What Should I Do?

[toothdoc4]

So I have had my Thunderbolt since the first day they came out. I have always gotten the software updates and each time the phone has performed worse than before the update. I am beginning to wish that I had left the software original, but that is another story entirely.

I live in a 4G area and here the phone works okay. The touch screen usually works pretty well here. The problem gets much worse when I go to our vacation house, which is in a 3G area. There the phone barely works. The screen locks and I can't send or receive calls. Or if I try to call it won't go through right away but will several minutes later after I have given up on it.

I am wondering if anyone else has noticed the touch screen on their phone performing differently in a 3G area versus a 4G area? Should I get a refurbished unit under the Asurion plan? This is really getting frustrating.

 

[bjboucher]

You wouldnt need to go through Asurion. Call Verizon and complain, maybe they'll send you a refurbed replacement. They'll most likely ask you to do a factory reset to see if that fixes your issues though.

I've noticed no difference in my phone's performance whether in 3G/4G or WiFi.

 

[Mortiel]

So I have had my Thunderbolt since the first day they came out. I have always gotten the software updates and each time the phone has performed worse than before the update. I am beginning to wish that I had left the software original, but that is another story entirely.

I live in a 4G area and here the phone works okay. The touch screen usually works pretty well here. The problem gets much worse when I go to our vacation house, which is in a 3G area. There the phone barely works. The screen locks and I can't send or receive calls. Or if I try to call it won't go through right away but will several minutes later after I have given up on it.

I am wondering if anyone else has noticed the touch screen on their phone performing differently in a 3G area versus a 4G area? Should I get a refurbished unit under the Asurion plan? This is really getting frustrating.

Firstly, I would like to get the minor slip out of the way: Asurion is for if YOU lose or damage your phone. Its insurance, so you pay a $99 deductible and they send you another device. What you are describing is, in no way, because of you, and therefore going to Asurion would be wasting your money.

I have personally noticed no difference in the touch screen in multiple coverage areas, but that means little. Technology is going to have its hiccups. It personally sounds like electronic interference from the CDMA radio is messing with electronics in the screen. I would recommend getting a warranty replacement. Do a factory reset, make sure the issue is still happening, then call Verizon Tech Support.

You wouldnt need to go through Asurion. Call Verizon and complain, MAYBE they'll send you a refurbed replacement. They'll most likely ask you to do a factory reset to see if that fixes your issues though.

I've noticed no difference in my phone's performance whether in 3G/4G or WiFi.

That statement made me cringe.

To the OP, please do not call Verizon and COMPLAIN. That will get nothing fixed, and just wastes your time. Just have them send you a warranty replacement after you do the factory reset. They WILL do it... no maybe. Its under warranty.

 

[mclarryjr]

I agree with the post above about trying to get a replacement device because of your issues. I travel between 3 and 4g areas weekly and have never had any issues that you have. I'm sure when you call Verizon they will try to trouble shoot with you over the phone and will have you try doing a factory reset which will wipe your phone clean so when you power on all your information will be removed. I would recommend trying that first without Verizon and see if that works and then when they suggest trying that you can tell them you have.

 

[toothdoc4]

Thanks for the replies thus far. If I do a factory reset and wipe my phone clean, what about all of my apps? I'm sorry, but this is my first smartphone and I haven't been down this road before.

 

[Kimmy71]

Thanks for the replies thus far. If I do a factory reset and wipe my phone clean, what about all of my apps? I'm sorry, but this is my first smartphone and I haven't been down this road before.

If you are not rooted (which I'm assuming you are not),generally all the apps that you have installed from the market will reinstall when you reset your phone. Sometimes it will do it automatically but sometimes you just go into the market under your apps and choose to install. Unfortunately it will not have your user data though, so if you have games or anything like that, they will reset just like new.

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

If you are not rooted (which I'm assuming you are not),generally all the apps that you have installed from the market will reinstall when you reset your phone. Sometimes it will do it automatically but sometimes you just go into the market under your apps and choose to install. Unfortunately it will not have your user data though, so if you have games or anything like that, they will reset just like new.

Rooted...not rooted, that doesn't really matter (in most cases), but you do have to have the option selected to allow Google to backup and restore your settings. Look under "Settings --> Privacy"

It asks you this when you run through the initial setup...if you selected "no" prior to the factory reset, you'll have to manually re-install all of your apps.