Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

Samsung Galaxy S Losing connectivity

Oct 11, 2011 7:20PM PDT

I have a Samsung Galaxy S on AT&T for over a year. In the beginning I had no problems to speak of but lately, in the last month or so, I have been having problems with connectivity. I completely lose my 3G connection resulting in my not receiving texts as well as not being able to get any internet connections. The only fix (workaround) I have found has been to completely shut down and reboot. And no, the phone isn't on Airplane mode either. I've attempted removing the battery on many occasions but nothing makes any difference. It happens more frequently lately. In fact the other day I needed to reboot when I woke in the morning and then later in the day, with the phone sitting on a desk completely unused, I found that I had to do it again. I did update to 2.2 a few months ago (AT&T was probably the LAST one that made it available), but I don't recall this problem existing immediately afterward. Looking at posts by others on other forums it appears to me that this is not unheard of, but there doesn't seem to be any fix available, or at least posted by anyone. I am reaching the point of total frustration. The phone itself is great, when it works properly. I am at my wits end since I can't rely on getting any messages and am constantly checking to see if my connection is alive or dead. I've received messages 6 hours after they were sent because I found that the phone was essentially dead due to this problem.

Discussion is locked

Crankypaul has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

- Collapse -
Same here.
Oct 13, 2011 2:22AM PDT

We're seeing that on Sprint and let's not write about the Blackberry mess.

I wonder if folk are unaware that these things are unreliable?
Bob

- Collapse -
re: Samsung Galaxy S Losing connectivity
Oct 13, 2011 4:11AM PDT

Nice to know that it's not an exclusive thing and even more encouraging to know that there doen't appear to be any know fix.

- Collapse -
Can I change the question?
Oct 13, 2011 5:43AM PDT

"Is this something that is known at this particular location or across other locations?"

Besides the Blackberry mess, I find it's more a matter of location. My phone works better on the front porch than the patio out back. My neighbor has been doing the same when we don't want a drop during the call.

It appears to not be a device/carrier issue but a location issue.
Bob
<div class="inter-pagination collapsable"> </div>

- Collapse -
Re: 3G connectivity
Oct 13, 2011 7:48PM PDT

My phone HAS worked relatively flawlessly in the past year. The problem now is losing connectivity. It's random, and it never used to happen. I'm talking places that always worked before. According to the AT&T coverage map I'm solidly in a strong signal. And losing the signal means I can't get it back until I reboot. Nothing else works. If I leave the phone alone it will always show the 3G icon, but the arrows are inert and if I attempt to connect, I get a "didn't connect" notice. I never see the circle with the hash mark indicating no signal, I just have grey arrows, no green or red. I've been in REAL no signal locations many times and know the difference on the screen. This shows sleeping arrows, but they never "wake up" without a reboot.

- Collapse -
Remember that there are dead spots and they move.
Oct 14, 2011 12:47AM PDT

If the phone does this in all locations, it's the phone. If not, it's the location.

I know folk have a tough time with the moving dead spots but as the cell carriers tweak things, you will see this.
Bob

- Collapse -
Re: 3G connectivity
Oct 14, 2011 2:16AM PDT

This NOT dead spots. A dead spot would mean that when I move into a live spot, connectivity would return. The ONLY way I can regain connectivity is a complete reboot, nothing else. If I don't reboot, I get no signal no matter where I go.

- Collapse -
Then it's a bug.
Oct 14, 2011 5:43AM PDT

If you head to the store they often reset the phone to factory conditions. Android phones tend to be troublesome as Windows as the owners install this and that.
Bob

- Collapse -
3G connectivity.
Oct 14, 2011 6:31AM PDT

THAT was a bit of helpful advice. Thanks. I'll give it a try.

- Collapse -
My apologies.
Oct 14, 2011 6:49AM PDT

I don't like doing that to the phones. I try to avoid it as much as possible so we discuss it unless there is no other option.

Good luck!
Bob

- Collapse -
did it work?
Dec 14, 2011 7:59AM PST

I'm running into this noe with a new Galaxy. Did your reset work? Thanks!

- Collapse -
Removing Apps
Dec 14, 2011 8:10PM PST

I did drop a number of apps that I really didn't use but I can't say that it helped. It may have minimized the problem but I still keep running into it. I can have an operating phone when I put it on my dresser and when i pick it up I need to reboot it. I'm not convinced that it is the phone any more than I'm convinced that it's AT&T. I like the functionality of the phone, but if it's going to be troublesome I may jump ship to an iPhone. i'm jumping carriers anyway for other reasons and that can be a perfect time to replace the hardware too.

- Collapse -
Loss of phone connectivity is not location!
Sep 9, 2015 8:30AM PDT

It's the updates since Android went to Lollipop. Not that Samsung is willing to admit this to me on the phone. All, in my area that have Galaxy phones are experiencing loss of mobile connections. Thus, phone, texts, alarms, etc. , are all not working until we discover this on the phone. This is no location or any particular phone or carrier. It's a mess and need a fix!

- Collapse -
Tip: Don't bury your post like this.
Sep 9, 2015 8:47AM PDT

And let's say this is true. Your carrier will be seeing you soon. I know a lot of Galaxy users. Can't say it was the OS update.

- Collapse -
Too many posts here to ignore there's an issue
Sep 9, 2015 3:29PM PDT

I will admit to not having proof that losing mobile connectivity was caused by Lollipop. However, talking to people who now have this issue, we all had no mobile connectivity issues prior to Lollipop upgrade. Plus we all had mobile connectivity issues after every Lollipop update. The evidence from a small sample size, of about 6 people, all points to Lollipop. I am not saying all Galaxy users have experienced this. I am saying all of us that have mobile issues, had them after installation of Lollipop, nothing before, we got Lollipop. At least 3 different carriers. Samsung says fix might require a factory reset. Read these posts. It's become an issue!

- Collapse -
Again, to converse, a new post is needed.
Sep 9, 2015 10:30PM PDT

Here I lost connection every hour. Changed from CDMA to GSM and now all good. Changed phones before and same drops so it was not the phone or OS.

There are a load of folk that expect no drops on cellular phones. They will be upset by how unreliable cellular is. Good thing that for data it can drop, recover and you might not notice.

Of course there's a problem. I don't see it being an exclusive on the model you noted.

- Collapse -
No mobile connectivity? Can't make a call to drop!
Sep 10, 2015 12:41PM PDT

The problem has nothing at all to do with a dropped call. The problem is a total loss of connectivity. We have no access toTexts, alarm clock, ability to make or receive calls. When calls can be made, they are not dropped. I assume you think you are helping, but I'm thinking you do not understand the issue because you cite some issue you once had. Sorry, but your issue is not relevant to the many of Galaxy users who find out hours later they missed texts and phone calls. If we restart our phone, or if we update our PRL, connectivity is restored. Please read what's been written a little more carefully if you decide to respond again. The responses so far have not addressed the issue we are having. How many that have this happening, will even come to this site to post? 1 out of every how many hundreds? We need help, not a non accurate comparison to a different problem. Thank you.

- Collapse -
Old post.
Sep 10, 2015 12:56PM PDT

If you hide your pleas in old posts, folk that would comment may not.

-> You have an issue that is very common. To share how most deal with it is going to be in your new top post. Stop burying your pleas.

- Collapse -
Answer
Samsung Galaxy S Losing connectivity
Feb 4, 2012 4:05AM PST

Got my Galaxy S Stratosphere a couple of months ago and same issue. Only when I drive thru certain parts of our valley I lose a signal and can never re-acquire it unless I reboot the phone.

- Collapse -
Sounds familiar.
Feb 4, 2012 11:45AM PST

I know of no cure but to return defective products and change brands and carriers if need be.

- Collapse -
Answer
im with bell canada
Feb 16, 2013 9:53AM PST

My wife and I are also getting this problem now
after recieving an (upgrade)text to get a new phone .
Our phones started rebooting by them selves we are now loosing service.
tried the reboot but still same problems .
i feel the companies are just screwing around with the phones to make money off us.....

- Collapse -
Answer
Samsung Galaxy S Losing connectivity
Feb 17, 2013 3:12PM PST

Firstly, you need to change your carrier's networks, if you haven't same issue, so you need to contact to Samsung should help you.

- Collapse -
Answer
Final solution?
Jun 26, 2013 12:47PM PDT

Did you ever get a final answer to your problem? My kids both have the Samsung galaxy s and they have the same problem you had.