Note 4 significant Bluetooth connectivity issues

Using my previous Note 3, my Bluetooth has worked flawlessly with my 2013 Subaru Impreza factory car stereo. Now, however, the Bluetooth must be manually reconnected each time I get in the car. The device remains, but the "call audio" and "media audio" never remain check marked.

Taking a look at XDA-Developer forums and Android Central, etc... there are many people complaining about Bluetooth issues.

For some, they cannot get album information, and for others, they cannot maintain a connection. It looks like a glitch with the new Bluetooth 4.1 standard.

For those, like me, with car stereo problems, it isn't only factory head units that are having the problem, but all across the board.

How can we get word to both Verizon and Samsung that there is a definite Bluetooth problem with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4?

Accepted answers

calvinroks

I finally have information (but not a fix) as to why my Note 4 is having bluetooth connection problems on my 2014 Nissan Altima. The Nissan bluetooth department told me that it's a known Samsung issue that they're working on. Apparently, the Note 4 and Edge all use the newest AVCRP 1.5, which nobody else uses yet. Nissan told me that they were told my Samsung, that in their next update, they're going to revert the phones back to AVCRP 1.3, which is the standard in the industry. I don't know when that will happen, but at least I know why now. I have no idea what AVCRP is, by the way. I'm just relaying the info from bluetooth support.

All comments

QuietStormzx9

I haven't had connectivity issues but I have noticed that sometimes the audio/call quality of the call messes very badly to the point where you cant understand the conversation at all I will have to disconnect the call. When I tried a different bluetooth I had the same problem. I've had same two headsets with Note 3 and had no problems. The need to correct this ASAP!

BTernes

I also have this issue. I switched from an iPhone where I never had issues with my car stereo bluetooth, until I tried the Note 4. The call audio is horrible. It breaks up every 2 seconds. I tried a different bluetooth device and same issue. I even updated the firmware on my Kenwood radio. I can listen to music through bluetooth with no issues and it sounds wonderful. I use my bluetooth calling daily and am sad that the quality is so bad. I do hope this can be fixed ASAP. I will try to submit to samsung and see what they may do.

justcrusin

I am also having the same issue. The Bluetooth initially pairs, but then it does not connect automatically. Came from an iPhone without any issues.

2012 Hyundai Sonata.

emtownsend1

Here's something else!

I started using Next Launcher 3D for my everyday launcher and now, when I unlock the screen (still the stock unlock with swipe-to-unlock) it will disconnect my Bluetooth midstream! Then, after a few seconds, it will reconnect automatically to the stereo and keep streaming. So, once connected to BT, and an active stream is playing, it will reconnect fine. As soon as the car is switched off, then the BT goes back to manual.

BTernes

I contacted Samsung and they said to get a Samsung bluetooth to see if it

still has an issue and if it does to do a soft reset. So no help. Bluetooth

has standards. Should all work the same. Hopefully enough people will start

complaining to make them listen.

Brenda Ternes

cceller

Same issue. I came from a Note 3 which worked perfectly. Note 4 pairs and every time I enter the car after I get a pairing failed message (Hyundai).

jdbrown72

Same problem. I came from a Droid Maxx which worked with my 2014 Accord's Bluetooth perfectly. Now with my Note 4, it connects but album/song info doesn't display and phone calls most of the time won't come thru the car's audio. I like everything else about the Note 4, but this is becoming annoying on the verge of being a deal breaker.

calvinroks

johnboy813

Also, if the screen is locked you cannot initiate a Bluetooth call, you can receive one but not initiate one. And I cannot just turn on my headset and have it connect, I have to go into the Bluetooth settings and tap the headset name to get it to connect. Very frustrating phone.

amberina

Have you found any app or work around to fix this? It makes me crazy

Lisya

Great! I have had the same problem as everyone else! It is so frustrating!

edwinhernandez1986

Ok so I also want add to this serious issue that has been overlooked by Samsung. Coming from a long line of HTC devices from HTC Evo 4G on Sprint all the way to latest HTC One (M8). I never encountered so many issues with Bluetooth. First music over bluetooth sound quality is horrible constant clicking, popping sound as if I were playing an old film or old vinyl record. Secondly Metadata information is displayed on car head unit whenever it wants and constantly gets stuck and doesnt update correct song information. The Metadata issue is across all newer galaxy devices so Samsung should work on fixing this sooner rather than later. The popping clicking noises seems to be my note 4 only. This noise occurs with all music apps including videos. I really love this phone but these 2 issues all related to bluetooth are really making my experience sour. SAMSUNG Verizon fix this issue soon or I know my next phone won't be a Samsung.

rkwilcox

Also having the same problem with routine disconnects. I'm experiencing most of my issues with bluetooth headsets and not the car however. I can't imagine a 3rd party launcher could be the problem, but I thought I would throw out there that I am using Nova Launcher.

nothingelse7

Same issues here. I recently bought the Wahoo Tickr Run bluetooth heart rate monitor and the signal strength is horrible. If I stand 1 - 2 feet away it disconnects from the monitor. The heart rate monitor works perfectly fine with our ipod and I can easily go 10 - 15 feet away with no issues.

NancyRoberts

Hey All,

Had a similar problem and solved it...caveat here...may not be relevant to all the issues here.

So have a Note 4 that was having no problem initially talking to my bluetooth ear piece. But over the past several days, they lost communication. Maybe relate/maybe not...also was having connectivity issues with our wifi and had to remove our security to connect.

The Samsung live chat suggested uninstalling recently installed apps. I realized my kids had installed Smart Remote and Sector 33 (NASA). I uninstalled both and restarted my phone. That was it. Immediate results.

Might give this approach a try. Sure can't hurt anything.

Best of luck!!

cceller

Samsung suggested I do a reset of the phone so I bit the bullet and did, same result,

Thanks Samsung, lots of work for nothing!

Verizon_Support

Thanks for being proactive and driving hands free cceller! I appreciate you doing the reset as well. Have you checked to see if your car is compatible with your device? Check http://vz.to/1zOZ5Ed to see if you car is compatible. Do you get an error message on any other car?

Please share details.

AmberF_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

cceller

Wow, I had never seen that list.

Even more shocking is that Hyundai is not on there ....

Is this Verizon or Samsung or Hyundai's fault?

amberina

The issue seems to be with the 4.1 Bluetooth technology. There is some sort of glitch. I have been struggling with this issue since December, with Verizon telling me to call Samsung, and Samsung telling me to call Subaru. Other phones pair just fine with my car, so it isn't the car. It is definitely the phone, as I can't get it to pair with anything. It has never paired with my car, or any of the speakers I have at home. Of course it worked in the Verizon store with their brand new speakers...

CoolV300C

When you pair the phone does your car ask for permission to access messages? If it does try hitting remember and cancel. I found bluetooth is stable if I do this, but it means the car won't read texts. At least everything else will work until they admit there is a problem and fix it.

dilbertaz

I have the Plantronics Voyager Edge headset with the Note 4 and it works flawlessly, no disconnect issues unless I am over 30 feet away (usually more like 40 feet). Call quality is fine with no audio problems even on full 1-1.5 hour telecons multiple times a week.

chapmast78

I have the Galaxy Note Edge. No problems connecting to anything, just no audio on my bluetooth speaker. My previous phone was the Galaxy S5 which had no bluetooth problems so I am assuming it is the new protocol screwing up everything.

haripopuri

I have Bluetooth issues with my 2015 CR-V. Bluetooth connects and it works for calls, but it doesn't work for Audio. When I select Bluetooth audio on my car, it says, No Device Connected.

I contacted Honda and Samsung. No resolution yet. Waiting for response.

Honda also has weird mechanism, when I connect my phone using USB, it says the phone is now connected to car using MirrorLink and gets locked. It won't let me use phone unless I disconnect from USB.

I read online that the Mirror Link is for iPhone and Honda is selling special cable for that. If they designed it only for iPhone, it should recognize other phone types and should not do MirrorLink.

amberina

I went to the Subaru dealership this week, and they received a bulletin regarding bluetooth connective issues on 2/19. I was told to change the pass code on my vehicle to all zeroes (0000) and then try to pair the phone to the car. Suprizingly it worked!! Also, you have to pair the phone using the controls on the steering wheel, not the radio unit. Not sure why, but if you pair using the radio, the phone will not autoconnect each time you get in the car. If you use the steering wheel controls it will. Isn't technology amazingly quirky?!

CoolV300C

haripopuri,

Apparently MirrorLink isn't only an iphone feature. Our phones do support mirror link. When your phone connects and this activates, you will not be able to operate the phone directly. Instead you are supposed to use your car radio's controls to operate the phone instead.

I have no idea if this actually works as my car's system doesn't support mirrorlink.

What I am surprised by is that Honda said they have a "special" cable for MirrorLink, when in fact connecting via a USB cable should be all that is necessary to support the feature.

Hope it helps.

haripopuri

When it activates MirrorLink, I don't see any options or commands from Car

radio controls. I don't see anything on touch screen display on vehicle.

There is a Honda IOS cables set and someone wrote that it works for him

using those cables. Nothing for Android devices.

I am using Maps in my Note 4 and continue charging my phone using USB, it

goes to MirrorLink and I can't see my directions anymore. I don't see maps

displaying on CR-V display. If that MirrorLink displays whatever I am doing

on my phone, it would be perfect.

I deselected the MirrorLink box on phone as soon as I connect, hoping that

would stop MirrorLink, but it reconnects every few seconds and phone screen

goes off.

Another problem is bluetooth audio.

I listen to music from my phone (songs stored in phone) and it doesn't play

music. When I play music on phone, sound comes from CR-V speakers, but skip

forward/back buttons doesn't work.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

On Wed, Feb 25, 2015 at 11:34 PM, CoolV300C <forums@verizonwireless.com>

CoolV300C

your Note 4 uses multiple modes via the same usb port so I wouldn't put too much focus on the cable as being the problem. Clearly the phone detects mirrorlink with the car with the cable you have so that isn't the problem.

I would go into settings and uncheck the mirrorlink box *before* making the connection to the USB cable. I've seen behaviour already with the phone that disabling car mode after bluetooth connection causes car mode to enable periodically, making it impossible to operate the phone.

Your honda should have an option to turn mirrorlink off as well. If not, this is a problem that should be taken up with them.

I have fast charging turned on with my Note 4, which I suspect is incompatible with mirrorlink (been reading that charging is very limited when using mirrorlink), so my logic is that when I connect the usb I am expecting charging. Your phone should not detect mirrorlink if it turned off (again make sure it is off before connecting the usb cable).

Regarding bluetooth audio streaming: It sounds as if your Honda doesn't support AVRCP, minimum version 1.0 is required.

Here's some info regarding AVRCP:

version 1.0 - pause/play, ff/rew are supported from the radio

version 1.3 - all of version 1.0, plus metadata (track info and album art) displayed on the radio

version 1.4 - all of version 1.3, plus ability to navigate the phone using the radio's controls

The note 4 supports AVRCP 1.5, which I'm not aware of what is added above the previous versions.

Also, you should find out what bluetooth version the Honda supports as it seems that version 4.1 supported by the phone doesn't appear to be backward compatible. Given this Samsung has to prove backward compatibility. But not being able to use the radio to at least pause/play/rew/ff points to Honda. The reason I say this is my car's radio (Chrysler) can do this and it supports Bluetooth 3.1 AVRCP1.0, as compared to Bluetooth 4.1 AVRCP 1.5 on the Note 4.

To recap:

Disable mirrorlink from both the phone and honda should be available. It is a bug for either one which does not have an option for this. Samsung appears to have it, but you need to make sure you uncheck before connecting the usb. If honda does not have an option to turn off, that's a major flaw. Also, android may not require a special cable, especially for phones which have multi-mode capable usb ports, such as our phone.

Try enabling fast charging on the Note 4 in effort to make charging the priority over mirrorlink. (not sure this will work)

Find out what bluetooth and AVRCP versions are supported by Honda. This will help determine which side is at fault.

It sounds to me that Honda may be at fault given my car has older bluetooth and even much older AVRCP and I can use pause/play/rew/ff.

I know this is long and sorry for all of the words. Hopefully it helps.

pooki

I to have this problem I have a 2012 jeep grand never had problems before on any of the bluetooth phones I have used It worked fient the first week then won't stay connected. connects rings disconnects. It is conpatiabe with jeep. Can we get help and please don't say YOU call samsung lets work together as group to talk thru with the help of verizon super tech support?

edwinhernandez1986

Ok so I had previously reported I had major distorting sounds like the clicking you get when you are listening to a scratched cd on most modern computers or old portable cd players. My VW Jetta is on that list and still had issues so I knew it wasn't my car as I've never had this issue with any other phone except Note 4. I reset my phone twice with no luck and tried various techniques i found online to no avail. At last it has been fixed and i can listen to clean audio with no more metadata issues or clicking sounds. It was actually the old Kit Kat OS on the phone. Since I've updated to the new Lollipop 5.0.1 through the OTA update Verizon just released that problem seems to have disappeared. My phone runs much better than before as well. I recommend updating as this seems to be the fix we have all been waiting for.

pooki

It would be nice to get the issue with the bluetooth attaching and disattaching the my Note 4. I see I am not the only one. I have a Verizon customer serivce looking for a solution to this. Not Jeeps Ucinnect issue it is Samsung Verizon????>

KTJackson

I have not had any issues with my previous Samsung phones. Just the Note Edge.

StratemeyerJW

I just got a new galaxy note edge and am having issues with my bluetooth as well. I noticed that I can get my bluetooth to work just "ok" if I shut off wifi -> connect to bluetooth device and then reconnect wifi. I think the last update tweaked the kernel and is not supplying enough power to the bluetooth radio. I never had this issue with my galaxy S5. Very frustrating considering I use bluetooth everywhere. Car, house, etc. Samsung, can you provide us with a fix please???

virtualreality4me

Has anyone fixed this issue yet?

I went from a sprint note 4 with no bluetooth Issues,

to my Verizon note 4 and now can't stay connected to my sync in my 2009 ford fusion for more than 30seconds . someone suggested to uninstall smart remote, i tried this an still have connection issues.My car is listed as compatible on their pdf sheet also.

georgereston

dilbertaz wrote:

I have the Plantronics Voyager Edge headset with the Note 4 and it works flawlessly, no disconnect issues unless I am over 30 feet away (usually more like 40 feet). Call quality is fine with no audio problems even on full 1-1.5 hour telecons multiple times a week.

I'm glad for you (seriously!), but my Plantronics Voyager Edge headset is worthless to me now that I have my new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (with the Lollipop update). The Edge still works perfectly with my BlackBerry Z10 and my employer-issued Apple iPad Air 2. When I try to use it with my Note 4 the audio is so muted that I almost cannot tell that there is audio coming through the headset. This is true regardless of the volume settings on the Note 4. My voice sounds extremely muted to a caller on the other end of a phone call, too.

I have tried going back to my old Plantronics Voyager Legend with limited success. The call clarity and volume are very good, but the bluetooth connection will drop randomly, making it too unreliable to be useful.

I really want this phone to work for me because it has so many great features, but I use Bluetooth all the time, or at least I used to. The loss of bluetooth functionality is serious enough to make me consider returning the phone. It's 2015, and bluetooth isn't a new technology. This stuff should just work.