Help Is my S3 broke? Always loses GPS signal or takes 20 minutes to find it

[Cadis]

I did a quick search and couldn't find any issues like mine. If I found any it was a thread about someone in Amsterdam or some other foreign country with GPS issues, so pardon me if this has been addressed.

Anyways, my GPS always loses signal and takes awhile to be found again. It sometimes takes 10-30 minutes to find the satellite during the initial start-up.

Here are some pictures, it applies to both Google Navigation and Verizon's Navigation

Photo Album - Imgur

Example picture:

 

[Ches111]

Have you changed locations by greater than 100 - 150 Miles?

If you have it will take some time to re-orient itself. However I have to say around town I lock Sats much quciker than ANY other device that I have had int he past including Garmin GPS. I usually get lock in 2 - 5 seconds.

I also maintain lock quite well. I bike with the S3 in my hydro pack and and it stays connected all the time.

Hope this helps!

 

[Cadis]

Have you changed locations by greater than 100 - 150 Miles?

If you have it will take some time to re-orient itself. However I have to say around town I lock Sats much quciker than ANY other device that I have had int he past including Garmin GPS. I usually get lock in 2 - 5 seconds.

I also maintain lock quite well. I bike with the S3 in my hydro pack and and it stays connected all the time.

Hope this helps!

Thanks I'll try it out after class. Would that help even though it finds the GPS, but during the route it loses the signal? It has happened every time I use it.

 

[Ches111]

Where are you locating the device in the vehicle? According to the maps display above your accuracy was poor.

 

[Cadis]

Where are you locating the device in the vehicle? According to the maps display above your accuracy was poor.

I have it near the windshield resting on my console. Same place I would use my Droid X, which had no issues.

 

[laptopquestion]

You might also try the free GPSTest app.

Which I used here.

Did find this interesting comment right on the top of the GPSTest app page:

Stephen - August 16, 2012 - LG Cayman with version 1.2.9 PERFECT!

Excellent App! I've been having so much trouble with the Google Maps and the navigation. I did not want to pay to have the VZW Navigation. I kept getting the dreaded "Searching For GPS" message. I installed this app and cleared the AGPS and everything is up and working again. Thank You So Much for such a great app!

 

[Funnyusername]

I will say in my experience with the GPS, it does take a considerable amount of time to lock on the GPS. I think there was a few times when it lock on fast, sometimes it takes longer.

I keep all the location settings off sometimes, and I turn them on when I use the GPS. I wonder if that will make it hard to lock on, by turning on and off the location settings.

Kinda annoying, my T-Bolt never had this problem.

 

[Hogan773]

My GPS typically locks in within 10 seconds....assuming I'm in a place where it can receive the satellites. If you're in an underground bunker then maybe not.

GPSTest is a good, free app to see what's happening, which satellites are in play, etc.

 

[heavychevy]

My GPS has been lightning fast every time I use it,. Also fastest I've ever had.

 

[laptopquestion]

I will say in my experience with the GPS, it does take a considerable amount of time to lock on the GPS. I think there was a few times when it lock on fast, sometimes it takes longer.

I keep all the location settings off sometimes, and I turn them on when I use the GPS. I wonder if that will make it hard to lock on, by turning on and off the location settings.

Kinda annoying, my T-Bolt never had this problem.

My GPS typically locks in within 10 seconds....assuming I'm in a place where it can receive the satellites. If you're in an underground bunker then maybe not.

GPSTest is a good, free app to see what's happening, which satellites are in play, etc.

My GPS has been lightning fast every time I use it,. Also fastest I've ever had.

Tad strange how much of a variance people are getting. My S3 locks by the time I pull out of my driveway. My Garmin would take to the end of my street. My Samsung Omnia 2 (WM 6.5), several miles.

Fixing also takes longer when moving to an entirely different geographic area.

You also need to make sure that 'Standalone GPS services' is checked in your 'Settings -> Location services' to actually enable satellite location, the most accurate.

 

[laptopquestion]

Additional Verizon Location Services info from here:

Google Location Services:
This option uses location services provided by Google and is helpful for android applications that provide location services such as Google maps.

VZW Location Services:
This option uses location services provided by Verizon Wireless and it helps specific Verizon Wireless applications such as the VZ Navigator.

Stand Alone GPS Services:
This option is linked directly with satellite positioning and it is helpful for some 3rd party applications that require this type of location service to function properly.

 

[Stingray76]

I had the same problem with not locking in or dropping off of the GPS signal. Try downloading the app 'GPS Status and Toolbox' from the Play Store. It solved all my problems. I connect all the time within 10-15 seconds.

 

[Cadis]

Well thanks for the advice guys. I tried what you suggested (both apps) and nothing...here are some screenshots:

At 2:49 I started the program:

At 3:08, I give up. Still nothing.

=

 

[tb4me]

My first S3 had similar issues - sometimes locking on a few satellites after a long time, but then losing them when I drove. I use GPS Status app and it still didn't help. One time, I left the phone outside, searching for over 10 minutes and it didn't fix to a single satellite.

I returned the phone and the replacement works great - locks in a few seconds when outside or in the car. I assume there was something defective with the GPS antenna connection inside the phone.

 

[Mabashi]

My first S3 had similar issues - sometimes locking on a few satellites after a long time, but then losing them when I drove. I use GPS Status app and it still didn't help. One time, I left the phone outside, searching for over 10 minutes and it didn't fix to a single satellite.

I returned the phone and the replacement works great - locks in a few seconds when outside or in the car. I assume there was something defective with the GPS antenna connection inside the phone.

Same here, my first GS3 took forever and was off. New one locks instantly!

 

[Hogan773]

maybe you dropped the phone or somehow the gps antenna has become disconnected. What you're describing doesn't seem like a software problem.

 

[Cadis]

Thanks guys. I'll call Verizon today. I got it at launch. I'm not sure what the warranty is but I hope I can get a replacement free of charge.

 

[skholy]

Hi,when i was used to put my GS3 in a horizontal (flat) position it used to disconnect GPS and never reconnect till i switch off then on the GPS, i was about to take it to the store (still in warranty) i thought of putting it as if in a car mobile holder and it worked and the GPS never disconnected! So try putting it in vertical position and see.

 

[Gmash]

Hi,when i was used to put my GS3 in a horizontal (flat) position it used to disconnect GPS and never reconnect till i switch off then on the GPS, i was about to take it to the store (still in warranty) i thought of putting it as if in a car mobile holder and it worked and the GPS never disconnected! So try putting it in vertical position and see.

Welcome to the forums, and thanks for the tip!

 

[Doit2it]

Make sure you have Google and Verizon location services checked along with standalone GPS. The 1st two services provide a rough location that the GPS can use to 'lock on' faster. Also, do you have a case on the phone? If the case is metallic or has magnetic clasps it MAY be interfering with the GPS antenna. Along those lines, what car mount are you using? Have you tried getting a lock handheld, outside or just laying the phone on the dash. Just a thought.

If none of this helps, it's probably the phone.