samsung note 4 poor cell signal reception

[prvzw]

I am using the note 4 for about 6 months now. The poor signal is becoming in tolerable at home, it will go through the cycle of 4G 2 bar, 1 bar, 3G, 1X, no signal. We also own samsung S5 and iphone 6 and both have very stable 4G (2-3 bars) signal right next to the note4!

To be exact, when my note 4 has a signal strength of 118 dbm, the other phones have 110 dbm or better, even with the SAME cell station (based on app "network info").

I called the Verizon technical support. They were very nice and sent me a new sim card. But that did not solve the problem.

I then reset the phone, and reverted it back to kitkat 4.4, and that did not help. So it was not lollipop upgrade.

I am now back to lollipop via OTA and the signal is as weak as before.

I don't think I have a bad phone because it is superb at work where I have full xLTE signal (4-5 bars).

In conclusion, note 4 either has a weaker antenna or it needs a software fix.

[vzw_customer_support]

We want you to get the same stellar service as your boyfriends phone Misskimmy. We want you to love your phone and service but for you not to feel that way, saddens me. Not giving up hope though! And for this to be happening is very interesting. Do you happen to remember when you had the full service bars you mentioned above? If not, that is ok. Just wanted to see if we can look back to see what may have gone on that day.

Since this has been happening, have you powered your phone off ( taken SIM Card out ) for at least 1-2 minutes, put SIM Card back in and power the phone on again ?

-TakendraW_VZW

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[Misskimmy]

I have pulled the SIM as suggested below. I’ve actually tried every single thing I’ve read on forums with no luck. And the phone is constantly “finding location”. Like maybe it keeps losing it? Anyway, I do remember exactly when the bars zoomed up to full bar status because it’s the same day I rec’d an e-mail and text message from Verizon telling me my trade-in old phone (Note 2) had been rec’d back at Verizon. At that point I checked my new phone because I had been thinking about going back to the store and telling them there was a problem with it, and that’s when I noticed it had suddenly gone up to full bars. I told my BF that maybe my account had been on some kind of limited status until the old phone was rec’d back, or that Verizon had found something that had been set up wrong and had fixed it on their end. At that point the Note 4 had full bars just as the Note 2 always had at my home location.

That was on a Thursday and by the following Sunday it had crashed back down to just 1 or 2 bars. I guess I was just spoiled with the Note 2 having such excellent coverage at my house which is very close to the tower. Is it possible it’s not finding the correct towner?

My home address is 6611 Nightingale Lane, Knoxville, TN, 37909.

Thank you,

Kim Stewart

[prvzw]

If you can,  I suggest you return it for something else. I am convinced it's a hardware design problem. Maybe it's in all note4 or just some. I smashed my note4,  got a droid turbo and my signal has been as steady as other phones in the house. If you like large screen,  LG g4 just came out and has a neat curved screen.

[dudley3617]

Having the same issue. It defaults to data all the time too. I just removed an app called touch wiz. Did  another soft  reboot. Think it may have helped. See if you have this app and remove it.

[jarbro]

I have the same issue with my Samsung Note 4. I don't get any bars in my new community (zip 76065). The area coverage map indicates "blanket" coverage. I read all the associated posts and it appears that there isn't a fix. My question: what our alternative? Will Verizon make us whole or are we stuck with the Note 4?

[vzw_customer_support]

jarbro, we want you to have the best coverage available for your area. I'm here to help. When did you move to the new community? Is this issue only happening there or in other places as well?

Please keep us posted!

EbonyR_VZW
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[jarbro]

Thanks for responding. It just happened when I moved from California to

Texas, I moved to Midlothian Texas the second week in July 2015. Some parts

of Midlothian I get reception but not at my house -- no bars. However, I

can use my Verizon Jet Pack for my data connection.

On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 6:06 PM, Verizon Wireless Customer Support <

[vzw_customer_support]

Thank you for keeping us updated, jarbro. Let's work together to provide you with the best service possible. Are you able to use the data on your phone, or is that being interrupted too? Do you experience dropped calls, muffled sound, what exactly are you experiencing? I do see some areas of opportunity around this zip code. Have you looked into a possible Network Extender? A network extender will enhance wireless coverage into your home. For more details regarding how it works and the requirements, click http://vz.to/1i37AzC .

JorgeO_VZW
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[jarbro]

Answers to your questions: Are you able to use the data on your phone, or

is that being interrupted too?* No when I don't have any "bars" the Note 4

is basically non-functional for any outside communications.* Do you

experience dropped calls, muffled sound, what exactly are you experiencing? *I

experience drop calls when I enter my sub-division--then the closer I get

to my house my "bars" totally disappear.Bottom line--my Note 4 doesn't work

in my new housing subdivision*. I do see some areas of opportunity around

this zip code. Have you looked into a possible Network Extender? *No, I

don't know what a network extender is. *

[vzw_customer_support]

Jarbro,

Thanks so much for that awesome information. I know the importance of having a working phone so let's dig deeper. With the question of the Network Extender, it acts as a mini cell tower for your home. Here's more information to read over: http://vz.to/1DVuTfa Let us know if you have any questions.

TakendraW_VZW
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If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[cwaters2064]

Why isn't this fixed yet?! I pay far too much to have my phone ruined after a terrible update. I've never had signal problems until this recent update. I've been with verizon for over 15 years. I will be canceling my service this month if this isn't fixed. Terrible excuse for customer service. Stop wasting time with useless, asinine responses to this thread, and escalate this issue up to someone who can do something about it.

[vzw_customer_support]

cwaters2064, we would not want to see you go due to these concerns. I absolutely understand this can be an annoyance and we want to get to the bottom of this for you. Have you tried any of the steps listed above? 

Also we want to make sure that your software has the most recent version: http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-121759/ 

Let’s make sure all things have been covered and then we will proceed to next steps. I agree, having a working phone is key and we’d love to work on this with you to see what’s going on.

TakendraW_VZW
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[rmervin]

I purchased the Note 4 May 30th. The cellular reception is poor. Wireless cannot be configured configured to accept Cisco certificates in my workplace. This appears to be a universal issue with Note 4 devices running Android 5. I had none of these issues on my Note 2 running Android 4.4.2. I accepted the 5.0.1 update but this does not address the known issues.

I have never had a properly working device since I purchased it with Android 5. I am contracted to purchase the phone for  $699 so I am waiting for an update to correct the issues or a class action lawsuit whichever comes first. I would prefer the update. I understand that this was a very good phone once.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hi RMervin,

Software updates should enhance the device! So sorry to hear that this not occuring. Does the poor reception issue everywhere or just in specific locations? How many bars of signal do you typically average on the device? Just to confirm, are you stating the Wi-fi on the device doesnt accept your companies wireless security certificates?

Thanks,
PamelaF_VZW
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[rmervin]

Hello,

I see 3 bars at home, 1 bar at the office. My business phone an iphone 5c, also on Verizon, has 4 bars at my home and 2 bars at the office.

We use Cisco ISE and Cisco ASA for our wireless networks at work. I have a Samsung Note 2014, Galaxy Note 2, and iphone 5c configured for 802.1x EAP , MSCHAPV2 wireless security. The note Note 4 will not accept the certificate and cannot be connected to our wireless networks.

Thanks..

[vzw_customer_support]

rmervin,

Those details are a big help! The bars don't always mean the same things on every phone as there isn't really a standard between different manufacturers. That it changes consistently is good to know. What happens when you try to accept the certificate? Do you get any errror?

AndrewT_VZW
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[rmervin]

My cellular reception comparison is apples to oranges, but I only have one Samsung phone in service. Still I know there is a difference in service quality since I switched from the Note 2 to 4. I ran hotspot from the old phone but can't browse from the new phone at the same location..

When I try to access wireless at the office I will either get bounced back to the configuration page or it stays at connecting and I have also seen an authentication error. When we look at the logs we see an authentication error. In the Cisco ISE configuration the client accepts the certificate and is prompted to install the Cisco Network Assistant Setup. I have seen this work, testing with the Note 2014 tablet. In Our Cisco ASA configuration the client only accepts a certificate, I used this from the tablet and the Note 2.

[vzw_customer_support]

rmervin,

That is a big help to know! Is your Note able to connect to any other wi-fi sources still? Do you know if there is any possible update available for the router you are having trouble connecting to?

AndrewT_VZW
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[rmervin]

WPA/WPA2/FT PSK works fine. I've asked a network engineer to open a ticket with Cisco regarding ISE/ASA certificates and Android 5 . I compared signals with a Galaxy S6. Signal strengths are identical. I have considered putting the Note 2 back on my account for comparison. Since the reception has changed drastically here at the office I also have to wonder if there has not been a change at the tower.

[rmervin]

I had an opportunity to compare service at another location where I had used mobile hotspot for several days on my Galaxy Note 2 (the month before buying the Note 4). Just as in my home service area, I get low bars, and cannot use mobile hotspot. I also had the first call drops I have seen in years. I have to conclude there is a problem with the phone that is not being addressed either by Samsung or Verizon or both...I contacted Samsung prior to posting here and recv'd the same sort of treatment..

[vzw_customer_support]

I understand how frustrating it can be when you experience difficulites with service on your phone rmervin. When did you start experiencing dropped calls on your Note 4? When you went to test service in a different location, was this still in the same zip code? What zip code are you in? What was advised when you called Samsung?

Thank You,
MichelleS_VZW
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