DROID CHARGE: AVOID Network Updates - Disables voice/data service

marrho
Newbie

Tomorrow (after receiving my replacement phone & SIMM card from Verizon) I will be on my THIRD Samsung Droid Charge due to apparent corrupted "Network Updates in just 30 days.  

 

I purchased the Samsung DROID CHARGEon May 27th and it worked great.  May 28th I awoke with a message on the device that "Network Updates are available".   I downloaded/applied the Network Updates and this action immediately disabled both the voice and data signals on the phone leaving me with a perpetual "Searching for Service..." message.  After speaking with Verizon phone support, we agreed to a "hard reset/factory wipe" of the device.   After the reboot, I still had no service for either voice or data and received a perpetual "(No service)" label in the status bar.

 

A visit to the Verizon store on the same day resulted in a new replacement phone and SIMM card.  (phone #2)

 

I used this phone until today (June 21) when again I received a message on the phone that "Network Updates are Available."   After downloading/applying the updates....you guessed it... I received the same "Searching for Service..." message and after direction from Verizon phone support and a factory reset....I now receive the "(No service)" label in the status bar.

 

Phone support is now overnighting a new phone (#3 in 30 days) and a SIMM card.

 

I'm unsure of the depth of knowledge regarding this type of incident, the phone support rep did indicate that "...Verizon is aware of this situation with certain Samsun 4G phones..." although I'm not aware of an ALL POINTS BULLETIN that has been issued to the masses notifying to IGNORE downloading/applying network updates due to a complete disabling of the voice/data service of the device.

 

It's unfortunate b/c I love the phone and I know at some point in time there will be an network update that will add value to the device.   Unfortunately, I will NOT be taking any future Network Updates when the device notifies me.

 

I will say that Verizon phone & store support were very accomodating and helped identify/resolve the issue to the best of their ability...no complaints w/the personnel....just that it appears there is a SERIOUS problem with the combination of the hardware/SIMM/OS of this device and Samsung/Google/Verizon really need to get if figured out.

 

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6 Replies
LargeIntestine

I wish I had read this before I tried updating my wife's Droid Charge.

 

Applying the update nuked my antenna and I cannot get a signal (but 4G still works).  I also get the perpetual "Searching For Service" message.

 

Tried rebooting, removing the battery, etc.

 

Will be returning the phone to get a new one.

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isosunrise2
Newbie

Before the update, were there any 4G/3G data dropping issues?

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LargeIntestine

I don't recall any -- but I only had the phone for about 2 hours. 

 

Sheesh

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LargeIntestine

Just got my 2nd Droid Charge and updated it.

 

As I feared, when the phone finished rebooting, I got the "no signal" symbol again.

 

I powered the phone off, removed the battery, sd card, and sim card and waited about 30 seconds.

 

I then inserted the sim card and then the battery and powered the phone on again.

 

For a couple seconds, I got the "no signal" symbol, but suddenly the "bar strength" icon appeared and now the phone is working fine -- EE4 has been successfully applied.

 

Weird.  

 

I'm relieved the update worked -- if it didn't work this time, I was going to get an iPhone instead....

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HoustonHeart
Contributor - Level 2

I downloaded mine off the web, moved it to the phone by usb, then applied, so that is probably why I don't have these issues im hearing about and have improved 4g/3g switching, signal, and general call signal.

 

If OTA updates got botched becuase of signal issues, I won't be takign them and manually applying all the time.

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DionM_VZW
Verizon Employee

Greetings community members! I would like to get this matter to the attention of Tech Support so that the manufacturer can be advised. Marrho, if you're still experiencing this, please send me a personal message so that I can get details about your device. Thanks!

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