No GPS on DROID Charge After Update (ED2)

I've had my DROID Charge for over two weeks now. I won it in the DROID Landing scavenger hunt. The GPS has been on par with other Samsung Galaxy S phones. It's slow to lock, but it works well after it does.

After the device came out, Verizon pushed an update (ED2). According to the documentation I've read, it only affected Samsung Media Hub. I'm not really a Media Hub user, so I wasn't going to be affected by the 'downgrade' in functionality.

However, since the update, my GPS no longer locks. I can be standing outside, clear skys, and I'm only ever shown at the cell tower level on Google Maps; A big blude circle, near my location. It never hones in closer than that.

I've tried rebooting the phone, clearing the GPS Cache (with the GPS Status app http://j.mp/iijkwk), and redownloading the aGPS data, with the same app.

One time today, while walking to the coffee shop, my GPS locked on. Other than that, nothing.

Has anyone else seen this issue? Any more suggestions to fix, or at least put a band-aid on it?

Thanks

Breon

Accepted answers

KinquanaH_VZW

I understand your frustration because Vz Navigator is a great feature that many users depend on when traveling. Since you have cleared the Cache, rebooted, and you've downloaded the app again, I would try a few other steps. Ensure the Gps location is on and the Location Based services have the proper settings. You can use the directions below:

GPS steps:

From the home screen, select Applications.
Select Settings.
Select Location & security.
Select Standalone GPS services.
Enabled when a orange check mark is present.
If presented, review the disclaimer then select Agree.

Location Based Services instructions:

Navigate to the http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/index.html website, enter the 10-digit mobile number and password then click Sign In.
To register, click Register then follow the step-by-step instructions.
Click My Service > Navigator.
Click Manage Online.
Click Settings (upper-right corner, above the map).
Click Privacy Settings (under End User License and Privacy Settings).
Select a privacy setting then click Save.
Click OK.

All comments

cwg218

Same here, GPS signal won't lock on. Phone was updated as soon as I got it so don't have a reference point from before the update but since I have had it the GPS hasn't worked.

bhorn2011

I haven't tried the GPS yet. Just received the phone last night. I have noticed that I lose the Network connection a lot. Not just dropping 3G and going down to 1x but dropping everything. I was expecting to have LTE at home but right now I would settle for 3G.

Brad

KinquanaH_VZW

GPS steps:

From the home screen, select Applications.
Select Settings.
Select Location & security.
Select Standalone GPS services.
Enabled when a orange check mark is present.
If presented, review the disclaimer then select Agree.

Location Based Services instructions:

Navigate to the http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/index.html website, enter the 10-digit mobile number and password then click Sign In.
To register, click Register then follow the step-by-step instructions.
Click My Service > Navigator.
Click Manage Online.
Click Settings (upper-right corner, above the map).
Click Privacy Settings (under End User License and Privacy Settings).
Select a privacy setting then click Save.
Click OK.

mspampi

My GPS is working fine with the update..

I will agree however that the 3G/4G dropping/swapping occurs. I think its the signal threshold that they set for this phone. If it isn't almost full signal, it seems to revert to 3G. 4G works when 3/4 bars, but if any lower, I notice, that it swaps to 3G.

Peterbean

what a {word filter avoidance}

it has been trying to lock on to gps signal for the past 30 days, my 2 year old droid 1 would lock on in 3 seconds.

Dont get this, whats with this samsung crap?

why an older operating system? why not gingerbread?

why not a dual core processor?

why not more memory?

why not a larger battery?

why $299.00?

This device should be given for free, not for money.

very very dissapointed

WCMack

Dear Pierre,

Well, whether it should have been free or not, you have one and unless you can take it back and exchange it, you will probably have it tomorrow too. Perhaps the community can help you (?).

Please confirm or correct some information:

-You have the latest OS update (EE4).
-You have the proper GPS settings selected - standalone GPS and either Google services or Verizon services.
-You are located in a place that can allow the phone to "see" at least three satellites, so that lock-on can occur. Being outside almost anywhere in the lower 48 (and perhaps elsewhere) should allow this.

Thanks.

rsparkyc

I've also been having problems with the GPS. I am able to get a lock, however it seems to take forever, and it's not nearly as good as my droid incredible was. Also, when I am able to get a lock, the altitude is shown as 0. Everything else about the phone is great, but the shotty GPS functionality is very dissapointing.

AnthonyTa_VZW

PierreB wrote:
what a {word filter avoidance}
it has been trying to lock on to gps signal for the past 30 days, my 2 year old droid 1 would lock on in 3 seconds.
Dont get this, whats with this samsung crap?
why an older operating system? why not gingerbread?
why not a dual core processor?
why not more memory?
why not a larger battery?

why $299.00?

This device should be given for free, not for money.
very very dissapointed

WCMack great probing! PierreB, in addition to those questions, what GPS application are you using on your Droid Charge (Google Maps, VZ Navigator, etc...)? I would also check to see if you have the latest version of Google Maps installed. I have the HTC Thunderbolt, and have recently received numerous updates to Google Maps from the Market. Also, have you tried Clearing Cache and Data in the "Manage Applications" settings?

Let us know if this issue is resolved, or not!

txgrrl

I have had the Charge since August and have also had continual issues with the GPS locking on. I haven't seen a locked GPS since before 8/19. I have tried all the solutions listed below:

- Installed and activated the Verizon Navigator as per the instructions listed in the solution post.

- Installed the GPS Status and Find app

- Cleared the data and cache from the apps

- Rebooted

- Called customer service. Confirmed software was fully up to date.

- Went into a Verizon store. Confirmed everything was turned on and operational.

- Have all three "location services" buttons checked (Verizon Navigation, standalone and Google Maps)

- Have tried one of the three each alone and then two of the three together

So far, nothing has worked. My phone cannot lock onto a GPS signal from the middle of downtown Boulder (with full 4G coverage), Denver, the highway, the top of a 14er...really, basically anywhere.

I need GPS. Can anyone offer a solution that might actually work for me?

Thank you.

UMFootball1989

I think I figured it out. Try to only check Verizon Services and Standalone GPS and see what that does, it seems to be workingfor me now. I never got an EP2 or ED2 or whatever it is update.

txgrrl

I gotta say - I tried this and saw my GPS lock TWICE in the same part of town in which it hasn't locked in a month. I'm not going to claim success yet, but that was pretty great.

Will try it in more locations and then give the thumbs up.

To be clear - I turned OFF the Verizon Navigator (Google Maps and standalone are ON) and it locked up within a minute.

UMFootball1989

txgrrl- Who are to saying this to?

grovlet

I think UMFootball1989 figured it out!!!

You need to have 'Standalone GPS' and ONLY ONE of 'Google' or 'Verizon' GPS Services turned on.

If you have both 'Google' AND 'Verizon' Services on it takes forever to lock and is very inaccurate.

I tried switching between 'Google' and 'Verizon' services for an hour or two and both locked quickly, and seem to have ~ the same accuracy. Although I've left 'Google' as my selection simply because I typically use Google Maps.

Thanks to UMFootball1989 for figuring out as it frustrated me that the Wife's phone (Same Phone) locked immediately while mine did not. Which made me believe it had to be a settings issue.....

hifialan

This didnt work for me. After the Gingerbread update, the phone simply wont lock no matter what I do.