Not registered on network message

[Wobblybox]

I have a note 8 and am plagued with 'not registered on network' messages. I can't use the phone for calls or texts (not sure about WhatsApp but Internet works). It's happening daily and takes maybe 10 minutes faffing about to get back on network. My partner is also Vodafone and getting the same message but not as often (she has a S7 edge). I turned the lte option off earlier today and it hasn't happened since so I'm wondering if it is something to do with transferring from 3 to 4g....? I rang Vodafone who advised they have no network issues in my area (the fault happens at home, work and elsewhere) it's a bit of a mission to get it back on with messages like 'cannot change network' while data transfer in place and such like. It happens most often when I terminate a call try to make another call straight away. Anyone else having thus problem? Is it a handset or network problem? I changed my contract S8 plus to a sim free Note 8 bought from carphone warehouse. I got a new sim from Vodafone and it's still happening. I have good signal when this occurs. I can eventually select another network then re select Vodafone only for it to work for a few moments then 'not registered on network' i

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @Wobblybox

This obviously shouldn't be happening with a Flagship Phone. 

I understand this is happening less frequently with your partner's phone but as a process of elimination can you insert your sim card in another phone to see if this issue continues or not. 

As this is happening everywhere I can't see it being an issue with your sim card or account however. 

A Samsung service location or Samsung Experience Store can run a diagnosis on it. 

As you purchased the phone from CPW it should be unlocked to all networks so can you try an active alternative network sim card in it so see if the same kind of message pops up. 

CPW use Samsung's Firmware and Not Vodafones version of firmware with their own CsC Code which is normally xeu. It could be that Vodafones Network for some reason is not playing nice with the phone. That's why I'm asking if you can try another network sim card in it. 

I have read recently where an s8 owners phone would not move from 4g to 3g or lower which caused issues when using internet while on a call and I've read in the past where some phones had difficulty in moving from 3g or lower back up to 4g after the call was finished. 

I'm using a s8 and haven't experienced these issues. 

Please double check that both your phone and apps are fully up to date. 

[Wobblybox]

Thank. You for your informative reply. I left the phone into Samsung who diagnosed a fault in the motherboard. So I left it in and the motherboard was replaced along with the battery and charging port and got it back yesterday. I got 'not registered on network' a few hours ago grrrr! It happens when I'm on a call where 4g is indicated, when the call is connected the phone goes to H. The fault happens when the phone is trying to reconnect back to 4g. If I turn off 4g (lte) it works fine. I have changed the sim, I have changed the settings factory reset at least 4 times, reset network settings etc etc etc etc and it still throws the fault up. I do have an EE sim which I'll use for a while to see. The fault is intermittent which is frustrating to say the least. At least I know how to fix it. 

[Wobblybox]

Thank. You for your informative reply. I left the phone into Samsung who diagnosed a fault in the motherboard. So I left it in and the motherboard was replaced along with the battery and charging port and got it back yesterday. I got 'not registered on network' a few hours ago grrrr! It happens when I'm on a call where 4g is indicated, when the call is connected the phone goes to H. The fault happens when the phone is trying to reconnect back to 4g. If I turn off 4g (lte) it works fine. I have changed the sim, I have changed the settings factory reset at least 4 times, reset network settings etc etc etc etc and it still throws the fault up. I do have an EE sim which I'll use for a while to see. The fault is intermittent which is frustrating to say the least. At least I know how to fix it. 

[hrym]

There's another thread here which has a similar, or at least apparently related, problem.  It looks as though some Samsung devices may have an issue with the switch between 3 & 4G.  4G is a data-only network and can't be used for calls, which is why the phone drops back the H when you have one.  I assume Samsung are aware of this and that there'll be a firmware update before too long.    Whether this is happening on all networks, or only Vodafone, I don't know.

[Wobblybox]

Interesting... I'll look for that thread. It's also happening on my girlfriends S7 edge. I assume there's a no of handsets affected by this? Hopefully it gets sorted soon. Thanks for your help 

[hrym]

It seems to be something that's come up relatively recently, so may have been introduced by a recent update - it's a bit early to tell.   I haven't done any research to see if other networks are affected, but it looks initially as though both VF-branded and unbranded devices are affected, so at this stage, I'd suspect that it's not a Vodafone issue.  If it was, it would be reasonable to assume that their own firmware would have been extensively tested.

Whatever fault it was that Samsung found with your motherboard, it doesn't seem to have caused this issue or, from what you say, to have manifested itself to you.   Sounds like you dodged the bullet of a later fault there .