Why Can Maps sometimes Not Lock on the Satellite?

[Android Central Question]

Mostly I navigate without any problems. Sometimes maps cannot find the satellite, shows the way on the map but is spacy and does not know where we are. I use it in the car. In the first two years of using, I never had this problem. Recently once or twice a day. What could that be?

 

[VidJunky]

Have you changed devices?

 

[Kodak2]

Weather conditions, tree canopies, buildings, driving through valleys, all these things can effect reception from the satellites. Try locating your phone in a different location in your vehicle to rule out a fault with the phone.

 

[Rukbat]

It could be a GSP receiver going bad, or a loose GPS antenna connection. Install (and run) GPS Status & Toolbox to see what's happening with your GPS receiver.

 

[hellosailor]

What kodak and rukbat said. There were also 200+ documented incidents of gps jamming in the US last year, and there are typically a half dozen military gps jams every year, usually at major bases, test sites.
I also routinely see Gargoyle having latency or server problems, i.e. turn in 1/4 mile except the turn is just 100' away, they are not keeping up. Worse, sometimes it says Go North when the route is South. East/west too. Or make a u-turn, 30 seconds after I've already done that.
So check your phone, but know Gargoyle or the carrier is dropping the ball. Something like a Nuvi doesn't have those system problems.