Database Info

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

Weak Wifi Signal Hardware Fault

Hi all,
Over on the international One X forum, we have a lot of people confirming a serious hardware fault where the wifi contact pins fail to connect to the antenna.
I am curious if this fault affects your s4 at&t version of the phone too.
There is a simple squeeze test you can do to check for the fault.
See the link here...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1688538
Fingers crossed your not affected by it.
Oliver
*EDIT* HTC have confirmed the issue only affects the international HOX and the feedback this thread received seems to prove them correct. Great news. *EDIT-END*
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium

This applies to the AT&T and Rogers One X. If your phone has signal gain when you press on the wifi antenna area of the case, it's defective and will eventually lose connection completely over time, so get it replaced on warranty.

That's not what he was saying, he was just wondering if we had the issue. I can't get mine to drop below full signal with.WiFi, unless I go for a walk outside. So it isn't effexting my phone.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Hunt3r.j2 said:
This applies to the AT&T and Rogers One X. If your phone has signal gain when you press on the wifi antenna area of the case, it's defective and will eventually lose connection completely over time, so get it replaced on warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this fault does applie to the at & t Rogers version? Yes if anyone does suffer this fault, get it replaced or repaired.
Have you been affected by the issue?
Cheers for your feedback
Sent from my HTC Desire

Thus far I cannot replicate this on my phone. Will test further later.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

my question is, how do we know when our phones will start acting up? Even if we exchange the phone, then there's still the likelihood that the new phone'd also have problems. Unless, HTC already has made some design changes to the newly imported batch (doubt it)
p/s: I have also not seen wifi issues with my phone. But I'll give it some more observations. Then again, I exchanged a HOX before because it couldn't keep a constant signal. So who knows..

ws2112 said:
my question is, how do we know when our phones will start acting up? Even if we exchange the phone, then there's still the likelihood that the new phone'd also have problems. Unless, HTC already has made some design changes to the newly imported batch (doubt it)
p/s: I have also not seen wifi issues with my phone. But I'll give it some more observations. Then again, I exchanged a HOX before because it couldn't keep a constant signal. So who knows..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may not affect s4 versions at all, it is currently confirmed to affect the international version of the One X, I want to see if other phones are affected too.
The mostly likely causes of the problem are 1. Overheating and 2. The wifi connection pins getting squashed flat whilst your phone is in your pocket.
Sent from my HTC Desire

ws2112 said:
my question is, how do we know when our phones will start acting up? Even if we exchange the phone, then there's still the likelihood that the new phone'd also have problems. Unless, HTC already has made some design changes to the newly imported batch (doubt it)
p/s: I have also not seen wifi issues with my phone. But I'll give it some more observations. Then again, I exchanged a HOX before because it couldn't keep a constant signal. So who knows..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If reception is poor and improves when you push the case where wifi antennas are placed, you have a defective unit and you should get a replacement immediately.

damn i just sent my phone in for repairs because of a camera issue. i was experiencing the wifi signal drop prior to sending it in, but thinking it was a software problem. now, when i get my phone back ill most likely have to send it in again for repairs.

I believe our phones have the sam issue, when I press down I believe I do have an increased signal. Thanks for the heads up :/
-duf

It did increase my signal as well. It was struggling to connect where gnex used to have no problems and this corrected it.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

I was having the same problem with my ATT HTC One X.
I couldn't connect in places where my iPhone had 2 (out of 3) bars of wifi.
Unfortunately, it was a big enough deal to send the phone back. I thought they all did this.

If I don't have best wifi performance enabled my wifi is very flaky. It'll lose connection when it has full bars. But with best wifi on it can get about what I can get with my gsii (slightly worse)

Ugh... This isn't a thread about whether the phone has flakey WiFi, it's about whether you can make your WiFi signal change if you squeeze the phone.
For what its worth, mine doesn't seem to change if I lightly squeeze it. I dont really feel like pressing it hard enough to f up the screen though, so maybe you'll have different results...
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

ECEXCURSION said:
Ugh... This isn't a thread about whether the phone has flakey WiFi, it's about whether you can make your WiFi signal change if you squeeze the phone.
For what its worth, mine doesn't seem to change if I lightly squeeze it. I dont really feel like pressing it hard enough to f up the screen though, so maybe you'll have different results...
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have the fault then, if you had it you'd get 0-1 bars only around 8 meters away from your router with no walls between, whilst other phones enjoy full bars at that distance. Light squeeze the antenna part of the phone and the reception indicates full bars.
This fault affects bluetooth and battery performance too. It is really bad for anyone who has it. I'm glad you don't have it, but please, Don't make out that this is normal behaviour when squeezed.
My other thread has had 15000 views 200 comments. 7 different YouTube videos from 6 different members of xda forums, 7 self repair guides by 7 of our members taking their phones apart (all confirming it fixed their wifi) and countless people returning their phones for repair.
I only started the thread on 4 days ago. The popularity of the thread indicates what a serious issue it is on the international One X. If your s4 One X's don't suffer the issue or not as bad, it might give us a clue to what is wrong with ours.
Send from my old trusty Desire, untill I get my poorly One X back.

My phone was shipped to HTC for repair a week ago before I knew of this issue. When I saw this thread it made complete sense. My glass in one corner was separated from the actual device enough that light from the screen escaped out of it. I had absolutely no wifi. Still waiting to hear what HTC says. They received the phone a couple days ago. I'll report back on what they say about this.

Does anyone know if the new batch is any better?
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA

I just bought mine yesterday and it seems to have pretty good wifi reception. It can detect almost every network in range that my laptop detects but shows a weaker signal for them. Connects to my own wifi with full bars when close and loses a connection in the same area of the house that my galaxy note did. So I'd have to say the new batch have no wifi issues that I'm aware of.

jordant2 said:
I just bought mine yesterday and it seems to have pretty good wifi reception. It can detect almost every network in range that my laptop detects but shows a weaker signal for them. Connects to my own wifi with full bars when close and loses a connection in the same area of the house that my galaxy note did. So I'd have to say the new batch have no wifi issues that I'm aware of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this with best wifi performance enabled or disable?

Cryosx said:
Is this with best wifi performance enabled or disable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had to give you a thanks, I didn't even know there was a best wifi option! I just checked the wifi setings and it's off. So this is my normal signal strength. I just checked best wifi and one of the signals it picked up was stronger. Mine is a full signal so I can't tell the difference. My daughter's room is the worst reception but it's 1:30AM so I won't test it on best right now.

[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

[Q] Dying radio

Hello.
I had the Sensation for almost a year now, thanks to all the developers who help make this POS still usable.
There is a problem, or so I think. The signal quality decreased over the last month or so. I used to have all the bars at my house and 2 bars at school. Now I get 2 bars at home and nothing, not even edge at school. The connection is also very weak in terms of stability, I used to be able to browse the internet while riding the subway (above ground), can't do the same now, it will drop the signal.
Changing roms didn't do anything, nor did the flashing of the different radios. Currently on stock and 3.32, S-off.
Is it possible that radio module was damaged somehow which resulted in poor signal reception?

SMGed said:
Hello.
I had the Sensation for almost a year now, thanks to all the developers who help make this POS still usable.
There is a problem, or so I think. The signal quality decreased over the last month or so. I used to have all the bars at my house and 2 bars at school. Now I get 2 bars at home and nothing, not even edge at school. The connection is also very weak in terms of stability, I used to be able to browse the internet while riding the subway (above ground), can't do the same now, it will drop the signal.
Changing roms didn't do anything, nor did the flashing of the different radios. Currently on stock and 3.32, S-off.
Is it possible that radio module was damaged somehow which resulted in poor signal reception?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remember that our Sensations (the majority, the mine for example) have the Death Grip problem.
... backward of the hard case there are some gold pins, these are the antennaes (GPS, wifi, radio/signal...)... in your case You can try to "clean" the pins of the signal (two gold pins, D/E ones in the attachment) with an eraser.

padre629 said:
Remember that our Sensations (the majority, the mine for example) have the Death Grip problem.
... backward of the hard case there are some gold pins, these are the antennaes (GPS, wifi, radio/signal...)... in your case You can try to "clean" the pins of the signal (two gold pins, D/E ones in the attachment) with an eraser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well aware of death drip, it never bothered me unless I did that on purpose.
I tried cleaning contacts, to no avail. I've even tried different back cover from another sensation (which gets signal), the other person was able to get signal on his phone with my cover. Guess it's not the contacts.
Any thoughts?

Ummmmm.... the problem seems to be hardware issue (when flashing new roms/radios/ril doesn't function)

padre629 said:
Ummmmm.... the problem seems to be hardware issue (when flashing new roms/radios/ril doesn't function)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, now I can get something new and still have clear conscience

Calling works sometimes, no network available most of the time

My original OnePlus One worked great in my area, my Moto E also get's signal all the time so this is not a network coverage issue. I have an OPO that will let me make calls perfectly with great clarity, and then a moment later will say it does cannot find a signal. If left on it will mostly have no signal but after a few power cycles boom there you go, full signal! I would think it was an antenna issue except when it does work I have full signal, not a weak signal like on my old S3 with antenna issues.
I am hoping this is just a modem issue that can be fixed by flashing the latest stock rom/modem but I am hoping I can get some input on the problem.
Thanks for your time!

earmuffs said:
My original OnePlus One worked great in my area, my Moto E also get's signal all the time so this is not a network coverage issue. I have an OPO that will let me make calls perfectly with great clarity, and then a moment later will say it does cannot find a signal. If left on it will mostly have no signal but after a few power cycles boom there you go, full signal! I would think it was an antenna issue except when it does work I have full signal, not a weak signal like on my old S3 with antenna issues.
I am hoping this is just a modem issue that can be fixed by flashing the latest stock rom/modem but I am hoping I can get some input on the problem.
Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you dropped the device? it could be hardware.....too. Have you tried different modems or not? If not that would be a start. (https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-one/general/firmware-modem-oneplus-one-t3462214). If the modems dont help then here what i would check...only if you confident.
Open the OPO and make sure the screws have not come lose as sometimes that can cause issues with signal.
Recently i has something similar but no as bad as you, i ended up replacing the, Speaker Antenna module, microphone flex. you could also replace the coax- i was suppose to be but the one i got sent was too long so i had to stick with the original one.
This is what they ebay guy sent me before i replaced the parts:
first thing to replace is the Coaxial cable (which carry's signal), check both coaxial sockets and the ports on the board it connects to
-Second (like you said) Mic Flex, although it is a tough call between the lower speaker unit and the mic flex as they are equally as likley to be at fault)
the speaker unit contains the GSM Antenna, the Mic flex simply takes the Signal to the main board from the speaker Module.
both would be Ideal unless you have time. speaker unit is relatively cheap.
finally check for any lose connections or wear to any of the Gold inside the phone where it makes a connection, using some wet and dry sandpaper rub the Gold plates Very very lightly to reveal a shinny Gold, some on the mic flex, some on the speaker unit, some on the other flex's,
and finally tighten all screws properly, often the screws can work their way out, pulling the connections away from each other.
I would suggest check the connection and wear to the gold as mentioned if u dont want to replace the parts. I found that the coax on mine has been disconnected on one end so i fixed this but it didnt help hence i ended up replacing the parts.

Service was spotty for me too.. I would have LTE and then the next second EDGE or no service at all. I eventually had to fastboot flash CyanogenOS 13 (latest stock for our device) and start over but it fixed my problem. I have not had a problem since.