Help Emergency calls only - no signal

[sam81]

Any help much appreciated on this please!To cut a very long story reasonably short!......I'm on my third HTC ONE phone in a month.
The first two were the ONE X - the first one I got had scratches on the back so I phoned immediately to ask for a replacement....never set it up at all.
The second phone arrived a week later & all was fine except I couldn't make or receive calls (except occasionally) - it had 'Emergency calls only - no signal' coming up. Phones4U suggested trying a new sim which I got from Vodafone but the same thing happened. By this time I was reluctant to get another ONE X, so asked for a ONE S which arrived today.
I love it size wise.....think it's much better than the X, but the same thing is happening!
I was initially able to make & receive a call, but now intermittently it comes up with 'Emergency calls only - no signal' again. I've had the Desire & Desire S through T-Mobile over the last two years & never had any problems like that. Before I get back to Phones4U can anyone give me any idea what it may be/what I've not set up correctly?

 

[agentc13]

It sounds like a SIM issue. Are you still using T-Mobile like previous phones or did you switch carriers?

Is the phone unbranded or is it carrier branded?

 

[sam81]

It sounds like a SIM issue. Are you still using T-Mobile like previous phones or did you switch carriers?

Is the phone unbranded or is it carrier branded?

I bought it online through Phones4U & don't think theirs are branded, & this deal is with Vodafone. I did get a new SIM from Vodafone as P4U suggested after this happened last week with the original SIM in the ONE X, & had it activated, but still had the same issue which is when I said I'd try the ONE S.......so that SIM is now in this phone, & I've set this all up like I did with the X & the thought of having to send this one back too is annoying! Would two separate SIM cards have the same issue? Everything else seems fine on it & I really love the actual phone....
My daughter got the ONE X & that's fine, but is with 3 Mobile. She's away at Uni so was only home for a few days, but worked with no problems here. I'll probably take it in a store to let them check it.....but would Phones4U or Vodafone be best?! I appreciate the help......thank you!

 

[agentc13]

I am from the US, and don't know a whole lot beyond the basics of how stuff works for you folks over there as far as carriers/suppliers/etc.

But I can say I get that message when I start my phone up before the sim card loads. So I think it is related to the card. I would try Vodafone and see what they say.

I'll see if I can get some folks that know more about some of the specifics to help you out. So hold tight, some more help should be showing up.

I don't think the international unbranded version needs a sim unlock code or anything so that shouldn't be the issue. Also, since it happened in a couple of different devices I don't think it is phone specific, but maybe a htc one series issue, or an issue with the Vodafone sim?

 

[sam81]

Many thanks! I'll take it into Vodafone on Monday I think & get them to look at it....but if anyone has any other thoughts I'll keep checking in! Thanks again agentc13......from a very wet & windy Glasgow!

 

[agentc13]

Many thanks! I'll take it into Vodafone on Monday I think & get them to look at it....but if anyone has any other thoughts I'll keep checking in! Thanks again agentc13......from a very wet & windy Glasgow!

No problem, maybe some others will pop in here before long if they have any ideas and save you a trip.

 

[Blue Thunder]

Hi I am in the UK and it sounds like a carrier issue. Vodafone and T-Mobile dont necessarily share the same masts. Where I live, we can only get an O2 signal all the others are on the other side of the hill. Seeing as you had no trouble before with T-Mobile I would be tempted to try a pay as you go T-Mobile sim to see if that cures the problem.

 

[El Presidente]

Many thanks! I'll take it into Vodafone on Monday I think & get them to look at it....but if anyone has any other thoughts I'll keep checking in! Thanks again agentc13......from a very wet & windy Glasgow!

Sounds just like Inverness at the moment!

There was a semi similar issue with the One X (see here) in that certain SIM Cards aren't compatible. If it's the same issue, you'll need to try a Non GBA SIM Card by all accounts. That's the only thing I can suggest unfortunately.

Also try this, Settings -> Mobile Networks and change the network mode to GSM Only, does that make a difference?

 

[sam81]

Sounds just like Inverness at the moment!

Ha ha - the joys of living in Scotland!! We actually have a bit of Sun today....

I read the info you gave on the SIM problems - will mention that when I go to a store tomorrow.

I've tried the GSM setting but still the same problem.

It's strange that I can make/receive the odd call - but 90% of the time it goes straight to Voicemail if anyone tries to ring me - and if I dial out it cuts off immediately.....apart from the odd time!

I've spent the afternoon on the phone (landline!) to both P4U & Vodafone........

Vodafone say go to a P4U store as I did purchase online from them - they are obviously thinking it's another dodgy handset...even though this is a ONE S whereas the previous phone was a ONE X. P4U say to go to a Vodafone store as it appears it may be a Network issue......and maybe try yet another SIM to see what happens, but to get back to them obviously if it's still not rectified.

I'm self-employed so need my phone to get jobs in etc - really annoying!
I'd already ported my number over to Vodafone, so although I still have my previous HTC Desire S, I've just got a Giff Gaff Sim in that now, with a different phone number though obviously.

I love the HTC ONE S phone - and don't really want the hassle of sending this one back after setting it all up yet again!

If it's a Network issue I'm hoping P4U can maybe transfer me to another Network.....we shall see what happens.

I shall keep you posted - but thanks everyone for all the help & support in the meantime!

It's now 'WineO'Clock' so off for a glass before dinner..........

 

[mikedt]

My China Mobile SIM done this a few days days ago. "Emergency calls only" and no service for the whole afternoon and evening, even when I tried the SIM in a spare phone, still the same. Next morning it was perfectly OK and back to normal. It's probably the carrier having problems.

What I think might have happened, the network or local cells might have been down or inaccessible that day because of a fault. The phone was trying to roam and connect onto a different carrier's network(China Unicom), there's no roaming on the other carrier, so it goes "Emergency calls only". Possibly it was a similar situation for the OP.

Although I'm in China and not Scotland, but AFAIK all GSM carriers operate in the same way.

 

[Vorbis]

My Aunt got a HTC One S yesterday on talkmobile which also uses the Vodafone network. She has barely any reception at all, often none, even on 2G. The signal checker said she should be fine. I plan to get a microsim adapter and try her sim in a different phone as it seems the One S has signal problems (on Vodafone at least).

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/HTC-One-Series/HTC-One-S-poor-signal/td-p/1088617

 

[sam81]

Well I went into Vodafone, asking if it could be the SIM but they said it's highly unlikely as I've already tried two different ones in two different phones. Everything worked with no problems as soon as I left the house btw - so they reckon that unfortunately it's just not picking up the signals at home (there are no bars showing - sometimes just one). In the store they asked if we lived in a house with thick walls (not exactly a Scottish Castle, but a 1930's Bungalow which do have fairly substantial walls!) Coverage was supposed to be no problem when they checked.
They said that MicroSims often have this problem, so the only thing they could suggest is getting the Vodafone Signal Booster.... P4U Tech Support or Vodafone Chat never even mentioned that. They are

 

[agentc13]

Well I went into Vodafone, asking if it could be the SIM but they said it's highly unlikely as I've already tried two different ones in two different phones. Everything worked with no problems as soon as I left the house btw - so they reckon that unfortunately it's just not picking up the signals at home (there are no bars showing - sometimes just one). In the store they asked if we lived in a house with thick walls (not exactly a Scottish Castle, but a 1930's Bungalow which do have fairly substantial walls!) Coverage was supposed to be no problem when they checked.
They said that MicroSims often have this problem, so the only thing they could suggest is getting the Vodafone Signal Booster.... P4U Tech Support or Vodafone Chat never even mentioned that. They are

 

[Blue Thunder]

If not couldn't you use a sim from a different carrier?

As you were using a T-Mobile sim in you old Desire, for peace of mind I would get a T-Mobile "Pay As You Go" sim and try it. They are between 50p and

 

[agentc13]

I definitely agree with the consensus that it shouldn't be a phone issue (I see the same message on mine when I start up before the sim is loaded and the phone connects to the network).

This is slightly off topic, but is there a reason you switched from T-Mobile to Vodafone?

Is switching carriers an option if the signal booster doesn't do the trick? I'm not sure if you had to sign a contract or anything like that which is common in the US, I am just a little curious and hoping to extend my knowledge about how things work over there.

Spoiler

Also slightly off topic, the phones can be carrier branded, but sim unlocked to work on any network (I have unlocked mine, and there is a way to do this for free if rooted).

 

[Blue Thunder]

I'm not sure if you had to sign a contract or anything like that which is common in the US, I am just a little curious and hoping to extend my knowledge about how things work over there.

Just to help. In the UK, you have the option of getting a phone:

Either on a contract for 12, 18 or 24 months. The norm now tends to be for 24 month. The contract comes with a usage limit for calls, texts (usually unlimited) and data (usually 500Mb per month) depending on how much you pay monthly. The phone is paid for through the contract.

Or on a "Pay As You Go" sim, which is a blank sim that you pay in a shop to have credit put on to the sim. With this option you have to buy the phone outright.

The phones can be got from the airtime provider, which are generally; O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange or 3 Mobile. O2 and Vodafone tend to have the better coverage, then followed by T-Mobile, Orange and 3 Mobile. But just like everywhere there are exceptions.

The other place to buy a phone is from 'independent' stores like the ones I mentioned in the post above, Phones 4U and Carphone Warehouse. They provide a wider range of phones and the sims for all the carriers. The advantage of these places is that you can get a phone that is not available from a carrier directly, but with their sim in it. The disadvantage is that your contract bundle is usually slightly less than the one available through a carrier. So for a set amount of money, you may only get 300Mb of data a month where you would get 500Mb if the phone was through a carrier

I know this is brief, but I hope this helps a bit. If you want more details just ask or PM me I am more that willing to give you as much information as you need or want.

 

[agentc13]

Spoiler

Just to help. In the UK, you have the option of getting a phone:

Either on a contract for 12, 18 or 24 months. The norm now tends to be for 24 month. The contract comes with a usage limit for calls, texts (usually unlimited) and data (usually 500Mb per month) depending on how much you pay monthly. The phone is paid for through the contract.

Or on a "Pay As You Go" sim, which is a blank sim that you pay in a shop to have credit put on to the sim. With this option you have to buy the phone outright.

The phones can be got from the airtime provider, which are generally; O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange or 3 Mobile. O2 and Vodafone tend to have the better coverage, then followed by T-Mobile, Orange and 3 Mobile. But just like everywhere there are exceptions.

The other place to buy a phone is from 'independent' stores like the ones I mentioned in the post above, Phones 4U and Carphone Warehouse. They provide a wide range of phone and the sims for all the carriers. The advantage of these places is that you can get a phone that is not available from a carrier directly, but with their sim in it. The disadvantage is that your contract bundle is usually slightly less than the one available through a carrier. So for a set amount of money, you may only get 300Mb of data a month where you would get 500Mb if the phone was got through a carrier

I know this is brief, but I hope this helps a bit. If you want more details just ask or PM me I am more that willing to give you as much information as you need or want.

Exactly what I wanted, thank you! It's not as different from here as I thought (mostly in the details, and the 'independent' stores).

 

[sam81]

The signal booster has sorted it out thankfully! Strange that initially neither Vodafone or P4U mentioned that it could be that. The second ONE X needn't have been sent back as there was probably nothing wrong with the phone! In a way though I'm glad as I opted to try the ONE S, and I feel the size of that is better for me.
Agentc13........the reason I switched carriers was that it was Vodafone who the deal was with!! I didn't really NEED a new phone - the Desire S was only a few months old as T-Mobile had replaced my Desire as it was going a bit haywire (that was on a Business Plan & they just swap the phone if you have any trouble). My 2 year contract with them had just come to an end though and I just fancied a new phone - and saw this deal with P4U on the Vodafone network for 12 months - not many do 12 months here! T-Mobile could well have matched the deal but I didn't try - just ordered this.The data allowance isn't as good as with T-Mobile I had unlimited, but this is unlimited for the first 3 months at least. It's a shame that for the first month I've hardly used it! I may phone them to see if they can do anything - such a hassle though as everything has to be explained over & over again............. I'll now sell my Desire S anyway - a lovely little phone which I'll miss!
Thanks for all your input anyway - really appreciate it. No doubt I will be asking other 'numpty' questions before long!
Sue

 

[terminal5527]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forums and from the US. I was having the same problem where the phone would completely lose signal at certain times. I had contacted T-mobile customer service but non of their advice helped. However, after restoring my phone to factory defaults, I think I found the problem!

After I restored the phone to factory defaults, I had no problems with signal. Then i updated the preloaded apps and bloatware, and got the "no signal" problem again.

SO, in short, the problem is probably somewhere in those annoying preloaded, bloatware apps, although I have yet to update them one by one and figure it out which app it is.

 

[johnheating]

HTC Desire Z and HTC Wildfire S we had the same problem. It used to switch OFF the Network provider and only emergency calls were allowed. When I would call my numbers I was getting "Subscriber is switched OFF!"
The way I fixed it: Settings/Wireless & Networks/Mobile networks/Network mode/GSM ONLY
Now I have CONSTANT signal and all of the time 4 bars.

Unfortunately HTC can make them but can not repair them...

 

[pinyata]

HTC Desire Z and HTC Wildfire S we had the same problem. It used to switch OFF the Network provider and only emergency calls were allowed. When I would call my numbers I was getting "Subscriber is switched OFF!"
The way I fixed it: Settings/Wireless & Networks/Mobile networks/Network mode/GSM ONLY
Now I have CONSTANT signal and all of the time 4 bars.

Unfortunately HTC can make them but can not repair them...

I know this is old and not the same phone, but thanks for this tip. I was having similar issues with my GS4 Active in India on Airtel and switching from 4G LTE to and forcing my phone to stay on GSM only fixed the issue.

 

[mikedt]

It's because 2G GSM is more tolerant of poor signals than LTE and 3G, so is more likely to work in a building. GSM is often a lower frequency than LTE, so it can penetrate brick and concrete better. May not be able to choose GSM only if you use a 3G and LTE only carrier though, like 3UK.

Spot the difference:

Outside on the street.

In my living room.

But never have any problem with losing calls or having to switch it to GSM mode only.