S4 needs restart to restore data signal (4G or H+) but sometimes any signal

[kevterry]

I have S4 GTI9505 running 4.4.2. Quite often when moving around different areas with different 4G/3G/2G availability and then coming back to a higher level signal area say 4G the data connection never comes back and I have to restart the phone. Sometimes any connection is lost and I get the circle with bar no signal indication. Again re-starting the phone gets all working again. I have noticed this problem since phone software update to 4.4.2 but also I now move around areas with 4G. I also get same problem though rarely when using 4G and take a voice call and when it ends 4G does not come back. I am hoping Vodaphone work with Samsung to get this software problem sorted quickly as its very annoying. I notice other posts on internet with other users having similar problems so it needs to be recognised as a real software bug with this and maybe other phones and get it fixed.

Power Saving mode on my phone is turned off.

[hrym]

There was an issue with switching between 4G and lower speed connections in the early days on Samsung devices, but I thought this had been solved with a software update.  Have you checked for updates, though I also though this pre-dated 4.4.2, so would be included with that?

Rather than switching the phone on and off, you may find that turning mobile data off and on restarts the connection.  You could also try restricting the connection to WCDMA and GSM only when you're outside a 4G area.  I know all this is clunky, but it's a bit easier than what you're doing now.

A few people noticed their data connection dropping out on 2 & 3G a while back and the same process solved that.  It seems to have gone away as a problem, though.

[kevterry]

Thanks, Yes I always try to turn off Data (and WiFI access Point if in use) and then back on again but this does not fix it. I can try to limit to no 4G as you suggest when I get chanace but right now I'm working in area with 4G and using it to get internet access for my laptop using phone as access point (hotspot). Try to avoid having to use and pay for T-Mobile(EE) H+ dongle.

[Northern-dj]

Sadly it's still there and on the S5 it was sorted in the London area
The problem is when moving from a 4G transmitter to logging on to a 3G if this is a older tower it does not work its not a issue with your device vodafone no the fix as it has been done in the major 4G areas and it's there older 3G sites

[kevterry]

Mmm yes I can see there can be problems handing off a data connection to/from 4G/3G with incompatible basestations but I still think the phone/device should detect inactivity of a data connection and start re-scanning without me having to restart the device. The phone knows the signal has gone because it shows no signal or 4G/H+ indication.

[Lee9495]

I've only had my Galaxy S4 less than a fortnight and the same thing happens, have searched all over the internet and this is the only results I have found, other than taking back off and messing with antenna which don't want to do. Its just so bizarre having to switch data off to switch phone off for it to reset the connection. Friends with Iphones don't have this problem, are Apple more prepared?

[kevterry]

Hi,  My phone is still having the problem and I had to re-start it to get basic call (2G) connectivity the other day. Sometimes turning on flight mode then off again seems to do the trick, though its hard to say if this is more effective than turning mobile data off/on for restoring data connectivity. Having spoken to a few people I know in last couple of weeks they get the same issue and  the problem occurs on other networks (not just Vodaphone) but they do have Samsung phones . So it may or may not be a problem unique to Samsung !. I hope Vodaphone (if you are watching this post) have enough clout with Samsung to get them to fix it.

[hrym]

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@kevterry wrote:

Having spoken to a few people I know in last couple of weeks they get the same issue and  the problem occurs on other networks (not just Vodaphone) but they do have Samsung phones .

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It seems to affect a range of phones.   I've seen it on both a Sony and an HTC.   It's not been happening recently in the areas I've been and I wonder whether it's related to network maintenance?  I was always able to fix it by turning mobile data one and off, although sometimes it also seemed to come back by itself.

[kevterry]

Latest HTC, Sony , Samsung Phones all use Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset I think , so maybe thats a common denominator along with Android O.S. iPhone 5 has a different chipset (A6) and different O.S. I have just loaded a firmware update pushed by the network which was noted for "Stability" so I'll see if that makes a difference over the next few days. If it gets stuck again I'll try the flight mode on/off method to try and recover connectivity.

[Ben_H]

Hi everyone,

As we're not aware of any general issues with either phone models or chipsets mentioned, we'll need each of you to try the Network Troubleshooting thread.

This will help identify individual issues and help anyone struggling with local coverage, or separate phone or SIM faults.

Cheers, Ben