Help Signal goes from solid 4G to no data (gray triangle)

jkc120 · Jan 23, 2012

dhworph said:
I've seen this strong 4G to grey triangle phenomena happen, although I rarely get 4 bars of 4G, usually 2 bars and sometimes 3. My signal has been pretty stable lately, and usually is when I'm stationary. When driving, the signal is totally erratic. Sometimes it will be completely stable 4G for my whole commute, sometimes dropping to 3G, sometimes going to grey triangle. My gut tells me that the radio is not the best, but it's also phone software issues, but mostly verizon authentication and LTE instability/unreliability issues. My guess is it will get better, but never be completely fixed, except possibly for new phone software/hardware combos in the future.

When you get the "gray triangle of death" does it also affect voice? I thought at first it was due to moving from tower to tower or being in motion in general, but I've seen it do this when the phone is sitting there by itself unused in a decent signal area.

dhworph · Jan 24, 2012

jkc120 said:
When you get the "gray triangle of death" does it also affect voice? I thought at first it was due to moving from tower to tower or being in motion in general, but I've seen it do this when the phone is sitting there by itself unused in a decent signal area.

I can't verify that... as I've never noticed it while on a voice call. My gut says, yes I still have voice, but I'll watch out for that next time it happens...

jinwons · Jan 24, 2012

I think this is mostly verizon thing affecting all their 4G phones. you can easily find the same issue with Razr, Rezound recently.

jkc120 · Jan 24, 2012

jinwons said:
I think this is mostly verizon thing affecting all their 4G phones. you can easily find the same issue with Razr, Rezound recently.

I suppose it's possible, it just seemed WAY too coincidental for me:

- 5 drops the morning of the day I swapped my Nexus out
- 1 drop on the "good" Nexus that evening, then NONE for 6 days
- No drops on current Nexus in 1st day, then 3 between 2:15 and 4:45 on day #2
- No drops since (almost 2 days have gone by)

If it's just a matter of how the Nexus responds to the LTE network hiccup, I guess I could believe it's just the network. However, what I don't get is why voice would drop as well. I don't think anyone in the Rezound/Razr forums are seeing voice affected, too, are they? I know there are Rezound people having the "stuck on 1x" problem, but I just don't know if they are related or the same issue but different symptoms. Hmm. :thinking:

syntrix · Jan 24, 2012

Skyrocket has lots of problems like this (ATT LTE phone):

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s2-skyrocket/441808-3g-data-not-working.html

ATT's deployment is not as vast as VZW's LTE, so there's probably less complaints. I'd say it's a LTE thing across the board.

TheXFactor · Jan 24, 2012

I have the rezound. If I leave it in 4G mode and travel from a 3G area to a 4G area, it switches instantly. When I leave a 4G area, right about on the edge of 4G coverage, depending on the area, 3G does not happen, it goes straight to 1x (it always in the same area, right about 10 minutes from home). I never lose voice or data though. I have a very strong 3G signal at home and in between the 4G area.

If I leave the rezound on 3G only, never any problems. Never lose data and signal is always strong.

The only way to get out of 1x is to reboot. Toggling airplane/data/wifi on off does not bring back 3G. HTH

Sandroidfan · Jan 24, 2012

For me, the only time when my nexus got stuck with no signal was when I was messing up with battery saver app (2X battery). That app doesn't work well with ICS for now, so I removed it.

Mine goes to 1X in very weak spots too, but it never required reboot to get data back. As soon as I get out to good signal area, it picks up 3G or 4G. 3G/4G hand-off is rough sometimes. But it's rock solid in 3G mode and never gave me trouble holding signal.

finn5975 · Jan 24, 2012

Sandroidfan said:
For me, the only time when my nexus got stuck with no signal was when I was messing up with battery saver app (2X battery). That app doesn't work well with ICS for now, so I removed it.

Mine goes to 1X in very weak spots too, but it never required reboot to get data back. As soon as I get out to good signal area, it picks up 3G or 4G. 3G/4G hand-off is rough sometimes. But it's rock solid in 3G mode and never gave me trouble holding signal.

Up to this point I hadn't really paid attention to anyone mentioning dropping to 1X. I have noticed that my GNex has yet to drop below 3G, even in areas where every other phone I have owned would. Makes me wonder if the 'fix' in 4.0.3 will correct the signal display I am seeing to show 1X, or, if I am truly getting 3G in all areas now.

Sandroidfan · Jan 24, 2012

finn5975 said:
Up to this point I hadn't really paid attention to anyone mentioning dropping to 1X. I have noticed that my GNex has yet to drop below 3G, even in areas where every other phone I have owned would. Makes me wonder if the 'fix' in 4.0.3 will correct the signal display I am seeing to show 1X, or, if I am truly getting 3G in all areas now.

Good point. As you said, Nexus doesn't display "1X" on signal bar. But it goes gray bar without "3G/4G" in weak spots and that's what I meant. As I could still do phone calls, I assumed it's on 1X. So yours never drop "3G" on signal bar?

finn5975 · Jan 24, 2012

Sandroidfan said:
Good point. As you said, Nexus doesn't display "1X" on signal bar. But it goes gray bar without "3G/4G" in weak spots and that's what I meant. As I could still do phone calls, I assumed it's on 1X. So yours never drop "3G" on signal bar?

Ha, I guess that is why I have never seen the 1X

I actually did not realize that. My first 3 Gnex definitely would drop 3G/4G in weak spots....quite often actually. I also experienced the phantom data drops while my phone(s) were stationary in my house. But with this fourth one, in 2 weeks I have yet to have a data drop and yet to see it not display 3G at a minimum. Makes me seriously believe there were bad units. I don't know how to otherwise explain my experiences.

Sandroidfan · Jan 24, 2012

finn5975 said:
Ha, I guess that is why I have never seen the 1X I actually did not realize that. My first 3 Gnex definitely would drop 3G/4G in weak spots....quite often actually. I also experienced the phantom data drops while my phone(s) were stationary in my house. But with this fourth one, in 2 weeks I have yet to have a data drop and yet to see it not display 3G at a minimum. Makes me seriously believe there were bad units. I don't know how to otherwise explain my experiences.

Looks like your new one is better than mine. But I don't think mine is bad one as it doesn't need rebooting to get data signal back when coming out of weak spots. I agree it looks like there were some bad units in early batches somehow (unless it was verizon's fault).

fusionta66 · Jan 25, 2012

Phone definitely does display '1x'. I've seen it many times.

RichSz · Jan 25, 2012

I'm not surprised that the GNex has some signal issues. It's a new version of the OS and hasn't been as widely tested and tweaked as Gingerbread, for example. I knew there would be issues going in. These issues will get fixed. It's the cost of being bleeding edge.

If this is unacceptable, then maybe this isn't the right phone at this time. No shame or blame if someone can't wait until it gets better. We all have our own requirements.

hlsilver · Jan 26, 2012

Well, I've had GNex #2 for about 36 hours now with no drops thankfully. However, earlier I turned data off using a toggle widget and tried to turn it back on later but couldn't get any 4g data and it wouldbt connect to 3G either. Switched to 3G only and 3G was working fine, I didn't think to try airplane mode until after I had already restarted.

vico512 · Jan 27, 2012

I'm one of those "so far it's working OK" guys (new phone), but I came across this link that might shed some additional light:

This Is Why Your Verizon Galaxy Nexus (Or Other 4G LTE VZW Phone) Is Losing Its Data Connection

Apologies if you've already seen this.

Cheers...

jkc120 · Jan 27, 2012

vico512 said:
I'm one of those "so far it's working OK" guys (new phone), but I came across this link that might shed some additional light:

This Is Why Your Verizon Galaxy Nexus (Or Other 4G LTE VZW Phone) Is Losing Its Data Connection

Apologies if you've already seen this.

Cheers...

No, this is something else entirely. This thread is about losing data and voice. Neither work when this would happen to my phones.

To quote that article:

When your device fails to authenticate on the network (for any reason - and there are a gamut of possibilities), Verizon will kick you off the data side (not voice, though), either 3G or 4G.

Emphasis mine. While it would explain some of the data drop issues some have, that's not what's happening in this case being discussed in this thread.

vico512 · Jan 27, 2012

OK - got it. I missed the voice part in the long string. I'll watch mine for similar problems, and just remain lurking in the woods, if I don't have this issue.

robwheeler · Jan 30, 2012

Long time lurker of Android Forums, just registered to say I've had this exact problem and am glad that I am not alone in my frustrations.

Got the phone last Wednesday, same symptoms as the original poster... data/voice will go out (even though the 4g bars remain) and then a few seconds later the 4g bar disappears completely to be replaced by the gray triangle. A minute or so later I get 4g back and with it voice/data. The disconnects happen frequently, and I am in an urban area with supposed excellent 4g coverage. I am not annoyed at the fact that 4g is unreliable, I am annoyed at the fact that when 4g cuts out it doesn't transition to 3g but drops EVERYTHING entirely, meaning phone calls are dropped, texts can't be sent, etc. It's also extremely draining on the battery.

I tried flashing the 4.03 radios and turning on data roaming but the same problem persists. I contacted Verizon support and they said it could be a hardware issue, took it back to the Verizon store, they swapped the phone and SIM card last Friday and I am still having the exact same problem. So like the OP, this is my second phone with the same problem. I can run in CDMA mode with no problems, but part of the appeal of the Galaxy Nexus was obviously the 4g.

Trying to decide whether it is even worth going back to Verizon and trying to get them to replace the phone once more or if I should just wait and see if the issue gets better or even whether should just abandon the Nexus altogether and try the RAZR Maxx. Thoughts? jkc120, you have any updates on your end?

jkc120 · Jan 30, 2012

robwheeler said:
Long time lurker of Android Forums, just registered to say I've had this exact problem and am glad that I am not alone in my frustrations.

Got the phone last Wednesday, same symptoms as the original poster... data/voice will go out (even though the 4g bars remain) and then a few seconds later the 4g bar disappears completely to be replaced by the gray triangle. A minute or so later I get 4g back and with it voice/data. The disconnects happen frequently, and I am in an urban area with supposed excellent 4g coverage. I am not annoyed at the fact that 4g is unreliable, I am annoyed at the fact that when 4g cuts out it doesn't transition to 3g but drops EVERYTHING entirely, meaning phone calls are dropped, texts can't be sent, etc. It's also extremely draining on the battery.

I tried flashing the 4.03 radios and turning on data roaming but the same problem persists. I contacted Verizon support and they said it could be a hardware issue, took it back to the Verizon store, they swapped the phone and SIM card last Friday and I am still having the exact same problem. So like the OP, this is my second phone with the same problem. I can run in CDMA mode with no problems, but part of the appeal of the Galaxy Nexus was obviously the 4g.

Trying to decide whether it is even worth going back to Verizon and trying to get them to replace the phone once more or if I should just wait and see if the issue gets better or even whether should just abandon the Nexus altogether and try the RAZR Maxx. Thoughts? jkc120, you have any updates on your end?

I was a bit worried when my phone did this 3 times on the 2nd day I had it after swapping it out, but *knock on wood* it did not do it for about 4-5 days that I was monitoring it. I have since stopped monitoring it and haven't noticed it happening. So I don't know if it was just perhaps a combination of an issue in my area along with a phone that's more sensitive to it or if I have just been lucky for the past week. If I notice the behavior again, I'll chime in. I was convinced it was a hardware issue, but I'm starting to wonder if it's a combination of a software (or LTE tower/auth issue) plus a hardware issue (where it's just more sensitive to the problem or where other nexuses would just drop to 3G).

hlsilver · Jan 30, 2012

robwheeler said:
Long time lurker of Android Forums, just registered to say I've had this exact problem and am glad that I am not alone in my frustrations.

Got the phone last Wednesday, same symptoms as the original poster... data/voice will go out (even though the 4g bars remain) and then a few seconds later the 4g bar disappears completely to be replaced by the gray triangle. A minute or so later I get 4g back and with it voice/data. The disconnects happen frequently, and I am in an urban area with supposed excellent 4g coverage. I am not annoyed at the fact that 4g is unreliable, I am annoyed at the fact that when 4g cuts out it doesn't transition to 3g but drops EVERYTHING entirely, meaning phone calls are dropped, texts can't be sent, etc. It's also extremely draining on the battery.

I tried flashing the 4.03 radios and turning on data roaming but the same problem persists. I contacted Verizon support and they said it could be a hardware issue, took it back to the Verizon store, they swapped the phone and SIM card last Friday and I am still having the exact same problem. So like the OP, this is my second phone with the same problem. I can run in CDMA mode with no problems, but part of the appeal of the Galaxy Nexus was obviously the 4g.

Trying to decide whether it is even worth going back to Verizon and trying to get them to replace the phone once more or if I should just wait and see if the issue gets better or even whether should just abandon the Nexus altogether and try the RAZR Maxx. Thoughts? jkc120, you have any updates on your end?

Depending how often it's still happening I would think about talking to Verzion again. I'm 99% certain it's atleast partially hardware related. On my first Nexus I had the drops 10-15 times every day but since I got my replacement, as far as I can tell, I have not had the issue at all.

jkc120 · Jan 31, 2012

hlsilver said:
Depending how often it's still happening I would think about talking to Verzion again. I'm 99% certain it's atleast partially hardware related. On my first Nexus I had the drops 10-15 times every day but since I got my replacement, as far as I can tell, I have not had the issue at all.

You know, I thought for SURE as soon as I saw the messages in my debug script 3 times on the 2nd day of having this device that I was hosed. But (again, major *knock on wood here*) it hasn't done it since. But yeah, at the rate the 2 that were "bad" were doing it, I would have figured I'd see it at least once more in the week since those three times. I think it's partially software (or the verizon towers) which accounts for the seemingly randomness of it, and then partially hardware. Perhaps a case where a particular software+tower boundary condition causes a bad hardware response. Sort of like in old school modems there were cases where if the data was not properly escaped you could inadvertently introduce an ATH and *poof* there goes your dialup connection

OhMyNexus · Jan 31, 2012

Don't text and drive. There is nothing so important going on with your phone that you need to put other people in danger.

hlsilver said:
I've had this issue happen several times. Most recently about a week ago I was driving home stopped at a red light, had 3-4 bars of 4G, tried to send a text or something and it wouldn't send and I looked and had 0 bars, completely grey signal bars. Came back a few seconds later. Since I switched to 3G (haven't used 4G in the last 3 or 4 days since it switches back and forth during the day due to low signal) I haven't noticed this. Leave it to the "most reliable 4G network". I'll turn 4G back on and see if it happens anymore, I really hope I don't have to get a replacement, dealing with Radioshack once was bad enough.

Can't give you an exact manufacturer date as the Samsung product registry page tells me my serial number is invalid (wtf...) but the stamp under the battery is 11/11.

hlsilver · Jan 31, 2012

OhMyNexus said:
Don't text and drive. There is nothing so important going on with your phone that you need to put other people in danger.

Lol yea thanks for the tip. I don't, in that instance I was stopped at a red light and typed out a quick message to someone.

robwheeler · Jan 31, 2012

Just got off the phone with Verizon customer support, they submitted a ticket to the networking team who are supposed to get back to me within three days. We'll see if this helps.

Trooper · Jan 31, 2012

I've had this happen to me as well. For awhile, it was not happening at all. Then I noticed it more frequently.

Ive also noticed that certain rom's and kernels "seem" to make it better or worse, depending on what I have installed on a particular day.

I still think its a combo of a few things.

1. VZW 4G network in general.
2. Samsung's weak radios.
3. Software glitch.

Help Signal goes from solid 4G to no data (gray triangle)

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