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SIM Card Issue (Refreshing SIM Data)

Hi;

I'm having troubles with my SamSung Galaxy S3. It is a problem that has been happening for a few days now.

A little message will pop up every 5-10mins stating; "Refreshing SIM Data" When this message pops up

I loose connection to everything, Mobile Internet, WiFi, Music, Videos, Pictures. etc. Pretty much everything on me phone.

I've tried to look for a problem resolver using my phone but whenever I'm just getting to the problem I loose everything

cause of the stupid "Refreshing SIM data" thing pops up.

Is this a problem with the SIM card? or is there a setting on my phone I can stop this from happening.

Or might it be a problem with my phone?

If I can get a responce to this ASAP it would be very very helpful thank you very much!!

Comments

78RPM

Hi SekcyOnee - I too am having this problem with my S3 and I see from research that it is all over the web. What I'm not having any success with is finding a solution. I'm seeing a lot of guesses but nothing concrete.

One thing that did come up though was that someone mentioned that this only happens when they're out of range of a signal. I noticed myself that this never happens when I'm outside and in my house my signal strength is horrible at best and is non-existent most of the time.

I'm thinking if we can track down the conditions under which this happens we can narrow down what's making it do this. Have you noticed that this happens particularly when you have really bad or no signal strength?

Ann154

I would suggest getting a new SIM card. You can get one free from a corporate store or calling customer service and requesting a new SIM card.

manufan1

I have the same issue with my Galaxy Note 2. At home or out-and-about I have no issues with the phone, but when I'm at work where the Verizon signal is poor to non-existent then I have the "Refreshing SIM Data" problem. WiFi is strong at work so missing the 4G LTE signal is not a problem but the fact that it keeps "refreshing" and breaking the WiFi connection is a problem. I have tried turning on/off various settings (Network Mode: Global / LTE CDMA / GSM UMTS, Mobile data: Enable/Disable) but none of these thing affects it. I would like to be able to tell my phone, "There is no 4G LTE signal here, don't worry about it." Has anyone been able to find that option?

78RPM

Thanks for that but I'm having trouble believing it's a sim card physical issue. There's three people here and if you Google "refreshing sim data" there's page after page on this. Mine only started happening after upgrade to JellyBean. And it only happens if I have bad/no signal strength (in my case in my home). If Samsung got that many bad sim cards I think they'd be out of business by now.

I agree with manufan1 - there's got to be some setting or something to tell it don't worry about it and quit closing out my game (yes, Angry Birds usually) and knocking me off my wifi.

bquinn1

I also have the same problem with my Samsung Galaxy III. One thing I have noticed is that the phone only does it when I have horrible signal AND I am connected to WiFi. If I have WiFi turned off, I never get that message, or at least not that I have noticed.

Amae19

The same thing happens with my Galaxy S3. It's becoming a complete pain to even use the phone in my home. Sometimes I get an hour of my phone working right and sometimes I get 5 mins - then I get the message "Refreshing sim data" - " Connecting to WiFi" And it's not just my Wifi - It happens at 3 different wifi houses. Has anyone found a way to fix this. I really love this phone and I don't want to have to replace it. I only have one week left of my 14 day return period. (To add to my frustration this is already my second phone, this past week I had to return my new Stratosphere because it sucked)

Amae19

OK! I think I finally got it fixed, after talking to 7 tech people. Under "More Settings" --- "Mobile Networkds" ----"Network Mode" - Make sure you are on the LTE/CDMA. NOT Glabal or GSM/UMTS. So far this works for my phone!!

manufan1

I've tried that before and the same problem occurs but instead of the "Refreshing SIM Data" message, I get the popup box asking me if I want to switch back to Global Mode. That's more annoying because it won't do anything else until you hit OK or cancel.

gaewing

I am having the same issue with a new Samsung Note 2. I am overseas with no Verizon network but connected to WIFI. error comes up every two - 4 minutes. pulled battery and powered with out and then put back in battery. Problem still there- real annoying.

Gail123

I am having the exact same problem with my Samsung Galaxy III phone. Very annoying. I have talked with a few tech people: (1) replaced sim card (2) removed battery (3) performed factory reset. NOTHING helped. I was offered a refurbished phone. Don't think so...I paid to have a new phone and want them to get this problem resolved. It only started happening about a month ago, and I've had my phone since about July. I hope they resolve this issue. I love(d) my phone.

Gail123

Just talked with Samsung. They said only option left since factory reset didn't work is for me to send phone in for repairs. This problem has not been reported enough to them to be considered as 'a problem'. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE REPORTED TO SAMSUNG DIRECTLY. Please report to them so they will be able to get on this problem. Thanks!

sweetjonnycrash

I had the same problem with my note 2..I found a workaround which worked for me. I turn airplane mode off then turn wifi back on. Not the best fix but proof it has something to do with the radio signal with wifi.

sweetjonnycrash

Oops sorry. .I turn my airplane mode on. That automatically turns wifi off. . But you can go in and turn wifi back on and you will stay connected. At least I do.

78RPM

Too bad a company the size of Samsung doesn't have access to Google. If you put that error message in it comes up all over the place. Since they're all specific to Samsung I have to think it has to do with their implementation of Android. Actually, I'm pretty sure with my S3 this didn't start happening until I was upgraded to JellyBean, I'm very disappointed with Samsung over this and I'm on my 6th Samsung phone, so I was a pretty happy customer before. Right now the phone is mostly just annoying when I'm in my house (no signal) and trying to use it with wifi. And before this started happening I was very happy with my S3.

Verizon's not exactly stepping up to the plate on this and going to bat for us either. Kind of shameful on all their parts really.

manufan1

This works great, thanks for posting! I still think there should be a "fix" to the problem, but this is a great work-around until then.

squarepegjer

My wife and I are both having this same problem, on Galaxy SIII's... and only after updating to Jelly Bean. HORRIBLY annoying.

It happens when the mobile data signal appears / disappears. Which is CONSTANTLY because we live in an old brick & masonry building with next to zero signal. Gotta love it - pay top dollar for a new phone, pay more for the new, no-unlimited data plan, then have to pay double to have a land line installed because the cell phone doesn't work indoors, and now when I'm using WIFI (from another company, because Verizon doesn't service half our town) my phone glitches out and cancels all of my work.

Tried forcing it to LTE networks - doesn't give the 'refreshing sim data' message, but it pops up with the 'switch to global?' message. Almost as annoying.

VERIZON & SAMSUNG - could either of you please read these forums??? This one little glitch could cost you a ton of customers.

Illumaone

For what its worth I too have this Horrible annoying problem when at work were the signal is poor.

gf1fanatic

A Verizon rep has admitted to me that they are aware of the problem, but are unable to find a fix. Hmm? Maybe I could tell them I'm unable to find the money to pay my monthly bill. Anyway, as someone else has posted, for now a good workaround is to turn on airplane mode and then manually turn WiFi on. This has fixed the problem for me when I am in a poor data signal area, such as in my home.

And where is Jelly Bean 4.2!!?? Do Verizon and Samsung really care about their customers? Doesn't appear so.

dnoreen

This worked for me, as well. I am in London on business, and staying at a hotel. I don't need to use international roaming or any call function. I tried to switch back to LTE, like some posters, but kept getting the message to switch to Global. If you don't need to use the phone, this post solved the problem (switch into Airplane Mode, and then manually go turn the wifi back on).

I did this and have not had the message for 'Switch to Global' or 'Refreshing SIM Data' come back up yet.

Thanks for this post!

kevind1986

I have the same problem i am only on WiFi and it will close me out of everything. This is a Verizon Issue.

78RPM

Thank you!!!

This works.

It's really really STUPID that we have to do this - but it works!

78RPM

I don't think Verizon caused it - but it seems to me they should have taken the bull by the horn and done something (anything) about it.

It didn't happen on the the SIII until the Jellybean upgrade - that's Google.

It seems to happen only on Samsung devices - that's Samsung.

Do this/No do that/factory reset/sim cards replaced/nobody's ever heard of that before/you tried that already? well, try this then/that didn't work, well bummer for you/global this lte that...Arrgh!

That's all Verizon!

squarepegjer

Just updated to Android 4.1.2 today - and so far, I haven't seen the problem come up. We'll see if this is the fix or not!

Squirrel_WNY

I'm running 4.1.2 now on my Galaxy SIII and it's still doing the same thing. For me, it doesn't matter whether or not I'm using wi-fi. It's totally dependant on my cellular signal. When the signal drops, it starts doing it. It does it just like everyone else says - approx. every 3-5 minutes or so. It doesn't stop until I'm back in signal again. And of course, every time it happens, it dumps whatever I was working on (or playing). It's extremely frustrating, considering I only have the network in certain areas in my home, and it's even worse at work. I will try the airplane mode mentioned above and see if it also helps my phone.

Just my luck...I finally find a phone I really want, spend the big bucks to get it, and it's currently one of the most frustrating phones I've ever had.

VERIZON and SAMSUNG - PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE!!

dnoreen

I bought a new phone, will sell my Verizon phone in the US and chalk it up

as a lesson learned. Never going back to Verizon and will advise others to

do the same.

gf1fanatic

The airplane mode option will still fix the problem, but this is ridiculous! No wonder people buy iPhones! Samsung and Verizon should be ashamed of themselves! These are billion dollar corporations and they let something like this happen. They really care about their customers, don't they!

Verizon_Support

Squarepegjer, I'm excited to learn that you recently recieved the Android update on your device. I trust that the new features and bug fixes will improve your wireless experience on your device. Please keep us posted and feel free to reach out to us if you need any assistance. We're here for you.

Lasina_H

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSUPPORT

Ronich

Why is Verizon Customer Support's ONLY comment is a congratulations and mentions NOTHING about the problem on this blog?

Verizon_Support

Dear s10stealth,

I apologize our previous response was not helpful. Allow me to help provide some resolutions to fixing your equipment concerns. When you get the refresh sim data message, are you in a certain location? What zip code are you in?

I personally have the Samsung Galaxy S3 and have not had this error pop up on my phone. Can you try removing your sim card, then re-insert it back to your phone. To learn how to remove your sim card click http://vz.to/109THr2. Please keep us posted if this has helped.

Thank You,

MichelleS_VZW

VZW Support

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSUPPORT

Ronich

To everyone with the low signal problem...

I've just bought the Wilson Electronics Sleek 4G mobile signal booster. I can see about a 4db gain in the signal. It's just enough to complete ALL calls, texts, and internet connections.

I highly recommend.

expatchic

Omg! This issue has been driving me nuts since I received my Samsung TABLET about three weeks ago. I was traveling overseas, and chalked it up to a weak signal. When I got back to the US, I was using the 4G network, so didn't really get to test it. However, it seemed stable enough in the airports. I'm now overseas again, and experiencing the same ANNOYING problem, despite the fact I'm literally sitting under the router. However, the bandwidth is small and is shared, so I'm sure that has something to do with the problem. HOWEVER, both of the solutions outlined below seem to "fix" the problem: 1) set the network to LTE/CDMA, but suffer the annoying 'switch to Global' message. 2) Turn on airplane mode, then manually turn on the WiFi (and Bluetooth if needed). This fix has allowed me to actually complete this message! I don't think it's a Verizon issue, but perhaps a Samsung issue? To me, it seems the WiFi is constantly scanning, and reconnecting to the best network connection. Anyone know how to make it stop scanning?

Regards.

phil7011

Amae19 I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to post how you fixed this,I too was having that issue and I couldnt use my phone at all......thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!

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