3rd phone on Kitkat

[Vaporgirrl]

Ordered my first Note 3 in April. Loved it...until the dreaded Kitkat update.  I have tried everything...SIM card swap, swapped out phone with newer build date.  Nothing has worked.  I had great service before the Kitkat update, but now I pretty much never have a cell phone signal in my house,  at work, and while driving. My phone has become a paperweight.

Went to the Verizon store the other day and they again ordered me a refurbished phone (so this will be #3). Clearly Verizon is aware of this issue, because they tried to blame Samsung for the issues and said it was Samsung's responsibility to fix it. I am not holding my breath that this 3rd phone will fix the issue. The store employees also said I could swap out for a Galaxy S5, which I don't want.  The S4 too small for me. I want a phablet that works!

When will Verizon fix this issue? When will Samsung release the update for Kitkat so we can actually use our cell phones to make calls?  I need reliable cell phone coverage, for work and for emergencies.

I like Verizon,  and don't want to switch carriers, but this Note 3 Kitkat fiasco has been awful 😞

[stef7]

When you get the third, report your results. KK enabled Band4 capabilities of the device, and I think the radio in your model is having problems with Band4. It's not clear if a SW update could fix things - it might be hardware. You could call Samsung and ask them how to disable Band4, so your device would only use Band13...

[Vaporgirrl]

Received the replacement yesterday. So far this Note 3 (build date 08/2014) seems to be the worst out of the 3 I have had in terms of signal strength

[harleydavid]

Yep I've been in the same boat since May when I updated to KK. I've monitored this community since then and the support from Verizon has been shameful regardless of who's fault it is. I've researched a ton to figure out how to disable band4 and after going through all the procedures it reverts back to enabled as soon as you reboot.

I've done all the swaps, sims, replacements, etc and nothing works. One time I went to the store and the service rep tried to sell me something else and all you get here is a "I'm so sorry, we don't want to loose you"... Blah! I'm fed up.

The beginning of November Verizon will be shy 2 customers based on SH** support! I'm done!

[stef7]

Ouch. Maybe they CAN'T fix the Note3!

Did you try going into Settings | Tethering and Networks | System Select | Network Mode, and changing from Global to LTE/CDMA?

[harleydavid]

Been there done that. Makes no difference. Has it made a difference for you?

[Vaporgirrl]

Yes I have tried switching from Global to CDMA/LTE/EVDO...doesn't help me unfortunately

[Vaporgirrl]

My signal strength is typically in the -96 to 109 dbm range 😞

[stef7]

Fwiw I have an lg g2 and indoors at my house I get -109dBm.

[Vaporgirrl]

Yeah I wish it was only indoors that was the issue. Unfortunately I get the same poor signal strength outside of my house, on most major interstates, at work (while friends with Verizon service get great signal strength in the same).

[stef7]

Ask Samsung for a way to disable Band4 on your phone.

[chantenicole]

I am also on my 3rd Note 3. That update was the worst thing possible. I reside in Cleveland which is predominately 4G capable! My fiance has a Note 2 and his phone works just fine. I have more dropped calls than received calls. I had to contact the executive office to receive an upgrade however, I would rather keep the phone that has all of my content on it vs being a test dummy for the new phones that are being released and that they are forcing down everyone's throat. These phones cost too much to have this type of service out of them!

[Vaporgirrl]

I am so angry this morning.  Again the "mobile network not available." With 4 bars showing. I have been trying to cancel a doctor's appointment for 20 minutes and can't make a call! I am fed up!!!

[stef7]

You know, this is just my opinion, but if I were in your shoes, I guess if Samsung or Verizon offered an S5 to replace your Note3, I'd take the offer. Don't know about the Note4, or S6 and when they might be available. If they were to offer me an LG G2 or G3, I would probably go for one of them. I'd research the other phones, and I'd tell them what you wanted.

Honestly, what value is a phone that can't make and receive calls? What is your expensive Note3 really worth if it doesn't work as a phone? Verizon or Samsung should buy-back your phone, but that's unlikely. They should release you from your contract, or offer you SUBSTANTIAL discount to get into a new device.

They broke your phone.

Your inability to reliably make or receive a call could impact your health or safety (say you needed to dial 911) or one of your loved ones (say this negatively impacts coordinating logistics related to one of your children or an elderly aunt, uncle, parent, a spouse)... or your child becomes ill or injured while in the care of others / at school and you can't be contacted) if they don't have a means of letting your device use Band13 which it did before the KK update for reliable phone service, then what are you going to do?

[vzw_customer_support]

Vaporgirrl,

So sorry to hear you are still having trouble with your phone! You mentioned in your beginning post that the trouble began after the last software update. Have you tried wiping the cache partition? Here are the instructions: Power the device off. Press and hold the Home button (located at the bottom) & Volume Up button (located on the left edge). With the Home and Volume buttons pressed, press and hold the Power button (located on the right edge) until Samsung logo appears then release all keys.  In the recovery menu select wipe cache partition. (Utilize the volume buttons to highlight and the Power button to select.) Once completed, Select reboot system now. Once the device powers back on dial #832 to connect to the network. Let us know how the signal is.

BrianP_VZW
Follow Us on Twitter @VZWSupport

[stef7]

BrianP

With all due respect, these owners have been there and done that.

It's clear here and other places on the internet, the Note3 is laboring on band4.

[Vaporgirrl]

Yes I wiped the cache partition.  Still couldn't get a signal to make a call this morning.

i also wasted an hour visiting the  Samsung experience at Best Buy and had them reflash the phone, per the suggestion of customer service. That didn't work either. I was supposed to get a call back from Verizon customer service to see if reflashing worked...I am still waiting for the call back today