How do I improve my signal?

I bought my Incredible 2 yesterday and cannot get more than 2 bars at best. I can sit on my couch with a friend with a Verizon Droid. She gets three bars and I get no bars. What can I do to increase my signal strength? I can barely hear the person on the other end of the line.

Accepted answers

EdW_VZW

jhardwood wrote:
Same problem here. On my second HTC Incredible 2 in 3 days. Both exhibiting terrible reception (0 bars then 5 bars then 1 bar then 0 bars then...) all in one location where my Motorola Droid gets steady 5 bars. People talking to me says it keeps cutting out. I love the phone features, but if it can't act like a phone, it's useless to me. Tried *228 several times, VZW store swapped it out, this one does the same thing.

Will try it for a couple more days than I'm going back to Motorola.

Thank you for your inquiry Jhardwood. Adding to what was stated, Where are you located when experiencing the reception issues? The place where your using your device can affect reception. Reception can vary from location to location depending on coverage area. Perhaps there was an outage in your area at the time your service was being affected. I could check and see if there were any service alerts in your area if I knew of your location. A suggestion is to do a battery pull and re insert it back into the device to help refresh connections helping with reception issues. Our website also provides a coverage map for a point of reference. Here is a link that can assist your further with your device: http://support.vzw.com/clc/devices/index.html?p=5641&m=

All comments

AraceliT_VZW

We do not have any reported issues with the signal on the Incredible 2. You may want to turn the network connections off then back on after about 5 seconds while in the problem area. To turn off the network connection, go to Menu, Settings, Wireless & networks and select Airplane mode. Then uncheck it to turn back on.

If you are still having issues, please feel free to send us a personal message for further assistance.

Thank you,

deterleigh_73

Mine has a weak signal also.... Never had a problem with my Fascinate.

SydneyK

I read on another tech forum (probably AC) that this may be a matter of the device not showing many bars, but also that it may not be indicative of actual signal strength. For example, I don't get more than two bars, but I've never had a problem with calls, texts or data.

As far as having a hard time hearing callers, I did notice that I have to be conscientious of keeping the speaker exactly over my ear, otherwise I can't hear. Unlike my BlackBerry, which I could hold away from my head and still hear callers loud and clear.

Andyl

I have had the Inc 2 for about 1 month and the signal strength meter is not indicative of call or data quality. Often times I've noticed 1 or zero bars showing, but have no call quality issues and data download speed of 1M. I downloaded a signal strength meter and noticed at times while the incredible 2's signal meter might be show 1-2 bars, the downloaded gauge would show at or near full strength signal. HTC needs to fix the signal bars!

so8sk

I have had the droid incredible 2 for about a month now. The reception is AWFUL. The phone constantly has a weak signal or no signal. I did NOT have the issue with the MOTO Droid. And, yes, the weak or no signal translates into reception problems. I am constantly being told by folks that they have called me and my phone did not ring and I do not have a missed call. Often times, it will take almost a half-hour to have a voice mail (from a call i never received) to register on my phone. It is ridiculous. This phone is TERRIBLE and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

RescueEMT911

I contacted HTC this morning 6/9/11, and asked about my weak signal/poor service with my HTC Incredible 2 and was told that they would report my problem to their software development team, but she also said that they have NO reports or trouble issues listed with the Incredible 2 for weak or poor signal, so basically HTC has no idea that the problem is occuring. I ask that anyone who has a problem with their phone signal or fluctuating meter to contact HTC directly so the Incredible 2 development team can be aware of this. You can contact HTC directly at 1-866-449-8358, this way they can actually be aware of the problem that is occuring with the phone!

Dave, RescueEMT911

Andyl

I'm still undecided if the Inc 2 has weak signal issues or not, and it maybe more related to the algorithym used to display the number of bars.

For example, I was recently at a location with bad cell service. My Inc 2 was showing 0 bars, my wifes iPhone 4 was showing 1 bar and my friends droid X was tetering between no-service and 1 bar. None of us could hit the internet with any sort of performance, but all were getting texts okay. Maybe 1 bar on the droid X and iphone 4 perhaps equals 0 bars on the Inc 2?

But then on another occassion I was at yet another location and could not hit the internet, while my friend with the droid 2 could.

I'm still not sure what to think, but I really like the Inc 2.

peggysue

Thanks- this suggestion did not help me.

lahayed

I find it comical that both HTC and Verizon say they have not had this problem reported before. They have known about these problems and don't want to deal with it. They either need to give us new phones that actually work or solve the problem. There is no problem with the phone not showing signal strength. The phone just has bad reception. I can be standing next to my wife who has a Droid 2 and she will show 3 bars and I will have no service. And when I say no service, I mean the phone has absolutely no signal. Verizon needs to stop posting help that does not work, and get someone to fix the problem. This issue is not solved.

EdW_VZW

peggysue wrote:
Thanks- this suggestion did not help me.

Thanks to the many community members for your input. Hello PeggySue, which specific suggestion were meaning that did not help with your weak signal issue? Where are you using your device? Are you experiencing indoor signal fluctuation? Please bear in mind that indoor wireless service can have issues due to different structural properties that may and will interfere with a wireless signal. When wireless signals tend to fluctuate while indoors, we offer an alternative that greatly improves indoor signal. Please visit the link for additional information about a Verizon Wireless Network Extender.

losvaldez55

Even though the network extender will not solve the problem that extends beyond the house, I thought this would be a good time to ask this question since we are on the topic of network extenders.

Why are network extenders offered for free to some, at a discount to others, and at full price to the majority of people? $250 price tag on a network entender is no small fee to pay for a phone to operate the way it should out of the box.

Elitist_Jerk

$250 seems like a very nominal fee if you live in a bad coverage area and need to have service..

the phone does work out of the box, but then you add bodies of water, mountain ranges and thousands of trees and that line of sight doesn't seem so clear

$250 for a one time fee over the course of 2 years is $10 a month to get service in your home for one device.

It is also your equiptment, you can sell it when you are done with it. And also you can find better deals on line for it.

losvaldez55

You obviously missed my point.

Elitist_Jerk

losvaldez55 wrote:
You obviously missed my point.

That you have no idea how cell phones work? no, I picked that up.

losvaldez55

Great response Jackwagon.. I asked for a response from VZW not a know it all. But there is always one in every group every where you go.

Pyre

losvaldez55 wrote:
Great response Jackwagon.. I asked for a response from VZW not a know it all. But there is always one in every group every where you go.

1. This is a user forum. You want to talk to VZW? Pick up your phone and call or get off your behind and go to a store. 2. Name calling isn't at all necessary. This isnt a flippin playground. Grow up.

mshakir

I added a network extender. Sure it helps in the house. Yesterday, I was sitting with some one having the same phone Motorola Droid X. He was showing 3G and more bars than mine. I had no internet connectivity, cut off from work and this other person was still getting his text messages.

Some one at VZW and the manufacturers have to dig and figure out why one phone has reception and other one does not, while both phones sitting next to each other. We paid for the device and we expect it to work or there is no sense to have the device. We should not have to rely on Network Extenders, as they are limited to the house and we need to carry phone every where we go. I spent $250+tax($270) to get the extender. and I should not have to pay for it, as I live in Urban area and it is the wireless company obligation to get the signal to us. Also VZW charging full price to one customer for network extender and much lower price or no charge to other customers is not fair or ethical

I suggest that VZW should replace the devices if they do not meet the quality the devices supposed to have. They(devices) do not work, they either fix the issue or replace it. NO more network extenders unless living in mountains or far away from civilization. Signal must be available in Urban areas and should reach the customers.

MRTTGAEADS1

Seriously...the turn off and back on excuse.

Got a better idea. How about if Verizon creates an app that allows us to report weak signal to dropping calls. You can then take that data and find where you need to upgrade or overbuild the network.

Verizon_Support

Hello to you Mrttgaeads1!

I really like your idea about an application! I will push this feedback up to my leadership to see if something could be developed.

Now, You would be very surprised by how often a "cycle" or "reboot" resolves on issue, but thank you for your concern!

Please advise if you have any other questions or concerns.

Thanks,

MelissaM_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport

Muggle

I have read this chain and found that I have done EVERYTHING listed and STILL am having problems. iI is EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING for me to sit between my daughter using a pan tech jest and by my husband with a Casio rock, and watch them text and call people while my phone hovers between one measly bar to no service! II, too have had it reset, reprogrammed, replaced, not water damage and it has been in a gel cover with screen covers since it left the package in APRIL.

I need a REAL SOLUTION as this is MY EVERYTHING phone.Seeing that I just bought this phone, I CANNOT afford to buy another, If a satisfactory is

reach, I WILL be forced to cancel and take my business (whjch includes three phones and Several other customer who are watching how this is handled!)

mkeshizzle

Thank you. ATT has had an app like this for 1.5 years. It has been VERY useful. Surprised VZW does not have one.

themountaineer

I've been fighting the same baloney on my D2...poor signal strength in my house, main floor, even worse in the basement. My wife's Verizon phone works fine in both places. The help people run through the same spiel about updating towers (I've lived here 15 years, had Verizon service all 15 years). Waiting to change phones....this month, hopefully.

Muggle

If one were to look back, the postings have been going on since late 2010

early 2011. There have been explainations galore.

My favorite have been 'bad coverage area' that instancely turn 'great

coverage areas'. Verizon will not publish this after our 2 hour

'disagreement including telling and degrading comments mainly being

receivied' resulted in a change of carriers. I was even able to fet a SGIII

for about less than ten dollars! I'm not saying this work for everyone, but

I'm saying don't take no for an answer.

Good luck.

On Dec 7, 2012 6:54 PM, "themountaineer" <community@verizonwireless.com>

RAH4PSU1

Like everyone else in this forum, I too have a DINC 2 with 0-1 bars. All the other VWZ phones in the household have 5 bars, as did the DINC 2 for 11 months. After factory resetting, removing the battery, etc. with no success, I took it to a VWZ store for diagnostics and possible reflashing the ROM. After waiting for 25 minutes to see a tech rep, I was told that the issue was probably do to limited tower coverage. I live in one of the most populated suburbs outside Philadelphia and have never had coverage issues. Besides, I was in a VWZ store and every phone set up for demo calls had 5 bars. Apparently there is a real issue with the DINC 2 that VWZ does not want to address. When I asked for a replacement because the phone was less than 1 year old, they refused because it was purchased as a gift for me, not on my account. The manufacturing date on the phone showed that the phone was less than a year old and only active for 6-7 months. They told me to work it out with HTC directly. HTC said because the phone is a VWZ specific phone, they could not deal with me directly. Although I have been a loyal VWZ customer for years, I plan on moving to another carrier, primarily because the main reason I was staying with VWZ was support. Straight-talk or Net10 may be better options is one can accept limited tech/customer support. I'm glad I refused to be hand-cuffed by signing a new 2 yr agreement. And I never will again.