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samsung note 4 poor cell signal reception

I am using the note 4 for about 6 months now. The poor signal is becoming in tolerable at home, it will go through the cycle of 4G 2 bar, 1 bar, 3G, 1X, no signal. We also own samsung S5 and iphone 6 and both have very stable 4G (2-3 bars) signal right next to the note4!

To be exact, when my note 4 has a signal strength of 118 dbm, the other phones have 110 dbm or better, even with the SAME cell station (based on app "network info").

I called the Verizon technical support. They were very nice and sent me a new sim card. But that did not solve the problem.

I then reset the phone, and reverted it back to kitkat 4.4, and that did not help. So it was not lollipop upgrade.

I am now back to lollipop via OTA and the signal is as weak as before.

I don't think I have a bad phone because it is superb at work where I have full xLTE signal (4-5 bars).

In conclusion, note 4 either has a weaker antenna or it needs a software fix.

Comments

Verizon_Support

prvzw,

I am so sorry to hear of the signal issues with the Note 4. I truly appreciate all your have done thus far in regards to troubleshooting this issue. When going into the Settings what is your Network Mode set as? Also, there have been some that have reported using Download booster has affected their service. If you go to Settings>More networks is Download booster on? If so, when you turn off Download booster do you still have the same issues?

LindseyT_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!!

unknown

Thanks for your response. I have tried both "global" and "LTE/CDMA". The latter is a little better but not much.

I have download booster off the whole time.

Verizon_Support

prvzw,

Thank you for this information. I have sent you a private message as I would like to gain some addtional information from you so I can raise this concern up. Please respond to the private message that was sent.

mobfit

Please let me know if you get a resolution. I am experiencing the same issues. People around me are getting great bars of connectivity while my $700 Note 4 is abysmal. With case/without case, new Verizon Sim, reset phone 3 times I have tried everything. Safe mode you name it. I do believe this is a Verizon Issue/Software fix. Someone, whether Samsung or Verizon, must first admit there is an issue before they can start to fix the issue.:smileysad: love the note 4 other than the Phone call aspects of it.

Verizon_Support

We want to help you as well. It looks like you have done quite a bit of troubleshooting already. Do you expereince a change in the signal when you use Advanced Calling 1.0?

Have you tried to make calls when you're in Safe Mode http://vz.to/1wW8QNh?

TamaraH_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!!

mobfit

I have tried safe mode and it doesn't do anything different. I do not use Advanced Calling 1.0...should I be using it?

unknown

I have advanced calling on. We also have it on the samsung S5 and iPhone 6.

Verizon_Support

I appreciate all the troubleshooting you have done so far mobfit! I have sent you a private message so we can further review your issue.

AmberF_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!!

MzDelicacy

I to am having signal issues since the Lollipop upgrade. I spoke to a tech which had me place the phone in airplane mode and power off. Next we took the battery out and remove the SIM card. The next day I took it to the Verizon store and the replace the SIM card which still didn't improve the signal strength. The last thing we tried was factory reset, I am still having problems to this day. I switched to Verizon in Nov because of their great coverage but since this update I am truly disappointed. I was completely happy prior to the update. I was offered a refurbished phone but decline because it has been my experience that they most times have more issues than the original device.

Verizon_Support

This is not the experience we want you to have with us MzDelicacy! I am confident we can improve your service and see what is causing your signal to drop. What zip code are you in? Is anyone else having the same issue? Since this happened after the Software update, have you tried running the Repair Assistance Tool http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/samsung-galaxy-note-4-update/ ? Have you tried any other troubleshooting steps or settings changes? I want to make sure we don't ask to repeat steps you have already done.

JorgeO_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!!

MzDelicacy

My zip code is 21208 but I'm closer to the 21133 and 21117 area codes. I

don't know anyone else with a Note 4 on the Verizon network. The only

troubleshooting that has been done is the ones I mentioned in the forum.

Can this link be assessed from my cell or only from a computer?

On Jun 8, 2015 8:48 PM, "Verizon Wireless Customer Support" <

Verizon_Support

Thanks for the info For the links, MzDelicacy. Let’s look to see what is going on. In regards to the links, it should work via phone and computer but if you are not having any success on your phone, would you be able to try to go to this post and try those two links? For Safe Mode http://spr.ly/6580B6O8E; and Software Assistant http://spr.ly/6582B6O8G;

Those are two key things we need to have you try so that we can proceed further. Can you try those for us and keep us posted?

-TakendraW_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!!

Misskimmy

I am having the EXACT same problem as these other posts. Comments like these are all over the internet. I had the Note 2, went to the Verizon store (which I can see from my front yard, less than 1/4 mile away) and brought home the Note 4, and it fluctuates between 1 and 2 bars most of the time. Then for a couple of days it went (for no apparent reason) up to full bars and I figured some kind of issue had been resolved at Verizon and was elated. Then again without warning, it plummeted back to one/two bars and has stayed there. Boyfriend has Verizon too (has an LG) and his phone sits beside mine with full bars and mine with one/two lousy bars. It is NOT my location, his phone and my Note 2 had no problem whatsoever. Disgusted that I am paying for this $700 phone over the next 2 years when I would have been better off keeping my Note 2.

Verizon_Support

We want you to get the same stellar service as your boyfriends phone Misskimmy. We want you to love your phone and service but for you not to feel that way, saddens me. Not giving up hope though! And for this to be happening is very interesting. Do you happen to remember when you had the full service bars you mentioned above? If not, that is ok. Just wanted to see if we can look back to see what may have gone on that day.

Since this has been happening, have you powered your phone off ( taken SIM Card out ) for at least 1-2 minutes, put SIM Card back in and power the phone on again ?

-TakendraW_VZW

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Misskimmy

I have pulled the SIM as suggested below. I’ve actually tried every single thing I’ve read on forums with no luck. And the phone is constantly “finding location”. Like maybe it keeps losing it? Anyway, I do remember exactly when the bars zoomed up to full bar status because it’s the same day I rec’d an e-mail and text message from Verizon telling me my trade-in old phone (Note 2) had been rec’d back at Verizon. At that point I checked my new phone because I had been thinking about going back to the store and telling them there was a problem with it, and that’s when I noticed it had suddenly gone up to full bars. I told my BF that maybe my account had been on some kind of limited status until the old phone was rec’d back, or that Verizon had found something that had been set up wrong and had fixed it on their end. At that point the Note 4 had full bars just as the Note 2 always had at my home location.

That was on a Thursday and by the following Sunday it had crashed back down to just 1 or 2 bars. I guess I was just spoiled with the Note 2 having such excellent coverage at my house which is very close to the tower. Is it possible it’s not finding the correct towner?

My home address is 6611 Nightingale Lane, Knoxville, TN, 37909.

Thank you,

Kim Stewart

unknown

If you can, I suggest you return it for something else. I am convinced it's a hardware design problem. Maybe it's in all note4 or just some. I smashed my note4, got a droid turbo and my signal has been as steady as other phones in the house. If you like large screen, LG g4 just came out and has a neat curved screen.

dudley3617

Having the same issue. It defaults to data all the time too. I just removed an app called touch wiz. Did another soft reboot. Think it may have helped. See if you have this app and remove it.

jarbro

I have the same issue with my Samsung Note 4. I don't get any bars in my new community (zip 76065). The area coverage map indicates "blanket" coverage. I read all the associated posts and it appears that there isn't a fix. My question: what our alternative? Will Verizon make us whole or are we stuck with the Note 4?

Verizon_Support

jarbro, we want you to have the best coverage available for your area. I'm here to help. When did you move to the new community? Is this issue only happening there or in other places as well?

Please keep us posted!

EbonyR_VZW
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jarbro

Thanks for responding. It just happened when I moved from California to

Texas, I moved to Midlothian Texas the second week in July 2015. Some parts

of Midlothian I get reception but not at my house -- no bars. However, I

can use my Verizon Jet Pack for my data connection.

On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 6:06 PM, Verizon Wireless Customer Support <

Verizon_Support

Thank you for keeping us updated, jarbro. Let's work together to provide you with the best service possible. Are you able to use the data on your phone, or is that being interrupted too? Do you experience dropped calls, muffled sound, what exactly are you experiencing? I do see some areas of opportunity around this zip code. Have you looked into a possible Network Extender? A network extender will enhance wireless coverage into your home. For more details regarding how it works and the requirements, click http://vz.to/1i37AzC .

JorgeO_VZW
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rmervin

I purchased the Note 4 May 30th. The cellular reception is poor. Wireless cannot be configured configured to accept Cisco certificates in my workplace. This appears to be a universal issue with Note 4 devices running Android 5. I had none of these issues on my Note 2 running Android 4.4.2. I accepted the 5.0.1 update but this does not address the known issues.

I have never had a properly working device since I purchased it with Android 5. I am contracted to purchase the phone for $699 so I am waiting for an update to correct the issues or a class action lawsuit whichever comes first. I would prefer the update. I understand that this was a very good phone once.

Verizon_Support

Hi RMervin,

Software updates should enhance the device! So sorry to hear that this not occuring. Does the poor reception issue everywhere or just in specific locations? How many bars of signal do you typically average on the device? Just to confirm, are you stating the Wi-fi on the device doesnt accept your companies wireless security certificates?

Thanks,
PamelaF_VZW
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rmervin

Hello,

I see 3 bars at home, 1 bar at the office. My business phone an iphone 5c, also on Verizon, has 4 bars at my home and 2 bars at the office.

We use Cisco ISE and Cisco ASA for our wireless networks at work. I have a Samsung Note 2014, Galaxy Note 2, and iphone 5c configured for 802.1x EAP , MSCHAPV2 wireless security. The note Note 4 will not accept the certificate and cannot be connected to our wireless networks.

Thanks..

Verizon_Support

rmervin,

Those details are a big help! The bars don't always mean the same things on every phone as there isn't really a standard between different manufacturers. That it changes consistently is good to know. What happens when you try to accept the certificate? Do you get any errror?

AndrewT_VZW
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Fuzzy4

Not sure if any of the original posters are still following, but I noticed the same issue on my phone a couple of days ago. My Note 4 would be at 1-2 bars while my wife's Droid Turbo was getting 4 bars. I checked for an update, downloaded and installed the latest system update. Right after installation of the update and reboot, I noticed the signal was at 4 bars. But after a few seconds, right back down to 2 bars.

I finally had a chance to check into things and found this thread. Low and behold, while I was scanning the posts, my wife called me, and I saw my signal jump to 4 bars! I watched it throughout the call with her, and it stayed at 4 bars. As soon as we hung-up, my signal went right back to 2 bars. Has anyone else having this problem tested things while on a call? Could all of this actually be that the Note line decreases the power to the antenna, etc. to a minimum level to still get reception of calls but to save battery? I have been able to duplicate this both with Power Saving Mode on as well as off.

dudley3617

Tried to post on community board and it was blocked! I am still having issues. Looked at bills. Last year was well under $200 a month since getting new phones and we also had a fios tech out about poor signal my bills are consistently $400-$500! Something is radically wrong! I'm certain my phone defaults to data when the signal is weak. I turned data to manual and it continuously losses connection.

Verizon_Support

Hello dudley3617,

We regret to hear that you are still having issues with your device. How many bars of service do you typically have on your device? For data, do you connect to Wi-Fi?

We would also be happy to look over your account and see what is driving that bill. I know every dollar counts. Please reach out to us at 800-922-0204 or via live chat, so we can access the account and review the bill with you. The link to get to our live chat is: http://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/contact-us.html#LiveChat We look forward to hearing from you dudley3617.
LeoL_VZW
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nicisageek

This is unfortunate for the Samsung Note 4s. If Verizon cannot fix my 2 - Note 4's, I have no choice, but to switch to another carrier with new phones. My Notes 4s worked perfectly until the OTA upgrade as well. My signal at my house now is almost non-existent and I have attempted all of the troubleshooting steps of clearing the cache partition, resetting my device, etc. I installed a Verizon Network Extender in my house just so I can use my phones. I will say that the iPhone 6, and Galaxy S4 work perfectly in the house. The Note 4 seems to be the only devices having the problem. I performed another test by taking my sim card out of my Note 4 and putting it in my Note 2 and I have to say that my Note 2 has no problems either. FIX THIS PROBLEM!!!!!!!!

nicisageek

I think it is nearing that time for everybody that has been affected by this to band together and get a Class Action started against both Verizon and Samsung. This will force both companies to sort it out or replace these devices. I am disturbed to my core that an iPhone 6 would be working in the same spots my Note 4 doesn't.

Candle

Oh brother. "class action." Talk about overkill. Lighten up, people. "disturbed to my core?" I can think of a lot of things that disturb me to my core, but having a weak signal on my Note 4 isn't one of them. Incidentally, I do have that that problem, which is why I'm in this thread, but I'm working through the various approaches I'm seeing to fixing the problem before I contact Verizon. If worse comes to worse, I'll move to a different phone or something. I'm not going to go after the companies that make these amazing gadgets and provide the services that they run on. There are bound to be challenges all along the way, but again, it's not going to disturb me to my core. Disturbing to my core? There's enough of that in this world, but this isn't it.

rmervin

Okay...You can pay $700 for a phone and just "move to another phone or something" if it fails to work properly. That must be very nice... I'm a big Samsung fan but this would not be their first class action or recall. They handle these things pretty well. But a defect has to be proved before the issue is resolved. The problem here is that the issue may well be software... My core is not yet disturbed, but every time I pay an installment on a device with issues I cannot resolve I lean further in that direction.

C4ROLLO

I had same issue with my Note 3 after OS update. I called Verizon tech support many times because of signal issues (very weak or 4G to 3G to 1X to nothing). I put my phone in safe mode, replaced SIM card, performed soft and hard resets and pulled baterry. After about the 6th tech I spoke with, the last tech reviewed my previous call ins and said that what I did was all that could be done. Samsungs antennas were know to "burn out" after system updates. My last conversation lasted about 2 minutes with tech, his fix was he sent me a replacement phone. I said that I didn't want a refurbished phone! I recieved a new phone (never owned but opened to test the antenna after new OS was installed) in the mail 2 days later because of manufacturer defect, not an insurance claim. I didn't pay for a new phone! If you have signal issues and you have been through these steps.......get a new phone!!!!!!!!

rmervin

I read you, but I didn't have an OTA update. Verizon shipped me a preloaded Android 5 Note 4. So my assumption, such as it may be, has always been that the defect was is in 5.0. My phone has never worked like the 2014 release. It also seems that complaints about performance loss after the update are common place.

As I mentioned, my phone performance improved after support did some network resets and I also have replaced the SIM as recommended here by support. So far, I have only made one phone call.

I'm not completely satisfied: I still can not accept a Cisco certificate to set up PEAP. But Verizon support has not suggested hat I do software resets and besides 5.1 is coming...I will wait for the OTA. I may have to call support again. I would hope that anyone that is having these sorts of issues would make a phone call not just post to this community. I would prefer that my Note 4 had worked out of the box like the Note 2. Oh well..

crzymscn1

Figured I'd speak up too. It seem that there are some bad things going on with the Note 4 since the Lollipop update. My phone used to run smooth and get great reception. I was out in the sticks when I did my update (where I normally get great reception), but the weather was bad, so I chalked it up to that. But poor reception has been a persistent problem. I am very dissatisfied with Verizon. I can't walk into a store without loosing all bars. I get no reception in my office. I'm lucky that I get reception in SOME parts of my house (not in the sticks anymore!). I've tried ALL of the things suggested on this forum, including running the repair assistant. There is no fixing this issue on the user end. PLEASE VERIZON, HELP US BE ABLE TO USE OUR PHONES TO MAKE CALLS AGAIN! My wife is 9 months pregnant... I'd hate to miss that call!

Lurch702

I'm jumping in here as well!! Getting really frustrated by signal issues on my Note 4 as well. Just hoping by posting in one of the many threads about this issue that I'll find someone who has found a resolution to this problem.

Mrschiz81

I am also having same problem it's not just in my home also at work or just out. I called they factory reset three times. I recently got a new sim card no change. I hate to leave verizon but why pay for service if I'm not getting service.

Verizon_Support

Mrschiz81,

We want you to have the service you deserve and pay for. Let's review this further, what's your zip code? Are the issues everywhere or just one location? Please share details so we can further assist you.

KarenC_VZW
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nicisageek

Same here. I want my devices replaced for a different phone. These Note 4's are no good and I have 2 of them.

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