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.
I have had numerous phones, Blackberry, Droid Pro, Droid Charge.. The Droid Charge will not access the browser in a 1x area, I had the Droid Pro and Blackberry Curve in the SAME area.. 1x, could access the internet just fine even though I was not in a 3G area. All the "data packets" are checked, and yet it will not browse unless I am in a 3G area,. and even then its iffy. I am at my wits end.
Hello Kygirl7399,
I understand your desire to access the web at all times. Verizon Wireless 4G devices are only backwards compatible 1 generation, therefore, the Charge will only connect to 3G. I suggest ensuring the data roaming setting is on to assist with a 3G connection. There is no fee associated as long as the device is not connecting to towers outside of the country. Please follow the visuals here http://bit.ly/LHFNnT to set the data roaming setting and test. Please let me know if you need any additional assistance. Thank you.
TominqueBo
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter at @VZWSupport
I am having all the same issues detailed by others with my new Samsung Charge.
It's ironic -- just after I got it, I was bragging about all the cool things this phone could do compared to my previous Blackberry, but I'm ready to go back to a Blackberry. It worked flawlessly for all the basics -- phone (never dropped a call and got reception where many others couldn't,) email, calendar and internet connectivity.
All the apps are useless if you can't use the phone or get online, right?
Seems to me that Smart Phone is a bit of a misnomer -- smart, maybe, but phone? -- only part-time.
After reading your posts, I'm taking mine back tonight to exchange for something that works.
I'm not sure if I have the same exact issue as you guys or not... it seems like every once in a while, my 4G LTE connection will stall, but when this happens, it doesn't switch to 3G or 1X or anything, the 4G LTE icon remains but there is no downstream connectivity. When this happens, I can usually see some upstream connectivity (the up arrow flashes occasionally), but either I wait it out (can range anywhere from 5-10 seconds to several minutes) and it will automatically start working again or I am forced to toggle airplane mode/mobile data or toggle between CDMA only/LTE automatic modes to get it back working instantly.
I noticed in the Anandtech review of this phone that the reviewer had the same exact behavior: "My only complaint is that every once in a while, the LTE data session sometimes stalls briefly – sometimes for a a few seconds, other times for a few minutes. When that happens, you’ll see the uplink green arrow blink, but no orange downlink arrow. Rebooting the device fixes things."
What it sounds like to me is you guys are experiencing issues with 3G/4G handoff, but mine doesn't appear to be switching at all, just losing connectivity (which is quite annoying when I'm streaming anything a la Internet radio, YouTube, Justin.tv, etc.). At first I thought it was an issue with Verizon's LTE network, but the reviewer at Anandtech (who also reviewed the Thunderbolt/Revolution) didn't experience this with the other two LTE phones.
It may have something to do with the RIL Samsung wrote for this device as I actually found this thread pertaining to the Galaxy S II and data connection stalling, which sounds eerily similar to the problem you guys seem to be having except in their case, switching between 3G and HSPA+.
Regardless of how this issue is perceived by any one of us, the bottom line is that the data connection drops are a definite flaw of this otherwise great phone, and I really hope it's something that they will recognize and fix, whether it be through software (RIL) or hardware (firmware update).
That thread you cited runs about 12 pages and many of the complaints do sound similar to what we're experiencing here. That's not a good sign since it really may show a hardware issue with these Samsung phones. But again, how is it possible that VZW didn't pick this up in their QC testing before the phone was released?
Hi All,
I just wanted to add that I also have this issue as well.
No consistent 4G connection in areas that are solidly 4G according to many Verizon Reps. I even went into a Verizon store, and they had a Mifi device showing it was getting 4G reception at the time, but my Droid Charge was on 3G. I also many times go down to 1X, when other friends around me consistently get 3G reception.
I got the phone last week and am expericing the same problems in a high 3G/4G city, San Francisco. I want to add due to the constant data dropping/switching, the battery also drains like crazy for me, roughly 8% per hour doing nothing... When I disable mobile data, it is back to normal. This is in a high 3G/4G area.
I am also expericing this issue in a high 3G/4G area, San Francisco. I also believe this data dropping is also causing the phone to drain battery like crazy... 8% per hour. When I disable mobile data (ie, it is no longer search, but it still has voice data), the phone drains as normal. Verizon/Samsung, please fix this soon.
Well, add me to the list of disgruntled Droid Charge and/or Verizon 4G users. It looks as though I am having the same problems most of the others are having. I work in a strong 4G area - Pasadena, CA, and today, after having to restart my phone to get ANY mobile data network connection, I started getting a strong 4G response. At lunchtime, I traveled a couple of miles within the city (just up the street from a Verizon support center), and had to once again Restart to get a network - in this case it picked up the 4G network again. And, I too, have noticed that the battery is draining far too quickly as a result of this problem. This is not acceptable service and/or technology. Is the same problem occuring with the HTC Thunderbolt? Similar to another's report, I was at a party the other night, and was not able to pick up any data network (before I had discovered the Restart requirement), while all the while friends using IPhones and other smartphones were getting to the network. This is a sad commentary for Samsung and Verizon, and I expect something to be done about it. We are not getting the service and technology we are paying for.
I also have the same problem on my new Samsung Charge. The network seems to be fine if I'm at home and not moving around, where it probably only "talks" to one Verizon tower.
The moment I move around San Francisco or drive to work, the network coverage gets very spotty in an area that should have 100% coverage.
It loses the 4G/LTE signal, while maintaining voice reception, and doesn't drop down to 3G. When I put it in CDMA mode instead of LTE Automatic, it tries to use 3G, usually fails, tries 1x, fails. Pretty much can't use data at all when driving around. I suspect that the phone software is not handling the negotiation between the current cell tower and the next one down the road, and then it gets lost trying to find the old one again. Something like that.
SteveG07 wrote:I also have the same problem on my new Samsung Charge. The network seems to be fine if I'm at home and not moving around, where it probably only "talks" to one Verizon tower.
The moment I move around San Francisco or drive to work, the network coverage gets very spotty in an area that should have 100% coverage.
It loses the 4G/LTE signal, while maintaining voice reception, and doesn't drop down to 3G. When I put it in CDMA mode instead of LTE Automatic, it tries to use 3G, usually fails, tries 1x, fails. Pretty much can't use data at all when driving around. I suspect that the phone software is not handling the negotiation between the current cell tower and the next one down the road, and then it gets lost trying to find the old one again. Something like that.
Sounds like a very familair story Steve. We have the same story here in N.Y. Either the phones have less sensitive radios or, as you say, the communication between the Charge and each new tower is failing in terms of data negotiation. Either way there is an issue.
Some date which may help
I have 2-3 bars of 4G or 2-3 bars of 3G all the time. I also have a Dell laptop with an internal EVDO card.
The dell remains connected with 3 G no problems. The charge will not keep a 4 G connection. Works sometimes in 4G but not often and often gives me a no network error at the same time the dell can access the same WWW page.
Clearly there is a problem with the charge
Be glad to perform tests if desired.
Stan
I am guessing that my local tower was down 14 hours ago when I work up. Once I hit the highway on my way to work, I could pick up 4G just fine. Now that I am home I have 4G here as well. Very quirky, but it this is a rare occurrence then I will be fine with it.
I am having the same issue. Last night I was running the battery down to condition it before bed. Once depleted I plugged it in and though nothing of it. Upon getting up for work today I saw that the phone has no data. I've played with the settings and can still get 3G data with CDMA automatic, but that icon is cycling between arrows lit, arrows gray, and the letter D. Select LTE automatic and I get nothing. Wifi works still, but 4G LTE is a no go. It worked dreamy over the last 5 days until now.
Dear svzurich,
The Li-ion battery in your Charge does not need to be conditioned, and in fact deep discharging will shorten the life of your battery. I took the below information from batteryuniversity.com.
Similar to a mechanical device that wears out faster with heavy use, so also does the depth of discharge (DoD) determine the cycle count. The smaller the depth of discharge, the longer the battery will last. If at all possible, avoid frequent full discharges and charge more often between uses. If full discharges cannot be avoided, try utilizing a larger battery. Partial discharge on Li-ion is fine; there is no memory and the battery does not need periodic full discharge cycles other than to calibrate the fuel gauge on a smart battery.
Hope this helps.
Good to know WCM! Thank you. Seen so many conflicting reports that I never can remember which is the current theory. 
It was the older generation of Ni-Cad batteries that needed conditioning and frequent deep discharging. Otherwise, the battery woud acquire "memory" and not fully discharge when you wanted it to.
Indeed, that was where I learned it, back in the days when mom and I used to place alkaline batteries in the oven "for a little while" to squeeze more life from them. Ah, gotta love the mid 1980s. And then years later lithium batteries explode and burn on their own! Progress!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am having the same issue. Last night I was running the battery down to condition it before bed. Once depleted I plugged it in and though nothing of it. Upon getting up for work today I saw that the phone has no data. I've played with the settings and can still get 3G data with CDMA automatic, but that icon is cycling between arrows lit, arrows gray, and the letter D. Select LTE automatic and I get nothing. Wifi works still, but 4G LTE is a no go. It worked dreamy over the last 5 days until now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for all the replies. Are you still having issues with your connection? If so please PM your mobile number and I can do research on your account and escalate it if necessary. Thank you.
SammuelP wrote:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am having the same issue. Last night I was running the battery down to condition it before bed. Once depleted I plugged it in and though nothing of it. Upon getting up for work today I saw that the phone has no data. I've played with the settings and can still get 3G data with CDMA automatic, but that icon is cycling between arrows lit, arrows gray, and the letter D. Select LTE automatic and I get nothing. Wifi works still, but 4G LTE is a no go. It worked dreamy over the last 5 days until now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for all the replies. Are you still having issues with your connection? If so please PM your mobile number and I can do research on your account and escalate it if necessary. Thank you.
Twice I have been asked for MY phone # by VZW employees on this forum, twice I have given it and twice I have received no follow up.
Start a new topic or ask questions in the open forum.
