Lollipop update - WiFi won't turn on - Help

[gr8leo87]

Hi guys

I have run into little problem that I'm hoping learned members here can help me with.

I have a Note 3 SM-9005 that was running Kitkat 4.4.2 and I got it updated to 5.0 from a mobile repair guy. Everything looked smooth until I got home and noticed that now the WiFi does not work anymore. It always stays greyed out and never turns on.

I have tried turning on download booster, smartswitch, nothing helps. I have wiped cache, wipe data / factory reset but that's of no help.

I have also tried installing the latest XSI firmware using Odin but of no use.

Can you please help me get my WiFi working again.

Many thanks.

Cheers

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Are you certain the firmware that the repair guy flashed and that you flashed are for your exact variant? If the firmware is for a slightly different variant, then various bugs can arise.

 

[gr8leo87]

Pretty sure the repair guy knew which firmware should've been put on the phone. He put the UAE (XSI) version on it. WiFi wasn't working after the update. My bad I didn't check it then and there.

I then installed the Phone info software and discovered that there's a newer build available I got that off sammobile and installed it via Odin. Wiped cache and wiped data / factory reset as well. But nothing seems to help.

My model written on the back under battery is

Model: SM-N9005
FCC ID: A3LSMN9005
SSN: N9005GSMH

 

[B. Diddy]

Let me ask our resident Samsung guru, ironass, if he has any thoughts on this ...

 

[ironass]

Could you download and install Phone INFO ★Samsung★, free from the Play Store and post exactly what is shown under your phone's, "Product code", and "CSC code", in the app.

 

[gr8leo87]

Could you download and install Phone INFO ★Samsung★, free from the Play Store and post exactly what is shown under your phone's, "Product code", and "CSC code", in the app.

Thanks for your reply

Here you go:

Product Code: Not Active
Original CSC Code: XSI
Firmware CSC code: XSI
Active CSC code: XSI

 

[gr8leo87]

I just noticed that Serial number as reported by device is different from what's written under battery. IMEI is same reported by device and under battery. Do you think this is a significant issue?

 

[B. Diddy]

It's possible a previous owner (or reseller) flashed a different firmware on the phone in order to make it compatible with your region. What do you think, ironass?

 

[ironass]

It's possible a previous owner (or reseller) flashed a different firmware on the phone in order to make it compatible with your region. What do you think, ironass?

I think you are spot on B. Diddy. I would guess that this phone has been, "doctored", with either...

1. A firmware that did not match the original Product code

or

2. An, almost stock, custom firmware.

Both of the above would account for the Galaxy Note 3 not updating to Marshmallow, Android 5.0. Without the original product code information, it is impossible to tell what this phone was originally... Product wise. It would be interesting to boot into Download Mode and check to see what the Knox warranty says... alternatively, the app I got you to download should give you the answer to that, too.

Which country and network are you using it on?

 

[gr8leo87]

The Knox status is 0x0

The device status is Official - the device status was also Official when the phone was running 4.4.2.

The reason I got it updated from a repair guy was because it won't receive update OTA. Whenever I checked it would say 'Device registration failed'.

The country is Pakistan and I'm using it on Mobilink network.

 

[ironass]

From what you say, option #1 in my previous post seems to be correct and, "A firmware that did not match the original Product code", has been used. Since there is no official Samsung firmware for the Galaxy Note 3 model N9005, for Pakistan, the XSI firmware for the UAE is probably the closest and may contain the language packs, other than English, that you require. If this is the case, you could try flashing the stock Samsung, unbranded, firmware for Saudi Arabia, (KSA), and see if that solves your Wi-Fi issue.

 

[gr8leo87]

Thanka ironass for your reply. I have already tried installing stock XSI firmware again, since KSA and XSI firmware are essentially the same do you think it could make any difference?

I also tried installing the stock firmware using the Smart Switch software - and it won't recognize my serial number that I have on the back under the battery. It says serial number, IMEI or model name not found on the server. I'm stumped :S

 

[ironass]

As I mentioned in my earlier post, it would appear that the correct firmware for your phone's Product code has not been flashed at some stage. This prevents updates via OTA and Smart Switch. I suggest Factory Data Reset on your phone and flashing the KSA firmware. You will not know unless you try but there are no guarantees I am afraid.