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No 3G icon or data connection

Hello everyone,
I got my Captivate yesterday shipped from letstalk.com. Everything with it has been working well, except I don't get a data connection with it at all, except WiFi.
As instructed by the sticker on the box the sim I am using is from my old phone, a Samsung SGH-A707 flip phone. The sim is a little over two years old. When the sim is in that phone, I get a 3G icon immediately.
I have tried turning the phone off, leaving it for several minutes, turning it back on again. Also removing the battery.
When I go to Settings, Wireless and Networks, Mobile Networks, Access Point Names, I see ATT WAP listed. I have tried adding another Access Point Network based on settings seen elsewhere in this forum which differed slightly by specifying a username and password, and not having the proxy and port set. But selecting this other APN has no change.
When I go to Network Operators all I see is an unselectable 'Default Setup' item. Others have reported seeing network connection information there, can anyone confirm on their Captivate?
Checking or unchecking 'Data roaming' does not seem to have any effect.
Under Settings, About Phone, Status the Mobile Network Type is listed as 'HSDPA' but Mobile Network State is 'Disconnected'.
LetsTalk are sending me a new SIM to try, but since I get a 3G connection on my old phone my suspicion is that this is a phone problem.
Does anyone have any other ideas though? Any help would be much appreciated.

Wow well you found something I hadn't yet. There was some talk about whether the captivate did hsdpa or not.. and according to the setting you looked at, it does. In that setting does it show your network is on aT&T? You shouldn't have to create a new APN, the default one should work. Sure you don't have the phone in airplane mode? I'm sure that's a stupid question, just asking.

If you don't have a 3G sim card I hear 3G wont work. You can get a new sim from ATT for free. Oh and about hsdpa ATT disables that Icon and uses a 3G one. I seen a test somewhere with two dif phones one with a 3G icon and one with the H getting the same speeds.

radi0chik said:
Wow well you found something I hadn't yet. There was some talk about whether the captivate did hsdpa or not.. and according to the setting you looked at, it does. In that setting does it show your network is on aT&T? You shouldn't have to create a new APN, the default one should work. Sure you don't have the phone in airplane mode? I'm sure that's a stupid question, just asking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it shows AT&T under Network.
Nope, not in airplane mode, but thanks for checking, I'd rather you'd assume I was stupid than not ask me the question!
YellowGTO said:
If you don't have a 3G sim card I hear 3G wont work. You can get a new sim from ATT for free. Oh and about hsdpa ATT disables that Icon and uses a 3G one. I seen a test somewhere with two dif phones one with a 3G icon and one with the H getting the same speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a 3G sim, at least that's what it is labeled as. Like I said I (apparently) got a 3G signal on my old phone. And a new sim is on the way.

on the sim does it say 3G with flames around it lol (thats how my last sim was and it was 3G)

I went to the ATT store to get my captivate. I had an old sim ATT logo with flames that worked in a N1, N97, Bold 9700 and iPhone. I too showed no 3G. They had to replace my sim and it started working. They couldn't explain it.
-JChao

labbu63 said:
on the sim does it say 3G with flames around it lol (thats how my last sim was and it was 3G)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the one, flames and 3G.
jiayi345 said:
I went to the ATT store to get my captivate. I had an old sim ATT logo with flames that worked in a N1, N97, Bold 9700 and iPhone. I too showed no 3G. They had to replace my sim and it started working. They couldn't explain it.
-JChao
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, that gives me some hope the new sim that is on the way could fix it, thanks!

I had this problem as well. This fix worked for me:
Settings > Wireless and network > Mobile Networks
Check both boxes
- Use packet data
- Data roaming
ATT / Captivate Android 2.2
Hope this helps,

Did you find a solution for this? I'm having the exact same problem with my Captivate. No 3G icon and no packet data connection or mms. When I try to go to a page it immediately gives me the "not found: check your data connection" page, and when I try to send a mms, the 3G icon appears like if it was trying to connect and send it and then disappears when the message fails to send.

I just updated to 2.2 today and I no longer have 3G as well.

just an FYI as long as wifi is turned on you will not see the 3g icon.
I have noticed that when you turn wifi off you generally will not see the 3g icon until you do something with the phone that requires data connections
Turn off wifi and try opening a website via browser...the 3G icon should pop-up automatically at that point

scottlinux said:
I had this problem as well. This fix worked for me:
Settings > Wireless and network > Mobile Networks
Check both boxes
- Use packet data
- Data roaming
ATT / Captivate Android 2.2
Hope this helps,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello sir, I tried this and now i have 3G(icon popped up and internet/mms works) but am i incurring roaming charges?

For me even that's not working, I think my stupid phone is broken.

When I got a refub'ed Captivate for my partner via AT&T online store since it was only $49, I followed the instructions that came on the box, and everything worked except no 3G/data. So thinking that it might be because of a refurb'ed unit, I called AT&T. They told me to bring it into a corp office store. Fortunately, there's one right down the street from me. I took it in, they fiddled with it for about an hour, including swapping 3 different SIMs, and told me that it was a defective phone. I asked then how do I get a replacement. The rep told me to contact cust service for them to ship a replacement out and it'll include instruction to ship the defective one back since they can't replace refurb unit there at the store. So I went out to my car, called the cust service. The cust service rep told me that I have to send the defective one in first before they'll send me a replacement. I got angry and I went right back in the store, grabbed the rep that was helping me out and told him to please talk to the cust service rep to work things out because I'm not leaving the store until it's resolved. So they talked on the phone for about another 30 min. Then they hung up. The rep fiddled with it for another min, then handed me the phone and the 3G/data was working. Appearantly it was the way that the phone was registered with the system, something was out of whack and 3G/data was not available for that phone line. I then recalled that when I ordered the phone from AT&T, I got an email with instructions that I had to follow, which I did, then I followed the instructions that came with the box. I didn't think much at the time, but it seems like the instruction was telling to do the same thing as the email's instruction was except it was via a slightly different way. So I think I might have inadvertly register the phone twice. In any case, when that happens, 3G/data is not available and yet, the reps checking in the system found the account was setup correctly with the proper plans, changed plans, swapped SIMs, and came to the conclusion of defective phone when the phone was perfectly fine. I don't know if this will help any one. But if your phone is not flashed or rooted, you might want to have AT&T check your account and phone registration.

Go to Settings -> Wireless and network -> Mobile networks -> Access Point Names. Inside that option go to Menu -> Reset to default. (Reboot your phone)
Worked for me, i have a samsung captivate thats rooted running on 2.2 froyo and i was deleting some user data,believe it was dialer data (do not delete that, it also deletes your texts) and i all of a sudden my internet stopped working,i tried every setting and i even think there weren't any APN in the list of APNs because of deleting rampage, so i reset my phone and after that i reset the APN back to default settings and rebooted my phone and it worked. For some of you guys, if it still has an APN(the cingular one) in the list of APNs then all you have to do is reset it back to default by clicking menu with the menu button on your phone and click reset. It should work.

Sreenadh said:
Go to Settings -> Wireless and network -> Mobile networks -> Access Point Names. Inside that option go to Menu -> Reset to default. (Reboot your phone)
Worked for me, i have a samsung captivate thats rooted running on 2.2 froyo and i was deleting some user data,believe it was dialer data (do not delete that, it also deletes your texts) and i all of a sudden my internet stopped working,i tried every setting and i even think there weren't any APN in the list of APNs because of deleting rampage, so i reset my phone and after that i reset the APN back to default settings and rebooted my phone and it worked. For some of you guys, if it still has an APN(the cingular one) in the list of APNs then all you have to do is reset it back to default by clicking menu with the menu button on your phone and click reset. It should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you just replied to a thread 5 months dead..

Thank you for updating.
Sreenadh said:
Go to Settings -> Wireless and network -> Mobile networks -> Access Point Names. Inside that option go to Menu -> Reset to default. (Reboot your phone)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked like a charm on my Samsung Vibrant S on Virigin ... this gem of a tip shall be remembered. This started yesterday on the road when data was needed for a work emergency. If only I'd known it then. :-(
Now to fix the Wi-fi from turning itself on and off of it's own free will. *sigh*
Thanks for posting on an old post Sreenadh. You saved the day!

TRusselo said:
you just replied to a thread 5 months dead..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...and, it looks like someone found it useful.. Five months, or five days, or five minutes.. If it isn't helping, why say anything at all?
roguegrl said:
Worked like a charm on my Samsung Vibrant S on Virigin ... this gem of a tip shall be remembered. This started yesterday on the road when data was needed for a work emergency. If only I'd known it then. :-(
Now to fix the Wi-fi from turning itself on and off of it's own free will. *sigh*
Thanks for posting on an old post Sreenadh. You saved the day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Hey Guys ok so i am with Rogers in Toronto...I flashed it to stock but have flashed it using AT&T stock (Dont ask why) and now i am unable to use my data... Any help would be greatly appreciated...i am able to use my phone with no issues....

Got my 3G back.
Sreenadh said:
Go to Settings -> Wireless and network -> Mobile networks -> Access Point Names. Inside that option go to Menu -> Reset to default. (Reboot your phone)
Worked for me, i have a samsung captivate thats rooted running on 2.2 froyo and i was deleting some user data,believe it was dialer data (do not delete that, it also deletes your texts) and i all of a sudden my internet stopped working,i tried every setting and i even think there weren't any APN in the list of APNs because of deleting rampage, so i reset my phone and after that i reset the APN back to default settings and rebooted my phone and it worked. For some of you guys, if it still has an APN(the cingular one) in the list of APNs then all you have to do is reset it back to default by clicking menu with the menu button on your phone and click reset. It should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, thank you so much !

[Q] How do I prevent Samsung Galaxy S 4G from connecting to AT&T?

I have Samsung Galaxy S 4G with T-Mobile in San Francisco.
Whenever I go to an area without T-Mobile signal, the phone connects to AT&T. I called T-Mobile and they said that's because T-Mobile has roaming agreement with AT&T so my phone would connect.
The problem is, when my phone connects to AT&T, I can't make any calls. It says the phone's not registered. T-mobile says that's because I'm in an area that has T-Mobile coverage.
You'd think that the phone would be smart enough to figure out that only emergency calls can be made (which is what BlackBerry does and shows SOS sign). The real problem for me is that, I have WiFi calling enabled with cellular preference, and when I'm in the basement of my office building where there is no T-Mobile signal (but there is WiFi signal), my phone thinks it has cellular signal so it doesn't activate WiFi calling, yet no phone calls are coming in b/c it's not registered to AT&T's cellular network.
Is there a way for me to force my phone to only connect to T-Mobile? I know there isn't on the regular settings menu, but perhaps experts could tell me how to do so using those star-sharp keys listed here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=842134)?
Thank you!

Set wifi preferred instead of cellular.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App

Unfortunately, that doesn't work for me because I move around a lot, and Android WiFi calling feature doesn't have handover.
There's got to be a way to prevent this phone from connecting to AT&T at a low level somehow, no?

How do I do that? Have checked the manual but can't find location where explains how to select wi-fi preferred instead of cellular. Your kind advise will be appreciated

Open WiFi Calling and select settings. You'll see Preference. Select Cellular Preferred.

I think in setting then wireless and network, then mobile networks then network operators click the default settings.... select manual and wait for the carrier to pop up.
Will this solve your problem?
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App

scoop_dtx said:
I think in setting then wireless and network, then mobile networks then network operators click the default settings.... select manual and wait for the carrier to pop up.
Will this solve your problem?
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep manual is exactly what OP should do.

if the settings for network operators are set to manual then u select the network u want and it sticks unless u manually select a different network provider. u are in select automatically mode so the phone can switch all on its own. this should solve your problem as other people have already mentioned

I have tried this many times and works as long you don't turn the phone off. After I forced the phone to manually select T-Mobile I checked many times the default setting and it remained in manual until the phone was turned off. When I switched it back on it was again in automatic mode and switching to ATT when signal is low.
Is there a way to prevent this? If not, well , first thing when phone is on in the morning is to check default setting.
5/24 I finally gave up and sold the phone. Samsung says they have not received any claims regarding this issue eventhough you see it frequently in the forums. I returned back to my HTC HD2 and will wait for the G2.

[Q] Sorry to ask but Radio help please

I've searched and can't find a thread with stuff helpful to me. I would like a radio that will allow me to use 2G network. I live in rural Alaska and we have some crappy networks. I know it would probably work with factory settings, but I'd like to keep my phones custom rom Honeysense 6.2.2. I have been trying to make it work on the apn settings given to me by my provider but haven't succeeded. If someone out there has a solution please help.

72aiden said:
I've searched and can't find a thread with stuff helpful to me. I would like a radio that will allow me to use 2G network. I live in rural Alaska and we have some crappy networks. I know it would probably work with factory settings, but I'd like to keep my phones custom rom Honeysense 6.2.2. I have been trying to make it work on the apn settings given to me by my provider but haven't succeeded. If someone out there has a solution please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use an app from the market to do it once you are rooted

72aiden said:
I've searched and can't find a thread with stuff helpful to me. I would like a radio that will allow me to use 2G network. I live in rural Alaska and we have some crappy networks. I know it would probably work with factory settings, but I'd like to keep my phones custom rom Honeysense 6.2.2. I have been trying to make it work on the apn settings given to me by my provider but haven't succeeded. If someone out there has a solution please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Network. Towards the bottom, change the option to GSM Only.

1. "Sorry to ask but Radio help please" <-- Don't be sorry to ask. No one is going to flame u if ur efforts were genuine in searching first.
2. For ur question:
a. [User input] Go to wireless settings, and select 2G network
[System Action] This will turn off data, and re-enable it, but high chances (for me, its "always") still be on 3G/H
b. [User input] Go to network selection mode, and select manual
[System Action]This will present u with a list of networks to select (only one if u r on AT&T)
c. [User input] Select the network (AT&T if u r on AT&T)
This should now put the phone on 2G/EDGE network.
Warning: Since u r forcing this, there could be some patches (like when on certain areas when on road, etc) where u cud face loss of signal.

Simba501 said:
Use Network. Towards the bottom, change the option to GSM Only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using this app (this app is just a shortcut to the options in *#*#4636#*#*) many a times caused me a Phone process FC in an infinite loop (most recent one was y'day). The FC loop sometimes wasn't instantaneous, and started after ending a call and when the phone tried to get back to EDGE network.
Only way out was restoring from my previous nandroid backup. So I would be cautions.

[Q] Data Issue...Please Help

Ok the problem is I am on GTA network here in guam (the company uses at&t phones) I have a unlock HTC Sensation and the data is not working on the phone. When I place the sim card in another phone it works perfectly. I have taken my phon to the support office and they cannot figure out the problem...Any suggestions??

Have you checked to see if you have the correct APN (Access Point Names) in your settings. To check them go to Settings/ Wireless & networks/ Mobile networks/ Access Point Names. You should shed your carrier listed in the Access Point names touch on it and right down your settings. Then Google to find the correct APN settings to check and see if they are correct. If you do not see you carrier listed then you will need to touch the menu button and then touch New apn to add your carrier's APN settings. Again Google for the settings I am sure you will find them.
Also you have to have also when you go into Settings/Wireless & networks you will see a Mobile network with a check box beside it make sure it is checked. Without this checked you will not get as mobile data connection.

Thank you for your reply. According to GTA i have the right APN and everything is checked. The phone GPS thinks im in Sparta TN. when I really am In guam. I dont know if that has anything to do with it.

any other suggestions?

Do you have the right phone?

its an unlocked phone

jay8302 said:
its an unlocked phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are two models. Maybe you have the wrong one.

I just know I have the HTC sensation 4g i have never heard of it being 2 models. how do i know which is which?

jay8302 said:
I just know I have the HTC sensation 4g i have never heard of it being 2 models. how do i know which is which?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's the Z710e and Z710a. They have different 3G bands.

ohhhhhh okkkkkk well how do i know which is which? is there a way to fix this? running edge sucks

Do a barrel roll.
You have all the knowledge you need to start helping yourself out.
Protip:
www.google.com

ok i have the HTC Sensation Z710E. am i suppose to have the other one?

jay8302 said:
ok i have the HTC Sensation Z710E. am i suppose to have the other one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are supposed to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The leprechaun will tell you all you need to know.

It's very easy. I had the same problem here in Pakistan. What you do is take the APN settings you get from your provider and fill them in the usual place (Settings->Mobile Networks->Access Point Names).
Fill out everything that the operator tells you to, except the last entry APN Type. Set the value in this field to "default". Save and exit this screen. You'll see radio buttons next to your 'New' APN. Just select it and your phone will recognize mobile data.
P.S. 3G/2G is used whenever the phone's radio detects the presense, so it doesn't matter what type of network you're on, as long is the APN is there.

the operator here just tells me mpulse for the name and mpulse.gta.net for the server.

[FIXED] - [Q] [JellyBean] How to switch on 4G?

I recently installed the JellyBean ROM for my A2 and changed few settings in the power manager after which I am unable to get 4G connectivity. I always see Edge in the status bar. I've tried re-trace my steps in the power manager but havent been able to turn on 4G yet.
Any guidance on how I could get my 4G back ?
----- UPDATE ----
I had to flash the same ROM again onto my phone and now its functioning properly. Still don't know the root cause but will report again if I see it happen again.
Thanks
Dhanvi

kapiladhanvi said:
I recently installed the JellyBean ROM for my A2 and changed few settings in the power manager after which I am unable to get 4G connectivity. I always see Edge in the status bar. I've tried re-trace my steps in the power manager but havent been able to turn on 4G yet.
Any guidance on how I could get my 4G back ?
Thanks
Dhanvi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which JellyBean ROM? Please remember to be very specific as to the conditions surrounding the problem you're having!
I'd first try to go into Settings/ Below Data Usage tap 'More...'/ Mobile Networks
and make sure that 'Use only 2G networks' isn't checked.
Also, which carrier are you on? (I know most are on AT&T, but I'm on Straight Talk so I ask)

Alperon said:
Which JellyBean ROM? Please remember to be very specific as to the conditions surrounding the problem you're having!
I'd first try to go into Settings/ Below Data Usage tap 'More...'/ Mobile Networks
and make sure that 'Use only 2G networks' isn't checked.
Also, which carrier are you on? (I know most are on AT&T, but I'm on Straight Talk so I ask)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. I'm on the "MagicMod-Jellybean-Experimental" Atrix ROM on ATT.
The "Always use 2G" is unchecked which means that it should use 4G when available. Which bought me to the next section where I could search for network providers. When I searched for networks, most of the times my phone fails to find ATT in the list of available networks. I do have 4 bars on my phone though. I dont see the network provider name in the status bar so I dont know where it is connected currently.
My current hypothesis is that my phone is unable to connect/register to the ATT network and so I dont get 4G speeds.
Does that make sense?
Dhanvi

kapiladhanvi said:
Thanks for your reply. I'm on the "MagicMod-Jellybean-Experimental" Atrix ROM on ATT.
The "Always use 2G" is unchecked which means that it should use 4G when available. Which bought me to the next section where I could search for network providers. When I searched for networks, most of the times my phone fails to find ATT in the list of available networks. I do have 4 bars on my phone though. I dont see the network provider name in the status bar so I dont know where it is connected currently.
My current hypothesis is that my phone is unable to connect/register to the ATT network and so I dont get 4G speeds.
Does that make sense?
Dhanvi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you know A small H by your signal bar means 4g. I am on AT&T and all I have to do is uncheck those boxes and reboot and data and MMS works fine
From my locked down superchargedV6 1.425ghz A "What tha duce?"

daavvis said:
Just so you know A small H by your signal bar means 4g. I am on AT&T and all I have to do is uncheck those boxes and reboot and data and MMS works fine
From my locked down superchargedV6 1.425ghz A "What tha duce?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. I'm aware that a H is 4G. I see an 'E' next to the signal bar. I did have an 'H' right after I installed my ROM but since today I'm only seeing 'E' .
I'll try flashing the CM10 ROM and check if that fixes my issue. If not, I'll copy over an apns-config.xml from an ICS install and replace my current one with that just in case.

try changing network mode by an awesome app called "Network" by phillip
in market .... it is simple & best option

shardul.phatak said:
try changing network mode by an awesome app called "Network" by phillip
in market .... it is simple & best option
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip. I'll try that. Looks like a reflash (of the same ROM) solved the problem for me though. Its back to 'H' for me. I still haven't tried to flash CM10.
Thanks for your help guys.