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Galaxy S4 Connection Problems

I've had the S4 since Thursday. I've had to reset this phone at least once a day to get internet access back. Even while connected to a WiFi network, my phone randomly stops connecting to the internet at some point midday. The play store and browsers stop working. The only way to bring it back is to either restart the phone or flip airplane mode on and off.

Is there a reason for this behavior? Recently I've used an iPhone 5 and an HTC 8X, neither devices had this problem.

Comments

T_R_M

My S4 is the worst piece of junk smart phone I've ever had. Works fantastic on home WiFi but I can not get a data connection at a concert or a ball game while my wife's old Motorola Droid X 3G phone works great everywhere when mine doesn't.

unknown

Since it has not been 14 days go back and either return it (pay $35 restocking fee) or exchange it for another cell phone that may work better.

As I have been saying on this forum just because its the latest and greatest does not mean you have to go out and purchase it. But people have this "I got to have it and have it now" mentality and find it wasn't the best choice after all.

Go back and return it now, Don't wait till day 15 when you will get a refurbished phone which has a worst problem than what you are having.

Good Luck

unknown

read the reply I gave to the original poster. Bring it back to the store and pay the fee and get a different phone, or another new S4

melbelleup

Mine had the play store issue, they did a hard reset and now it has been perfect, haven't had any of your other issues though

VLAN100

WiFi Manager by Kostya Vasilyev has been a tool I've used for most of the 3 years I had a HTC DINC. I bought my S4 on Monday and promptly ran into the inability to authenticate to some WiFi hotspots. I installed WiFi Manager from the Google Play Store on my S4 and wahlah! authentication worked.

I'm happy as a clam with my S4.

Julian_G

Are you getting this after a period of inactivity with the phone? I seem to have a similar problem. I can't figure out how to replicate it except overnight when the phone stays on, is on wifi, and idle for a while.

However, my problem goes away if I disable and re-enable wifi.

justinsane

I get this same authentication error on my work wifi only, I can connect to any other wifi network. And all my other devices I have ever owned connect to this same wifi. I tried the wifi manager app above but that did not make a difference.

Julian_G

Do you know what kind of wifi router they use at work? There seems to be some issue with D-Link routers.

solomonshv

all fair points, but it is my job to test phones before deployment. i work in IT and smart phones are my responsibility. Before I hand out any specific phone model to employees, I always pick one up first and do about a week of testing before either allowing the company to by more or not buying them at all. In my company each employee gets any phone they want (assuming I approve the device), and by extension, I get EVERY phone there is.

As of right now, I see no reason to approve the S4. It's been giving me lots of headaches. But only 2 out of about 500 employees wanted an S4, so it's not a big deal really.

solomonshv

I haven't tried flipping wifi on and off. i would usually flip airplane mode instead. maybe it is a wifi issue. but to be honest, i can't find any rhyme or reason for this occurrence and can't replicate it on command. it just happens at random.

T_R_M

I turned off the wifi auto connect function & havn't experienced any problems since. I really appreciate my S4 now.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

T_R_M

Turn off the wifi auto connect

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

solomonshv

i always have that off. i think the S3 had it too and i turned that off on day with both devices. thanks for the suggestion though.

doby-toby

Purchased, immediate wifi connect issues. Verizon tech support very responsive, supplied me with Samsung support number, Samsung is aware of wifi connect issues. Fails to connect with several common utilized routers. Samsung would not verify a software update will be pushed out to fix problem. What a real disappointment, really liked phone until failure to connect occurred.

Julian_G

I have a similar problem. What happens when you are on wifi? Do you appear connected?

doby-toby

Completed the exchange to a different phone, however it did not connect, a few times it would connect and immediately kick me off wifi, happened too often. Hope you have better outcome.

MzSunnrise

I am having the same issue. I had a RAZR MAXX prior to the Samsung and NEVER had any issues. I'm starting to regret this purchase.

Verizon_Support

I don't want you to regret your purchase! First, I want to make sure you don't have any battery saver applications on your phone. These types of apps will disable data to save battery. Do you still show 4G on your phone when this happens?

MarquiaF_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

Marquia_VZW

Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

KnightMearh

I've had the GS4 since day 1 with the same issues. A verizon rep told me to factory reset my phone and that would cause it to grab the updated wifi firmware files from Samsung. He said either that or wait for Samsung to release an update, which will take many months. I haven't had a chance to try the reset yet.

I'd absolutely prefer vanilla Android to Samsung's crappy OS version and custom useless apps, but all in all it's not the end of the world. I will say that the network connectivity is a good 1-2 bars less than my previous Droid Bionic, which always had full 3G/4G, even indoors. My GS4 seems to be okay outside, but once you go into a structure (especially brick, concrete, metal) all bets are off!

Sandi01

HI-I just upgraded to an S4 and I am experiencing connection issues - even at home with my secure wifi on, and sitting near the router. I had similar issues with an S3. My Razr XT912 was the best phone I had, and the RAZRM had better call quality and less dropped calls than the S3. My question is, should I return this phone and just go back to the Razr - or are there Samsung updates available to fix this? I chose the phone for the camera - which would be very useful, but I am concerned about connectivity and maps, as I do ride in remote areas and think the Moto X would also be a fabulous phone, minus the camera. I'm disappointed and confused. Thanks for any help.

Verizon_Support

Hey there Sandi01,

I'm sorry to hear about the issues you are having with your S4. It is a great phone and I want you to have an excellent experience with it.

Are you only having problems connecting to WiFi or our data network as well? What zip code are you having issues in? Are you having any issues with calls as well?

Please provide additional details so I can better assist.

NicholasB_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

utbasin

it sounds like developer options have been activated. on setting/developer options, kill apps you probably check that box. unchecked the box and that problem will go away.

utbasin

This is the fix for, internet stopped working, bookmarks wont open, internet windows wont close, and a few other issues.

just stay out of developer options.

tikibar1

Developer options are hidden on a Galaxy S4; the average user wouldn't know how to make them visible.

utbasin

Your probably right I've owned my gs4 for three days now. And learned this the first day after coming from a thunderbolt.

cul8ter.

copasetical

Mine keeps forgetting its network settings, requiring me to re-enter logins and passwords for secure networks. This is true whether on EAP-CHAP, or WEP/WPA connections. It's been since the last update, and is incredibly annoying. Happens every few days.

Nanismom

I have the S4 and for the past month or so my connection is terrible. I can not connect to internet nor make phone calls when in my friend's basement which is only a few blocks from my home. Once outside I can make a call. My reception from work is usually lousy and have to move around the building to make a call. When at the U of Penn animal hospital I have no service unless I step outside of the building. Everyone else is using their phone, but me. I switched from Tmobile to Verizon because I heard their reception was great, so I am very disappointed. I am going to the Verizon store today to see what they say...not sure if it is my phone or them. I get very upset when I am expecting an important phone call and they can't get to me....

Verizon_Support

Nanismom

We definitely want you to love your service! Let's work on getting your calls to connect where you need us. While service is difficult to maintain indoors, and especially on levels underground like basements, we can check to be sure you're getting the best signal available. What zip code are you in? Does your experience improve after removing the SIM card? Here's how: http://vz.to/1srh8di

RuthW_VZW

Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

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