Have 4 days to send one of these back.
Thanks
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Hey i got a question, so they replaced your first phone because you got bad signal? Like free of charge they swapped it ?

Yes, as warranty issue. I currently have my original device and the refurbished replacement in my hands. Have to return one of them in 4 days
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

annoyingduck said:
So I have had since day one of getting my S3 considerably less of a cell signal than my droids in the past (zero data issues, stock, un rooted, rooted, multi-rommed, bad signal). Trouble shot everything I could think of, finally had vzw send me a new device. Just got the new phone, popped in sim, set up, same thing, bad cell signal (not the sim, did that twice). In the Boston area, it's not a network thing, it's the device.
Now, I have a small dent on my phone, do I go through the effort to return to stock and send back my original device to not have a dent anymore and keep the "new" refurbished phone? Or keep my already customized original NEW phone?
This is a tough one, I hate the dent, but like knowing I have a brand new device.
Next thing, I assume at this point that the S3 just does not get as good reception as other phones. Any mods that can help? Love this phone so much that I will deal with a bad signal, but would rather not.
Please offer some valid, valuable input on what I should do. Have 4 days to send one of these back.
Thanks
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you go back to the original one, the replacement has a dent on it, not good and still issue.You should call support and get another one. Just tell them the replacement has a dent on it. The S3 has weak signal (2-3 bars where I live and I owned 3 of them), but never had call or connectivity issue. So I would ask for another one.

No, my original has a dent on it from when I dropped it, but it is a new phone. Replacement is cosmetically new, but a refurbished phone. Both have same basic signal issue, not as good as my droids in the past.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

i got mine about a week ago, i wonder if they would replace mine (got a crack in it) if i complained about bad reception in my house, because i only get 1 bar here. https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/386262_10151093476528557_832449593_n.jpg

annoyingduck said:
No, my original has a dent on it from when I dropped it, but it is a new phone. Replacement is cosmetically new, but a refurbished phone. Both have same basic signal issue, not as good as my droids in the past.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Ok got you, when you said signal issue, do you have drop calls or just low signal bar? if you have drop calls then I would try another one and if problem stills exist then you should get another brand. S3 does have low signal compared to other droid phones...or maybe the iphone 5?

The signal strength will be a little weak. The real question is does it drop calls or is the call quality really bad (ex..voice cutting out). Try your phone in different areas and if you have none of those issues then your phone is normal.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I'll forget the implication that an iPhone would be even close to a viable replacement for my S3!
But no, not willing to change to a different device. There are dropped calls in "bad areas" that my droid would not drop in, but I can live with it. Hoping for some jacked up fix that could possibly be recommended.
And, keep original new dented device, or return to stock and send back in favor of replacement refurbished device.... Tough one!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Personally I would return your original and start over with the replacement. Put a case on it. And wait for a signal fix from Samsung.

My friend got a replacement because the vibrator died on his first one. He is now in a replacement vicious cycle and is on #7 right now Each of them have had major issues like extreme overheating etc. His newest one won't connect to wifi. So just keep that in mind, once you get in the replacement cycle you will be getting phones that have been "repaired" for other potentially worse things.
With any samsung CDMA phone you can expect to drop more calls and have a worse signal than you would on an HTC or Moto device by a decent margin.

con247 said:
My friend got a replacement because the vibrator died on his first one. He is now in a replacement vicious cycle and is on #7 right now Each of them have had major issues like extreme overheating etc. His newest one won't connect to wifi. So just keep that in mind, once you get in the replacement cycle you will be getting phones that have been "repaired" for other potentially worse things.
With any samsung CDMA phone you can expect to drop more calls and have a worse signal than you would on an HTC or Moto device by a decent margin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. Also remember that the bars are NOT universal you would have to look at the dBm. From what I've read you need to use the same app on both phones in order to get a correct reading since all of the manufacturer seem to report the signal strength in various ways.

This may or may not help..
I have found that the VRLF2 baseband works better on my phone than the lastest G1 baseband. Worth a shot to try it if you haven't.
Of course the basebands can be found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1788313

That's the stuff I'm interested in. Changing baseband version, radio, etc. But I know nothing about it. I'll start researching your link.
I think I'll be sending the refurbished one back, I'll just be paranoid if things stop working. My device now is mint except for the signal.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

annoyingduck said:
That's the stuff I'm interested in. Changing baseband version, radio, etc. But I know nothing about it. I'll start researching your link.
I think I'll be sending the refurbished one back, I'll just be paranoid if things stop working. My device now is mint except for the signal.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally would keep the original depending on how bad the reception is... Is it just moderately below what you are used to or significantly? The samsung devices have crappy radios period. Considering they now are running the show far as top of the line android they may pay attention and start implementing better radios for our GSIII.
If it is just moderately lower than normal, I would keep the original(youre not gonna get any better with a replacement) and put a case on it that hides the dent. There ARE three different radios you can flash to see if maybe one works better for your area. Check this MODEM THREAD out and try the different radios... do it for a day on each one at least to see if one is better for you and your area than the other. Sometimes ROMs do affect your reception also. I personally think that running a stock TouchWiz ROM gives me a little better 4g signal than running a AOSP ROM but it's such a small difference I'm willing to sacrifice it for the other benefits of AOSP.

At this point, I can't agree enough. I think the key element that verizon has failed to point out to me is that Samsung's do not compare to other devices for reception. I kept getting false hopes that this was a problem that could be fixed, and it cannot. I did just try another radio with no prevail, but again, the signal is functional, just not as good as my droids in the past. I have not noticed any significant changes between rom's though, but I think that's good. Definitely keeping my original, why take a refurb if it offers no functional value other than not having a dent!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

I read this somewhere else, they said it helped them
Go settings, more settings, mobile network, access point names and make sure the lte one is checked.
It didn't make a difference for me, but I don't have any issues either
Sent from my thumbs with no brain censorship

Yeah, did that. No change
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

piizzadude said:
I read this somewhere else, they said it helped them
Go settings, more settings, mobile network, access point names and make sure the lte one is checked.
It didn't make a difference for me, but I don't have any issues either
Sent from my thumbs with no brain censorship
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's with some ROMs that for whatever reason default to having the LTE unchecked.

i think this signal issue gets blown out of proportion...i never drop calls on my s3 and signal is great. i performed a side by side comparison against my mother in-law's razr, her device pulled -102db, my s3 pulled -107db...also at that signal i pull 12-14mb/s LTE.

What BaseBand?

Found this link
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/34053-officialmodems-vrlk1-verizon-sgs3-sch-i535-odin-or-recovery-flashable/
Of those I'm trying to get a better baseband.. mostly for call quality but if it could help out 3g/4g.. Would be nice... I'm obviously on the one from plain stock(went straight to paranoid out of the box)... so wondering what i can flash that may help improve... any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated

You have to try them yourself. There is no single modem/radio that is best for everyone. Reception is relative to your location, proximity to tower, environment, weather, and a host of other factors.
For me, I noticed that upgrading to VRLK1 was an immediate downgrade in radio quality as my phone no longer held onto LTE with - 110 dbm in my home. It kept reverting to 3G and this rarely changed through my time at home . I live in an extended LTE coverage but fringe LTE > 3g lol Soon as I switched back to VRLJ1 my phone connected to LTE within seconds and held onto it without me even moving. I wouldn't recommend using VRLK1 but I'm one person of thousands who will be using it. Can't take anyone's experience as fact if you aren't in their environment with them. People fully covered by Verizon and who always see 5 bars and - 80 or better (closer to 0 is better) will not see much difference between radios.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Trial and error my friend that's the only way to figure out what's best for you. Myself personally i find the latest jelly bean radio VRLK1 to be the best, but as you can see the guy above me doesn't have the same luck with it as i do, so while ill tell you its amazing, he tells you its not. You'll just have to try out the radios and see which one gives you the best results that you desire

[Q] Got GSIII and reception is terrible

It's easily 50% worse than my last phone (palm pre 3) and I've never had issues at my home with anyone's verizon phone.
I did flash LK1 RPM and Radio from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2007414
I'm not sure if that has any bearing on it and am also not sure if it was like that before. I did it all when I was in town.
Is there another radio I can flash and see if it's better? Or does the GSIII just have garbage reception on the outskirts?
TIA TIA

Diddo on all that..here is a list with all the modems.let me know if you find the best
Good luck
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/34053-of...zon-sgs3-sch-i535-odin-or-recovery-flashable/

What ROM ya runnin?
Better and funnier than your tapatalk signature

TheDiabolicaL1 said:
What ROM ya runnin?
Better and funnier than your tapatalk signature
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried the miui 4.1
stock JB
and the mean jellybean one I posted above.

To be honest when I first flashed any ROM on to my GS3 my reception was terrible. Every ROM that I used was the same, I also tried every radio available.
My only solution was just to go back to stock which I did now this Stock ICS has me at 4-5 bars everywhere I go.
My last CM ROM had me at 0-1 bar in the same places.
I hope this helps.

Check to see if you have the updated prl version 15154. Do this by going to settings, about phone, status. I think that is an updated list of the towers and that could be your problem. If its not the updated version just shut phone off take out SIM card for 2 min and then just start it up and it should automatically update. I read this somewhere in another post and just figured i'd pass it on. Hope it helps.

Txs mike..I was on something like 14015::' 1 month of fiddling of different modems and radios

mikeman45 said:
Check to see if you have the updated prl version 15154. Do this by going to settings, about phone, status. I think that is an updated list of the towers and that could be your problem. If its not the updated version just shut phone off take out SIM card for 2 min and then just start it up and it should automatically update. I read this somewhere in another post and just figured i'd pass it on. Hope it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I'm already on this PRL
Going to try some ICS roms I guess.

I have tried each radio as they have come out with mixed reviews. Some are better than others for me but YMMV. I have found the latest VRLK1 is what works best for me. I came from the Thunderbolt, and I really miss the reception I had with that phone; however, that is the ONLY thing I miss about it. I am currently running CleanRom v5.0 and VRLK1. I definitely get the best reception, and can maintain 4G at work while the other radios would drop to 3g or 1x. I only hope it continues to improve, but I don't think it will ever be as good as I had with the Thunderbolt. Good Luck.

Did you try all the radios, even the ICS ones.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Mark as solved!
I tried every radio I agree the newest seemed to work best but still was ridiculous. Barely any service even though I had two bars at times. Not enough for a single call and had to be by a window to get spotty text service.
Traded for a lumia 822. Works perfect.

This is funny. Coming from the nexus this phone has way more signal and better reception. Instant switching from 3g to 4g and to wifi. Ive tried every radio and they all work very well. Tried on my nexus and all were horrible. Just my .02 cents but this phone rocks.

mcbrocker said:
This is funny. Coming from the nexus this phone has way more signal and better reception. Instant switching from 3g to 4g and to wifi. Ive tried every radio and they all work very well. Tried on my nexus and all were horrible. Just my .02 cents but this phone rocks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. If my i535 shows even 1 bar it still calls/uses data great.

corn13read said:
I've tried the miui 4.1
stock JB
and the mean jellybean one I posted above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two things. One: might need a replacement. Two: uh, all the MIUI builds say there are radio issues. So, yeah....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

corn13read said:
It's easily 50% worse than my last phone (palm pre 3) and I've never had issues at my home with anyone's verizon phone.
I did flash LK1 RPM and Radio from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2007414
I'm not sure if that has any bearing on it and am also not sure if it was like that before. I did it all when I was in town.
Is there another radio I can flash and see if it's better? Or does the GSIII just have garbage reception on the outskirts?
TIA TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As others have said try out all of the older radios and use whichever one works best for you. Unfortunately, this phone is not particularly known for having a strong radio (and no software update is ever going to really fix that).
If you are really on a fringe area of service, this might not be the best phone for you. In my experience, Motorola phones have always had the best radios in the industry, and are the most reliable in fringe service areas.