How do I improve my signal?

[avlval]

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.

[kimmi1973]

I just got ths phone yesterday and im having the same problem go  from 2 bars to 0 bars. where my moto droid ( the first one) alway had at least 2 to 3 bars. tho i have yet to drop a call on the 0 bars on the htc inc 2., going to have to wait to see what happens i just dont want to have to get a replacement. since mine is a new i dont want to get a pre-owned thats the only problem when we get a replacement you buy new and then get a used not fair so im hoping i have no problems,

[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.

[vzw_customer_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

[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.

[Ann154]

Honestly I'm not sure if that application actually helps those customers if their own customer forum is any indication.

mkeshizzle wrote:

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

[mkeshizzle]

True.  Who knows how much use AT&T gets out of it.  Signal improved in my area months later.  Whether by because of app or by planned buildout who knows.  But crowd sourcing can't hurt. 

[Ann154]

If you are looking for a crowd sourcing application for phone signal, I personally use Sensorly which is available in the Play Store.

[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.

[jhardwood]

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.

[EdW_VZW · Accepted solution]

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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.

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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=

[jammitnyc]

I also just bought one of these 'phones' and have the same problem.  None of the suggestions here or other sites works.  I work at a company that has a contract with Verizon and we have mulitple repeaters in each building.   Everyone sitting inches from me, all different models of phones and different phone plans, have nothing but excellent reception.  My old Env never had a problem.   At most I can get 1 or 1/2 of a bar in areas where I had full reception with my old phone.    There are all sorts of postings all over the internet about this so I'm not sure I understand why anyone would say they've never heard of this before.   Taking phone back today for sure.  Whats the point of having a phone if you can't use it as a phone?

[TominqueBo_VZW]

Hello jammitnyc,

I definitely understand the need to stay connected.  I would can assist you if there is still a need to do so.  Did you take the phone back or receive a replacement?  Please let me know where you stand as of right not so I may further assistance.  Thank you.  

[kom11416]

I purchase my htc incredible 2 just a few days ago, signal is rottin!!! Cant even use the phone in my home where I have lived for the past 12 years. My wife and kids have other brands of verizon phones and there signal is great. My old phone in which I up graded for to the incredible 2 was a Lg and it always has a good signal at my house as well. The phone is worthless for making calls..

Luclky its within my first month with this new phone so I can return it for another brand, to bad though the features of this phone are great as long as you dont want to make a call with it.

[ArnettH_VZW]

Good morning kom11416,

I just wanted to touch base with you about your device. May I ask did you exchange the HTC Droid Incredible 2 for another make & model device? If so then what device did you decide on? If you haven't made this decision yet then you also have the option to purchase a network extender for indoor usage. Depending on your location, this can be an excellent alternative if you really want to keep the device. I would love to hear from you as to what decision that you made. 

Thank you...

[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.

[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!)

[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.