4G Data freezes

[daso]

I'm currently loving my S3 and know it was the right move from my GN. Only main issue I am having is a weird 4G data freeze or data drop. This does not seem to be the phone handing off to 3G and I'm in Manhattan where 4G is pretty solid. Often, when I am loading a webpage, the progress bar hits about 10% and then the two arrows under the 4G icon stop blinking and it just hangs for a while, sometimes loading the page a few seconds (2-10) or longer, or sometimes not at all. The 4G icon stays on but no data back an forth. I have experienced this in different locations including areas with very strong data. I've also noticed this data drop off on some apps, from weather or streaming music. All Verizon could suggest was turning the phone off to clear cache more often and to go into the store to switch to a new sim card. Overall, the phone is amazing and when the 4G is going strong it's amazing. Has anyone else experienced this kind of data drop or rather data freeze?

 

[BBSeattle]

My first S3 was a dud; lost 4G intermittently like you and had to reboot the phone in order to get 4G service back. I called Samsung and Verizon and neither were able to help.
It was suggested I take the phone back (I was within my 14 day return period). Glad I did, there was clearly something wrong with the phone considering the replacement has been flawless.
Take it back...

 

[giper54]

http://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=196108 I am wondering if any of your problems are due to hand offs from the cell towers you are using?

 

[1233user]

I have the exact same problem. The only fix is to reboot the phone and than everything is fine for awhile. I have called Verizon a few times, they had me remove my battery and sim card which they said reset the phone. They also said that they changed something on their end, whatever that means. Neither of those things made any difference at all. When the phone works correctly it is great, but restarting it 2-3 times every day is getting frustrating.

 

[skiddingus]

I'm currently loving my S3 and know it was the right move from my GN. Only main issue I am having is a weird 4G data freeze or data drop. This does not seem to be the phone handing off to 3G and I'm in Manhattan where 4G is pretty solid. Often, when I am loading a webpage, the progress bar hits about 10% and then the two arrows under the 4G icon stop blinking and it just hangs for a while, sometimes loading the page a few seconds (2-10) or longer, or sometimes not at all. The 4G icon stays on but no data back an forth. I have experienced this in different locations including areas with very strong data. I've also noticed this data drop off on some apps, from weather or streaming music. All Verizon could suggest was turning the phone off to clear cache more often and to go into the store to switch to a new sim card. Overall, the phone is amazing and when the 4G is going strong it's amazing. Has anyone else experienced this kind of data drop or rather data freeze?

You described my phone exactly! I have the problem when opening pictures in gmail too. Sometime the picture will load instantly, sometimes it will hangs for several seconds, and sometime it will not load at all. This only happens when on 4g. My Nexus used to hang for a few seconds then hand off to 3g. I turned off my 4g today as a test and it worked flawlessly all day. I also noticed that when the 4g hangs, if I toggle in and out of airplane mode, it will work for a bit.

 

[GLAT]

I have the same problem. I notice it the most when loading Skype, but it seems like the program is not telling the phone it needs data... really weird.

 

[nelonez]

I've never had an issue with my 4g staling.... it does happen on my WiFi though

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

 

[BBSeattle]

Verizon and Samsung both had me go through all the same hoops as well, even went as far changing out the SIM card. When that didn't work (at the store) I asked for a new phone.

Can you take it back?

I have the exact same problem. The only fix is to reboot the phone and than everything is fine for awhile. I have called Verizon a few times, they had me remove my battery and sim card which they said reset the phone. They also said that they changed something on their end, whatever that means. Neither of those things made any difference at all. When the phone works correctly it is great, but restarting it 2-3 times every day is getting frustrating.

 

[BBSeattle]

In my case other Motorola 4G phones always had all bars and exceptional service in my home and office. My Nexus rarely got consistent 4G (anywhere) and my first S3 as mentioned just simply lost 4G throughout the day. My replacement S3 gets fantastic 4G service in the home and office now....same cell towers, same "hand off".

http://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=196108 I am wondering if any of your problems are due to hand offs from the cell towers you are using?

 

[daso]

Verizon and Samsung both had me go through all the same hoops as well, even went as far changing out the SIM card. When that didn't work (at the store) I asked for a new phone.

Can you take it back?

Unfortunately, I'm too late to get a "New Unit" and I guess I would be in line for a like new (Which I would like to avoid). I decided that I would try rebooting once a day at night and also will stop in at store and get a new sim "ughhh!!!!! while staring at the tech putting his fingers all over my phone (Why do that skeeve me so much!!)". I did experience this on my Nexus before the update and then it got better. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Laughably, the phone has been a rocket all day with no data freezes that I've noticed. Here's a dumb question for all. The telephone level 2 tech asked me if my 4G Icon was blue. Does anyone here have a blue 4G icon or white?

 

[BBSeattle]

Always white but the up and down arrows glow orange and Green. I do not recall ever seeing the "4G" blue.

 

[drmaf894c]

I have seen that intermittently on mine. Most of the time I don't have to reboot the phone just the app I'm in or reload the Web Page. Doesn't seem to hand off to 3g or towers as most of the time I have seen it I am sitting on my couch so not moving to switch towers.

Doesn't bother me terribly but is it something I should worry about a faulty phone?

By the way my 4g symbol is white... Only blue ones I have seen are on Motorola devices.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S III using Android Central Forums

 

[daso]

I have seen that intermittently on mine. Most of the time I don't have to reboot the phone just the app I'm in or reload the Web Page. Doesn't seem to hand off to 3g or towers as most of the time I have seen it I am sitting on my couch so not moving to switch towers.

Doesn't bother me terribly but is it something I should worry about a faulty phone?

By the way my 4g symbol is white... Only blue ones I have seen are on Motorola devices.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Android Central Forums

I really don't think it's a faulty phone issue. I thought the same thing with my galaxy nexus and the issue (not exactly the same but similar) disappeared after the first software update. I'm not sure if it;s a handoff situation either as I don't see it switch to 3G after the issue. I decided to try rebooting once a day and so far data has been better. I'm considering getting a new sim as well but will wait a bit.

 

[BBSeattle]

As mentioned, I too experienced the freezing or loss of 4G on my first GS3 and inevitably had to exchange phones.

I appreciate your patience and optimism but if it is a software issue, aren't we all using the same software?

My response to my own issues was simple; I am not going to put up with a product (that I paid $249.00 for) that does not or intermittently does not perform a basic and necessary function.
Even if you are out of the 14 day return policy I would still go in and tell them that it took longer than the 14 days to determine that the phone has a fundamental problem (and do not take no for an answer).

Regardless, I hope you get the problem resolved as soon as possible.

I really don't think it's a faulty phone issue. I thought the same thing with my galaxy nexus and the issue (not exactly the same but similar) disappeared after the first software update. I'm not sure if it;s a handoff situation either as I don't see it switch to 3G after the issue. I decided to try rebooting once a day and so far data has been better. I'm considering getting a new sim as well but will wait a bit.

 

[daso]

As mentioned, I too experienced the freezing or loss of 4G on my first GS3 and inevitably had to exchange phones.

I appreciate your patience and optimism but if it is a software issue, aren't we all using the same software?

My response to my own issues was simple; I am not going to put up with a product (that I paid $249.00 for) that does not or intermittently does not perform a basic and necessary function.
Even if you are out of the 14 day return policy I would still go in and tell them that it took longer than the 14 days to determine that the phone has a fundamental problem (and do not take no for an answer).

Regardless, I hope you get the problem resolved as soon as possible.

Seattle, Don't get me wrong, I totally agree with you and I'm the furthest thing in the world from patient ;-) I even paid full price. It just seems to have gotten better over the past couple of days. I might call and ask for a new replacement if it happens again. I just don't want to send one back and get a bad one.

 

[BBSeattle]

I hear ya; and I hope I was coming across as pushy.
As a fellow Android Central brother and S3 owner I was getting a little ticked for you..LOL.
I just don't want you to get the short end of the stick on this deal.
Good luck, I am in your corner!

Seattle, Don't get me wrong, I totally agree with you and I'm the furthest thing in the world from patient ;-) I even paid full price. It just seems to have gotten better over the past couple of days. I might call and ask for a new replacement if it happens again. I just don't want to send one back and get a bad one.

 

[daso]

we're all on the same Page. and it just happened again for a minute. Monday might be customer ssrvice day!!

 

[skiddingus]

I seem to have fixed the 4g data issue on my phone. I was having the problem with the newer I535VRLG1 modem. I flashed the older modem I535VRLF2 that the phone was shipped with. So far it has been one day and I have had no 4g hanging problems. Hopefully they will release another new modem that fixes the problem (if this was the cure).

 

[BBSeattle]

Now that you mention it, my first s3 was on the updated software. I wonder if there is a connection. When I bought it it had the "updated" sticker on it.
The s3 I have now with no issues is on the original software.
Those having 4g issues should check what version they are on.

I seem to have fixed the 4g data issue on my phone. I was having the problem with the newer I535VRLG1 modem. I flashed the older modem I535VRLF2 that the phone was shipped with. So far it has been one day and I have had no 4g hanging problems. Hopefully they will release another new modem that fixes the problem (if this was the cure).

 

[daso]

Just as a follow up, I finally had a chance to stop in a VZW store and have them swap the sim yesterday. To my absolute surprise, my S3 has been a whole new phone data wise. Much faster page loads and very little freeze. I don't know if it has anything to do with home activation, and I rarely believe anything a store rep says, but she was commenting how many people had been in for new sims recently. Anyway, do yourself a favor and if you are getting the same data freezes I had mentioned earlier, go and swap sims before you necessarily flash a new radio or return the phone.