MMS, connection, heat

[mrdutchie]

ok, we just signed up with Verizon, and bought 3 Galaxy S4.

All of them are having the same problem

- 8 out of 10 times we cannot send  MMS Messages (30 KB - 2 Mb.  30 Kb takes sometimes 2-4 minutes)

- Seems like I always have 2 bars of reception.

- When you do something the area around the camera gets hot. it gets so hot, that I need to put it down, since you cannot hold it against your ear.

- 2 phones next to eachother.  1 calls the other.... not getting through, getting Voicemail

- 2 phones next to eachother.  Messaging takes sometimes 3-4 minutes before it shows up.

- Calls being dropped

Getting really frustrated, and we paid a grant to sign up, and  having so much problems.

Is there anything that we can do?

I tried this already.

1. Removed SIM card..  Turn off for a bit and turn it back on etc.

2. Reset

3. Switched network to General, and back.  (both didn't make a difference)

4. Followed so many things from that I could find on the forum here, but no luck,

I'm suppose to be in an area (53594 and 54094)  with coverage,  and I hardly get 4G.  it's most of the time  3G,1G or nothing.

Dont think you can do a tower update (like you can with the older phones)  right  (*228 I think it was)

[Ann154]

Do you port your phone numbers in from another carrier? Perhaps the port isn't complete?

[mrdutchie]

Yes, we did port 3 numbers from US Cell.... but according to the textmessages it was completed. That the numbers were successfully ported..

Could that be a problem?

I tried my old phone, and that one does not work anymore

[mag9276]

Having the exact same problem with only having about 2 bars of reception anywhere I go.  I don't know what to do about it.  Even the Verizon store employees couldn't help.  I also have a problem with my back up assistant plus.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hi Mag9276,


We want you to have the best reception at all times! Let's get this fixed. Has this device always received 2 bars of service in these locations? Is this indoors only? What is going on with your Backup Assistant? Send details

Thanks,
PamelaF_VZW
Tweet us @vzwsupport

[mrdutchie]

So, how can we get this fixed Verizon?

Are you able to check the porting status or confim that this could be the problem?

[Ann154]

I'm just another VZW customer, but others have reported if you call customer service at 1-800-922-0204 or *611 and have VZW reset your text message feature from their end then the messages send and receive correctly.

[mrdutchie]

Thanks, i will give them a call, and see if that helps.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hi Mrdutchie,

We are definitely better than poor service! I know how important it is to have properly working service at all times. I have reviewed the zipcodes that you are having issues in and both zipcodes are Variable coverage areas. This means that you could experience dropped calls, fluctuating signal, and slow data. How long are you in these areas? I have an indoor solution that may help. Keep me posted.

Thanks,
PamelaF_VZW
Tweet us @vzwsupport

[mrdutchie]

How long in these areas?  24/7,    the lady at the store told us  FULL coverage...  but instead 1 bar or nothing.   My wife called and customer service said that there might be service.   we live between 2 towers...  so we just got lied too.  now we're debating to back to US Cellular  At least they had FULL coverage, NO dropped calls, and working 3G/4G ..

[vzw_customer_support]

Thank you for following up, mrdutchie! Are either of these areas the zip that you reside in? It may be more of an issue with the distance to cell tower rather than being in between two. It's always always a good idea to check on the signal strength this can determine what type of service you're receiving. It's a better indicator than the bars at the top of the screen. Settings > About Phone > Signal strength. If it's above -95dbms you may start to notice some of the symptons you described.

YosefT_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

[mrdutchie]

It shows -104

On Aug 24, 2013 7:23 AM, "Verizon Wireless Customer Support" <

[vzw_customer_support]

Thanks for the signal strength mrdutchie. Klue's recommendation is good. If your phone is overheating that significantly, please take it to a corporate store location with all the chargers you have used with it. This needs to be evaluated in person.

http://bit.ly/3SdsA

JonathanK_VZW
VZW Support
Follow Us on Twitter@VZWSupport

[mrdutchie]

I already swapped the phone and sane thing. Have it with 3 phones.

So its -75 is good and -105 is bad?

On Aug 26, 2013 11:37 AM, "Verizon Wireless Customer Support" <

[Ann154]

mrdutchie wrote:

I already swapped the phone and sane thing.    Have it with 3 phones.

So its -75 is good and -105 is bad?

On Aug 26, 2013 11:37 AM, "Verizon Wireless Customer Support" <

Yes, the dBm level is displayed in negative numbers. A -105 is lower down then a -75 number.

[mrdutchie]

Ok inside at work its -118. And have a tower a few blocks away

[Ann154]

mrdutchie wrote:

Ok inside at work its -118. And have a tower a few blocks away

Yikes! That's low! The building materials or surroundings are definitely blocking the signal from reaching the phone.

My signal on an S4 drops to 3G at work, but the signal is - 87 dBm 4 asu.

[mrdutchie]

Never seen it that low.. would those antenna sticker thingies help that

you put behind the battery

[Ann154]

Are you referring to the -118 dBm or -87 dBm? A -118 is basically nonexistent signal for all signal types. A -87 dBm on 3G is decent.

If you see a -120 dBm, there is no signal that's usable.

[mrdutchie]

to the  -118 one.

Interesting though.. I found a Battery test program,  and with the Test, you can change the Connection.  I went from DMCA/LTE (think that's what it was called)  to  GSM  just for the heck of it.

but then I had 3G only  BUT I got 3 bars instead of 1.

But since that option is not in the menu settings,  I put it back and suffer the -118

with the GSM setting though I went to   -91

[Klue]

Your definatly have an overheating problem. and it could be the source to your problems.  Overheating to a point where it is uncomfortable to hold to your face is not normal. The phone is defective and should be returned.  I have this phone for almost 2 months and with heavy use the back side stays cool to the touch.

You said you switched networks from general and back.  My phone only has Global, LTE/CDMA, andCSM/UMTS. I use Global and never had a problem with calls or and texts SMS or MMS.  I'm in an area that continually provides me with 3 bars of signal strength and a reading at -77Dbm's and that is pretty good.

If you bought these at a brick and motor store take them back and ask for replacements and do not leave the store with the new phones until you are completly satisfied with it's operation. This is a top end phone and is normally free from problems, at least for me so far. The problems you are experiencing out of the box is way over the top.

Good Luck