Samsung Droid Charge -- No 4g or 3g network connection

[athleet]

I've just recently gotten the Samsung Droid Charge and activated my SIM card on it, but for some reason, it will not connect to the 4g or 3g network even when mobile data is on. I know my SIM card works because I can make calls and text, but I cannot browse the internet. I've tried going to settings and enabling mobile networks, turning airplane mode on and off, and even enabling roaming, but nothing seems to be working. I can connect to a WiFi network perfectly fine. It just won't connect to the Verizon network. Is the phone defective or am I not doing something that I should be doing? Thanks for the help.

[gjhsmith]

I just upgraded to the Droid Charge and I am having the same problem. It shows little or no 3g service ugh. 

If you get answers please let me know

THanks

Gjshsmith

[mclovin33]

What I did to get it to work was to go into Settings->Wireless & network->Mobile Networks->System Selection and change the setting from "LTE automatic" to CDMA mode.  I know that I will not pick up a 4g signal with this setting, but there isn't 4g at my house anyways, so I would rather have slower data-mode than no data-mode.  As soon as I changed this, I had 3g right away again.

[vidguy7]

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mclovin33 wrote:

What I did to get it to work was to go into Settings->Wireless & network->Mobile Networks->System Selection and change the setting from "LTE automatic" to CDMA mode.  I know that I will not pick up a 4g signal with this setting, but there isn't 4g at my house anyways, so I would rather have slower data-mode than no data-mode.  As soon as I changed this, I had 3g right away again.

---

The problem that I and others have is living in a 4G area where the phone needs to switch from 4G to 3G and, as we've found, invariably to 1X too.  If we leave the Charge on CDMA only, then what's the point of getting a 4G phone?  Just today I was in an area where there was supposed to be 4G not far from my house.  We went inside a pizza place to get a slice and bam, I had only a 1X signal and the infamous 'no data' and my wife's Iphone 4 went merrily along.  Of course outside the pizza place I only had a 3G signal, no 4G.  The Verizon maps are meaningless.

Verizon has no answer for this problem as you can see from these boards.  Mums the word.

[paperclips]

Good luck getting them to do ANYTHING besides have you reset the phone everytime you call in (resetting for me at least makes it work for a good 10 minutes...). It's been like that since the day I got the phone. It's awesome because they're going to keep charging you month after month for this service that you can't even use.

[DroidCharge]

SAME ISSUE HERE:

Mobile Data ON: Mobile Data ON Picture

Error Message: Error Message Picture

Seems like a common occurance.

I have two phones, Droid Charge and Droid X on two different VZW lines.

The Droid X with no connection issues. 3G service. Accessing all data on my phone (market, apps, websites).

But I look over at my Droid Charge and no 3G, no data connections, market wont work, websites from my phones browser will not work.

But then in a few minutes it comes on. It is like it has a mind of its own.

If there was a fix, an app running in the background?

I took the phone to a Certified VZW Service area and they went into the browser and cleared the cache, cookie, and history. Then like before it started working after a few minutes and the tech was convinced that that was the fix. I am not.

VERIZON? Any information for your customers?

[Booch]

I've had the same issue as you have mentioned.  I'm paying for monthly data usage, but not really getting it.

So far, Verizon has not been very helpful.  I called Samsung yesterday and they said they were unaware of any of these issues.

Verizon, it is probably time that you make a statement and acknowledge this issue.  I paid $300 for a phone and pay over $100 a month for service and this is how I get treated?

[vidguy7]

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Booch wrote:

I've had the same issue as you have mentioned.  I'm paying for monthly data usage, but not really getting it.

So far, Verizon has not been very helpful.  I called Samsung yesterday and they said they were unaware of any of these issues.

Verizon, it is probably time that you make a statement and acknowledge this issue.  I paid $300 for a phone and pay over $100 a month for service and this is how I get treated?

---

What **bleep** me off more than anything is when tech after tech says "gee, we've never heard of that before".  GIMME A BREAK!  You mean to tell me that none of these techs have the phone, none of the VZW sales people have the phone, only WE have the phone?  Almost anyone that travels with this phone will run into the problem at one time or another.  So for them to tell us they've never heard of the issue is just pure **bleep**.  I think all tech people for all companies are trained on the first day of training: "OK class, repeat after me 'we've never heard of that problem'.

[dantivirus]

I am literally getting sick of this. I live within a 4G area, never get a 4G signal unless I go to the airport. Joy.

Now since Friday my phone keeps going from no data, 1x data, 3G data. It will not stay on 3G even if I switch it to CDMA only and turn off LTE. Most of the time it's getting no data or 1x, 3G comes and goes. It's not my phone as they have already replaced it once and other Charge users in my area are getting the exact same issue.

What is going on? Tech support has zero clue, Samsung has zero clue. No one in authority seems to have a single clue.

First, I need answers this is simply silly that I cannot get an answer on this issue. Second, why in blazes does your 4G LTE site keep telling me over and over I have 4G LTE coverage at my house and area when I can only pick it up at the airport?

I just want some honest answers from Verizon on these issues please.

[paperclips]

I'm actually getting a free sim card in the mail after getting on the phone with Verizon and not letting them hang up until they came to a solution as to how to solve this problem. No idea if the new sim card will work, but it's definitely worth a shot. If all else fails they promised a replacement device (hopefully somethign equal in value to the phone). 

They admitted the Droid Charge had a weaker anntenae than 3G devices so it's common to drop service....wonderful, right? I'd call them up and ask them to get you a phone that works. I hope you get this sorted out. I'm crossing my fingers as well on this one...

[vidguy7]

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dantivirus wrote:

I am literally getting sick of this. I live within a 4G area, never get a 4G signal unless I go to the airport. Joy.

Now since Friday my phone keeps going from no data, 1x data, 3G data. It will not stay on 3G even if I switch it to CDMA only and turn off LTE. Most of the time it's getting no data or 1x, 3G comes and goes. It's not my phone as they have already replaced it once and other Charge users in my area are getting the exact same issue.

What is going on? Tech support has zero clue, Samsung has zero clue. No one in authority seems to have a single clue.

First, I need answers this is simply silly that I cannot get an answer on this issue. Second, why in blazes does your 4G LTE site keep telling me over and over I have 4G LTE coverage at my house and area when I can only pick it up at the airport?

I just want some honest answers from Verizon on these issues please.

---

Welcome to our exclusive club...it's not a happy place to be.

[vidguy7]

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dantivirus wrote:

I am literally getting sick of this. I live within a 4G area, never get a 4G signal unless I go to the airport. Joy.

Now since Friday my phone keeps going from no data, 1x data, 3G data. It will not stay on 3G even if I switch it to CDMA only and turn off LTE. Most of the time it's getting no data or 1x, 3G comes and goes. It's not my phone as they have already replaced it once and other Charge users in my area are getting the exact same issue.

What is going on? Tech support has zero clue, Samsung has zero clue. No one in authority seems to have a single clue.

First, I need answers this is simply silly that I cannot get an answer on this issue. Second, why in blazes does your 4G LTE site keep telling me over and over I have 4G LTE coverage at my house and area when I can only pick it up at the airport?

I just want some honest answers from Verizon on these issues please.

---

I feel for you.  I've got the same issues and nobody at VZW has a clue.  The best we've gotten is 'we're working with Samsung to address this issue' and the worst we get is 'we've never heard of that issue before'.  Either way we've got $300 paperweights.

And you are 100% correct about the VZW 'maps' that show 4G coverage.  Who are they kidding?  Areas outside in my area that are clearly 4G, show only 3G on my Charge.  Of course maybe the 4G is really there but nobody bothered to tell the Charge.

[jamielynnwilson]

I'm having the same issue. No 3G or 4G service. I just got off the phone with Verizon and went through the usual routine:  battery pull, sim card pull, change in network settings, etc. Every time I battery and sim card pull I get 4G for about one minute and then it is gone.  Verizon's suggestion is for me to get a new sim card, which I will pick up later today.  I don't see how that will fix the issue.....

When I informed the representative that numerous other people were having the same problem and that this forum existed, he acted surprised.

Like everyone else I am also frustrated because I have experienced unstable update issues on numerous smartphones I have had through Verizon. Their service is expensive and I expect to have functioning phones. Hopefully this is resolved soon.

[Kingfox]

Same issue here with my Charge.  Started last night, got the GB update Sunday.  Throw it into Airplane mode and back, get 4G for about 30-60 seconds.  Switch to a local wireless connection and back, same thing.

[darinb]

Same exact thing here!

If I toggle/restart I get 3g/4g for 30-60 seconds.

It started last night (Dec 6 2011) around 8 PM.

I've tried soft/hard resets, pulling battery and sim. Always the same 30 seconds then a complete drop. Let me know if you find out anything! I'll probably go to the store to try a new SIM later.

-darin

[darinb]

Small update, if I go to

Settings -> Wireless & Networks -> Mobile Networks -> System Selection

and switch to CDMA mode I can get off-and-on-again 3G, which i better than nothing.

This needs to be addressed by verizon.

[vidguy7]

---

DroidCharge wrote:

SAME ISSUE HERE:

Mobile Data ON: Mobile Data ON Picture

Error Message: Error Message Picture

Seems like a common occurance.

I have two phones, Droid Charge and Droid X on two different VZW lines.

The Droid X with no connection issues. 3G service. Accessing all data on my phone (market, apps, websites).

But I look over at my Droid Charge and no 3G, no data connections, market wont work, websites from my phones browser will not work.

But then in a few minutes it comes on. It is like it has a mind of its own.

If there was a fix, an app running in the background?

I took the phone to a Certified VZW Service area and they went into the browser and cleared the cache, cookie, and history. Then like before it started working after a few minutes and the tech was convinced that that was the fix. I am not.

VERIZON? Any information for your customers?

 Ah yes, that wonderful little yellow box "no network"...gotta love it.  I'll bet the ranch you won't have a fix from what the tech did, no way no how.  As with every other 'fix', it will be short term, either in minutes or hours.  And if you're looking for help from VZW, I've got a bridge I can sell you.

---

[Ray999]

---

DroidCharge wrote:

SAME ISSUE HERE:

Mobile Data ON: Mobile Data ON Picture

Error Message: Error Message Picture

Seems like a common occurance.

I have two phones, Droid Charge and Droid X on two different VZW lines.

The Droid X with no connection issues. 3G service. Accessing all data on my phone (market, apps, websites).

But I look over at my Droid Charge and no 3G, no data connections, market wont work, websites from my phones browser will not work.

But then in a few minutes it comes on. It is like it has a mind of its own.

If there was a fix, an app running in the background?

I took the phone to a Certified VZW Service area and they went into the browser and cleared the cache, cookie, and history. Then like before it started working after a few minutes and the tech was convinced that that was the fix. I am not.

VERIZON? Any information for your customers?

---

This is a very common occurrance for me as of late when I am at my office which usually just has 3G. It has happened at my home also which usually has very good 4G. Toggling Airplane mode works sometimes other times it takes a reboot to get a connection back. Frustrating to say the least.

[#19]

Good Morning!

Thank you to the community for your contributions!

This is a concern that Samsung and VZW are investigating together to correct for our customers.

In the mean time, please ensure to check the following: Menu>Settings>> Wireless and Network>>Mobile Networks and ensure 'Use Packet Data' is checked and System Selection is on 'LTE'.

Please PM me your name and mobile number so I may escalate this issue further for you!

Thank you!

[vidguy7]

Adam I PM'd you last week but did not hear back from you.  My settings are exactly like you stated as they are for almost all the people that have the same issue on the many forums where this is discussed.

I AM glad to hear that finally VZW and Samsung have acknowledged the issue exists and was not fixed in the EE4 upadate.  I have instances of this 'data connectivity' almost every day and my wife's IPhone is always the 'benchmark' to prove that we are not in any 'deadspots' or there is not any trouble with the Verizon system when I'm experiencing these issues.  I can also attest to the fact that my first Charge showed exactly the same problems as my current Charge.

I know that these issues are not the result of a defective phone per se, but either a serious design flaw in the phone itself or something inherent in the VZW 4G system that also impacts how 3G is received by these 4G phones. The problem is never manifested in phone calls but rather just data and any application that requires that data.

Frankly I'm amazed that these 4G phones got through VZW QC.  I just can't imagine the testing didn't bring out these issues since they are so widespread.

[Booch]

I have been playing around with the settings as well, trying to find a perfect combination.  Unfortunately, I don't believe one exists. 

Just like vidguy7, I am on my second phone and unsure if our problems are the result of a faulty phone or a poor design by Verizon infrastructure. 

In the mean time, I guess I will continue giving over $100 a month to Verizon for TERRIBLE and UNRELIABLE service. 

I am starting to get very disgusted at this issue.  I feel as if we are guinea pigs that have been tricked into false pretenses.  Not only is Verizon ignoring the issue, but there will not be any type of compensation for our troubles.  I'm not out to get rich or cheat the system, but Verizon could easily provide us a free accessory or reduce our monthly bill for one month. 

VERIZON--Should customers be forced into restarting their new, expensive phones several times in one day?  Is that a good customer experience?  When can we expect to see a resolution?  (I know Verizon won't answer these questions.  They'll continue to answer the questions like "How do I move widgets?")