Problems with 3G data? Don't hard reset, read this first!

[ShaggyKids]

I wish they'd send out status emails or txt's or SOMEHOW notify us when there are network problems. I remember getting one awhile back but it was sent AFTER the problem was fixed and written like "yes we had an outage" rather than a notification when there IS a problem ... a lot of good that does.

 

[jammy26]

I've had a hard time with Vzw tech support since yesterday with almost each session ending up in a "suggested" hard reset (to factory default) which I do not want to do, esp. because this is not something we should have to do to resolve network issues. Agreed that this is a new network with its own share of issues, but Verizon should at least publicly acknowledge it rather than leave users in the dark. Even the tech support guys have been trying to recommend a Hard reset based on their experiences through the last few days. Personally, I would not like to lose my personalized settings and app history/data (even though the apps are restored) via Google. I also feel that a hard reset should not be a solution for a Network Outage. It is only complicated by the fact that not all Thunderbolt users are facing this issue. I have had a ticket opened for mine with tech support with reference to the other similar complaints in my area.

However, before giving up, I checked for latest posts one last time and I'm happy to have done that since I now have 3G back on my phone. Not a very good experience for new TB owners.

 

[Astromech]

I just returned my TB to my local corporate store. They said a nationwide email went out to them all about the data problems the phone had been having. The email said it was a fix on the network side, and required the phone to be hard reset to take effect. The fix only works if the phone had been hard reset after 1PM mountain time today. I was skeptical and returned it anyway, bit it would be interesting to heart from others if it helped.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

Funny because I had mine reset at about 11:30am mnt time. My problem is the 4g or bust issue. Anyway, I got out the coverage map and drove 40 or so miles west of Minneapolis into a solid 3g only area. Same thing happened...no data connection or sometimes 1X would kick in. I am still waiting to experience 3g on my phone. So I am very happy have this threads information for my 4th trip to Verizon. I hope this is one reason for my poor battery issues. My phone is working too hard.

 

[Bolt_of_Thunder]

I'm glad I checked here before going to the verizon store! My mom just got her tbolt this saturday and has had non-stop issues with her 3G not working (Rochester, MN area). I finally came back home (I live in Des Moines, IA) to visit and help her out as everything I tried over skype video didn't work.

Funny thing is my thunderbolt is not experiencing this issue at all and i'm pretty sure my sister's (lives near me in iowa) and brother's (lives in reno, nv area) thunderbolts aren't either. I'm going to give this a try and see if it will fix the issue. Thanks!

*Edit* Got it fixed!

 

[djousma]

As I am sure many of you have noticed 3G data is down on your Thunderbolts. As I have discovered from some talks with Verizon techs the reason for this is that Verizon's eHPRD 3G network is down right now. This is the specialized 3G network used only on the Thunderbolt and supports voice and data at the same time and faster 3G/4G switching. Until this is fixed you can manually fix this by dialing ##778# and hitting send in your dialer. The password is 000000. This will take you to your programming screen. Go to modem settings and then Rev A, change it to enabled and then hit the menu button on your phone and commit the changes. It will tell you to reboot and the problem will be fixed as you will now use the standard Rev A 3G networked used on all other Verizon 3G devices and of course if you have 4G it will use that if its available.

There is no need to do a hard reset. Basically when you first set up the phone it automatically provisions this setting based on whether or not eHPRD is available in your area which is why when you hard reset it fixes the problem for people as the phone will then automatically change this setting to Rev A enabled since eHPRD is down.

Obviously once Verizon fixes this issue you will want to change this setting back unless of course Verizon is able to push this change out to all of the phones when the problem is fixed.

Also for those worrying this doesn't do anything to change 4G as that is unrelated so your 4G will work the same as it did before doing this.

Ok, just so I am clear, going back to eHRPD requires changing the Rev A setting back to eHRPD. I know that sounds like a simplistic question, just dont want to mess something up.

 

[landale]

Ok, just so I am clear, going back to eHRPD requires changing the Rev A setting back to eHRPD. I know that sounds like a simplistic question, just dont want to mess something up.

Yes, change it back and then commit the changes just like you did before.

 

[Dweber26]

Any word on this being corrected yet on Verizons end?

 

[Malefickus]

I'm in nashville and forced it to 3G and I'm not having any issue with voice and data at the same time

Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

 

[ShaggyKids]

I tried this overnight, was seeing 1G for service and it did bump me to 3G But it *may* be pretty heavily zapping my battery life although that seems rather a strange consequence doesn't it?

My phone is also now on Eastern time and I'm on Central time

 

[potatolover1102]

I was snooping in the ##778# menu and it has a setting called like preferred mode 9k or something and it is set to lte only and I changed it to hdr lte only. This being on lte only could be why some lose 3g when they lose lte too.

 

[echotodd]

I lost 3G this morning and did what was suggested on another post. I put the phone into Airplane mode, let it sit for a while, then took it out and everything looks good again. It may be an entirely different issue but that's what worked for me.

 

[Slapnpop826]

This fix does not disable simultaneous voice and data, at least not for me. I have noticed the data seems a little slower, but it works just fine. I am in a solid 3G area.

 

[L_Boogie820]

This fix does not disable simultaneous voice and data, at least not for me. I have noticed the data seems a little slower, but it works just fine. I am in a solid 3G area.

I can second this. I JUST called my cell phone from the house phone and while connected to voice, I surfed the web and worked fine. I, too, am in a 3G area so I turned off my 4G.

 

[L_Boogie820]

I switched it to Rev A and then switched back to. LTE 4G/CDMA auto....anyone do this already?

 

[sf2]

I activated my phone last Friday and noticed 3G was gone about midday Saturday (we are apparently part of the unwashed and probably won't have 4G until next year). Power cycling/removing the battery didn't make any difference.

VZW 2nd tier tech support said that I needed to reset the phone. I told him that it was only a one time event since the phone was almost vanilla.

I reset it and 3G came back. I was able to use simultaneous voice and data right after and I checked and the modem setting is eHRPD. So maybe there is a little more to the mystery?

 

[L_Boogie820]

No one likes mysteries lol. I will say I since I changed it back, I haven't lost my 3G. When I go to work(NYC metro area) ill have 4G. Ill test it.

 

[Dweber26]

Has anyone who used the "##778" switch tried switching back REV A to eHSPA? If so are you re-connected to the network? or do you have no network connectivity?

 

[L_Boogie820]

Update: I had Rev A set and the 4G radio set. I lost data. When I had it set at Rev A and CDMA prl and never lost data. I'm rooted too so I don't want to factory reset. Is the factory reset the only way to fix this problem?

 

[Dweber26]

I have the same question as Boogie, Is the factory Reset the only way to fix the problem?

 

[pullaqua]

This fix is absolutely fantastic! I tried your instructions and it worked like a charm, perfectly! I can't thank you enough. You have saved me so much hassle, as I no longer have to go into a Verizon store to get this resolved.