Connection dropping - Sprint Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I keep seeing my 3g connection dropping completely. I'll be browsing the web and im not moving at all and all of a sudden the connection is gone. I first thought it had something to do with the connection optimizer but it doesn't seem like that. Did anyone else experience this or know a solution to that?
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

roadrunnrr said:
I keep seeing my 3g connection dropping completely. I'll be browsing the web and im not moving at all and all of a sudden the connection is gone. I first thought it had something to do with the connection optimizer but it doesn't seem like that. Did anyone else experience this or know a solution to that?
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i noticed that this was happening when mostly when the phone was going back and forth between 3g and lte. so i changed the mobile network settings to cdma only instead of cdma/lte and it was much steadier.

xxxbasshead said:
i noticed that this was happening when mostly when the phone was going back and forth between 3g and lte. so i changed the mobile network settings to cdma only instead of cdma/lte and it was much steadier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I have it set to cdma only I never get to see lte does yours get lte with cdma turned on only?
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

roadrunnrr said:
When I have it set to cdma only I never get to see lte does yours get lte with cdma turned on only?
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
by changing it to the CDMA setting you are only going to be on the 3g network.

xxxbasshead said:
by changing it to the CDMA setting you are only going to be on the 3g network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So there is really no solution besides going to 3g only. But it really isnt jumping from lte to 3g . It will show 3g and all of a sudden nothing. Sometimes even showing me the little x over the bars.

roadrunnrr said:
So there is really no solution besides going to 3g only. But it really isnt jumping from lte to 3g . It will show 3g and all of a sudden nothing. Sometimes even showing me the little x over the bars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This happens in an area with partial Spark.
Mine does same thing because I have 3 towers all equal distance from me. 1 is Spark other 2 are not.
If you travel to another location you probably won't see the issue but in short from talking to some eng. the phone is doing 1 of two things.
A) It see's an LTE signal and as LTE is primary it starts to try to connect to it but before it fully does (thus why you never see LTE icon) it realizes it doesn't support the switched fall back required to allow Spark phones to get calls while on LTE so it kicks you back to 3g. This process continues to repeat :/
B) The phone see's an weak LTE signal, as is primary starts to connect but before it fully does the signal is determined to be to weak and falls back to 3g.
In both cases the phone possibly would never show you the LTE icon as that will only show once fully established and it doing this jumping back and forth causes 3g to go and die where forcing CDMA fixes.
The other downfall to this is it KILLS the battery.
Connecting to WiFi won't help with the battery part either as it still does the jumping around.
Your only option is really force CDMA mode only when in an area like this, for me, this is at home only, or live with it and lower battery life until they upgrade the towers all the way.

bryanu said:
This happens in an area with partial Spark.
Mine does same thing because I have 3 towers all equal distance from me. 1 is Spark other 2 are not.
If you travel to another location you probably won't see the issue but in short from talking to some eng. the phone is doing 1 of two things.
A) It see's an LTE signal and as LTE is primary it starts to try to connect to it but before it fully does (thus why you never see LTE icon) it realizes it doesn't support the switched fall back required to allow Spark phones to get calls while on LTE so it kicks you back to 3g. This process continues to repeat :/
B) The phone see's an weak LTE signal, as is primary starts to connect but before it fully does the signal is determined to be to weak and falls back to 3g.
In both cases the phone possibly would never show you the LTE icon as that will only show once fully established and it doing this jumping back and forth causes 3g to go and die where forcing CDMA fixes.
The other downfall to this is it KILLS the battery.
Connecting to WiFi won't help with the battery part either as it still does the jumping around.
Your only option is really force CDMA mode only when in an area like this, for me, this is at home only, or live with it and lower battery life until they upgrade the towers all the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the detailed explanation. I just got off an hour long phone call with sprint with them trying to explain me my phone is defective and my wifes as well. Then when i told them it isn't they started going into the "Yeah its our network" mode but then came back saying she put a ticket in for me and my wife to get the phones repaired. I told her I don't want that to stop worrying about the phone and to send me an air rave. Problem at my house solved lol. They are sending me an air rave
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

roadrunnrr said:
Thank you for the detailed explanation. I just got off an hour long phone call with sprint with them trying to explain me my phone is defective and my wifes as well. Then when i told them it isn't they started going into the "Yeah its our network" mode but then came back saying she put a ticket in for me and my wife to get the phones repaired. I told her I don't want that to stop worrying about the phone and to send me an air rave. Problem at my house solved lol. They are sending me an air rave
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try turning off or on, depending on whether you have it enabled already, connection optimizer

roadrunnrr said:
Thank you for the detailed explanation. I just got off an hour long phone call with sprint with them trying to explain me my phone is defective and my wifes as well. Then when i told them it isn't they started going into the "Yeah its our network" mode but then came back saying she put a ticket in for me and my wife to get the phones repaired. I told her I don't want that to stop worrying about the phone and to send me an air rave. Problem at my house solved lol. They are sending me an air rave
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hate to share the news but that won't solve your problem, it actually could make it worse as it's now another signal to bounce between.
4G IS always priority when enabled, so regardless of you having a "tower" inside your home now, that does not provide 4G, so if the phone's seeing one that does which is what's causing the problem your issue will remain the same meaning you're forced to put the phone in CDMA only mode still.
The problem isn't with the 3G tower or 3G signal, the problem is the 4G signal being detected but not yet compatible with SPARK due to missing the circuit fall back feature, which the phone doesn't know until it attempts to connect. In some areas where it's partially setup the phone can connect to 4G and just calls won't work, in other areas it's disabled or doesn't exist and this problem happens.
Your solution will simply need to be put the phone in CDMA only mode when in a troubled area only, or just leave it in that mode and have no 4g until everything is upgraded better, or deal with as is.

Related

Lose Data Connection

I Lose my data connection several times a day even when having 3 or 4 signal bars for hours at a time.
I had an iphone for 2 years and never had this problem even though the att signal is spotty at best where i live. Once i lose the data connection it refuses to come back even when i have a solid 3 or 4 signal bars for hours plus.
ive tried every combination of using task killers to not using them to toggling airplane mode, toggling apn settings and gps settings and even rebooting the phone, even the reboot doesnt always fix it........
the most successful i have gotten has been to toggle airplane mode on
run a task killer 2 or 3 times and then turn off airplane mode and then toggle the apn switch off and then back on
anybody have any insight ?
this really interferes with my plan to drop the $20 unlimited text package and use google voice. when my edge connection just disappears on me
Nobody?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
looks like you're alone on this one. go get your phone replaced
Get a new sim card it worked for me
I'm having this issue as well. I'm only noticing it about once a day, but its really irritating.
New SIM is fixing this for people?
Happens to me occasionally but not often enough to be a real issue.
From my Samsung Captivate
So those of you who lost data connection.
How are getting it to come back on? Mine seems to get worse each time. Could there be some ill effects of iphone data package being on my account still?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I didn't have this problem until the past few days. I've been traveling in Colorado for those two days, and I've actually had a data connection less time than it's been disconnected. When. I go into the menu and choose About -> Status, it shows "Mobile network type": EDGE, "Mobile connection status": Disconnected. I haven't been able to figure out what's causing it. Sometimes restarting it or turning flight mode on/off gets the data connection going.
Back at home in Austin (a 3g city) I've not experienced it once. Now, in edge data areas of rural Colorado and Durango, I've experienced it most of the time.
You're definitely not alone in this, but unfortunately I don't know how to fix it yet.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
guys, get your phone or sim card replaced and see if that helps. This is not typical behavior for this phone.
I had my 2 year old sim card replaced and my apparently my account still listed Iphone data plan and not android data plan .. they assured me that was the problem and this would fix it .
....however tonight it still happened.. it was very brief.. but still..
seems to be something with spotty service and only edge. wish there was an option to disable 3g on the phone.
maybe its a bug and getting stuck searching for 3g
there is an option to disable it. check the secret menus thread here on xda. The sim card replacement is for faulty sim card not faulty data on their system. Your new sim could be acting up or it may be your phone. Doesnt hurt to get them both replaced, give it a shot.
lecmmada said:
I didn't have this problem until the past few days. I've been traveling in Colorado for those two days, and I've actually had a data connection less time than it's been disconnected. When. I go into the menu and choose About -> Status, it shows "Mobile network type": EDGE, "Mobile connection status": Disconnected. I haven't been able to figure out what's causing it. Sometimes restarting it or turning flight mode on/off gets the data connection going.
Back at home in Austin (a 3g city) I've not experienced it once. Now, in edge data areas of rural Colorado and Durango, I've experienced it most of the time.
You're definitely not alone in this, but unfortunately I don't know how to fix it yet.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Same problem here almost exactly. Ever since taking a trip to Colorado from Austin, when on edge network the data connection craps out despite the fact I can still make calls and text. At first I thought I was just roaming but then after looking in connection settings it said I was connected to att.
Its a really weird and annoying problem. The way I beat it when the data connection drops is I turn on flight mode, then turn radio back on and then turn wifi on and then off. A really weird procedure but it almost always works.
Anyone found a way to prevent this yet?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
matthewpapa said:
Same problem here almost exactly. Ever since taking a trip to Colorado from Austin, when on edge network the data connection craps out despite the fact I can still make calls and text. At first I thought I was just roaming but then after looking in connection settings it said I was connected to att.
Its a really weird and annoying problem. The way I beat it when the data connection drops is I turn on flight mode, then turn radio back on and then turn wifi on and then off. A really weird procedure but it almost always works.
Anyone found a way to prevent this yet?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try getting a new SIM card. My Nexus One and Motorola Milestone do this (lose data) a few times a day. Same SIM, different devices, and across different ROMS. My Captivate even did it. A new SIM could very well fix this issue for you.

Anyone having issues with signal constantly dropping to 2G?

My wife just upgraded from the MyTouch Slide 3G to the Slide 4G. The 4G is constantly dropping to 2G so obviously the data speeds are terrible. Her Slide 3G usually always stayed in 3G in the same areas the 4G is now dropping. Anyone else experiencing this?
Did experience something like this at a friend's house.
Sounds like the problem that the one of the reviewers of the Sidekick 4G was having (ping-ponging between 4G and 2G). Not everyone was having that problem in the wild, though. Could be a coincidence that two recent physical keyboard-based 4G phones are having trouble holding their T-Mobile HSPA+ connections and skipping the 3G alternative, though it could be a bug with T-Mobile's HSPA+ at the tower or phone level. I don't know know the protocol rules on the handoff between 3G and HSPA+. Some reviewers have reported lower data rates than expected with the Slide. The Sensation supposedly has a death grip issue, so maybe there's a variation of that with the Slide (due to a different landscape hand position using the physical keyboard) resulting in 2G connections. Could be temporary capacity issues with your wife's local 3G/4G towers. Is this a constant problem or worse at different times of the day? I remember a few years back reading a report on 3G mobile streaming usage experiments in Europe that it only took like 8 people streaming on the same tower to saturate the tower's 3G capacity. Of course, the number should be higher with HSPA+, but just wanted to point out it is possible for a tower to get overloaded. Keep us posted. This is the kind of stuff that will determine whether I get the Slide and stay with T-Mobile.
I'm in MD and I'm constantly having this issue in my apartment. One minute I have 4g and the next I have 2g and it wont switch back until I restart the phone. I wont even be holding it and i see the issue. Dunno, at least I have 14 days to bring it back.
Had same issue with my sensation. Try going into settings and switching to just wcdma as opposed to it picking between gsm/wcdma. It is under wireless and mobile settings. That is assuming you are in a good 4g area. It will not show 3g
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
Well i saw this happening on the 1st floor of my house. But it was in a hallway away from the windows. but when i moved it came back to 4g and stays there. I think it has do more with the tower and whats available in your area.
Should I ever see 3G on the phone? Currently it is only ever in 4G or 2G. I notice the manual mentions 3G also though. I was assuming it always said 4G even if it was really 3G, but now I'm not sure. Has anyone seen 3G at all for their signal? I'm wondering if there is a setting wrong on the phone.
For those of you that don't have the network settings, go to the market and download an app called Network, it's free. Scroll down to set preferred network type and chose WCDMA only.
Randomocity812 said:
I'm in MD and I'm constantly having this issue in my apartment. One minute I have 4g and the next I have 2g and it wont switch back until I restart the phone. I wont even be holding it and i see the issue. Dunno, at least I have 14 days to bring it back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This issue is the phone itself. This is a verry buggy phone. Coming from a family g1 plan and were very excited but these phones have issues. Cant wait for root. Neways i know the 2g issue is that it gets stuck and u have to reboot. For ex. I tested in cordelane ID in near costco. Full 4g bars. Had 2 mt4gs's. One phone was in 4g and the other was stuck. I tried the old g1 trick they had in the beginning switching in and out of airplane mode. Did not work. Rebooted and it worked fine. Many other issues like all the time on both phones the widgets get stuck. U must slide to next screen than go back and widget works. Like i said i have 2 phones so i can troubleshoot and feel confident its not a glitch with a particular phone, etc. These phones suck.

Verizon GS3 4g Connection Issues

Have any Verizon Wireless Galaxy S 3 users (besides myself) noticed the following symptoms:
1) Phone doesn't connect to 4g LTE until approximately 15 minutes later (even in an excellant 4g coverage area)
2) Phone connects to 4g LTE then disconnects approximately 15 minutes later and drops to 3g (even in excellent 4g coverage area).
3) Phone shows 4g LTE connection, but no data can be transmitted/received (tested with speedtest and a google search in the browser). This one is particularly bad, as there is currently no way I am aware of to turn off the 4g radio)
I've spoken with VZW technical support and they want me to replace the phone to see if things get better. I'm not quite sure it's a hardware problem.
mybook4 said:
Have any Verizon Wireless Galaxy S 3 users (besides myself) noticed the following symptoms:
1) Phone doesn't connect to 4g LTE until approximately 15 minutes later (even in an excellant 4g coverage area)
2) Phone connects to 4g LTE then disconnects approximately 15 minutes later and drops to 3g (even in excellent 4g coverage area).
3) Phone shows 4g LTE connection, but no data can be transmitted/received (tested with speedtest and a google search in the browser). This one is particularly bad, as there is currently no way I am aware of to turn off the 4g radio)
I've spoken with VZW technical support and they want me to replace the phone to see if things get better. I'm not quite sure it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this sounds ridiculous to do with brand new phone but here is the truth. They factory flash those bad boys using octopuss strand array cables with one machine and sometimes they receive a bad flash from the factory. Try the following steps
1. Go to options>settings>mobile and wireless networks>mobile networks>toggle mobile network on and off. (is it acting better?) No? then..
2. Factory data reset the phone. (is it acting better now?) No? then..
3. Using odin reflash the stock ROM (is it acting bettery now?) No? then take it back.... your phone is officially broken.
mybook4 said:
Have any Verizon Wireless Galaxy S 3 users (besides myself) noticed the following symptoms:
1) Phone doesn't connect to 4g LTE until approximately 15 minutes later (even in an excellant 4g coverage area)
2) Phone connects to 4g LTE then disconnects approximately 15 minutes later and drops to 3g (even in excellent 4g coverage area).
3) Phone shows 4g LTE connection, but no data can be transmitted/received (tested with speedtest and a google search in the browser). This one is particularly bad, as there is currently no way I am aware of to turn off the 4g radio)
I've spoken with VZW technical support and they want me to replace the phone to see if things get better. I'm not quite sure it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should search before posting, maybe someone else is having problems. maybe theres info that could help you.....
das7982 said:
I know this sounds ridiculous to do with brand new phone but here is the truth. They factory flash those bad boys using octopuss strand array cables with one machine and sometimes they receive a bad flash from the factory. Try the following steps
1. Go to options>settings>mobile and wireless networks>mobile networks>toggle mobile network on and off. (is it acting better?) No? then..
2. Factory data reset the phone. (is it acting better now?) No? then..
3. Using odin reflash the stock ROM (is it acting bettery now?) No? then take it back.... your phone is officially broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the tips. I searched prior to posting.There has been another post after mine with someone talking about similar issues.
Tried number 1 and 2. No dice.
I'm hesitant with 3 (although I've flashed/odined many times in the fascinate). Will refreshing stock up the flash counter? I may just swap out the phone in store. This would at least give me an account history showing issues.
When I have new info, I'll reply.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
i posted well before your thread, but in short......theres an update being pushed that addresses 4g issues
Very cool. Thanks.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
tillithz said:
i posted well before your thread, but in short......theres an update being pushed that addresses 4g issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really hope this update doesn't effect the kexec work that is already underway
Verizon LTE is fast but...
It sucks at connecting and at staying connected. My HTC Thunderbolt did this, my Droid Bionic does this, and my co-workers Razr does this. LTE is fast when it actually works properly.
I'm not able conenct to 3g or 4g. Without Wifi I'm getting no data services.
As promised, I have an update. I went to the VZW store and they swapped out my SIM card. No change. The same issues I described in the OP were encountered.
I've performed the following testing to help determine if my specific phone had an issue or whether it was just the LTE service in the area. This isn't the most extensive or scientific test, just a quick and dirty test.
The procedure was as follows:
-Compare phone signal strength in Settings -> About Device -> Status (within phones approximately 5 feet of each other)
-Compare speed test results using the SpeedTest.net app
My office:
1 person in my office also has a vzw galaxy s III. We are running the same stock system.img (I535VRALF2).
- On average, his signal strength was -88dbm, mine was -84dbm. Definitely within normal range for a decent LTE signal.
- His speed test results were similar to mine (within 10% for each direction)
1 person in my office has a Droid Razr (non MAXX) running ICS (important as ICS measures signal strength differently than GB).
- On average, his signal strenth was -95dbm, mine was -91dbm.
- His speed test results were very different than mine:
GSIII - 66ms ping, 8.5MBit down, 12.2MBit up
Razr - 61ms ping, 18.9MBit down, 9.1MBit up
A friend's house:
My friend also has a vzw galaxy s III. We are running the same stock system.img (I535VRALF2).
- On average, his signal strength was -104dbm, mine was also -104dbm. A fairly poor LTE signal.
- Our speed test results were similar (approx 4MBit down, upload was intermittent (would sometimes stall out) approx 0.5Mbit up)
VZW lists 4g coverage as "Verizon LTE (non-extended)" in both areas.
Conclusion:
The difference I encountered between my GSIII and the Razr was alarming, but again, this wasn't the most scientific test (and anyone familiar with the speed test app will tell you that it's usually best to run it several times (unfortunately, I was pressed for time). Just wanted to get an idea of encountered differences.
I can second what tillithz heard about an update being released to address the 4g connection issues. I heard the info from a VZW store employee (so take that with a grain of salt).
I'll be keeping my eyes open for details on the rumored update (and wether or not it breaks our current root/CWM/custom boot.img flashing abilities).
das7982 said:
I know this sounds ridiculous to do with brand new phone but here is the truth. They factory flash those bad boys using octopuss strand array cables with one machine and sometimes they receive a bad flash from the factory. Try the following steps
1. Go to options>settings>mobile and wireless networks>mobile networks>toggle mobile network on and off. (is it acting better?) No? then..
2. Factory data reset the phone. (is it acting better now?) No? then..
3. Using odin reflash the stock ROM (is it acting bettery now?) No? then take it back.... your phone is officially broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel like a tard aadmitting this but I can't figure out how to do/find step one
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Sounds like the issues I had with 5 (not exaggerating) GNexs before I gave up on the phone. It was a hardware issue. Hopefully Samsung didn't let this issue slip to the GSIII
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
Guys I seriously think it's a Verizon issue. I don't know one person with an VZW LTE device that doesn't have problems connecting.
I had a Korean GNex that never dropped 4G. I had 5 Chinese models that never held a signal at all (non-data included) for over ten minutes. For once I don't think it was Verizon.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
Same issues
I have not done anything to my phone. It is still stock. While using Google Maps, it has managed to reboot 3 times on me. It has also managed to lose service two times while using Google Maps before rebooting with the "Searching for GPS" message. The night before I could NOT send SMS/MMS messages. Had to resort to Google Voice. Any thoughts would be great. I don't believe I have been holding it incorrectly as I have a BT headset. I'm randomly getting searching for services also. I don't think it's VZW with my Rezound, I would never lose WIFI, 4G, or calling service. Just wondering if anyone else is having this problem?
I am coming from the Incredible so I have never tried 4G at my house before but 3G has always been strong. I picked up my S3 last night and only 3G will connect. According to Verizon coverage maps I am solidly in a 4G area. Not sure what's going on.
Piss-off Verizon!
So I am having the same issue on mine and my wife's phone. Both pre-ordered in June and received on the 9th.
I stream music in my car while I drive to and from work an hour away. This is extremely annoying as I have to constantly fiddle with my phone to get the data connection back while I'm driving to get my music back.
I called Verizon twice and had the SIM swapped out on mine to test if it fixed it. It fixed one issue of signal strength, but not the dropping of connections. Here's my problems:
- Going from a 3G to a 4G area, signal drops out to unknown in the About Phone > Status page for about 30 seconds or more
- Sometimes it just stays at 3G and never switches
- Going from a 4G to a 3G area, signal drops out to unknown in the About Phone > Status page for about 30 seconds or more
- While it claims I have 4G, there are many times where I cannot get any data connection at all where Facebook says network connection error or speed test doesn't work at all and web pages won't load
- One issue fixed after the SIM swap was that under Settings > More Settings > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names it is now switching from EHRPD and LTE more often. Still not perfect, but I'm assuming that it stays in EHRPD mode when in an extended 4G coverage area (not sure about this) but before it wouldn't use the LTE option no matter what
Before the SIM swap my data connection dropped out completely in the middle of a city known to have great 4G coverage and would not come back no matter what I did (airplane mode on/off, mobile data off/on, phone reboot)
Software reset didn't fix any of these issues either.
Here is what I've decided about some of the issues they are having based on my experiences driving around so much. It seems as if the phone cannot negotiate with the towers correctly. It's as if it needs to drop the 3G connection before it can negotiate a 4G connection, hence the 30 seconds of no data at all, and same for going from 4G to 3G, it seems it can't negotiate without first dropping your current connection. 3G to 1X and back has no issues.
I know this is long, but I want it detailed as much as possible. I had gotten the Bionic when it first came out and it did the same thing, where I could never get a 4G connection when it was supposed to or go back once acquired. The main difference is that my Galaxy S III has WAY better battery life than the Bionic had. So they seemed to have cured the battery drain when searching for a 4G tower. I'm still pissed at Verizon stating I'm in a 4G area and then never getting that connection at home, let alone barely getting a 1x connection. My dBm levels are usually in the -95 to -104 area when at home...I'm in a 4G area now and it's at -112 with an asu of 28 while at home it's usually 1 asu. Hope this helps someone else out. I don't know if a phone swap is going to fix these issues.
Verizon has told me that they are looking at a software update sometime in September...I'll believe it when I see it. In the mean time I have 7 more days to decide to keep the phone with no Verizon tech knowing what they are doing or able to troubleshoot their way out of a brown paper bag.
I am getting a new phone shipped out to me tomorrow. I will let you know if the same thing happens or it is Verizon.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
mybook4 said:
Have any Verizon Wireless Galaxy S 3 users (besides myself) noticed the following symptoms:
1) Phone doesn't connect to 4g LTE until approximately 15 minutes later (even in an excellant 4g coverage area)
2) Phone connects to 4g LTE then disconnects approximately 15 minutes later and drops to 3g (even in excellent 4g coverage area).
3) Phone shows 4g LTE connection, but no data can be transmitted/received (tested with speedtest and a google search in the browser). This one is particularly bad, as there is currently no way I am aware of to turn off the 4g radio)
I've spoken with VZW technical support and they want me to replace the phone to see if things get better. I'm not quite sure it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had symptoms comparable to these, 4G stopped working in areas where it should. It would occasionally go back to 4g, only to not actually transfer any data. My phone was fine before this, and has been fine ever since. In my case I believe flashing CM9 for a bit could have triggered my problems. I have no explanation for why my phone randomly started working properly again.
I'm doubtful that this is a hardware issue, and I am hoping future updates may address radio issues.
Just an fyi, I have talked to multiple Verizon reps and changed sim cards to get nowhere. I'm at the point where I'm about ready to return it for another phone to see if that helps.
Verizon claims this is not a well known issue or widespread. I beg to differ. If it isn't widespread, then it must be a defective unit imo. I also think I got a retarded rep, he tried to tell me updates come straight from the manufacturers and we should see an update soon after a phones release haha. I asked for examples of phone release dates and the date of the first update...He couldn't provide me with any. I then asked why the nexus got the 4.0.4 update 2 months after every other carrier and he stated, well sir we don't release the updates until they're tested. Ah, so you do control the updates!
Needless to say, I'm getting tired of this crap. I'll let you know how the replacement goes.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Galaxy S4 missing calls, not receiving calls - Compromised solution

Symptom: I just upgrade from iphone 4s to Galaxy S4, after about a month use, I missed 4 calls from my friends. The phone did not ring at all, and there was no missed call in the log. This is a very serious problem. someone say she almost broke up with her bf just because of this, :laugh:
Solution:For now I found the solution is to turn off the LTE by go to setting=>Connections=>More networks=>Mobile networks=>Network mode and then choose "GSM/WCDMA". Then you will not miss a call.
Compromise: your data speed is reduced to 4G HSAP+. But if you have 200MB plan and only receive emails like me it does not matter(poor solution for people who has unlimited or 2gb+ data plan), plus by using 4G HSAP+ instead of 4G LTE you get better battary life.
Explaination: I lives in Pullman WA where we have LTE here. Some of my friends using a LTE capable phone (iphone 5, other GS4, nokia 920) also met this problem sometimes (this happens totally random or say I cannot conclude a situation when this will happen). The general idea is that LTE can only handle data transfer but not voicecalls (you can make a call with the LTE on and you will see that your phone swith from LTE to 4G), so if you are using the LTE network and your phone is connected to wifi (at this time your phone is using wifi data not LTE and then you are not connected to the tower at all, this is my guess, I am ME engineer not a communication engineer) and it's on sleep mode (these situations are my assumption) you may miss the phone call. But when you wake up your phone and ask your friends to make test call. you will receive the call.
If you read this post, many people with GS3 has this problem before:
forums.att.com/t5/Android-Discussion-and-Support/Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Not-Receiving-Calls-Phone-issue-or-Android/td-p/3270741
and with iphone 5:
forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1489651
and their solution is to turn off the LTE through a complicated process(we have such function build in the phone, :laugh,
I put this here to help people who has the same problem, but I also wish ATT can fix this problem ASAP because we are paying for LTE speed. So if you have the same problem with your LTE phone please leave a post here and this could arrise the attention.
huyqi said:
Symptom: I just upgrade from iphone 4s to Galaxy S4, after about a month use, I missed 4 calls from my friends. The phone did not ring at all, and there was no missed call in the log. This is a very serious problem. someone say she almost broke up with her bf just because of this, :laugh:
Solution:For now I found the solution is to turn off the LTE by go to setting=>Connections=>More networks=>Mobile networks=>Network mode and then choose "GSM/WCDMA". Then you will not miss a call.
Compromise: your data speed is reduced to 4G HSAP+. But if you have 200MB plan and only receive emails like me it does not matter(poor solution for people who has unlimited or 2gb+ data plan), plus by using 4G HSAP+ instead of 4G LTE you get better battary life.
Explaination: I lives in Pullman WA where we have LTE here. Some of my friends using a LTE capable phone (iphone 5, other GS4, nokia 920) also met this problem sometimes (this happens totally random or say I cannot conclude a situation when this will happen). The general idea is that LTE can only handle data transfer but not voicecalls (you can make a call with the LTE on and you will see that your phone swith from LTE to 4G), so if you are using the LTE network and your phone is connected to wifi (at this time your phone is using wifi data not LTE and then you are not connected to the tower at all, this is my guess, I am ME engineer not a communication engineer) and it's on sleep mode (these situations are my assumption) you may miss the phone call. But when you wake up your phone and ask your friends to make test call. you will receive the call.
If you read this post, many people with GS3 has this problem before:
forums.att.com/t5/Android-Discussion-and-Support/Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Not-Receiving-Calls-Phone-issue-or-Android/td-p/3270741
and with iphone 5:
forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1489651
and their solution is to turn off the LTE through a complicated process(we have such function build in the phone, :laugh,
I put this here to help people who has the same problem, but I also wish ATT can fix this problem ASAP because we are paying for LTE speed. So if you have the same problem with your LTE phone please leave a post here and this could arrise the attention.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get an LTE SIM when you switched phones?
alphadog00 said:
Did you get an LTE SIM when you switched phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they give me a new sim and my old sim stop working after they activate the new sim. But I put that new sim into the iphone 4s first before I put it into the GS4, Will this cause the problem? Do I need to ask them to issue me a new sim?
Thanks for the reply
Probably not. If you got a new LTE sim then that should not be the problem.
huyqi said:
Solution:For now I found the solution is to turn off the LTE by go to setting=>Connections=>More networks=>Mobile networks=>Network mode and then choose "GSM/WCDMA". Then you will not miss a call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mobile networks => network modes does not exist on my AT&T GS4.... Just and FYI.
Sent from my awesome AT&T SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 SGH-I337 using xda developers app.
i experienced this before.
this is because LTE network is down in your area, that is why!
it' like you connected to your router wifi at home, you pulled the internet cable. but your phone still connected to the wifi. it just wont let you surf web since there is no internet connection, but your phone still connected to your home wifi router.
know what i trying to say?
i've had this problem with my note 2. i'm now using an HTC one and never had it again..
Netnerd: I find it unlikely ATT left a tower on and functional without the backhaul turned on..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
simbill said:
Netnerd: I find it unlikely ATT left a tower on and functional without the backhaul turned on..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you never have your DSL or cable internet down? Samething with LTE network, the lte tower is down. nothing to do with what phone you using!
It takes att about a week to fix it when they received enought complains! that happens in my case, when you call them to report LTE network tower is down, they think you a idiot! Telling or guiding you how to setup your phone! There's nothing wrong with your phone! The lte tower is down!
This is good.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
netnerd said:
so you never have your DSL or cable internet down? Samething with LTE network, the lte tower is down. nothing to do with what phone you using!
It takes att about a week to fix it when they received enought complains! that happens in my case, when you call them to report LTE network tower is down, they think you a idiot! Telling or guiding you how to setup your phone! There's nothing wrong with your phone! The lte tower is down!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're a moron. That would be just fine if your phone was left in one spot. But a moving phone that shifts towers......yeah your logic is completely flawed. There is either a problem in the radio firmware or the hardware itself...IN THE PHONE
tmiller_hockey said:
You're a moron. That would be just fine if your phone was left in one spot. But a moving phone that shifts towers......yeah your logic is completely flawed. There is either a problem in the radio firmware or the hardware itself...IN THE PHONE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey dumbass. If comcast or att dsl is down, no matter where you go, you still have no internet in your area.
netnerd said:
Hey dumbass. If comcast or att dsl is down, no matter where you go, you still have no internet in your area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummmm but yeah dumbass we're not talking about a whole network outage.
Everyone would be dropping calls/texts in your scenario but that's not what this is about.
My wife's phone misses calls/texts randomly while moving and connecting to different towers over a 140 mile radius, she has a GS4. Now here's the part that makes your statement dumb. While this is going on, I receive calls/texts perfectly fine on a GS5 sitting right next to her the whole time.
It's a device issue, not a network issue. Something so simple normal monkeys can figure out.
tmiller_hockey said:
Ummmm but yeah dumbass we're not talking about a whole network outage.
Everyone would be dropping calls/texts in your scenario but that's not what this is about.
My wife's phone misses calls/texts randomly while moving and connecting to different towers over a 140 mile radius, she has a GS4. Now here's the part that makes your statement dumb. While this is going on, I receive calls/texts perfectly fine on a GS5 sitting right next to her the whole time.
It's a device issue, not a network issue. Something so simple normal monkeys can figure out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey dumb [email protected]#$
last time people having this problem is June 16, 2013.
that' [email protected]#$ing 1 years ago!
if it' the phone problems, why is no one complaing about this issue after June 16, 2013?
[email protected]#@ing LOSER!
netnerd said:
hey dumb F@#$
last time people having this problem is June 16, 2013.
that' [email protected]#$ing 1 years ago!
if it' the phone problems, why is no one complaing about this issue after June 16, 2013?
[email protected]#@ing LOSER!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow are you just born a total moron or was it a learned response. It's still relevant if it happened on a new phone purchased in February plus there is no definite fix without sacrificing quality. Don't assume you know everything...just makes you look more the ass than you already are.
Just man up and accept your defeat, you lost with your original post I replied to in the first place. Only kids get mad when they are shown how ultimately wrong they are.:laugh:
/Thread Closed
deleted by netnerd.
netnerd said:
i experienced this before.
this is because LTE network is down in your area, that is why!
it' like you connected to your router wifi at home, you pulled the internet cable. but your phone still connected to the wifi. it just wont let you surf web since there is no internet connection, but your phone still connected to your home wifi router.
know what i trying to say?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, is there a way to turn off the LTE on SG4 i337 on NC1 and root workaround?
gonehaywire said:
Okay, is there a way to turn off the LTE on SG4 i337 on NC1 and root workaround?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why would you want to turn off LTE?
there is a code for Note3 that let you turn off LTE and stay at 3G. why would you want to stay in 3G instead of LTE ?
netnerd said:
why would you want to turn off LTE?
there is a code for Note3 that let you turn off LTE and stay at 3G. why would you want to stay in 3G instead of LTE ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have read here I wanted to turn it off as a troubleshooting step and see if it would fix my not ringing problem.

[Q] crappy cell service

I spend a lot of time in a convention center, aka concrete box, for work. This phone gets really bad reception when I am at work. I can connect to wi-fi so data is not a problem. But i miss so many calls it is ridiculous. And to add to the pain I do not get good reception at my house. I have talked to Sprint and they look at the coverage map, then tell me my home and work have great cell coverage. Might as well talk to a wall. At my house I have an Airave, still drop calls left and right. I am rooted, debloated, but not running any custom rom. Is there something I am missing? Like the phone, actually love having a physical keyboard, but am going nuts with the poor cell reception. Do other phones, Galaxy S4, have any better cell reception? Or do all Sprint phones have similar antennaes in them? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance
I think the phone's antenna is a really bad one. I live in germany and I've got a sim-modded one from cornholio. when other phones get weak reception my phone gets "no service" (same provider). inside buildings it can get really annoying. I'm so glad I live in a major city xD
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
comstyle said:
I think the phone's antenna is a really bad one. I live in germany and I've got a sim-modded one from cornholio. when other phones get weak reception my phone gets "no service" (same provider). inside buildings it can get really annoying. I'm so glad I live in a major city xD
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've noticed this phone always wants to connect @ 3G. Try switching to 2G. It doesn't matter for calls so why not use it as a workaround? When I need fast internet I just toggle back to 3G.
I've got an automatic 2g/3g toggling app installed. so I talk about bad 2g reception xD
thanks for the recommendation anyway
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
comstyle said:
I've got an automatic 2g/3g toggling app installed. so I talk about bad 2g reception xD
thanks for the recommendation anyway
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have that same issue, and when im on 2G and lost signal phone never catch signal back, best and only option is keep turn on 3G but area where we use phone must be with good coverage.
But ... i have second photon moded in PL in diffrent way and this phone dont have this issue with signal 2G and also have better 3G signal.. but realization not looks so good its uglier (and slot for sim is not push-to-push )
Welcome to Sprint. I've gone through 4 different phones they all can't be Bad.
Sent from my PHOTON Q using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
its sprint service, I live In michigan near detroit and out here sprint blowz I modded my photon with The aid of Cornholios Mod, and currently using it on straight talk with an AT&T sim service is nearly as good as Verizons, save for the CM10.2.1 3G handshaking Problem and the Buggy CM everyday issues, but the Cell service couldnt be better under AT&T, Id say stick to a reseller of their service and u will see a vast service improvement
Why start a new thread?
I had one of these back in October when I moved to Colorado. I don't quite recall, but I'm pretty sure my service was okay. I am now on my second Q since the first one started having pixelated display issues, and nothing I could do would fix it...I eventually took the thing apart trying to get to the connections, and while successful, I still ended up with crappy display so I am thinking there was an issue with something on the board.
Now i have a 'new' one and for the life of me I get 3g service maybe once or twice a day. I was thinking about bootloader unlock and flashing to a different ROM. I'd also like to find a way to see 'real-time' what the different radios are doing/not doing.
So what do you all think? New ROM?
I have had this issue with a few of my phones over the years. Especially the HTC Touch Pro 2 (Rhodium).
In the Sim Modding Process it is possible that a few of the connectors on the mother board to get slightly bent and loose contact with the (black brass stick on ribbons that are stuck to the outside of the phone body. If you take the phone back panel off you will see these ribbons, they are stuck on the case around the battery.
I have some photo's of where the aerials are on the Photon but need to get to 10 posts before I can post them.
There is four different sets of aerials (Data Main, Voice Main, Bluetooth Wifi and GPS) pull your phone apart and make sure the contact on the mother board are in full contact with the ribbons. Do this by bending them up, when you put the phone back together they should be pushing hard on the contacts again.

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