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Samsung Galaxy s4 - Text message Fail

I just got my s4, and at least once a day i have troubles with it sending texts. They will fail I will reboot and then they go with no issues. What could be causing this. I see lot of reports about the update being the issue. Would like this resolved it is a real pain when sending a text to have to do a Restart to get it to go.

Comments

crazybob007

Im having the same issue but I go toggle airplane mode to reset the cell radio and it works again rather than waiting to reboot phone.

Verizon_Support

Hello windyhill28, let's get to the bottom of this together! Are you using the stock messaging app or 3rd party application to send messages? Any issues with calls or data? Please test in Safe mode: http://vz.to/1lHEexI Keep us posted!

WiltonA_VZW

VZW Support

Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

mmerc2

I'm having same issue and it's getting exceedingly annoying! Text messages fail half the time and now messages that I send in Facebook also fail most of the time. All of my friends with S4's have the same issue and they're all banging their heads against the wall. It's very frustrating. I don't know if the issue is with Verizon or Samsung so I'm not pointing any fingers but would like some direction to find a resolution.

Verizon_Support

I know how important it is to use your text functionality mmerc2. I'm sorry your still having issues. Have you tried a hard reset? Have you tried removing the Facebook application and redownloading it? The app may need an update of its own. I also would always recommend deleting ole/long text threads to give yourself memory on your device. Keep us posted.

KinquanaH_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport

windyhill28

I am using the standard app. My new thing rather than having to reboot I read some one said to put it in and out of airplane mode, then the text goes. It just happened to me I received a text replied back and the received 2nd text and when I tried to send the next text it failed. Put it in and out of airplane mode and then clicked on it and then it went. Very frustrating.

windyhill28

I have no issues with calls or data.

Verizon_Support

@windyhill28,

Thanks for the additional info!

Did you get a chance to place the phone in safe mode http://vz.to/Uu56GG and test? We want to make sure it's not a 3rd party app causing the issue. Please run in safe mode for 24 hours and see if the text messaging issues stop. If they stop then you will need to uninstall all 3rd party apps and re-install them one at a time to determine which one is causing the issue.

JohnB_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

mmerc2

I've ran mine in safe mode since yesterday and just had a message fail.

runinthewoods

I have the exact same problem. Airplane mode is a nice tip becuase I've been rebooting my phone at least 10 times a day. The best part is that every once in a while someone will respond to a text that it said failed...but typically not. It's horribly inconvenient to say the least. I've had Verizon since 1997 & have had smartphones for years. I've never had texts fail in an area where my phone and data worked just fine. Like the other poster said, I can receive messages, i even think I can send SMS messages, I just can't send regular texts on way too frequent of a basis.

I also agree that it happened after a recent upgrade. I've got a bunch of screen shots and am going to go complain at the Verizon store tomorrow. I've spent hours making sure my phone is clean and backed up to get a new phone that I also believe will probably have the same problem. Very frustrating.

ExcessiveIdling

I wouldn't waste your time going to your local verizon corporate (NOT premium retailer either) store. The people in the store are simply sales people with minimal background to do the same troubleshooting that tier 1 can do when you call 611(usually they actually can't even do as much as that). Like any retail store, you could find someone that knows a little more of what their talking about...but quite honestly your best bet IMHO is to escalate the issue at least tier 2. I now since having done so have a case number (that supposedly is still being looked into) also I have not been walked through the same script that tier 1 does...even when I tell them I've already done abc and xyz and have been shipped out a warranty replacement phone. Thankful for the attempts, however I came to the realization that if I were to use the warranty phone which DOES have an older version of software(mk2 aka android 4.3) which I'm 99.9% certain will solve the text messaging problems...I at some point will be nagged to death about the update..that in time would auto update. I even went to as far as explaining what I just said to a tier 1 and was told I could keep hitting update later or of course change phones using verizon edge(ripoff) or wait till an updgrade is avail(contract extension of doom) or pay full price (because I can't use verizon service like I have been). My next step will be contacting samsung themselves, which I'm sure will in turn result in them telling me you have to deal with your provider (verizon) as its my sms service that is not working.

To sum it all up:

New sim card, nope

New phone, yup...but only if you get one with older software on it, and keep hitting later and hope it doesn't auto update

factory reset, nope

clearing app data, nope

doing whatever network reset/reassociation verizon can do on their side, nope

safe mode, nope

third party app(I've tried handcent and chomp sms), nope

safe mode, nope

disabling wifi, nope

changing network mode from global>cdma/lte, nope

formatting my sd card, nope

I have a phone that I love, except now I am lacking the reliability of services. I'm sure that somewhere in my contract theres a clause that if xx amount of my service doesn't work there could be compensation...or...be considered a breach of contract by verizon. The analogy I would use at this point is I have a porche with keys and all, been driving it around for awhile, my dealer says hey lets drop a new engine in it, I say no but the dealer says I have to, I do it and now my car sputters and even occasionally stalls out. Now who is at fault in that scenario..me? No, the dealer. Good businesses (and again it may or may not be verizon, it could also be samsung) would acknowledge the problem, do a recall and fix the problem. I have not seen verizon acknowledge anything, and certaintly have not heard nor seen of any up and coming fix.

Why should I pay the same cost for service with a 50% reliability as those who have 95% reliability?

/end rant aka informative post

runinthewoods

I love your rant. That's exactly what I've ran though line by line except

actually replacing the phone.

I don't think it's all S4's though, and definitely not all Samsung's

because I've been bitching about it for weeks, and most everyone just looks

at me sideways. I have this feeling certain revs of hardware have issues

with that firmware rev or something.

Luckily I actually have a best buy contract... Probably not any better, but

at least the geek squad there kind of listens...and I don't think they

follow as strict of a protocol for replacing phones. It's absolutely

unacceptable though. This phone has been flawless for almost a year, and

now it's making me more upset than my misguide BlackBerry Storm purchase

when the original iPhone came out.

I'm actually going to use your well worded rant when I have my own polite,

yet firm mini-rant when I go in today. Thanks again! We definitely have

the same issue.

On Jun 15, 2014 7:05 AM, "ExcessiveIdling" <forums@verizonwireless.com>

ExcessiveIdling

Contacted Samsung technical support (via live chat) and gave them a lot of information...(they were reading their script) and I was informed that "Stark: As of there are no reported issue with the device you are referring." This is a little disconcerting. They are doing the same as verizon, having me send my phone in (which I will then be without a phone while they look at it) and if they deem its not physical damage (which its not) they will warranty fix it. When I again reiterated that I believe it to be the software/baseband of the phone I was again almost robot like replied with "

Josh: if the warranty phone does not fix the issue (as I believe it is an issue with the current version of the baseband/software on the phone) then what do I do?

Stark: Our technician will examine the device and fix the issue.""

Just a heads up to anyone that was thinking of contacting samsung.....at least with verizon they send you out a warranty replacement phone first...so you're not left without a phone(requiring you to send back the 'defective' phone in 5 days..else be charged full retail).

rckrz6

This is so rediculous everytime i tell the tech person thats there 10000 posts on this issue they ignore me and keep telling me it must be a network issue when its clearly a problem with the update. Ive had my phone replaced, sim card replaced, now they opened network ticket... i wish they would stop wasting there time and get me into a different model that works properly. They also brought up the edge program.. are you serious how about you solve my issue the proper way instead of trying to sell me a different phone

admnco1

Same issue. Every time I call, it's brand new news to them. I just called now, and even sent the URL of this forum to the Tech 2's cell phone. I have done every troubleshooting method mentioned previously next to receiving a CLR (Certified Like New) device. Yea the CLR may come with 4.3 on it, and I can keep dismissing the push update. That's beside the point. My stock messaging app should work with the 4.4 Kit Kat. I requested an alternate device which they denied. So I will take the CLR. If that doesn't work, I guess it's the BBB.

Not_So_Much

I've just joined the club of 'messages failed to be sent' as of yesterday. I just did a reboot (made sure phone was OFF) and bang, 4 messages that had failed went though on this try. As long as this works (turning phone off once a day or so) I can live with that. Shouldn't VERIZON people be posting on this issue?

Patience_Gone

NOT A RANT

Hi Windyhill28,

This problem is most often caused by

Phone having problem connecting to the Network (You will have problems with calls too if this is the case)
Kit Kat is denying permission to the text app to Write/Send SMS

Kit Kat only allows ONE text messaging application permission to write to SMS/MMS. So if you have more than ONE application that wants permission to write to your SMS/MMS files your phone will not give either app permission until you specify a default and turn the others off in the background. The symptom is that that you think you sent out a text, but it was denied permission and the phone didn't even give you an error message so that you know there's a problem.

Common apps that can cause problems with sending/receiving Text messages with Kit Kat. (This is not an issue with Jelly Bean)

Verizon Messaging (this is a 3rd party app not the S4 stock text messaging application)
Tango
Skype
Go Text
Handcent
Current Caller ID
3rd party Launchers
3rd party Dialers
Text Plus
Trucaller

So here's another fix you can try.

Download an app called PERMISSION AWARE. It requires no permissions and is very informative. The app will let you know all the permissions each downloaded application has on your phone.

When you open the app, go to the section that lists WHO CAN WRITE/SEND SMS. If it lists any other application besides your Text Messaging application then you may have a problem.

TRY SELECTING ONLY ONE TEXT MESSAGING APP TO WRITE/SEND SMS AND UNINSTALL THE OTHERS OR TURN THEM OFF IN APPLICATION MANAGER.

Even if you leave these apps on the phone if they later open in the background it can cause a conflict.

mmerc2

It won't work. Nothing works. It may work for a day....but that's it. Soon your messages will fail again. I've gone through every "have you tried this...?" option and trouble shooting technique that Verizon has asked me to within this forum and from actually calling in. Nothing works. I give up. I'm amazed that NOBODY at this point has just said, "we're aware that this is a widespread problem and here's how we're working on it"......No matter who I talk to, it's like it's the first time they've heard of it and I get the same suggestions as the last person.

runinthewoods

I've just given up and switch it back and forth from airplane mode to fix

it and send the text again. It's horrible... But I'm defeated.

Verizon_Support

Hi runinthewoods!

I'm not giving up, and I don't want you to either! Let's try some troubleshooting....please go to menu/settings/more settings/mobile networks/network mode. Please change it from global to LTE/CDMA and try again. Keep me posted!

Thanks,

ChristinaB_VZW

VZW Support

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

RonjaL7

I am having the same problem, and came here to find a solution. I tried the airplane mode thing to quickly reset the phone and that worked for a temporary fix. I'm using the text software that came with the phone, not a 3rd party. This is very frustrating!

mnewbill

my texts are failing every hour or so on the 3 g system. never a problem in 4g that i can tell. issue is, at work all day it is 3g only here and this is where i do most texting. it is very annoying. i had no issues here with text on my razor. this makes me regret upgrading. i been watching this and no help in a couple months has been offered to fix this besides the reset. I am also having the same problem. notably after the last update. it is a new phone, hardly any aps installed. did the reset, no change.

airplane mode then back to normal, and the text will go through, wait a few minutes and they will fail again. airplane mode again and then they go through.

please fix or i am going to return the phone as defective.

Mark.

mnewbill

airplane mode then back to normal, and the text will go through, wait a few minutes and they will fail again. airplane mode again and then they go through.

please fix or i am going to return the phone as defective.

Mark.

Personal info removed to comply with Verizon Wireless Terms of Service .

Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

rafiqa

Absolutely, this is happening, to both my and my husband's phone (both Galaxy 4s--2 years old and never abused). It started to occur 6-8 weeks ago, apparently from all the conversations, that is when the update occurred. Not all texts fail, it is erratic and unreliable.

I may be in the middle of a conversation on text, then the last one may fail, but I've already started to drive away, when it fails. It takes 2-5 minutes to get the failed message.Yes, all the sender's 'seem' to come through. It is against the law AND unsafe to text while driving and pulling off the road on an Interstate is impossible to do quickly.

I think that Verizon should go back to the drawing board and fix the ORIGINAL problem with the update and stop giving us ineffectual advice. Let us go back to whatever was working 2 months ago.

DO NOT tell me to: update sim card, reset, continue to turn phone off and on, use another app (sometimes you say 'use 3rd party app, sometimes it's use the original app--evidently, you don't even know which app to use), or whatever. Doesn't work and I have to re-type every message that 'fails'.

Verizon-----FIX THE PROBLEM!

Melena17

I have read your posts and am glad to see I am not the only one having the problem with text/connectivity with S4. Seems these issue have been a ongoing problem. Only way to end the freeze was to hit the lock key then go back in and there is the app I was trying to open. Then text kept failing. Not only at work but at home texting my son (teenager) in the house with me. I have been told by Verizon there are NO known issues with text/connectivity with S4. I have done the suggested fixes from Verizon, including a refurbished phone. Very frustrating to have to put all information back that was lost when switching to another phone. Fixed problem for a few days but now problems are back with a vengeance . I have done nothing to my phone no third party messaging apps not rooted. Now I did use another one one my first phone and had same problems happen. I am not paying for a new phone when I feel I already lost money when I got a refurbished one for my new S4. Which I had to wait over a week for while my first one was totally unusable. I use this phone at work to keep in contact with administration. If there is a emergency situation me saying "oh my phone stopped sending messages sorry that situation is now out of control" is going to cut it. This ridiculous and frustrating I am just totally fed-up. And now the refurbished won't always connect to 4g when wifi not available and backups are failing. Error network connection lost comes up. Before you ask using Backup assist plus/Verizon cloud. I have been a loyal Verizon customer for as long as you gave been around after Ma Bell was split. I expect the same level of loyalty from them. There are other people in my office using the Samsung Note, Droid and iPhone they have no texting/connectivity problems. FYI none are using Verizon. Thanks for letting me rant.

rafiqa

and, of course, this post is going unanswered for 2 months now.......because they are 'chicken'.

Perhaps it's time to get others involved......Better Business Bureau, mass postings everywhere on-line that you can find.......FaceBook....CNet....other suggestions?

I did love my S4, but am growing to hate it and it is doubtful that I will get another, thanks to Verizon.

jamboadams

I am also having this issue even months after it was first reported it still isn't fixed, seriously??

Coersum

Both my wife and I have been having this problem for a while also, both using Galaxy S4 bough just about a year ago...None of the fix showed in this thread worked except the airplane mode switching but it's never long before texts start failing to send again.

Liquidirt

They at least are admitting that there is a problem with the last update. The new update to fix this issue should be out in the beginning of September.

jamita71

Both my mother and I have this problem also!! It's so frustrating to have to restart our phones 5 plus times a day...it is our only phones so if they don't work it makes it that much more frustrating

mmadonna40

Same problem here, not sending texts, just started yesterday Saturday September 6, 2014.

rafiqa

I haven't seen any updates or admission of guilt by Verizon. Still having failed messages as of last night. Putting phone in airplane mode now does not work to automatically send/reset phone.

Only way it works is to completely shut it off.

MoltresRider

same problem with text message

easttexas937

I guess I'll take a number and have a seat with the rest of you.... it's obviously an update issue. Verizon trying to cut down on data use but yet still expanding to faster 4G networks and areas probably has interfered with the new lines of code and causing a glitch. Less for more.

ericschrepel

This issue seems to have continued for months. I've experienced the same issue, definitely far worse in the last few months than had ever been before.

The only consistent pattern I see so far: when I send text messages of less than, say 128 characters, they usually work okay. Anything longer will fail half the time.

Same issue happens either from the stock SMS app or Google Hangouts as SMS client.

Completely frustrating, hope a fix is coming very soon. (Because it's clear from the number of responses to this and the various "fixes" folks have tried that it's a phone/network-related BUG and not some random thing all of us need to figure out how to fix individually.)

TandraMautner

Ive been having this same issue and its only getting worse!! Verizon should fix this ASAP. Texting is a main feature on ANY phone and if they can't get it work all the time they should issue new phones or let people upgrade! This is completely ridiculous. #VerizonSUCKS #S4isgarbage #leavingverizon #terriblecustomerservice #cantsendatext

Verizon Wireless Customer Support

denards

I only started having a problem with message failure today, however my messages are being received but I keep receiving the notification that it is not going through.

zenker

Can't send pictures with my galaxy s4 with my texts

Everlastor

I've had my S4 for just over a month and already sometimes experience these send failures. Restarting the phone helps sometimes, but when it doesn't, I have found this solution to work (found on another board): Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > All > Message app > Force Stop and Clear data

It's not a true fix to whatever the root of the problem is, but it has worked for me when I repeatedly try to send the same message with no luck.

karen_diaz_

Restart phone completely

jgreyson1

I've tried every suggestion ever made and I still have daily issues. Guess the solution is to switch carriers.

Verizon_Support

jgreyson1, let's look for better solutions than that. We definitely don't want you to switch to another carrier. Have you downloaded 3rd party applications to your phone? If so, some applications can affect the performance of your phone. Let's try running that device in Safe Mode which will determine if an application is causing these issues. Click here for the steps and keep us posted: http://vz.to/1LJTXVj

LasinaH_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

hoppytoad

June 24, 2015

My new reconditioned Samsung Note 3 just started having this problem (last night).

I know that one note was received a few minutes after I sent it. The other one, I don't yet know about. The confirmed, received message was under 128 characters. The other message was over 128 characters.

Why aren't Verizon and Samsung running these tests themselves on their time and equipment rather than have the customer do their testing for them? They have access to all the apps that we have.

Both vendors (Samsung & Verizon) appear to see this as an 'undocumented feature'.

I think it reprehensible that this has gone on for over a year with no solution.

Verizon_Support

Messaging is more important than ever. A year is too long to wait. Help has arrived. What application are you using for these messages? Are the ones not being received going to the same person, or different recipients?

LynnE_VZW Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

Whatever1111

I have had my phone for quite sometime.. after the update thats when i started having the failed message problem.

Nothing .. i mean nothing fixes it .

Especially texts from vendors that i get and am trying to "stop" .. meaning a 6 digit number ..

im so ill its ridiculous ! Target keeps sending me mobile coupons.. i try to reply stop and it fails everytime.. but this is not the only one .. Over a year and you still dont have it fixed really ???

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