My (Bionic/Charge/Thunderbolt) keeps losing data signal

[tmwes]

Am I the only person that is completely fed up with this?

I've had the Bionic since the day it came out, and I've yet to have a reliable non-WiFi data connection.  I live in an area with 3g, and work in an area with 4g...so my phone switches back and forth often.

However, like many of you, I lose my cellular data connection several times a day.  This is very, very inconvienient for someone who commutes an hour each way from work (and uses Google Maps or Waze to get traffic updates, listens to music via bluetooth) and who uses their Google Voice number for all phone calls/SMS messages.  Not to mention all of the other unusable apps when there is no data connection.

The only thing that works (and is by no means permanant) is restarting the device.

My boss has the Charge and has the same issue, and a good friend of mine has the Thunderbolt...same issue.

I have called Verizon a few times Early on I was told they were aware and it was to be fixed in a software release; it was not.  Next I was told to try a few things suggested by Motorola (clearing out cache and cookies in browser, swapping sim card), no fix.  After swapping the sim card, I called again out of frustration, and they offered to send me a refurbished Bionic to replace mine.  When I expressed my displeasure at that arrangement, they offered tp patch me through to Motorola...which ended up being some far away customer service department that offered the option of sending my phone in for diagnostics.  Yeah; I want to be without a phone for a few days...that's a great idea.

Am I alone in thinking this is less a manufacturer issue, and more a Verizon issue?  Why am I paying for a monthly data plan that is less than reliable?  Is this what AT&T customers are used to feeling like?

This is my 4th Android phone (Droid, Droid Incredible, Droid X) and the only one I have had a major problem with.  I'm beyond frustrated, and not sure what I should do at this point.

[elc2389]

I can't even get access to the update. It tells me that access to updates is unavailable at this time ans ti try again later. I just got 4g in my area not too long ago, and was experiencing the complete loss if data connectivity way before the release of 4g. A friend of mine is a Verizon rep and told me to switch it to strictly cdma mode, and up until four days ago, that's what it was on, and i was still doing at least four battery and sim card pulls a day. Since 4g, its been more like four pulls an hour. I have had three other droids, and have never had this issue. Come the morning, ill be on the phone with Verizon, and they will be giving me a new phone, or ill be filing a formal complaint against them.

[paddlergurl808]

Hi All..I've been following a couple of forums since I started having problems with the data connectivity with my droid about a month ago.  This phone was working brilliantly when I first got it and now, I'm so frustrated .  I mean, I live in Hawaii but come on!  This is primarily a work phone and because of the loss of data issue, I haven't been receiving important customer voicemails until a day or two later.  I've put in 4 calls to Verizon over the last month and it's still happening.  But here's a brief summary of what I've been instructed to do by Verizon reps so far:

1. In the settings menu

-wireless & networks -> mobile networks ->changed network mode to CDMA only (which means only 3G) - so frustrating - why the heck have a 4g phone?

-wireless & networks -> mobile networks ->turn off wi-fi - still no data

-battery & data manager -> data delivery ->check all 3 options listed - still no data

2. Remove the battery everytime I lose data- data was restored after I did this each time but I got tired of doing this continuously during the day.

3. Toggle between airplane mode so I don't have to remove the battery - somewhat effective, it was 50/50 sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.  The last tech support person told me to stop doing this to restore data connection.

2. Get latest update 5.5.893 - Installed it last week & I heard this was supposed to fix the data problem - nope

3. Restart in safemode and see if 3g came on - nada

So finally today, the tech support guy said it might be either 1) the sim card or 2) the update didn't install all the way (what?!?!)  Anyway, I have a replacement phone with the update pre-installed and another sim card on the way to me to see if that fixes the problem.

But, on another note, after I talked to tech support today, I came across a forum that said if you have an app like the juice defender, it could be causing the loss of data connectivity.  I did happen to have it installed so I've uninstalled and and will see how the phone works the rest of today.

Fingers crossed for a solution sooner rather than later....

[p_71287]

I just got the bionic on Sunday (3 days ago). I wish I had read this thread before I purchased. I figured by now they would have these issues fixed. I also had 2 droids before this and had Verizon for many years and have never had connection issues. I live in Houston where 4g should never lose connection in such a big city. The biggest problem I have is the failure to switch over to 3g automatically when 4g does not have connectivity in cdma/lte mode...well really the biggest issue is why the efff am I not getting 4g in the first place!!!! Pretty **bleep** about this. Let me know if anyone figures anything out that has not already been discussed. Thanks.

[p_71287]

Lol right after posting I called *611 and the automated system said they're aware of the 4g problem in my area and are working on resolving the issue. Some hope towards the issue (very little, and at least in my area).

[johnnyabgood]

I have had similar issues with my Moto Bionic.  After speaking with the VerizonWireless they informed me also that this is a known issue. And was very sympathetic to my situation.  Actually the support person told me that she sent her phone back within the 14 days because she needed a good connection, and the Bionic did not have it. And since my phone was more than 14 days, I can not receive an update, even if I wanted to pay the difference. She also suggested that I contact Motorola directly.  She would transfer me if I wanted, but I had other priorities at the time.

What really irks me about this is that I was in the VerizonWireless store last night and they are still selling the Bionic. When on hold the support lines audio has a sales pitch about how the best phone is the bionic.  Isn't this selling under false pretense? They are selling a phone that they know does not do what they allude to.  

Sound like fraud to me.

[terryt120]

I went from a Droid X2 to Bionic. Had I known what I know now, I would never upgraded. I am on my third Bionic, due to no connection, changed sim card as well. I was sold a phone with KNOWN issues, and I am not happy. Verizon really needs to make things work or give us a choice of ANY handset along with our upgrade back.

[Xx_Black-out]

My Samsung Charge has the same problem all of you have.

When the data connection stops, I've noticed the "data arrows" on the display ALWAYS shows a green upload arrow.  It blinks, so I'm thinking the phone is connecting to something...but only uploading.

Anyone else notice this?

[mkettyle]

I am equally upset about my Bionic --- Countless times I have spoken to a VZW representatives and heard the same thing: the issues are known, pull the battery, switch to airplane mode..I am on my third Bionic..My problems were promised to be addressed with the update --- since the update installed, my data loss is MORE frequent, as is my dibilitating heartburn with the Bionic's problems,  I believe that I purchasd e a phone that is defective and the unlimited service data plan I have is actually LIMITED.  Limited to working intermitently.  I am distressed that Verizon and Motorola will not address this properly.  

At a minimum I should be offered a new phone of my choice, a credit for my interrupted data service back to the day I purchased the phone and have my update restored back to the day if was initally available to me this year.   It is unbelievable (that the phone is still on the market ! My trust in Verizon and Motorola been completely shattered and left me pondering what to do about my relationship with Verizon.  

I have been a loyal VZW fan with 4 smart phones and unlimited data plans on all..This translates into a pricey monthly cell phone bill for me. This is the very first time in all of my years with Verizon that I am thoroughly and completely disenchanted.. I would like for the CEO s of both companies to own the problems and address them in a responsible and equitable way to make this right and restore my trust and faith in both companies. 

I would like to hear from other VZW customers who share my distress --- maybe there is strength in numbers......

[azrua]

I have owned a Bionic since October and up until Christmas Eve it has been performing flawlessly. Now, as I do my Goggling and I see the hundreds of posts about the 4g/3g issue I find myself furious. How can Verizon let this go on for so long? I really don't mind losing the 4g, after all, I really don't see much difference between 4g and 3g anyway, but even though my phone says 3g, it still has no connection. I found another post that listed a handy app called Restore Connections and it has worked most of the time, but it still bugs me that I have to do that anyway. Today however, no amount of restoring, rebooting, toggling, or anything would restore my connectivity. It has been off for a couple of hours now.

I know that the latest update was supposed to fix this issue, does anyone have the number for that update so I check mine? My phone says that I have the latest, but we all know that Verizon rolls these things out piece by piece. My current version is 5.5.893.XT875.

Grrr!

[chazfab]

I am currently on my 5th thunderbolt due to the lost of data. I have a total of 9 in the last 4 months . My phone was working perfectly until about a month ago. They can not figure anything out , i have done all trouble shooting Ive been asked. I also have had two network tickets opened.  I am in the middle of one right now. With all the factory resets and long conversations with the different tier levels I am fed up. They have offered to put me into the droid charge , but after reading this thread and speaking with my  boss ( he has the same issues ) it doesn't seem like that is going to be the fix.  The supervisor I have spoken to on friday , said that she would be willing to give me an early upgrade * l just upgraded in Aug . I am insulted that she would even suggest  that I pay more money to have a working phone.  along with paying the data that I don't get to use as well.  I see it has --- fix my phone or give me a phone that i would like to have. I actually like my phone alot ( also have spent alot of money on accessories ) . I have a supervisor scheduled to follow up with  me tomorrow to let me know what we the next step is , with this is tickets that is open.                                  I am BEYOND fed up/

[imissu]

I was in love with my Bionic until about a month ago when I lost data connection when it rained & it hasn't been the same since. When I am at work in downtown DC I get spotty data connections. Its very annoying, I've done the restarting, taking the battery out still 4G would come on for a minute then nothing. Yesterday, I was out of data connection for 3 hours. Something needs to be done about this ASAP!!!

[miker5]

I'm also in DC and most of the time I have no connection at all.  Occasionally 4G or3G pops up, but it goes away as soon as you're crazy enough to try and connect to anything.  I saw a reference to an app that helps you reconnect, but of course I can't get to the App store (no connection).

The Bionic is the crappiest phone I've ever had.

[brainof7]

Beware.  I kept getting "No Data Connection" notices.  I was recently told it was not a network problem but a "known" problem with the Bionic.  Verizon just sent me a refurbished Razr to replace my Bionic.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/12/19/this-is-why-your-verizon-galaxy-nexus-or-other-4g-lte-vzw-ph...

[newkentbionic]

It is the equipment.  I was having the same problem with my bionic. After going through vw support for months, I finally filed a complaint with the FCC.  I filed a complaint for not receiving the services I was promised and having to pay the full price for it.  After filing my case was assigned to an executive rep at headquarters.  The final resolution was trading the bionic for a convoy 2 phone and a 4G MiFi 4510L moble hotspot, no charges.  The convoy is working great and after receiving the second hotspot, the first one was defective, I have been receiving a strong 4G signal.  Verizon wants us to believe that the problem is the usage location or tower issues.  My case shows that it was the device all along.  Reporting a valid complaint to the FCC wil get you a speedy resolution.   Your complaint must be about the failure to receive data connection.  I hope this helps.  Good luck.

[KEV815PAN]

AT&T is a whole lot worse then Verizon, I will never buy something from them again, take my word for it, the Cell Phone Signal Itself for my previous Apple IPhone 3GS was horrible, I would lose signal completely (no voice calls would be possible if I was too far away from one of their cell phone towers)!