Thunderbolt randomly drops all service

**racrx451** · 10-03-2012, 10:38 AM

I have been having the same problems with mine. Extended battery as well but last night I uninstalled Facebook and messenger then reinstalled the actual app from Google play and I haven't had any problems with dropping service at all. It would only drop service when trying to do things on fb. Works great...so far.

**racrx451** · 10-04-2012, 09:12 AM

UPDATE...still dropping service today but worked great for awhile. I think its the Facebook app.

**natehoy** · 10-04-2012, 10:00 AM

I found the Facebook app to be a lot more stable when I remember to shut the GPS off before starting it. I'm wondering, since the GPS and 4G antennae are both (I think) on the back cover, if there's some form of interference there. It doesn't make a lot of sense, though, since I have plenty of apps (mapping, GasBuddy, etc) that use data and GPS simultaneously and they don't seem to have all the problems Facebook does.

**Synycalwon** · 10-04-2012, 11:43 AM

I don't think GPS or any particular app is the cause, but just a symptom. I rarely ever have GPS enabled/on and I've never had the Facebook app installed and still occasionally experience a bout of data drops regardless of what I'm doing on the phone. Sometimes it happens with an app, other times when just browsing the web, sometimes it happens on its own even if I'm not using the phone at all. In either case it's very random and will usually correct itself at some point. Other times toggling airplane mode helps. But ultimately from my experience the best way to minimize the issue seems to be a battery and SIM card pull about once a day (something I do anyway as I swap out for a fresh battery, never charge them in the phone).

As I posted earlier in the thread, I still think Droidforums.net posted some really good info as to what's going on and options to consider:

"Why is my LTE device dropping in data.
1) If the device is not staying connected and constantly dropping data it could be a hardware issue.

Solution: Change out devices. Try doing an exchange and if you still experience constant drops you may need to look at swapping to a different handset all together (ie from Nexus to razr).

2) 4g has been working fine but lately I am getting no connection, mms fails, and sometimes calls will not connect

Solution: Swap out sim cards.

3) My 4g works great but out of no where it drops off for 2 mins.

Solution: It is designed that way. Talked to an engineer and the idea is that if a tower gets congested it switches you to another tower. That momentary swap causes you to momentarily lose data.

But that did not happen before. More and more people are buying lte devices causing more congestion. The idea of switching people from tower to tower is designed so you do not lose data completely or for long periods of time. I am playing with at&t lte and I would rather lose data for 2 mins once or twice a day than 20 mins.

But its happening more than twice a day. Call a tech they may need to reset the provisions in your phone to make sure its locking on to the towers. Also as OEMS learn more about the network they are building better radios and more efficient processors to lessen the time it takes to switch."

Edit: bolded above is probably why newer phones don't appear to be be affected as much. I'd bet they actually are, but are so much better at switching than our first gen LTE Thunderbolts that most don't notice it.

**ToddL** · 10-05-2012, 11:44 AM

Called VZW last night about this. Of course they acted like they hadn't heard of it, and it was an issue specific to my phone only. But after fighting hard (since I'm way out of warranty), they're sending me a new TB. If that has the data issue, hoping I'll now have leverage to press for a different phone.

**Unobtanium** · 10-05-2012, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Todd_L

Called VZW last night about this. Of course they acted like they hadn't heard of it, and it was an issue specific to my phone only. But after fighting hard (since I'm way out of warranty), they're sending me a new TB. If that has the data issue, hoping I'll now have leverage to press for a different phone.

Wow. they still have Thunderbolts in stock?

**tag8330** · 10-06-2012, 01:06 AM

I have been through the same problems with my wife's and my thunderbolt, I have already had a replacement for my phone due to a broken screen. So i have had the problem with 3 phones with 3 different SIM cards and 2 different phone numbers. I talked to Verizon they said there is a known issue with no estimated time of repair. So I guess they do not know what is going on either. The store is shipping me 2 news well reconditioned phones we will see how that works then I am talking to Tier 3. This is a great phone but what good is it if I cannot get online?

**tag8330** · 10-06-2012, 01:36 AM

I have read that it my be an issue with the antenna causing dropped data has anyone else heard this

**johnriii** · 10-08-2012, 07:46 AM

those of you gettting new phones, please keep us updated. I'd be curious to see if it's just a hardware issue, even though I believe its a combination of bad radio and the network. I have personally checked with other people on LTE with Verizon, and they report very little drop off as far as data connection. three people with the Razr maxx stated that they never lose connection. so maybe its the fact that the Tbolt is just OLD.

**bpyazel** · 10-08-2012, 09:25 AM

This has been happening since June 2012 to both the Thunderbolts on my account. Sim cards have been replaced and one phone was replaced. Nothing has fixed it. There have been times in the past where i thought i fixed the issue, but those turned out to be only temporary. Verizon's network has become complete garbage IMO. I've had an open ticket for this issue for eight weeks now. Everytime I call I'm told I will just have to wait longer for it to be resolved. I'm seriously considering cancelling all six of my lines soon.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

**ToddL** · 10-08-2012, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Unobtanium

Wow. they still have Thunderbolts in stock?

He said he would send me one (a refurb obv). I'm hoping maybe they don't, and something better will arrive in the mail. I'll find out tonight or tomorrow.

**johnriii** · 10-09-2012, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by bpyazel

This has been happening since June 2012 to both the Thunderbolts on my account. Sim cards have been replaced and one phone was replaced. Nothing has fixed it. There have been times in the past where i thought i fixed the issue, but those turned out to be only temporary. Verizon's network has become complete garbage IMO. I've had an open ticket for this issue for eight weeks now. Everytime I call I'm told I will just have to wait longer for it to be resolved. I'm seriously considering cancelling all six of my lines soon.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

I'm actually hoping it's a network issue, but I have a feeling it's not, based on others I know on VZW who almost never lose a 4G signal, and they all have newer (than the tbolt) phones. only time will tell.

**mightyfacundo** · 10-09-2012, 08:49 AM

Just wanted to add that my wife's Galaxy Nexus loses data at the same spot on the Freeway as my Bolt, which leads me to think it has something to do with the network.

**dpham00** · 10-09-2012, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by johnriii

those of you gettting new phones, please keep us updated. I'd be curious to see if it's just a hardware issue, even though I believe its a combination of bad radio and the network. I have personally checked with other people on LTE with Verizon, and they report very little drop off as far as data connection. three people with the Razr maxx stated that they never lose connection. so maybe its the fact that the Tbolt is just OLD.

I was having problems with it since it first came out, ane had 4 tbolts total, all about the same. Since then I moved to the rezound, razr, razr maxx, gs3. All hold signal way better than my Thunderbolt. My friend still has a tbolt, side by side, the tbolt would drop service way more frequently than the tbolt. In areas of decent signal, my razr maxx, gs3, and rezound virtually never dropped signal, but the tbolt dropped signal ranging from a few times a day to more frequently. In fringe areas, my razr maxx, gs3 and rezound would drop signal, but even so much less frequently than the tbolt.

Sent from my Droid RAZR MAXX / Atrix Lapdock

**Synycalwon** · 10-09-2012, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by johnriii

I'm actually hoping it's a network issue, but I have a feeling it's not, based on others I know on VZW who almost never lose a 4G signal, and they all have newer (than the tbolt) phones. only time will tell.

It has to be a network issue. Verizon apparently made some changes to their network back in June (when the issue started) that subsequently isn't playing well with their first LTE device. Prior to that, my data connection was rock solid (barring the occasional hiccup). My guess is the changes were made to benefit newer phones with the idea more people are getting those and/or will switch to newer when their older one doesn't work as well anymore.

**toan04** · 10-09-2012, 01:01 PM

after a new SIM and replacement thunderbolt, I still had the data drop issues. Then verizon replaced my thunderbolt with a droid incredible 4g, then no more data drops. The incredible 4g is nice and all but I miss the bigger screen that I had on my thunderbolt. I think the issue is when verizon upgrades their LTE network, the thunderbolt is just too old to keep up.

**TBoltJ** · 10-09-2012, 03:55 PM

I got my TB day 1 and it never held the signal. I still dont live near 4g (thanks Verizon 1.5 years later). I can never hold my 3G and usually exist on 1X if Im lucky. When I come off wi-fi, wake the phone up, look at it crossly, it cant get the signal back. I have to start up several different apps to "call" the network and sooner or later I get 1X or 3G (Sometimes on/off network or airplane mode will work, emphasis sometimes). I finally got fed up with all the issues with my TB (wouldn't charge, signal, etc) and luckily I have the best buy replacement program so they gave me a new TB no issues. This TB I find is much better. It seems a little better on getting the signal but still same issues as before. In the past with my old phone, even when I was in 4G territory it never held the 4G signal. Last week I went to Baltimore and had a 4G signal all weekend. It didnt drop, have trouble finding it or anything. This leads me to believe that beyond the issues this phone has it NEEDS a STRONG SIGNAL to hold on. Once I got back home goodbye 4G, goodbye 3G, barely hello 1X. (FYI, I find the new TB much more responsive, less issues with the touch screen, no reboots, sense crashes (YET!).

**ToddL** · 10-10-2012, 02:02 PM

New phone arrived today, alas it is another TB. Will check for data drops tonight, and will probably be calling them back, hoping for a new phone.

Does anyone remember where that tier listing of VZW phones is located? I think I saw it posted on this site somewhere If they offer me something, I want to make sure it's something better, not equal or worse.

**dpham00** · 10-10-2012, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Todd_L

New phone arrived today, alas it is another TB. Will check for data drops tonight, and will probably be calling them back, hoping for a new phone.

Does anyone remember where that tier listing of VZW phones is located? I think I saw it posted on this site somewhere If they offer me something, I want to make sure it's something better, not equal or worse.

For 4glte phones, the charge and revolution are equivalent to the Thunderbolt.

One gen newer would be razr, rezound, gnex, d4(4" screen)

Two gens newer would be gs3, dinc 4g (note smaller 4" screen)

I would strongly recommend a phone from one or two gen newer, do not get a charge or revolution. I would avoid LG or pantech phones or low end Samsung like stratosphere.

Sent from my Droid RAZR MAXX / Atrix Lapdock

**ToddL** · 10-11-2012, 09:53 AM

Data drop confirmed on my new TB. I will be calling VZW over lunch today. Hope my call lands on sympathetic ears.

**gforce1963** · 10-11-2012, 10:36 AM

I have no data at all on my TBolt. And switching from 3g to 4g does nothing. Is it down?

**ToddL** · 10-11-2012, 02:37 PM

Quick update: They're sending me a Droid 4 (don't have to pay for battery or back). I didn't push for anything else, as I struggled to justify paying for a battery & back for a phone that I'm only going to have for another month. I'm not sure how I'll feel about the smaller screen size, but from what I can tell it has better hardware than the TB (and ICS). And hopefully a better resale value on Ebay.

**KJ78** · 10-13-2012, 04:40 PM

I just had this problem this morning. Somehow the data was completely turned off on the phone. I didn't find the problem until I went to switch between cdma and lte to see if that would fix things.

**gforce1963** · 10-15-2012, 08:38 AM

Over the weekend, I lost all data again. I was standing next to the wife, who's TB was still showing a 4G connection. Rebooting did nothing, as well as forcing the phone to connect CDMA. So I had to dump the TB for a Rezound I had sitting around. I had even did a factory reset and a flashing of a stock rom..no luck. Maybe the TB has decided to move on to the great cell tower in the sky

**natehoy** · 10-15-2012, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by johnriii

those of you gettting new phones, please keep us updated. I'd be curious to see if it's just a hardware issue, even though I believe its a combination of bad radio and the network. I have personally checked with other people on LTE with Verizon, and they report very little drop off as far as data connection. three people with the Razr maxx stated that they never lose connection. so maybe its the fact that the Tbolt is just OLD.

The Tbolt and Rezound also have the oddball dual-modem radio that allows simultaneous voice and data over 3G. This is as opposed to the radio in the Galaxy S3 that actually implements the 3G/EVDO spec and supports "proper" simultaneous voice and data.

This thread from way back details how to shut off the "specialized" 3G network for Thunderbolts and go back to the "standard" network. This probably won't help any LTE woes, but might help you keep a more stable 3G signal.

##778# , Edit Mode, Password 000000 (six zeros) unlocks a whole boatload of tuning options for the radio. Use at your own risk - here there be dragons.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/ver...ead-first.html