{Q} Bad signal cycling - bad antenna? repairable? - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S III

so i just a got a used s3, probably launch model. very happy with it. only problem is the signal. no matter where i am, as soon as i use the data, it instant drop to zero bars, 100-125 dbm making data unusable.
I've tried troubleshooting it by disconnecting the antenna cable and saw that it made no difference. I would think that if you removed the antenna cable, you would either get no signal or bad. could it be i have a bad antenna cable or the connector on motherboard? or is that the wifi antenna?
any more way to narrow it down or is it a s3/sprint issue etc
Thanks

SamsungSammy said:
so i just a got a used s3, probably launch model. very happy with it. only problem is the signal. no matter where i am, as soon as i use the data, it instant drop to zero bars, 100-125 dbm making data unusable.
I've tried troubleshooting it by disconnecting the antenna cable and saw that it made no difference. I would think that if you removed the antenna cable, you would either get no signal or bad. could it be i have a bad antenna cable or the connector on motherboard? or is that the wifi antenna?
any more way to narrow it down or is it a s3/sprint issue etc
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I get fine signal so its not a known issue across all s3 but u might have removed the WiFi cable if your signal didn't stop I would suggest trying to use odin to restore to stock again maybe the build your running has issues if that doesnt work i would suggest take it to sprint and show them the issue if they can repair it its free if not they order u a replacement for $30
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

you think i can get those prices for a used phone? or were those if you got the TEP?

SamsungSammy said:
you think i can get those prices for a used phone? or were those if you got the TEP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't matter if u have TEP if for any reason you need a replacement phone while your still in contract and your phone is activated and is not physically damage or water damage then u can get a replacement for $30 unless your screen is cracked which is of course more ive done that with several devices in the past
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Related

[Q] Self Activating Menu

My menu button "presses" itself. Regardless of what app I'm in or if I'm on the home screen or even if the phone isn't being touched, the menu constantly pops up. I was able to take it I and get a replacement but the replacement is doing the same. I recently rooted to Calkulin's ICS 1.0 and am still experiencing the same problem. Any suggestions?
Same problem, its a hardware bug in some Samsung phones. Strangly , it happens much or often in low signal areas. Does it happen to u in low signal areas?
I caught mine doing the same thing on video a few months back. Sprint exchanged mine but I did more snooping around after and found a post where someone suggested that the USB port may be the culprit and offered an easy fix. Clear any dust and use a toothpick or something to lift the USB notch thingy VERY slightly. Use at your own risk.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
btate0121 said:
I caught mine doing the same thing on video a few months back. Sprint exchanged mine but I did more snooping around after and found a post where someone suggested that the USB port may be the culprit and offered an easy fix. Clear any dust and use a toothpick or something to lift the USB notch thingy VERY slightly. Use at your own risk.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any way you can link to said post?
Epic-ly tapped from my Galaxy SII
Actually, it does happen more in low signal was which is nearly everywhere I go these days. Anyway to help the low signal issue by flashing a kernel? This is my second phone with this problem.
sprint replaced mine, before that i had taken it in and a lil cleaning did the trick for a while... some say its the low signal areas but idk what it actually is

i drop my DHD and its wifi dead

yesterday i dropped my DHD, and i realized the wifi stop working. when i turn on the wifi at settings, it just said "error", and wont detect mac address.
thingkng it just rom acting abnormally, i just reflashed over, aaand.. it still the same. so i factory reset, and it still the same. so i came with a conclusion that the wifi hardware must be broken, so i gave a try to 'knock' it and it works!
so after a small knock again my wifi dead again..
i wonder if it possible to nudge the wifi module, but i dont know where the module located,
the service centre said, they had to replace the main board and cost $145, duh!
anybody had tried to work with wifi antenae?
happened to me two days ago
Check to make sure your battery cover is on properly and not loose. I'm pretty sure that is the wifi antenna.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA
bcd420 said:
Check to make sure your battery cover is on properly and not loose. I'm pretty sure that is the wifi antenna.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm not sure the battery cap has anything to do with this, but i'm pretty sure the battery cap was snap properly.
yeah, i hope someone had the clue how to nudge the antena,
The wifi antenna sits in the battery door, it's the little metal clip you can see in the door when taking out the battery.
You can try to fix yours if it's broken, or buy a new one on Ebay.
Hope it helped.
Zeitraffer said:
The wifi antenna sits in the battery door, it's the little metal clip you can see in the door when taking out the battery.
You can try to fix yours if it's broken, or buy a new one on Ebay.
Hope it helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well unless he killed his WiFi controller, then antenna fix not enough :/
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA
WIFI Broken
Nagelzz said:
Well unless he killed his WiFi controller, then antenna fix not enough :/
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It happened the same to me, I repalced the battery cover and still no WIFI.
I tried using an APK named "FXR WIFI Fix and rescue" it fixed it, but after a day it was unable to connect again.
Looks like it's time to change my dear DHD
Duh, is it so hard to try for yourselves before giving an useless advice?
I just tried wifi with removed battery cover and it's scanning without giving any error.
gampangingats, if you are using Sabsa, it's still possible that this is a ROM issue, happened to me a couple of times, but system restart (full) always fixed it.
Right. This is a royal mess here, with everyone giving different ideas.
First ensure that both covers (battery door & bottom SIM/SD Card cover).
Then try a rock stable ROM (BlackICE, or something CM7 based is always good)
Then try the rooted stock ROM (search for it, its here somewhere)
Report back once you've done all that..
If not, go to the Ace Think Tank (in my signature) and post there. Resident HW expert Glevitan can help you out)

Really weak wifi signal and screen sensitivity issues

So my note 2 has really really weak wifi signal, I am 20 ft from the router with only 1 wall between us and the wifi keeps timing out and sputtering.
I have turned off the power saving wifi and replaced the drivers with the ones from 4.1.1, I have tried numerous kernel and roms.
Is it time to open up the phone to look for a hardware fault?
Also screen sensitivity on the bottom right of the screen is terrible, trying to hit the back space key can be a nightmare at times
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
bunnybash said:
So my note 2 has really really weak wifi signal, I am 20 ft from the router with only 1 wall between us and the wifi keeps timing out and sputtering.
I have turned off the power saving wifi and replaced the drivers with the ones from 4.1.1, I have tried numerous kernel and roms.
Is it time to open up the phone to look for a hardware fault?
Also screen sensitivity on the bottom right of the screen is terrible, trying to hit the back space key can be a nightmare at times
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found the wifi fix
I just figured out what the problem is, the wifi antennae in the case was buggered! I ordered a new back of the phone and replaced that and the wifi is fixed!!! I had a feeling that was the cause of the issue but I couldn't be sure till I replaced it. The wifi antennae is above the power button, with the back off you can see it as the long piece of plastic that is stuck in on the very edge. I had to buy a whole new back - it was only about $11 shipped. But it solved all my wifi problems.
bunnybash said:
I just figured out what the problem is, the wifi antennae in the case was buggered!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took the main part out of the chassis frame and found that the spring contact on the PCB (which is supposed to touch the wifi antenna on the chassis frame) wasn't springing up. I bent it up so it matched the profile of the other spring contacts and put it back in the chassis frame and all was well. My suspicion is your wifi antenna wasn't broken (it's just a bit of metal so there's nothing to break, really), just not quite touching the spring contact.
Same Problem
bunnybash said:
Found the wifi fix
I just figured out what the problem is, the wifi antennae in the case was buggered! I ordered a new back of the phone and replaced that and the wifi is fixed!!! I had a feeling that was the cause of the issue but I couldn't be sure till I replaced it. The wifi antennae is above the power button, with the back off you can see it as the long piece of plastic that is stuck in on the very edge. I had to buy a whole new back - it was only about $11 shipped. But it solved all my wifi problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good day I am assuming that this is the same thing that has happened to my note 2 it had a fall, everything else is working fine just the wifi signal drops when I step a couple feet away from the router so can I ask for a link of where I can purchase the same part you are speaking of or a picture of where the spring contact is so I can try just bending it up please
Yeah mate when my wife comes home with her phone I will be able to take some pics of my phone and post them up
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4
bunnybash said:
Yeah mate when my wife comes home with her phone I will be able to take some pics of my phone and post them up
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I,m experiencing the exact same problem. Wifi signal has gone extremely weak after a severe fall. Can u please tell me exactly which part to change.
Post a picture, or an amazon link to buy that part?
any help would be appreciated.

One X Low/Zero network signal!

Hi, i recently got this one x (13 months old, out of warranty)
and found that the signal reception of this phone is quite weak!
I tried with SIM Cards of different mobile carriers but same issue with all of them..
it doesn't captures any signal at most of the places however in the areas with high signal strength, 3-4 signal bars appear and phone works fine!
Is there any fix to it? (Hardware issue or software?)
Also, the G-Sensor appears to be faulty, sometimes rotation works and sometimes it doesn't!
and the proximity sensor doesn't work at all!
arun6106 said:
Hi, i recently got this one x (13 months old, out of warranty)
and found that the signal reception of this phone is quite weak!
I tried with SIM Cards of different mobile carriers but same issue with all of them..
it doesn't captures any signal at most of the places however in the areas with high signal strength, 3-4 signal bars appear and phone works fine!
Is there any fix to it? (Hardware issue or software?)
Also, the G-Sensor appears to be faulty, sometimes rotation works and sometimes it doesn't!
and the proximity sensor doesn't work at all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What ROM are you using? If stock ROM, try doing a factory reset. If not, try reflashing the ROM or try another ROM.
Hardware fault it is, connectors are in very bad shape, nothing can be done
how do I do that
leonardojt said:
how do I do that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do what?
Hi,
I desperately need your help/advice.
I'm suffering from the same problem as you are, running my HTC One X on Stock NON-Rooted.
I've tried to factory reset several times, but still, I'm barely getting 1-2 bars of Signal Reception at Max, while in most places I get NO SIGNAL!
What did you do to fix your phone? Which jumper were you talking about?
I'll appreciate your advice...
Zach.
arun6106 said:
Hardware fault it was.
I was on stock rom, restored stock backup multiple times, did factory reset, none worked,
ultimately just one jumper, did it all! :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
zachig said:
Hi,
What did you do to fix your phone? Which jumper were you talking about?
Zach.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are some pins on the motherboard that makes contact with the antenna inside the back cover. With time, those pins bent downward to motherboard and makes poor contact with the antenna. You need to remove the back cover and repair those pin or bent them back up.
look at this thread, its for the wifi issue, but essentially the same solution. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1688538
alray said:
There are some pins on the motherboard that makes contact with the antenna inside the back cover. With time, those pins bent downward to motherboard and makes poor contact with the antenna. You need to remove the back cover and repair those pin or bent them back up.
look at this thread, its for the wifi issue, but essentially the same solution. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1688538
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I've already tried the pins solution. I even replaced the whole back cover.
I guess my only chance is to replace the inside coax antenna cable, unless the problem lies inside the motherboard somewhere...
Thanks anyway...

A70 weak wifi signal

Hello guys
Is just me or anyone here is having weak wifi signal even when I am near the router while other phones not having this issue!!
Ps: it's only my second day after buying the phone
No issues over here.
mine is fine too, it drops out once in while but so did my last phone lol
robgee789 said:
mine is fine too, it drops out once in while but so did my last phone lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is dropping too .. I hope someone got any notes about this issue before selling the phone
No issues here....
No issues, WIFI working perfectly here
I Feel Sorry For You..
quadcore003 said:
Mine is dropping too .. I hope someone got any notes about this issue before selling the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry To Read You Received A Faulty Device.. :angel:
There Are Zero Wi-Fi Issues With The A70 On A Mass Level.
You Should Begin The Process Of Obtaining A New Replacement Unit A.S.A.P.
Mine drops frequently to the point that it's frustrating. Check out my post about the screen and tell me if you have the same issues too. We might have the same versions of the device, which appear to be a bunch of faulty versions from the same batch.
I'm having an issue as well. My old phone can and able to detect and connect to my WiFi (which is quite distant tho) meanwhile my A70 can't, I have to get closer to the Wi-Fi in order for it to detect/connect to it but after that if I return to the other place when it doesn't pick it up, I'm able to maintain the connection. It's weird..
Use 3rd party app to connect on wifi. Im using wifi master. Playstore have it
jedtan025 said:
Use 3rd party app to connect on wifi. Im using wifi master. Playstore have it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can u please attach the screenshot of wifi master app because there are so many wifi master apps in playstore
Shozaf.shah said:
Can u please attach the screenshot of wifi master app because there are so many wifi master apps in playstore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go buddy
That Wifi Master app is unsupported by the A70 so I don't know why you'd recommend it here
wifi is definitely one of the worst thing on the a70...it drives me up the wall, and i am ready to sell my phone and never touch any samsung anymore because of this...i am not sure, but samsung is trying too hard to make some things "smarter" meaning if samsung thinks your wifi signal is bad it drops connection just like that...exclamation mark, lost connection, switch to data, are countless through the day...and samsung is playing dumb about this problem...
my wife is using lg and meizu on the same network and wifi is working perfectly fine 24/7...
same here. my friend is able to get a stable connection on the same network with a much older phone. However samsung won't do anything about it.
jedtan025 said:
Use 3rd party app to connect on wifi. Im using wifi master. Playstore have it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't see any app that you mention.
Can you kindly share its link here or pm me.
As my A70 also has weak wifi issue.
Can't see the wifi router downstairs when my old. Samsung note 4 can, laptop can
I'm having the same issue. Weak Wi-Fi signal in my A70. While my other phones are getting full signal. Is there any way to fix?
seems like some antenna problem. you can probably fix it by bridging antenna contacts with the pins on the motherboard with a lump of copper wire. Solder can also help.
to take itapart:
1) insert a thin piece of plastic( like a flexible plastic file) into the gap between the rear plastic and frame, and cut the adhesive, and peel away the rear plastic
2) remove the screws and sim tray
3)slide your finger nail into the gap between the rough plastic and the smooth plastic on the side rails. The rough plastic is the part that is touching the screen, and the smooth plastic is the side rails. The smooth plastic is of a different colour, and the rough plastic is black.
4 pull the side rails away, and examine the copper antenna contacts. you might want to replace the mid frame. If you still have warranty, bring it back to store

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