Why Is Mobile Network Unavailable For Samsung S5?

I have a Samsung S5 which I really like and really have had no issues. Recently I noticed that in the office, grocery store and even the gym, the mobile network indicator doesn't have any bars. I never really understood why, but normally I would turn the phone off for a few mins and the restart. In the office that solution works better; but in other locations, that solution doesn't work. At home, I have strong signals and a network extender so I don't have any issues. Internet connectivity and text messages are all fine during these time periods.

My question is there a general fix to this outside of doing a factory reset which I have seen responses to other people having similar problems? A factory reset is just a pain because you get your phone to the setup in a manner that you want and essentially have to start over with no reasonable guarantee that a factory reset solution will actually work.

Accepted answers

tikibar1

See if a new SIM card would help; they're free at your local Corporate VzW store or by contacting Customer Service.

All comments

tikibar1

See if a new SIM card would help; they're free at your local Corporate VzW store or by contacting Customer Service.

MSMITTYJES

Tikibar1,

Thank you for that advice; however I do have a follow up question in response to your statement. What does the SIM card have to do with the availability of the Verizon mobile network and yet other network based services such as the internet and text messages seem to not be affected? Just curious.

What is the rationale for going into a Verizon store (not those outlet or pop up shops) to obtain a new SIM card? Isn't my locally stored files contained on the SIM card? Will I have to transfer files/data onto the new SIM card?

tikibar1

Non-Corporate VzW stores charge for SIM cards. Locally stored files are on your SD card or the phone's internal memory, not the SIM card.

MSMITTYJES

Thank you for that clarification. Do I go into the store and tell them that I need a new SIM card to fix a mobile network problem and they will provide it for free?

tikibar1

Yes, if you go into a Corporate store. If it's an authorized retailer, they'll charge you for the SIM card. You can search for your nearest Corporate store here (be sure to check Do Not Include Authorized Retailers):

Verizon Stores Near Me | Verizon Wireless

joey2007ua64

Also check under Settings, More networks, Mobile Networks, and Network Mode. This needs to be set to LTE/CDMA.

Starting with the Lollipop update on the S4 the network mode sometimes switches to Global, but fails to switch back to LTE/CDMA resulting in limited to no connectivity. The issue has persisted with the S5 and S6 models I own.