Poor call quality solved by clearing the cache partition and factory reset

[lsli]

Just a tip for those people who are experiencing bad quality. I recently ordered two Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 phones (both had update stickers on their box which I'm guessing the software on the phone has been updated recently) both with the stock ROM. Specifically, my family and friends would complain about the call quality. They had a hard time hearing me. My voice would sound muffled and faint. There were also complaints about static. This would happen whether I was on the handset, headset, or speakerphone.

I tried a few things to fix the issue. I called Verizon. They tried refreshing the VLR on their end. I have no idea what that does but it didn't help me. I then looked on the Internet for any ideas. I tried disabling voice privacy (Phone > Call Settings > uncheck Voice Privacy) which seemed to help a little. I also tried disabling noise reduction when in handset mode (Phone > Call Settings > Additional Settings > uncheck noise reduction). That had no effect.

I then read on a web page that a factory reset was supposed to help. So I also did a factory reset (Menu > Settings > Back up and reset > Factory data reset). That did not work either.

However, I then wondered if the person who suggested a factory reset might have also implicitly expected me to clear the cache partition, too. I booted into recovery mode by simultaneously pressing on the up volume key, the home button, and the power button. In recovery mode, I then performed the following:

select "wipe cache partition"
select "wipe data/factory reset"
select "reboot system now"​

After I did this, I believe the call quality improved immensely (at least that's what my friends and family are telling me). I wonder if I even had to do the factory reset - maybe all I needed to do was to clear the cache partition.

Hope this helps others who were in a panic because the call quality problem is a dealbreaker for me. If people can't hear me talking, then I would have returned my S3s. And I would have hated to do that since this phone is awesome - infinitely better than my craptastic Samsung Moment... Some people may already know this solution, but I certainly didn't and I'm certainly not an Android expert.

 

[S3owner]

Just a tip for those people who are experiencing bad quality. I recently ordered two Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 phones (both had update stickers on their box which I'm guessing the software on the phone has been updated recently) both with the stock ROM. Specifically, my family and friends would complain about the call quality. They had a hard time hearing me. My voice would sound muffled and faint. There were also complaints about static. This would happen whether I was on the handset, headset, or speakerphone.

I tried a few things to fix the issue. I called Verizon. They tried refreshing the VLR on their end. I have no idea what that does but it didn't help me. I then looked on the Internet for any ideas. I tried disabling voice privacy (Phone > Call Settings > uncheck Voice Privacy) which seemed to help a little. I also tried disabling noise reduction when in handset mode (Phone > Call Settings > Additional Settings > uncheck noise reduction). That had no effect.

I then read on a web page that a factory reset was supposed to help. So I also did a factory reset (Menu > Settings > Back up and reset > Factory data reset). That did not work either.

However, I then wondered if the person who suggested a factory reset might have also implicitly expected me to clear the cache partition, too. I booted into recovery mode by simultaneously pressing on the up volume key, the home button, and the power button. In recovery mode, I then performed the following:

select "wipe cache partition"
select "wipe data/factory reset"
select "reboot system now"​

After I did this, I believe the call quality improved immensely (at least that's what my friends and family are telling me). I wonder if I even had to do the factory reset - maybe all I needed to do was to clear the cache partition.

Hope this helps others who were in a panic because the call quality problem is a dealbreaker for me. If people can't hear me talking, then I would have returned my S3s. And I would have hated to do that since this phone is awesome - infinitely better than my craptastic Samsung Moment... Some people may already know this solution, but I certainly didn't and I'm certainly not an Android expert.

YOU SAID IN YOUR ADVISE: I booted into recovery mode by simultaneously pressing on the up volume key, the home button, and the power button.

I DID SO AND NOTHING HAPPENS. OTHER SUGGESTIONS?

 

[S3owner]

you said in your advise: I booted into recovery mode by simultaneously pressing on the up volume key, the home button, and the power button.

I did so and nothing happens. Other suggestions?

sorry, my fault: I didn't understand you said it must be up position of volume button....i pressed the upper side of it and it worked fine....i wiped cache only and people can hear me better, thanks

 

[dfran1]

sorry, my fault: I didn't understand you said it must be up position of volume button....i pressed the upper side of it and it worked fine....i wiped cache only and people can hear me better, thanks

Did that erase or loose any application data, save games and configurations?

 

[paulos77]

Did that erase or loose any application data, save games and configurations?

Just wondering if anyone can answer the question above?

 

[paulos77]

Just wondering if anyone can answer the question above?

I got impatient and tried it anyway........IT doesn't wipe any data that i can see.

Haven't tried the call quality yet.....

FYI - on the S3 forum a lot of people are having the same issue
Poor call quality - Page 6

 

[clitrenta]

Am I just not dexterious or am I doing something wrong. I press those three together (no easy task!) and the darn thing takes a screen shot (never knew about THAT)

 

[dfran1]

Am I just not dexterious or am I doing something wrong. I press those three together (no easy task!) and the darn thing takes a screen shot (never knew about THAT)

Power off the phone first then try with phone powered off

 

[clitrenta]

Power off the phone first then try with phone powered off

Thanks. I figured that out. Didn't really catch that from the post.

 

[paulos77]

Didn't work for me. Still have same issue.

2-3 mins into a call, the person on the other end says my voice sounds like i am walking away from the phone and can only hear every other word, if at all. Then it kicks back in to be fine again.....and this repeats.

 

[Mooncrater]

hi

i applied 1/3 of this fix ie select "wipe cache partition" to an issue i had where i was getting a completely garbled line for portion of a call.....the fixed has worked a treat.

fyi .... i did perform a factory reset prior to the fix above, but, it had no effect on the garbled line....so i resorted to the "wipe cache partition" and it work perfectly

thks

 

[Aldo23]

Just a tip for those people who are experiencing bad quality. I recently ordered two Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 phones (both had update stickers on their box which I'm guessing the software on the phone has been updated recently) both with the stock ROM. Specifically, my family and friends would complain about the call quality. They had a hard time hearing me. My voice would sound muffled and faint. There were also complaints about static. This would happen whether I was on the handset, headset, or speakerphone.

I tried a few things to fix the issue. I called Verizon. They tried refreshing the VLR on their end. I have no idea what that does but it didn't help me. I then looked on the Internet for any ideas. I tried disabling voice privacy (Phone > Call Settings > uncheck Voice Privacy) which seemed to help a little. I also tried disabling noise reduction when in handset mode (Phone > Call Settings > Additional Settings > uncheck noise reduction). That had no effect.

I then read on a web page that a factory reset was supposed to help. So I also did a factory reset (Menu > Settings > Back up and reset > Factory data reset). That did not work either.

However, I then wondered if the person who suggested a factory reset might have also implicitly expected me to clear the cache partition, too. I booted into recovery mode by simultaneously pressing on the up volume key, the home button, and the power button. In recovery mode, I then performed the following:

select "wipe cache partition"
select "wipe data/factory reset"
select "reboot system now"
​

After I did this, I believe the call quality improved immensely (at least that's what my friends and family are telling me). I wonder if I even had to do the factory reset - maybe all I needed to do was to clear the cache partition.

Hope this helps others who were in a panic because the call quality problem is a dealbreaker for me. If people can't hear me talking, then I would have returned my S3s. And I would have hated to do that since this phone is awesome - infinitely better than my craptastic Samsung Moment... Some people may already know this solution, but I certainly didn't and I'm certainly not an Android expert.

I also have the issue of poor call quality and tried the "wipe cache partition". So far I think this has made a huge difference. Thank you!

I did not issue the "wipe data/factory reset" command thought out of fear I would loose everything on my phone. Does that command cause the phone to go back to an out of the box configuration? Would I loose everything and have to reload all my apps, etc.

 

[am71000]

I have tried pressing all 3 buttons and it just keeps turning my phone off or on. What am I missing?

 

[dfran1]

I have tried pressing all 3 buttons and it just keeps turning my phone off or on. What am I missing?

Phone has to be powered off first
Then try.

 

[Aldo23]

Just a tip for those people who are experiencing bad quality. I recently ordered two Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 phones (both had update stickers on their box which I'm guessing the software on the phone has been updated recently) both with the stock ROM. Specifically, my family and friends would complain about the call quality. They had a hard time hearing me. My voice would sound muffled and faint. There were also complaints about static. This would happen whether I was on the handset, headset, or speakerphone.

I tried a few things to fix the issue. I called Verizon. They tried refreshing the VLR on their end. I have no idea what that does but it didn't help me. I then looked on the Internet for any ideas. I tried disabling voice privacy (Phone > Call Settings > uncheck Voice Privacy) which seemed to help a little. I also tried disabling noise reduction when in handset mode (Phone > Call Settings > Additional Settings > uncheck noise reduction). That had no effect.

I then read on a web page that a factory reset was supposed to help. So I also did a factory reset (Menu > Settings > Back up and reset > Factory data reset). That did not work either.

However, I then wondered if the person who suggested a factory reset might have also implicitly expected me to clear the cache partition, too. I booted into recovery mode by simultaneously pressing on the up volume key, the home button, and the power button. In recovery mode, I then performed the following:

select "wipe cache partition"
select "wipe data/factory reset"
select "reboot system now"
​

After I did this, I believe the call quality improved immensely (at least that's what my friends and family are telling me). I wonder if I even had to do the factory reset - maybe all I needed to do was to clear the cache partition.

Hope this helps others who were in a panic because the call quality problem is a dealbreaker for me. If people can't hear me talking, then I would have returned my S3s. And I would have hated to do that since this phone is awesome - infinitely better than my craptastic Samsung Moment... Some people may already know this solution, but I certainly didn't and I'm certainly not an Android expert.

Does the "wipe data/factory reset" command set the phone S3 back to original factory settings? Anotherwords, will have to re-load all my apps, etc?

 

[am71000]

Phone has to be powered off first
Then try.

I am turning it off first. Do You just press all 3 for a short time or hold down until the phone does something. I hold all 3 and all that happens is the phone turns back on.

 

[dfran1]

Does the "wipe data/factory reset" command set the phone S3 back to original factory settings? Anotherwords, will have to re-load all my apps, etc?

Yes a wipe and factory reset does wipe your phone like you just received it new, but once you log into Google your apps should all come back that you have downloaded from Google play.
You will have to reconfigure all your apps. It does suck somewhat
Good luck

 

[dfran1]

I am turning it off first. Do You just press all 3 for a short time or hold down until the phone does something. I hold all 3 and all that happens is the phone turns back on.

I am assuming you are trying to get into recovery
With phone off
press and hold
Volume up
Home
Then power, last and keep holding all 3

 

[am71000]

Thank you. The trick is to only hold until you see blue light in upper left of screen flash then let go and choose from menu. Thanks again.

 

[dfran1]

Thank you. The trick is to only hold until you see blue light in upper left of screen flash then let go and choose from menu. Thanks again.

Sorry about that
I do do that but forgot about it till you just mentioned it
Again Sorry for the missing step
Best of luck

 

[tc4all]

I tried all of this and it did make some difference, but, and it is a big but, it is nowhere near what it needs to be. I compared it to a free old Motorola and this S3 is just garbage. I just have to decide if it is a group of phones and changing for another will be better or if I just need to return it. Probably the later. I find this inexcusable from Samsung for a phone of this price. Maybe that is why they are already down to $99 and even $79 with a plan. My Sister's S2 sounds fine, but not this thing. Can anyone say class action suite.

 

[cogswell]

I too have horrible call quaity that sounds like the person on the other end is covering their mouth, gargling with marbles... while in a tunnel. I find myself repeating "hanh, what, could you repeat that" Performed the steps the op has illustrated but still find no improvement. This is unacceptable! Any suggestions? I don't want to jump ship as I've come to love this phone in my brief month with it.

 

[Fattires13]

Four years later and this solution works for the S5. I had the exact same issue with my new 16G S5; muffled or hard to hear. I cleared the cache partition as described and then rebooted. I immediately made a phone call to the person I was just talking to and they said it was much clearer. Still not 100% but much much better. Environment and volume of voice was the same in both calls

So now I have to ask myself, if this has been an issue for at least four years why hasn't this issue been addressed?!?!