Deteriorating Signal in KCMO last two weeks

[TheCheat54]

I work in downtown Kansas City, Missouri and my 4G signal has been limited or non-existent the past two weeks with my Galaxy S8. I can barely maintain a 1X connection inside the building I work in even though I had acceptable signal weeks ago. Restarting the phone does help but only temporarily; after minutes, it will degrade back to 1X unless I am literally right against a window. The zipcode for this location is 64105.

Thus far I have not seen even a hint of the 4G service falling back to 3G; it is either 4G (seldomly), 1X (most of the time), or nothing at all (very rare).

[SuzyQ]

Check the network settings, ensure that your preferred network is set to LTE/CDMA.  System updates tend to reset things, and this can cause the behavior you are seeing.

You can also try removing and then re-seating the SIM card; it may have come loose and isn't connecting properly.

[TheCheat54]

It's weird that I'd tried this before and seen no success, but I do get a weak 4G signal using it now. Will see how long this lasts and report back if issues persist.

[vzw_customer_support]

TheCeat54,

Let's continue to work together on your signal concern. Does your signal improve when you're outside of work? Do you know other VZW customers with the same concern?

CoreyM_VZW

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[TheCheat54]

No one I know here at work has Verizon to ask. The signal barely gets one bar of 4G if I'm near a window, but other than that I'm sitting at one bar of 1X. My signal everywhere else used to be three to four bars of 4G regularly, but now I max out at two bars tops. I even went a day without my new case just to see if it was interfering with signal at all, but nothing changed.

I just had a call about a personal surgery drop because the one bar of 1X signal was not strong enough and for some reason the WiFi calling is still not preferred even if the WiFi is strong. I've never had such terrible signal in this building.

[vzw_customer_support]

I appreciate the additional information provided TheCheat54. We want to ensure we get to the bottom of your service concerns. I know you mentioned the issues are when you are indoors. Do you only experience poor service when trying to use your phone indoors? How is service when you are outdoors?

Thank You,

MichelleS_VZW

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[TheCheat54]

The service outdoors is acceptable. That is unchanged from before this problem started.

I should emphasize here again that my phone has *never* gotten 3G service since this problem started. It is either 4G, 1X, or nothing at all. Normally if my 4G was weak it would drop to 3G and data would still be at least somewhat usable, but that never happens now.

[vzw_customer_support]

Thank you for the information provided. We want to try some troubleshooting. Have you tried resetting your Network Settings? Here is a link on how to do this, https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-211227/.

JavierMD_VZW

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[TheCheat54]

Unfortunately all that accomplished is forcing me to reset my Gear S3 *again* to get it synced up with the Gear app. Network signal is still just as poor in this building.

[TheCheat54]

I walk in to the office today and the issue appears to have mysteriously corrected itself for the time being. I'm now getting the typical 2-3 bars of 4G LTE in the building similar to what I was seeing before the issue arose.

Going to wait to mark this thread solved until the end of the week to see if the improvement persists.

[vzw_customer_support]

I want you to have reliable service wherever you go, TheCheat54. Two weeks is too long for this ongoing issue. I've checked the zip code and see no reported issue outages in the area. Let's look further into this. Were there any changes to the device such as a software update or new applications? Do you know if other VZW users are having the same issue?

ZangY_VZW

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[TheCheat54]

Tried SuzyQ's solution, but my network has already reverted back to 1X.

As far as I can tell, this started after I had two Android security patch updates from Verizon pushed to my S8 on back-to-back days a few days after I obtained it just over three weeks ago. For the first few days I had the S8 the signal was fine. Haven't installed any new apps since my initial loads after I got the phone. Those two updates are the only things that stick out.

[TheCheat54]

This issue is still intermittently persisting inside the office. I'm mostly sitting at a 1X connection right now; never 3G and rarely 4G. I'm puzzled as to why I never get even 3G service anymore here; it was always the fallback if I dropped 4G.

[vzw_customer_support]

TheCheat54,

I'm certainly sorry to hear this issue is continuing. You deserve world class service you can count on. I'd love the chance to turn it around. I know you previously mentioned that outside still worked fine. How far do you get from the building before it improves? Do you know of anything which may have changed in the area or with the building recently?

AndrewT_VZW

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[TheCheat54]

The problem vanishes in areas outside the building, though it can take a bit before that connection establishes. Inside the building is intermittent depending on what floor I'm on, though I'm primarily situated on the same floor all day.

The 1X is now bad enough that I'm sometimes not getting confirmation that SMS has sent even though the intended recipient confirms they got the message.

[vzw_customer_support]

TheCheat54,

I truly appreciate all the details you have provided and the steps you have taken to try and resolve this data concern. With regard to your device going from 4G to 1X (not 3G) your device will revert to whatever signal strength it is able to gain. The reason the device would go from 4G to 1X is that the signal strength you receive in the office only correlates to the 1X and does not have the opportunity to go to 3G becuase the signal may be so low.

To clarify a little further, I see you stated nothing has changed on the device recently, however has then been any changes in the area around the building since the issues with service started? (i.e. construction, extreme weather conditions, etc..) Also, what is the signal strength showing on your device when in your office building? Settings>Mobile Networks>Signal strength

LindseyT_VZW

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[TheCheat54]

The most major change I made was upgrading from the S7 Edge to the S8. The only major construction project nearby was already at its maximum height and covering prior to me making that switch. I'm actually slightly worried it's the S8 itself (since it also has a Bluetooth defect that Samsung still hasn't managed to fix).

[TheCheat54]

So I've discovered that the Bluetooth defect I mentioned above is apparently a hardware issue for S8 devices manufactured earlier in 2017. Devices manufactured in November 2017 seem to have corrected the issue according to a few reports in the thread on Samsung's forums here: Solved: Galaxy S8 Bluetooth Connection - Page 83 - Samsung Community - 91240 (disregard the "solved" from the thread title since the solution post was incorrectly marked)

It makes me wonder if the hardware defect extended to the cellular antennas as well. The BT issue alone has been bad enough at the gym to make me want a replacement (range is about half of the S7 Edge and stuttering is rampant). Perhaps pursuing that and seeing how LTE service is at work after might be an idea.

I'm not solid on it yet but it's on my mind.

[TheBryceIsRight]

I have the exact same issue on my phone. I had perfect service on my iPhone 7 Plus and then I upgraded to an iPhone 8 Plus.  Shortly after I got a carrier update and now I can’t use my phone. They keep telling me that I shouldnt use cellular indoors. That cellular is meant for outdoors.  I’ve been running around and around on this for months with them. Since october. They refuse to admit that they have done something to mitigate my service. My theory is that they cant handle the unlimited plans.  They never planned on offering them in the first place. And then they got caught with their pants down by all the competition and now they are trying I blame anything but their network to be the issue.  They might be switching to different frequencies too in an attempt to stabilize the service and or prepare for 5G.  I thought it might be my hardware too. They sent me another device. Side by side same performance. And the day after you complain your service gets better. Then you forget how angry you were and then your service goes back to useless.

[vzw_customer_support]

It's never our goal for you to have less-than-stellar service TheBryceIsRight. We only want the very best for you. What is the zip code in the area that you're having troubles in?

LeoL_VZW

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[vzw_customer_support]

TheCheat54, I know how important it is to have only the best in service and I know you had a different experience with your previous phone, the Galaxy S7. In review of this thread, the issue mainly exists when indoors. We can ever guarantee service indoors as there are factors outside of your control that could hinder the signal. Factors including but not limited to terrain, foliage, constructions and even the materials of the building could prohibit the signal's ability to penetrate it. I understand your previous phone worked better but this is a different device therefore the antenna and the device's ability to gain the signal may be different. Regarding the antenna, do you currently have a case on the device? If so, what do you experience with the signal when the case is off?

NatashaA_VZW

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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!!