4G to 1X to no service. On Verizon

[runamuck0870]

We can't rule out that Verizon is actually working on this issue and is updating towers or infrastructure software and that's helping as well. However, I've reverted all the way back to MI9 which shipped when this phone first released and I'm back to solid voice signal. In fact, today I happened to drive the same 45 mile round trip twice, same highway. On the way in I was running MJE and dropped one call (on NC4 I dropped same call 6-8 times). I got to office and updated firmware to MI9. Drove the same route back home, then same route two more times after and on same call number didn't drop call one time.

In fact, as I type this, I'm using my phone in hotspot mode to fuel my iPad and just a week ago I had no signal at this same kitchen table for days on end while on NC4.

Definitely something changed from radio firmware downgrade but what...I've no clue.

Regardless, the nice thing about this fix is that it doesn't require Root. Works fine on stock devices. So if you wanted to you can downgrade your modem firmware and then each day upgrade a version or go all the way back to most current radio firmware. So really, nothing but gains in trying.

 

[AdamHLG]

One thing to also keep in mind is... And I think but I'm not sure about this... Is that reverting to any radio under NC2 means no XLTE. I believe this is true because there was no XLTE before Kit Kat. I was of the belief that Verizon flipped the XLTE switch once kit Kat got rolled out. Unless that was pure coincidence. I don't think MJE or earlier was XLTE ready. I could be wrong.

In any event I would trade off dropping XLTE (until the note 4 of course) for a solid 4g and when necessary 3g signal like the day the note 3 was released. I never saw 1x and no signal like I did in the phone I just exchanged.

On that note, the replacement phone and replacement Sim seems to be functional ie great signal. Seems the replacement did the trick. I have no idea why.

 

[patrick1229]

Add me to the list of people that had terrible service after the kk "upgrade"

Called verizon and since this was an asurion replacement they opted to replace my handset. Got the new handset and i have great service now. Unfortunately they are replacing it again due to whenever i set the phone down it reboots. Any slight bump causes a reboot.

Crap shoot with these phones it seems like

 

[runamuck0870]

I had the reboot issue with my first two Note 3's. In my case, it was a bad battery that eventually was isolated as the culprit...they replaced the phones but not the battery. Might want to make sure yours is a tight fit against the contacts.

I've no idea what the real issue here is. But XLTE does me no good whatsoever if my phone is showing "No Signal" at almost all times. There are many users who barely touch voice calls any longer but I'm on my phone 3-4 hours per day. Going from zero dropped calls to literally dozens of dropped calls per day (not an exaggeration...I was logging them) was exasperating. I'm on MI9 now and it has thus far seemed the most stable. On NC4 I was either 4G full bars or no signal...no in between. I'm watching my signal switch between 4G to 3G to 1X and back again as it should as I drive around, with nary a dropped call.

Can't explain whats happened to cause this. Whether KK, XLTE rollout, tower issues, firmware issues or something else entirely...clueless. Only know the fix.

 

[AdamHLG]

I've had my replacement phone that included replacement SIM now for 2 days and can confirm my signal issues are resolved.

 

[Nakrohtap]

I finally got the Odin to work (using 3.07) and changed my baseband back to MJE last night. We'll see how this goes. I was sick of dropped calls in my house and text messages not being sent due to no network errors.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Nakrohtap]

Just noticed that my 4G was on 4 bars, so I did a speed test. It doesn't appear that switching to MJE is affecting the speed any.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Nakrohtap]

Update - Back home and got the no signal notification again. Frustrating.
I also noticed that on the Samsung website, it says that Band 4 was enabled with MJE.
However, there is a baseband version and build number.
If your build is still on NC4, does it matter what your baseband is as far as Band 4 is concerned?
I am tempted to try NC2 or MJ7.

 

[Markster1]

Having the same issue with note 3 since going to kit kat. My Note 2 on kit kat doesn't have this issue. I just lose all my mobile signals in areas with lower signal strength. In an area with strong signal strength it's fine. Everywhere my note 3 loses signal I still have it on note 2.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 2

 

[runamuck0870]

I've tried all the radios now, from MI9 to NC4. In general, I've got the best voice experience on MI9 but my WiFi flakes out all the time...which if I recall was an issue with the Note 3 at release. It just won't hold a Wifi signal. Second best for me has been MJ7 and MJE a narrow third. NC2 and NC4 I may as well be carrying a WiFi only iPad. Almost no voice ability at all, even with full bars. Call drops everywhere.

The verizon support forums are filled with other users experiencing the same issue. All you see there is the "Yank your SIM, Force CDMA only, Clear Cache, Factory Reset, Warranty Replace...Rinse....Repeat" advice from the official Verizon support reps. No help, we are on our own.

 

[Markster1]

I've downloaded Odin and trying to get mje but the thread with the links, the downloads are missing.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 2

 

[runamuck0870]

Here's another source of links for you...good info in that thread also, worth a read.

You'll want the Odin Flashable Modem TAR's linked first.

[Firmware][Collection] Modems, Stock Tars [C… | Verizon Galaxy Note 3 | XDA Forum

 

[runamuck0870]

I've done some more sleuthing on this since Verizon isn't any help.

Basically, no matter what my signal strength indicators show, as SOON as I start or receive a voice call, my signal rapidly deteriorates. As SOON as I hang up on the call, my signal returns back to where it was. This includes if my call drops which while not as bad as it was on NC4, is still about every other call right now. This is often accompanied by a "Mobile Network is not Available" message in the phone app when trying to make a phone call. If I turn my radio off/back on again (via Airplane), I will be able to make another telephone call again. But then my signal drops through the floor and process is repeated.

I'm beginning to wonder if the voice channel is really the main problem. There are so many people I know these days who barely use voice on their smart phones that they won't even know if they are having any dropped calls, thus the "KK is da bomb man, no issues here" mantra. I'd encourage people to try some testing themselves and see if they experience the same.

I'm thinking of hooking up my GoPro and recording a call sequence its become so easily repeatable to demonstrate.

 

[Markster1]

I don't have any issues as long as I'm in a good area. It's when the signal is weak, that's when my phone says no service. My note 2 keeps a signal. There's no rhyme or reason why this happens, just random.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 2

 

[dpham00]

I don't have any issues as long as I'm in a good area. It's when the signal is weak, that's when my phone says no service. My note 2 keeps a signal. There's no rhyme or reason why this happens, just random.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 2

The reason is because the note 3 has a weaker radio than the note 2

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3

 

[Markster1]

Before kit kat, it was better than note 2.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[dpham00]

Before kit kat, it was better than note 2.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

Not for me in weak signal areas at least. Of course the N3 supports xlte whereas the n2 didn't

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3

 

[Barry Test]

The reason is because the note 3 has a weaker radio than the note 2

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Not for me my Note 3 is as good as my RAZR maxx.

 

[biceonthego]

Same here. Wife has iphine 5 and she gets 4g when i have 3g all the time

Posted via Android Central App

 

[runamuck0870]

2 more months until I can dump this POS Note 3. I'm about done with this thing.....too many issues since launch day. **** for camera, spontaneous reboots, now can't even make a damn phone call or send/receive text messages half the time. Utter crap.