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Samsung Stratosphere will not connect to network.

My Samsung Stratosphere will not connect to the mobile 3g or 4g network. I have restarted my phone multiple times. I have put the phone in "airplane" mode and then turned that off. Turned the actual mobile setting on and off. It will not connect. I have 5 bars for a signal and the wi-fi works fine. Any solutions????? Thanks!

Comments

pastparticiple

I had the same problem off and on with my first Stratosphere. I just had it replaced yesterday and have had no further problems (so far, at least!). Perhaps a warranty replacement would be in order for you as well.

Good luck!

unknown

kharney19,

I know it is very frustrating when data services are not available. I appreciate the efforts you've taken to restart the phone. Is this concern is happening in every location or an isolated area? Please try removing the battery and the SIM card for about 20 seconds then re-insert them both and power the phone back on. That is the most common step to resolve connection issues. The phone may also benefit from a hard reset in order to restore the data service to the phone. If you continue to have issues, please PM me for further options.

Thank you!

nozzlenut225

I just recently purchased the Stratosphere and have been plagued with connectivity issues as you described. These issues were usually solved by powering the device off and on again. Today, however, I can't get the phone to work no matter what I do. I'm currently on hold with VZW tech support. It's really pathetic that VZW has these issues with **bleep** near every device they sell and they continue to refuse to admit that they have MAJOR software issues. Thankfully, my contract is up in early 2012 and I can switch to another cell service provider. I've had enough of Verizon's "smoke & mirrors" show!

lilwolf17

Adam,

I am having the same data connectivity issues with my Stratosphere. I purchased it in October, and it has been spotty for two months. Verizon sent me a replacement about a week and a half ago. It seemed to be doing a little better, but I am now without connectivity again today (for at least 4 or 5 hours now). I've checked every setting, rebooted, took out the sim card, everything. Needless to say, I'm quite disappointed with the technology. I am not in a 4G area, so I keep it on CDMA mode. Will Verizon just simply continue swapping out the phone for the same model, or will I have the opportunity to swap it for another model? I'm only three months into my renewed contract.

Thanks,!

melsh24

I had the same problem, my rep did a factory restore, it worked ok..until I downloaded the batterysaver + task killer. I immediately lost service. Another factory restore, and it is working fine. I have not downloaded that ap again, and it seems to be working fine. Did anyone else recall downloading the same ap?? Just curious. I am getting a replacement phone just to make sure there are no other issues with the phone itself.

x3colleenox

i got my phone replaced yesterday for the same reasons.... could not get data connection..... it is working now but im nervous this won't be the end of my problems

meowlly

I actually had the same problem, as soon as I downloaded that app my mobile network hasn't worked since.

Dave-in-Decatur

I don't know if this is exactly the same problem, but I just read this article:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/241967/sleazy_ads_on_android_devices_push_bogus_battery_upgrade_warnings.html

It suggests that popup ads for battery apps (which apparently often appear in games) can sometimes cause the app to download merely by touching them; and that some of these apps not only don't work but are security risks, stealing your contacts, phone IMEI number, and other data you don't want to lose control of. The article is worth a read, I think, especially for people like myself who are new to these phones.

GABRIV29

My problem is identical to yours. No 3g/4g since day 1! Today i received my replacement (which happens to be refurbished) with the same problems. Just got off tech support and they are sending me a 3rd Stratosphere! This is a well known issue that Verizon doesn't seem to care. Must be a glitch with the new technology not recognizing 3g/4g. Tech support informed me I can get a alternate phone but I would have to responsible for the battery and battery cover $50+!!! This is outrageous! Why even bother selling 4g phones in area with no 4g???

lilwolf17

That is crazy! You should be able to exchange the entire phone.

I spoke with another rep the other day. She said she has the same phone. She recommended switching my roaming access from totally off to totally on. I did, and it seems to keep the connection more often. However, it still goes out on occassion.

I think Verizon cannot admit the Stratosphere is flawed.

987bigcats

I am on my second stratosphere and I am still having these data connectivity issues, half the time I try to make a call and get a message that mobile network is not available. Have been on phone with tech support for at least FIVE hours (at different times) and I must say its getting old. And I'm only two months into a new contract!!!

unknown

Hi 987bigcats:

I completely understand your frustration. I did some research on this issue, and I found that there is new software in the works to improve data connectivity on the Stratosphere. When the software update is available, it will be pushed to your device. I don't have an ETA yet for the availability of this software update, but I wanted to reach out and let you know that Samsung is aware of this, and is working on new software to get it resolved.

Some general things to try in the meantime:

1) Pull the battery.

2) Ensure that data roaming is set to on. Settings> Mobile Networks> Global Data Roaming Access> Allow All. Note: This will only charge you data charges if you travel outside the United States.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns in the meantime.

Thanks,

MikeS_VZW

sknd

ME TOO!!! Only now my issue is the opposite with the CERTIFIED FACTORY NEW phone that lasted less than a day. Now it won't connect to the wi-fi network. Verizon Wireless Technical Support solution......BUY A DIFFERENT PHONE AT RETAIL PRICE AND ENTER INTO ANOTHER 2-YEAR CONTRACT!!! I spent several hours at a Verizon store, where they changed my SIM card and did several tricks including trying to go online via their mobile hotspot. The phone DOESN'T WORK on wi-fi, but seems to work on everything else. We'll see how long this will last.

luke_patrick

had the same problem with losing my data network, 3g and 4g. I would still have wifi and if I restarted my phone, or changed my network settings, back and forth in airplane mode....I would get a connection but lose it after a few mins. A factory reset did not help either

But....my phone is now working, I saw MikeS_VSW post from March 1st and changed my roaming settings. It didn't work right away but later that night I got a steady connection and have not lost it sense...knock on wood. So I don't know if it was a fluke or if the roaming settings helped( change them to "Allow acess for all trips"). I am not roaming or paying anything extra but changing to that from "Deny roaming settings" may have done the trick.

Also I love this phone so that's why I don't want to just get a alternative phone like what VZW support is basically saying. Also in MikeS_VSW post he said he did not know the ETA of a software update. I think it's ridiculous that there is no scheduled update or fix when this problem is affecting such a large number. And this is not the only thread about this topic, many of stratosphere owners have experienced this.

Has anyone else fixed their phone since or have had this problem off and on?

gbison

I feel your pain. I just entered into a new contract for two of these phones, one for me and my wife. Guess what, they BOTH have this problem! So a new phone is not going to fix anything, these phones were brand new. I have changed every setting under the sun. We do not have 4G here, so I have changed it to CDMA only. I have changed the mobile roaming settings, I have also changed the setting that tells the phone when to leave the WiFi connection and move to mobile data. We have noticed only a slight improvement, shotty service at best, nothing even remotely close to reliable or acceptable. It's like once you leave WiFi the phone has absolutely no idea how to establish connection for mobile data???? Our phones work flawless over WiFi, they are fast smooth and we absolutely love them, but as soon as we step out of the house they are nothing more than a regular touch phone with txting feature.......:smileysad:. I love this phone, but I wish I would have read the reviews first.....I had absolutely no idea it was bugged. Verizon, you should suspend sales until such time as a fix is in place. Why create yourself all the havoc.

Scott_57

I hope it's soon as I too am on phone #2 (since 1/5/12) with the intermittent connection/signal loss on my Statosphere. I should not have to pull the battery to force the reboot to get a signal. When the signal is lost, the phone auto reboots in an attempt to get a signal, often unsuccessfully. This often occurs multiple times.

I have already dropped it back to 3G and just adjusted the roaming settings to on. Hope the push occurs soon as I may seek to change phone models if this technical issue is not reslolved soon and I hope Verizon stands behind their customers. We are paying a lot to have such unreliable service.

gbison

FYI

I just got off a chat direct with Samsung support. They do acknowledge this issue is real and are working on it. I have attached a screenshot of the chat conversation with Samsung for you to view should you wish to see.

So with any hope, they will actually fix this soon.

proof2.png

DougNAZ

I just deleted a battery app based on other comments here and my 4g came back. I have had the app for about 4 weeks and it has caused my no problems, but over the last three days I have not had any connection except when I was on WI-FI at home or work. I called today and the CSR was really nice and suggested a few things but nothing she said to do help. I just read about someone having an issue with the battery app, deleted mine and the 4G light came on at the top of the phone.

amegeee

OMG! Got this phone for Christmas & had the SAME problem from week 1. HotSpot looks like it's connected - phone recognizes laptop, laptop recognizes phone - just REFUSES to transmit data.

Tried everything. Turn computer WiFi (Mac Airport) off & on, turn HotSpot off & on, reboot laptop(s), reboot Stratosphere. NOTHING WORKED!

After 3 hours on phone trying to get it fixed in first 2 weeks, started keeping track. I've wasted ~30 hours talking w/VZ trying to fix it. Did EVERYTHING they suggested ... replaced SIMM card, got 2 replacement (reconditioned) Stratospheres (that's 3 different Stratospheres) but none worked. With one, couldn't even make phone calls - was totally garbled.

Said they'd switch phones twice, but told ME to pay for a phone back & battery. REALLY!?

They sell me a phone that's NEVER worked ... and then say I have to spend another $50 to $100 for back+battery for a DIFFERENT phone that does work. REALLY!!???!

VZ finally admitted it's a 'software problem' ... HotSpot disconnects if phone screen times out. So I set screen timeout to 10 minutes & kept it active by tapping every 2 minutes but STILL wouldn't work. Even called Samsung but they said there's NO software updates on Stratosphere.

Finally couldn't call or txt last week, so wiped phone completely clean & now HotSpot works ... sometimes. Not ALL the time but maybe getting VZ products to work ~50% of the time is a real accomplishment for them!

'F+' on how VZ handles THEIR mistakes or THEIR defective equipment - these are NOT customers' problems!! Don't let them tell you they've never heard of your problem. They have & it's real!!!

ps. Thought ATT was bad, but was I ever wrong! They NEVER expected me to pay MORE $$ to solve their defective equipment problems.

gbison

@amegee

You are 100% correct VZW has bit the big one on this phone for non 4G users. I even got Samsung to admit on chat this phone was bugged and have been following this issue ever since. I finally just today got a hold of a rep and manager with Verizon who finally got my issue fixed. I will tell you this, unless Samsung releases software for this phone you only have one option in my opinion. Dont pay for data services you cannot use because of a defective phone. Big red should be beating Samsungs door down for a solution but they are not so I didnt look for one. I simply made point they cannot provide the services specified with the device sold based in an area they claim to service.

I wish you the best of luck with your issue, its been nothing but trouble for me.

ohp920

So what did they do to your phone and how do I go about trying to get my POS Stratosphere going. Who do I contact. Thanks

hockeymom03

Putting the phone on global roaming worked for me-we will see for how long-Just bought for a birthday present for my son :smileysad: and he cant connect to his email or apps

ohp920

I am having the same problems with all four of my stratosphere's. I have pulled the battery and sim card out so many times I think I have worn the back cover off. I have also done a hard restart in hopes that this would fix the problem with no luck. Any suggestions on what I need to do? or how long am I going to have to suffer with no data and still have to pay for it?????????????????????????????????????

GirlGeek

I just bought a Stratoshere about 6 weeks ago and I have been back to the local Verizon store once a week for the past 3 weeks trying to get this resolved. They put in a new SIM card. They "sold" me service for their proprietary hot spot for $30/month. Today they told me that I should check the signal strength in my house.

The signal strength is fine...excellent even, but it still won't consistently connect to the internet. Piece of crap phone. I'm taking it back and getting my 3G LP phone turned back on.

alyssa0102

You would be better off just wasting more money on a new phone honestly!! Worst phone verizon has to offer. have fun getting a refurbished phone even though you paid for a brand new one every month!

emsneedscellphonestha

look at the bright side once verizon forces you out of your unlimited data plan you will never half to worry about going over yuor limit on data if you cant connect. 4 of the 5 phones in my family plan are strtospheres I fell your pain

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