Navigation is messed up. Location is inaccurate and spotty

[Misterb]

I don't understand what's going on, but when I use navigation lately on a trip I'm on, it keeps thinking I'm driving 70 mph in the middle of the corn field that runs parallel to the highway I'm on, or it'll think I need to make a U turn out of nowhere, when I'm clearly headed in the right direction. Signal seems fine. Internet is 4G. I had to have the wife use GPS on her Note 5 instead, and it worked fine.

 

[Dngrsone]

Have you done compass calibration?

 

[Misterb]

Have you done compass calibration?

Thank you for the info! I tried those instructions but could not get it to work. For some reason after typing in the string it asks for nothing else happens and there aren't any other options. That said, you gave me the right direction and I went into the compass app that's on the edge panel and did the calibrate option within that and right now so far so good

 

[Misterb]

Okay. Spoke too soon. It's back to having problems again

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Mine does that from time to time also. This week it had be driving thru houses then it just starts working again

 

[ticketbabe2]

Make sure you don't use those magnetic phone holders for the car. I bought a really cool one @Costco that said it wouldn't erase files & was safe to use, but when I researched the Web, there was a warning that it could mess up other functions like navigation. I sadly returned it.

 

[Dngrsone]

I had an entertaining time driving through Monterey the other day... A half mile through a tunnel completely discombobulated the GPS, and I had to restart my app.

It's entirely possible that more than a momentary loss of signal is just too much for the software to overcome.

 

[sparksd]

Make sure you don't use those magnetic phone holders for the car. I bought a really cool one @Costco that said it wouldn't erase files & was safe to use, but when I researched the Web, there was a warning that it could mess up other functions like navigation. I sadly returned it.

I had the same thing happen with a flip case with magnetic closure.

 

[McMama247]

I have had the same problem since last Tuesday. Tried restart, figure-8 calibration. Settings were already for high accuracy. Thought it was temporary glitch, but it has occurred again every day. Sometimes it will jump 3 miles away, then wander back to my true location. My husband has Note 5, no issues.

Today, Number 1 son stops by and mentions that he was led a merry chase while traveling last week. So this has happened Washington, Baltimore and Richmond.

We both sent error reports to Google maps through the app, but expect no results.
Rrrrrrr.

 

[Dngrsone]

Try this?

 

[McMama247]

Thanks much. My location settings were high, but I have installed the app. Here's to hope! I'll monitor and let you know.

 

[McMama247]

Just jumped 1.10 miles, then drifted back home. And I have no case, my son has silicone only. Seems odd that the two S7 Edges on the account have the identical problem starting the same day.

 

[Dngrsone]

This may seem like a stupid question, but it may not be... Where is the device located while you are observing this behavior? I am assuming your are driving your vehicle... Where do you place the phone while navigating?

 

[McMama247]

Not a stupid question, but that isn't it. It is happening in my home (watching it wander as I type on my tablet) or when running or hiking (which was an issue on an unfamiliar trail this morning-with snow on the ground and GPS showing me traipsing a highway). Back at the car, I compared with my Samsung tablet, which was fine. Husband's Note 5 was fine. Same thing is happening at home-my phone with wandering location, tablet fine.

With two phones in the family having the same issue (possibly a 3rd, waiting for a callback), I'm thinking there was a software update causing this. This is my fourth phone since September, thanks to the passing of my beloved Note 7. I don't think I can handle another change gracefully!

I surely do appreciate your help.

 

[Dngrsone]

I'm inclined to agree that this may be some sort of software problem.

 

[sparksd]

You might try wiping the cache partition - it's been known to fix different odd issues, particularly after system updates. May not do anything but in situations like this, it's worth the small effort to see if it has an effect. (It does not affect any personal data or settings)

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the device logo screen displays, release only the Power key
4. When the Android logo displays, release all keys ('Installing system update' will show for about 30 - 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
5. Press the Volume down key several times key to highlight 'wipe cache partition.'
6. Press the Power key to select.
7. Press the Volume down key to highlight 'yes' an press the Power key to select.
8. When the wipe cache partition is complete, 'Reboot system now' is highlighted.
9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

 

[Misterb]

You might try wiping the cache partition - it's been known to fix different odd issues, particularly after system updates. May not do anything but in situations like this, it's worth the small effort to see if it has an effect. (It does not affect any personal data or settings)

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the device logo screen displays, release only the Power key
4. When the Android logo displays, release all keys ('Installing system update' will show for about 30 - 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
5. Press the Volume down key several times key to highlight 'wipe cache partition.'
6. Press the Power key to select.
7. Press the Volume down key to highlight 'yes' an press the Power key to select.
8. When the wipe cache partition is complete, 'Reboot system now' is highlighted.
9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Thanks. Just tried your suggestion. Will test how navigation works tomorrow. Sure is getting annoying. I can't count on it anymore

 

[FCSC]

I've also recently started having this issue, last week or so, I use my GPS for about 2 hour each day... Day 1 till last week, no GPS issues at all, starting last week, my GPS has been really wonky. It consistently thinks i'm driving on local roads when i'm already on the highway, and often times things i'm stationary at home, when i'm more then halfway through my commute.

 

[Dngrsone]

Well, just had an entertaining trip to Santa Cruz... The phone hopped seemingly at random up to a half-mile away from my actual location while I was driving.

Not sure if it was the compass flipping out or GPS fixing just not accurate... I am wondering if there is some interference from other Bluetooth devices: Dngrswife has a new fitbit and we had a third phone in the car serving music to the stereo (via Bluetooth).

 

[Dngrsone]

Okay, I downloaded an app called GPS Status & Toolbox which seems to improve the navigation capabilities of the S7E... That is, I installed this app, and retraced my trip from Santa Cruz back home and not once did my Navigation app flip out.

I think it may be worth a try, it literally costs nothing for the app.