Child Item

Site Totals

61363 Questions Answered 267 Categories

texting problem with new Windows Phone 8 update

I think the update is called GDR3, but I am unsure. I am currently running OS version 8.0.10327.77. I have a Windows Phone HTC 8x with Verizon as my carrier. I just downloaded and installed this update yesterday (new features listed here: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/how-to/wp8/basics/windows-phone-8-update-history). Of course, being part of Verizon, I was excited to finally use group texting and I liked the radio feature and Google account compatibility assurance. Though all of those work well (I am assuming), there are now new problems that were not issues before this update.

First Issue: "Can't send message. Try again."

As seen in this image:

No matter how many times I hit try again, it does nothing. I can copy and paste the text and it will result with nothing. i can try to type a completely new message and nothing. When I get these texting "blocks", it isn't just for one contact but all of them. It has nothing to do with reception or internet as I am in areas with strong reception and access to both. This texting failure would never happen prior to the update and it is quite frustrating that it now does. This error only happens when texting, but if i switch to Facebook it works completely fine. However, I don't communicate via Facebook and neither do my friends. We text and right now about 50% of my day results in failed texts.

2nd Issue: Slower phone

Everything my phone does is now a second or more slower. Open texting, email, an app...whatever- it all takes longer to do and is looses its fluidity it had before.

3rd Issue: data operations don't work as well.

Anything using data when I am away from wifi either fails or takes exponentially longer to use. Internet browsing is agonizing now when I need directions or quick answers. This may in correlation to issue #2, but I am certain all of these are related to the overall new update.

Please fix. I love Windows Phone when it works, but with the bugs and "late in the game" on apps and features that are staples on Android and IOS devices, it sure makes it difficult to be a Windows Phone fan. I want to be able to brag about my Windows Phone with anyone/everyone so they will want to get one too.

FollowrOfChrist

Comments

winHTC8x

I have this SAME problem on all 5 windows 8 phones my family uses! All 5 devices worked fine PRIOR to the latest update. I have called Verizon and they cannot figure it out. Of course they told me that no one else has this problem. Verizon needs to address this as we aren't the only 2 people with this issue! Verizon, PLEASE HELP! We need to post this on Twitter and Facebook to get them to address this.

FollowrOfChrist

When I went to the store, they told me that this was a "known issue". They had me turn off my phone and they did something to improve my phone's connection to the tower or whatever. Once I turned my phone back on, everything worked fine...for about three days. The tech people on the phone at the Verizon store told me if the problem arose again, I should reset (soft) my phone, which I really didn't want to do, because it is a royal pain, but this past Friday, I reluctantly did it and.... (dramatic pause)... The problem is still there so the advice given was bologne. AT&T Windows Phones don't have this issue. This is creating communication problems with family and friends. Please help us Verizon.

FollowrOfChrist

Sent from my Windows Phone

winHTC8x

When I called, they had me also do a soft reset. They also removed texting from my account, then added it back. They did this for all 5 devices. This worked for about 1 day. This is causing us to not be able to respond to business issues. I don't understand why Verizon won't fix. This is a huge issue! Probably need to call into their Corporate Office and ask for assistance. This is the only way it will get fixed sooner rather then later.

jlaurie06

i am having the same problem! getting really frustrating! I've been powering down my phone and it works for the rest of the day. the next day, the problem is back! and of course, I am not eligible for an upgrade until Feb 2015!

>>Profanity removed<<

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

Major_Payne

I had the same problem after this release as well. I rebooted the phone let the battery run down etc. I haven't had any issues now for over a week with it so not sure if letting the battery run down in it or? took care of it.

winHTC8x

Here's what I recommend you all do. Call into Verizon Wireless' corporate office (private info removed). Ask to speak to Daniel Mead. You will be routed to his secretary, and explain that we are not getting anywhere with this problem and we need Mr. Mead's assistance in escalating this as the support team is doing nothing.

Content edited for private information as required by the Terms of Service.

Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

kwickone

Same issue with my wife's 8x, and also with a friend of hers who also has the 8x. This is unacceptable VZW? May have to convince my wife to join me on AT&T!

Mightym

I'm having the same issues with texting after the update. Had no such issues before the update. It is really starting to irritate me.

locochinoloco

I'm in the same boat .... even reboot doesn't solve the problem 100% of the time... *sigh*

HTC 8X with OS 8.0.10327.77

Major_Payne

My issue seems to have gone away after I let the battery run down and I cleared the saved thread I had for the people I was trying to text.

It hasn't acted up on me since. Not sure if this would help anyone else but hey it may be worth a shot.

winHTC8x

Thanks for the insight. I've just deleted all past threads for all people. The battery is full now, so I'll let that run down over night. I just can't believe Verizon is not acknowledging this.

locochinoloco

I'm not understanding how that might work from a technical standpoint, has

anyone tried a HARD RESET?

RLH03

I have the same problem as well, worked fine prior to GDR2 update. For the time being (until they decide to fix this issue) I usually toggle airplane mode off/on or restart phone. That usually temporary fixes the problem until I lose service in a building, then have to repeat the cycle.

prc9584

Same issue here, I however just toggle airplane mode on and off to solve, but still this is a major reason I swapped from Android was to avoid the constant radio cycle. While this appears to be affecting only Verizon HTC 8X phones, I hope that someone can get a hotfix out immediately as this is an every or every other day occurrence.

Also anyone who has made the switch knows that to get your phone to an acceptable feel for use it takes a few hours of customization. Resetting to factory defaults is a lazy answer for something that is a manufacturer (or manufacturer's resellers) software issue. If I write code that breaks a workflow, guess what? I don't tell the customer to roll back to an older version, I fix my code...

Paying 1,000s of quick repliers pennies = worthless

Paying competent QA analysts a decent wage before deploying a release = Priceless

NOTE: This post has been submitted to Microsoft as well, even though this appears to be a 100% Verizon issue as no other carrier's have the identical issue.

demmo86rt

A factory reset won't roll back to an earlier version, it will just remove all user data. This can actually fix some issues with firmware updates because there may be some cache or other files used by the old version of the firmware, but that interfere with the updated version.

Major_Payne

Spoke too soon. the problem is back again. Seem when a save text conversation gets to be a certain size if fails to send anymore for that contact.

If I clear the thread then it lets me send to that person again.

Very frustrating.

DrewBreed

My wife and I have been having the exact same problems with our HTC 8x Windows Phones for a while now. Only 25% of our texts will go through. A lot of times we'll have to tap "retry" numerous times before they will go through. The temporary fix to the problem differs almost every time. Sometimes rebooting works. Sometimes switching airplane mode on and off works. Sometimes we delete the entire message thread and start a new one and they'll go through. We are VERY frustrated. It's dissapointing to think that Verizon is aware of this issue and won't at least put out an official statement about it. To me, this means that they don't know how to fix it. Meanwhile, we're still paying the same amount of money per month for their service. We have been loyal Verizon customers since our first cell phones. All of this nonsense has us both considering switching to another carrier.

CRhinebarger

Ugh ... I too have been having this issue. I've had NOTHING BUT issues with the 8X since I got it. I switched from Sprint to Verizon when my family and I moved to Maine of this year. I'm starting to regret it. I'm reset my phone numerous times (both soft and hard), I'm taped the SIM card, taken all my apps off ... nothing fixes the problem. I'm beyond frustrated and very disappointed. I'm really starting to think that switching to Verizon was a huge mistake. :smileysad:

baudborn

+1 Here.

Immediately after installing the GDR2 upgrade the "Try Again" issues appeared. I'm not sure but it seems like the signal strength for voice is also approaching Sprint levels. My phone has dropped more calls since updating. This is unacceptable.

Work requires that I ACK some automated reports via SMS. What used to take 30 seconds now can take 30 minutes.

If there were an admission with a statement of forthcoming research I could live with that. "The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem".

Tried:

Hard Reset x 2 - Results = "Try Again"

Running with no store apps for 3 days - Results = "Try Again"

Toggle cellular radio - Results = Intermittent but ultimately "Try Again"

Disabling Facebook Chat for People - Results = "Try Again"

Info:

OS - 8.0.10327.77

Firmware - 3030.03201.605

Radio Software - 0.17.50.0603

Radio Hardware - 2.126.3.D4

HTC 8x Verizon Text Problem

HTC 8x Verizon SMS Problem

Verizon SMS Problem

Try Again Verizon Text Message Problem|

Try Again HTX 8x Verizon SMS Problem

"Try Again" SMS Problem Verizon

"Try Again" HTC 8x SMS Problem Verizon

"Try Again" Text Problem Verizon

"Try Again" HTC 8x Text Problem Verizon

Verizon Review

Verizon Service Review

Verizon Service Problem

HTC 8x on Verizon

HTC 8x Verizon update

Verizon GDR2

HTC 8x GDR2

kwickone

My wife has found a workaround that works consistently every time. It is a ROYAL PAIN and TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, but it does work everytime (for her). When the dreaded "Try Again" message appears, reboot the phone, select the failed message and *forward* it to the same contact. Again, not good, but maybe provide some relief until VZW fixes the issue.

RLH03

After messing around a little more, I find that this problem generally occurs when I lose service and then regain service.

The current solution that I have found to be the most efficient:

1) Toggle Airplane mode off then back on

2) Then tap and hold the message with the dreadful "Try Again" and copy it.

3) Then paste the message and try to send it.

4) Delete the old message that is stuck with the "Try Again"

For some reason that if you lose service and you try and send a message, it seems as if that particular message gets permanently flagged with "No Service" or the status of having service is not passed along to that particular message and then gets stuck in the "Try Again" loop.

Let me know if this work around works or doesn't work. So far it has worked for me.

Ron H

Gryphon36

Hello, I wanted to chime in and say that this happens to me as well. I also picked up a Nokia 822 but it seems to have the same trouble. (As a minor correction, the update we recently got is GDR2. Rumors point to GDR3 being done soon but pry won't release around till November with carrier testing and all)

Here's kinda what usually happens for me:

Precondition: Properly functioning device, able to send and receive SMS/MMS.

Happens on both normal cell network and under network extender coverage.

1. Send SMS or MMS message to contact from Messaging App

2. Receive error - "Can't send message Try again"

3. Repeatedly tap "Try again"

4a. Message successfully sends.

4b. Continue to receive "Can't send message Try again"

5. Receive incoming phone call and hang up

6. Return to message app and "Try again"

7. Message successfully sends

Also, Rebooting usually doesn't work for me. Calling Verizon and having them monkey around with your local network stuff fixes it for a day or two.

Prior to the GDR2 update this issue happened sporadically with both devices. Post GDR2 sending messages is more reliable in general but this issue is more repeatable. I had similar issues with the HTC Thunderbolt I had prior to this. If this doesn't get fixed soon I'm thinking about either getting an iPhone for iMessaging or jumping to AT&T.

I've been getting stuck unable to download MMS messages too. Anyone have a fix for that?

MathMonkeyMan

I am also having this problem. I have only been able to fix it on one occasion, and it was by deleting the thread that was giving me trouble. Not being able to text on a smart phone is akin to not being able to speak on a land-line. An empty "we're on it" from Verizon would be nice.

prc9584

Below is my latest post put on the Microsoft board. Also I tried the solution above running the battery completely dead to where it self shut off, but issue still appears.

Link:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/winphone/forum/wp8-wptext/after-gdr2-on-verizon-htc-8x-intermittent-cant/3f521fa3-2fa3-463c-a175-52d3f00df6a0?page=2

It would be really nice and, well frankly expected, that Microsoft and/or Verizon tuck their tails of pride, own up to this, that it is not working and start working on a solution. Resetting your phone, us discussing work arounds that work or don't work is the equivalent of us saying it's okay for car dealerships are okay to sell us cars with holes in the gas tank. We can always put more gas in there, but is it right that it has a hole in it? NO!!! First, admit the problem which is blatantly obvious there is one and let the people know you are working on a fix!

Pride and the fear of admitting mistakes holds back true innovation!

Items that may point your developers in the right direction:

1) Redo your QA process on Verizon based phones

2) Pay close attention to when you loose connection and regain it to try and text right after. Maybe have your staff ride the elevator a couple times with phone in hand. I'm about 95% certain you can reproduce the issue if you do so.

3) See picture below copied from the Verizon thread. Until you: toggle airplane mode, reboot phone, or do some other ridiculously annoying time wasting effort to reset your connection to the closet network/tower, no matter how many times you try to send a text message you will get the ever so wonderful "Can't send message Try again" message.

4) If I have 2 nearly identical environments getting 2 different results, I find where the difference is. Well we know it's Verizon, not T-Mobile, not AT&T, IT'S VERIZON! What do you do differently to establish connection to the LTE network that you do for other carriers? What security layers are different? What calls in your OS have dependencies that aren't met with the Verizon network? etc.

5) Is it ultimately a Verizon or Microsoft issue? I cannot say. But is it a huge pain in the #$% that your customer's who love this phone have to deal with nearly daily? Yes, to the point of if it does not change soon, back to Android/IOS/Other carriers we will go.

6) Last but not least, INFORM YOUR CUSTOMERS. Let us know that you too know it's an issue and not just sick the underpaid and usually undereducated in the subject blogger to write the canned "reset your phone" it the same song and dance that used to be labeled "reboot your device", but then the general public got too smart and they now do that one before calling to here this new line of cover story.

Major_Payne

A "hey we recognize there is a problem here" would go along ways to letting customers know you care.

This issue has added lots of unnecessary "steps" to use a very basic function of a phone (even non-smart phones text)

It's disappointing cause till this issue I've had a good experience with the 8X HTC.

JoeDFisher

I and my wife both have these phones and also are experiencing this problem... it is a real pain!

Sendmalevant

Here as well...

Major_Payne

Anybody heard ANYTHING on when this might get fixed?

It's getting old to have to clear message threads, toggle airplane mode and reboot the phone daily.

FollowrOfChrist

I haven't heard anything

Michael

Sent from my Windows Phone

amrone

I have a Lumia 920 on AT&T, and am not familiar with your issue, perhaps it is just a Verizon thing. That said, AT&T has their issues too, primarily as they have not rolled out the Amber update with GDR2 yet, nor have they even issued a release date. I finally gave up and flashed the ROM on my phone to unbrand it, which immediately allowed the Amber/GDR2 update to occur. My phone works much better now (no text issues that are discussed in this thread), but my wife and kids were afraid to flash their phones (voids the AT&T warranty, and there is a small risk of bricking the phone), so they're still waiting for their updates; and when they do receive the update, AT&T will have removed the Data Sense app, which is a really valuable part of the update (I have been considering switching to Verizon, do they strip out Data Sense?)

Concerning the Verizon text problem after GDR2, take a look in the Access Point app (under Settings), and see if you have multiple Verizon connection options (I see 3 different AT&T options with mine: 3G, LTE1 and LTE2), so perhaps it would be worth trying a different Access Point to see if that might fix the problem. If not, or if you lose all connectivity, just switch back to the current setting.

Good luck,

Andy

syntheticj

Ok so I am not the only one with this problem, I hope someone fixes this soon. what a pain in my butt!

Gryphon36

5) I gave up on the 8X and switched to a Nokia 928. Only have had the new phone for a couple days but I've had no problems at home or work where the 8X (and 822) were always flaking out. Could be worth looking into if you're as fed up as I was. There are some sad stories in the 928 forum too but the one that I got has been rock solid. I'll update if that ceases to be the case.

Gryphon36

The 928, 8X, and 822 I've had post-Amber all have Data-Sense.

At the risk of losing my credibility, I don't think the Verizon phones have the Access Point app that the AT&T phones have.

If you do switch to Verizon, I give the 928 a thumbs up and the 8X and 822 thumbs down.

Chasewarden

No. I do too. The Window's phone is a piece of shit. My kids have iPhones and haved no issues.

kinglin

Please fix this. Its driving me nuts!

I would confirm the earlier post that the issue arises after the phone goes out of service and then comes back into service area. I ride the subway every day (where there is obviously no service) and every time I exit the subway I must cycle Airplane Mode on and off before being able to send text messages.

This is TOTALLY unacceptable

Yrral3215

Same problem with my 8X and my wifes 8X.

This sucks!

Redheadjq

Good news for the texting problem. Just completed a live chat and was told "

It looks like the texting thing is going to be fixed when a patch is sent to the phone within the next couple weeks." help is on its way!

seacreature

I have been experiencing the same issue since the latest software update in August/September. To be able to send a message when this occurs requires me to power cycle the phone.

Other issues I have been experiencing:

Sim card not detected- Began experiencing issue approximately one month after owning on two separate phones. Issue acknowledged by Verizon and HTC. Response has been to perform a hard reset of the phone to integrate software patch/update and they even sent me a new phone. Still have the problem after both attempted solutions.

Phone powering off on its own- Issue started around August/September, around the same time as the recent software update.

I experience at least one of the these problems a day at this time and usually more than once.

LWatson77

I started having the same issue today. Tried to send the text over and over, just kept being told "Try Again." But at the same time, texts were coming in from my friends, one of which sent me a Facebook message because she never heard from me because of the failed text messages not going through. Yeah, this isn't annoying at all. Like another person said, I really want to be a fan of Windows Phone and sing it's praises to others, but so far, it has been nearly impossible to do. This is the worst phone I've ever owned in my life, and I've owned a lot.

How hard is a fix for this??????????

Major_Payne

I understand. Some of us have had to deal with this issue since we received GDR2.

Way too long to have to endure a problem like this.

DennisVipond

I am able to receive text's but cannot send them. I rebooted and turned on and off airplane mode to no avail. Finally turning off WIFI and turning it back on fixed it. Hopefully problem will not come back.

Major_Payne

Would be nice if Verizon actually acknowledged this issue.

I have to do one or more of the "workarounds" almost daily to get text messaging to work. This has been going on since the GDR2 update..........................................................

Yrral3215

My wife and I both have been fighting this since the up-date. We are getting fed up.

I just read on another forum about two different people returning their phones to Verizon and getting full credit for what they paid toward a brand new - different - phone.

You don't have to stick with HTC or Windows if you don't want to.

Apparently it takes some persistence with customer service and insisting on moving up the ladder to supervisors, but you can get a brand new phone.

Id suggest everyone who is fed up with this do just that.

Major_Payne

Would be nice if Verizon just actually admitted there is a problem and promptly fixed it.

Let us know if you are successful in getting them to swap out your phone etc.

I know my phone is getting progressively worse as I have the issue occur at least a couple times per day now.

The most frustrating part is there hasn't been one response from a Verizon rep to this thread.

demmo86rt

There hasn't been a rep response to this thread because it wasn't marked as a question.

Major_Payne

I see.

Figured there'd be some "response" from them considering the size this thread has grown to though.

csreno

I'm a new user of Windows phones (full disclosure, I work for Microsoft) and just started having this text problem with my 8x. In the first 30 days of having the phone I had noticed intermittent problems where texts wouldn't go through on first or second try, but they would always work on the third try, so it wasn't a major concern of mine. This morning however I could not get any to go through, regardless of cell signal, roaming settings, WiFi signal, etc. Interesting though, I was able to receive texts. I tried toggling on/off the roaming and cellular data settings in the Cellular section but they did not work. The only one that worked was to turn off/on WiFi. I must say, as soon as I turned it back on I could send text messages again. I'll keep an eye on this and see if anything changes, but this might be the easiest way to get around the problem until Verizon/Microsoft/HTC fixes it.

Yrral3215

The same fix does not work for everyone. It doesnt even work all the time for some people.

For some WiFi works, for some Airplane mode on/off works, for some it take a reboot.

For me, sometimes cycling Airplane mode works. Once cycling WiFi worked. Most of the time I have to do all three - on/off and cycle WiFi AND cycle Airplane mode - but even that doesn't always work. My wifes phone will often just start working again on its own. Most of the time just powering on/off works for her - but not always.

The only thing consistent with all reports is that it started with the last up-date.

radmanvr

I believe GDR3 will fix this issue.

Major_Payne

One can hope cause this issue seems to be getting worse lately for me.

kinglin

GDR3 update came to my phone today. Issue still persists. This is absolutely ridiculous.

csreno

Same here. Got the update last week and still having intermittent issues.

Deanpaz

Same issue after GDR3. Ridiculous. If any one EVER gets an answer that actually FIXES the problem, please post.

dricehomes

I have the same issues with my 8x. Can't send text. Can't read sim card. And seems to turn off whenever it feels like it. I have taken it to Verizon for all 3 problems and they are absolutely useless. I haven't noticed the Sim card issue or it turning off whenever it wants to since the last update tho, so that's a plus. But I have to deal with the can't send text issue on a daily basis, and it really makes me want to throw it at the wall sometimes...

Deanpaz

This appears to be a Verizon 4G LTE issue as my Daughter's I-Phone 5 has the EXACT same texting issue. She has to reboot then copy and paste the text into another text box to be able to send. None of the 3G phones on my account have this issue including Windows Mobile 7 and I-Phone 4S.

gregoryz_83

I had an interesting conversation with a Level 2 tech at Verizon named Chris. While he could not fully explain the cause of the issue, it seems to have something to do with the SMS traffic and the "Switch" that the cell phone is connected to at the time. He "cleared the traffic" and reset some things with my account on the switch.

I honestly have no idea what this all means but for now it seems to have resolved the issue. I can tell you that I will keep calling and bothering them if this fix is not permanent.

He also recommended as I travel a lot, that I power cycle the device at each new location I go to. Hard resets the switch connection as apposed to my phone just jumping to a new switch that is available.

Child Item