VZW Kitkat Update and Failed SMS

kratos · May 8, 2014

So, ever since I updated my device to 4.4.2 my SMS has intermittently failed to send. It will work for a few hours at a time, but then go 20-30 minutes with continuous failed messages. Incoming SMS works perfectly fine.

So I cleared app cache and data, force closed, cleared phone cache, and finally did a factory reset, all of which made no difference (well, except the reset made it worse last night). I called Verizon and they basically said that there was nothing they could do as it was a device or hardware issue and are now sending me a "like new" replacement.

So, I purchased a BRAND NEW device just over a couple months ago and they are replacing the defective device with a USED device they claim is "like new". How nice of them to go out of their way to take care of their customers!

Oh well, they promise me that the new device will not have any SMS issues. My questions to my fellow GS4 users (particularly VZW ones) is whether or not you have had any issues with your SMS after the 4.4.2 update??

Kratos

djclemon · May 8, 2014

Yes, I have had this same issue since the update (although as it sounds maybe not as frequently as you have)! I had never seen a failed sms prior to the update then after I have been getting them off and on since

kratos · May 8, 2014

My so called new device is due to arrive tomorrow. Therefore I should have a fairly good idea of it really was device, network, or kitkat related.

Kratos

djclemon · May 9, 2014

Sounds good, let me know how it works out!

Jessicaznyc · May 9, 2014

Similar to failed SMS...
After the update last Friday my 7 month old s4 couldn't get a signal for mobile service. I ended up doing a factory reset and still nothing. It wouldn't activate. I went to a Verizon store, they changed the sim card blah blah blah still not activating so they went ahead and ordered me a lovely not new s4. The verizon guy said he thought the internal antennae stopped working.
Monday night I received the "new" s4 and ever since then I rarely have more then 1 bar for 4G and when I attempt to make a call it won't go through, won't connect. So I restart my phone and boom texts & voicemails show up. This has happened every single day since Monday. Considering I don;t have a landline and work from home 2 days a week this is killing me.

What do I do next? Go back to verizon and tell them whats going on? I am not one to complain and demand anything so if they tell me there's nothing they can do I will cry.

kratos · May 9, 2014

My new device shipped to me with 4.3 installed and after setting up my Google account, Google actually did it's job and restored my WIFI connections. However, it was too late for me to prevent the update as it immediately started downloading it.

I guess I am updating to 4.4.2 again and hope that texting doesn't get all messed up again.

I guess I could always factory reset and try again without setting up Google right off that bat. That should give me time to disable the OTA automatic download... I think?

Kratos

kratos · May 27, 2014

Just to update anyone who cares....

I held off the update as long as I could, but last Friday got the best of me and auto downloaded it and I accidentally hit install now. Ever since then, my Text messages have been failing again.

Talked to VZW and they are sending me yet another GS4 (that would be number 3) and I will see if it happens again....

Kratos

sreum · May 27, 2014

It's a problem with the 4.4.2 update. And no matter what anyone does there is no fix until Android decides to send a fix out again.

djclemon · May 28, 2014

I personally have only noticed the failed sms problem while connected to wifi, I dont think it has ever happened to me with wifi off

kratos · May 28, 2014

I am a data HOG (and by data HOG I mean I am using about 8-10 Gb / month) and cannot afford to NOT be on WiFi. I am not sure if this happens off WiFi or not, but know that it happens to me.

As for whether it is my physical phones or the actual firmware, I don't know and cannot determine since Samsung and Verizon heavily locked down the bootloader with Knox. Therefore, I cannot flash new or different radios to see if that is the problem...

Plus, with my work becoming more strict about accessing their network, rooting is not an option for me anymore.

Therefore, I will continue to be the customer who calls and complains when this happens until Verizon fixes this issue for me.

Kratos

kratos · May 28, 2014

sreum said:
It's a problem with the 4.4.2 update. And no matter what anyone does there is no fix until Android decides to send a fix out again.

Considering the fact that I haven't heard of this issue from any Nexus, Google Play Edition, or even GS4 International users, I am fairly confident that it is actually NOT an Android issue. I am almost certain it is a Verizon issue. They likely screwed up the radio while they were branding and installing all of their bloatware.

That's my guess and it makes sense since the only people I see complaining about it are Verizon (and a handful of AT&T) users.

Kratos

Funderbolt · May 28, 2014

kratos said:
So, ever since I updated my device to 4.4.2 my SMS has intermittently failed to send. It will work for a few hours at a time, but then go 20-30 minutes with continuous failed messages. Incoming SMS works perfectly fine.

So I cleared app cache and data, force closed, cleared phone cache, and finally did a factory reset, all of which made no difference (well, except the reset made it worse last night). I called Verizon and they basically said that there was nothing they could do as it was a device or hardware issue and are now sending me a "like new" replacement.

So, I purchased a BRAND NEW device just over a couple months ago and they are replacing the defective device with a USED device they claim is "like new". How nice of them to go out of their way to take care of their customers!

Oh well, they promise me that the new device will not have any SMS issues. My questions to my fellow GS4 users (particularly VZW ones) is whether or not you have had any issues with your SMS after the 4.4.2 update??

Kratos

Yes I have the problem. I don't like the latest Android update.

lowlyworm · May 28, 2014

I have been refusing the Kitkat update from Verizon for a couple of weeks because I didn't have time to deal with any ensuing problems. I did the 4.3 >>4.4.2 update on Sunday, with no problems. Everything is fine, SMS, etc as far as I can tell. I installed on top of 4.3. No FR, cache clearing, etc. Guess I am fortunate.

ironass · May 28, 2014

Funderbolt said:
Yes I have the problem. I don't like the latest Android update.

Please, may I just correct you there Funderbolt. Shouldn't that read...

"I don't like the latest Verizon version of Samsung's release of Android".

As Kratos quite correctly points out, it appears to be a predominantly Verizon, (and possibly AT&T), firmware problem. The other 200+ KitKat releases worldwide are not reporting this. Both of these carriers by-pass Samsung and are the only 2 to release their own, heavily carrier branded, firmware directly to customers. Coincidence? I think not!

sreum · May 28, 2014

ironass said:
Please, may I just correct you there Funderbolt. Shouldn't that read...

"I don't like the latest Verizon version of Samsung's release of Android".

As Kratos quite correctly points out, it appears to be a predominantly Verizon, (and possibly AT&T), firmware problem. The other 200+ KitKat releases worldwide are not reporting this. Both of these carriers by-pass Samsung and are the only 2 to release their own, heavily carrier branded, firmware directly to customers. Coincidence? I think not!

T-mobile has the same isses with the updates...... need to do more research there.

ironass · May 28, 2014

sreum said:
T-mobile has the same isses with the updates...... need to do more research there.

You are probably right sreum!

I try my best to keep myself up-to-date with the 200+ worldwide firmware details and problems and sometimes miss the odd post about the minority variants. However, I did say that it was, "predominantly", and not, "exclusively", a Verizon problem.

Perhaps you would be good enough to provide the links to the T-Mobile issue you mention.

kratos · May 28, 2014

All in all, I think it is the fact that the carriers are making changes to the core system files for these releases to brand them as their own and then add in all the additional bloatware.

I know from my rooting days that when you start making changes to the core system files, it can have negative consequences. For instance, I changed the Verizon Wireless line on my lock screen on my old D-Inc 2 and accidentally added an additional "." within the file. This threw the phone into a bootloop and I had to nandroid restore to get it working again.

If carriers are making changes to the core files (which they are as you can see on the branded phones) then there is a good likelihood that they have accidentally screwed something up.

Because these issues we are all reporting revolve around network connectivity (whether big or small such as missed or dropped calls, or failed SMS), I am strongly thinking they messed something up with the radio.

Either that or we just happen to be the only people in the entire world reporting these issues and/or are just that unlucky......

None the less, this is less than acceptable service for something I pay a lot of money for and I will continue to complain until it is corrected.

Kratos

sreum · May 28, 2014

ironass said:
You are probably right sreum!

I try my best to keep myself up-to-date with the 200+ worldwide firmware details and problems and sometimes miss the odd post about the minority variants. However, I did say that it was, "predominantly", and not, "exclusively", a Verizon problem.

Perhaps you would be good enough to provide the links to the T-Mobile issue you mention.

Look up T-mobile support forums. I see more people for T-mobile post there then on here, cause the T-mobile reps actually look on there and help out, instead of looking on here.

ironass · May 28, 2014

sreum said:
Look up T-mobile support forums. I see more people for T-mobile post there then on here, cause the T-mobile reps actually look on there and help out, instead of looking on here.

Which T-Mobile forum are you referring to?

sreum · May 28, 2014

https://t-mobile.jive-mobile.com/#jive-place-content?content=/api/core/v2/spaces/2004

This was the best link I could find being I was on my phone.

sreum · May 28, 2014

And here is one referring to network issues. ....

https://t-mobile.jive-mobile.com/#j...jive-mobile.com/api/core/v2/discussions/70532

ironass · May 28, 2014

kratos said:
If carriers are making changes to the core files (which they are as you can see on the branded phones) then there is a good likelihood that they have accidentally screwed something up.

Since it is not an issue on the 200+ worldwide, International S4 Samsung firmwares, then it has to be related to certain carriers own modifications and bloatware it would seem.

sreum said:
And here is one referring to network issues. ....

https://t-mobile.jive-mobile.com/#j...jive-mobile.com/api/core/v2/discussions/70532

Having just read through the above posts in the link sreum, I can see no mention whatsoever of the failed SMS problem that Kratos is experiencing in post #1. Only that the poster is losing data connection, which does not affect SMS, and there is no sound when receiving calls.

Therefore, I think we can discount T-Mobile as having the, "same issues" that Verizon and Kratos are having based on that don't you think?

sreum · May 28, 2014

If you want to browse thru there site your more then welcome, I was just posting what I ran across in the first minute of looking.

sreum · May 28, 2014

ironass said:
Since it is not an issue on the 200+ worldwide, International S4 Samsung firmwares, then it has to be related to certain carriers own modifications and bloatware it would seem.

Having just read through the above posts in the link sreum, I can see no mention whatsoever of the failed SMS problem that Kratos is experiencing in post #1. Only that the poster is losing data connection, which does not affect SMS, and there is no sound when receiving calls.

Therefore, I think we can discount T-Mobile as having the, "same issues" that Verizon and Kratos are having based on that don't you think?

You need to go back and read that post btw, the person says he is getting missed text. ...... That's sms

ironass · May 28, 2014

sreum said:
You need to go back and read that post btw, the person says he is getting missed text. ...... That's sms

So, that's it is it?

One post from someone who has a network connection problem which is not the same as the issue that Kratos and a lot of other Verizon customers are experiencing. See...

https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/824084

https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/822883

https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/815372?start=10&tstart=0

https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/822696?start=30&tstart=0

I'm sure that if this was a big, widespread, issue with T-Mobile U.S. customers on 4.4.2, we would have seen a lot of posts on here and T-Mobile about it don't you?

VZW Kitkat Update and Failed SMS

Back on my throne!!!

Well-Known Member

Back on my throne!!!

Well-Known Member

Lurker

Back on my throne!!!

Back on my throne!!!

Android Enthusiast

Well-Known Member

Back on my throne!!!

Back on my throne!!!

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Extreme Android User

Android Enthusiast

Extreme Android User

Back on my throne!!!

Android Enthusiast

Extreme Android User

Android Enthusiast

Android Enthusiast

Extreme Android User

Android Enthusiast

Android Enthusiast

Extreme Android User

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads