Related
I have gone through three Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1's in the past two days (since the Verizon release).
PLEASE NOTE: this only pertains to Verizon devices while trying to access Google pages using your device's DATA PLAN.
EVERYTHING works fine when you are connected via WiFi.
The first time I opened the browser, it tried to auto-log me into the default Verizon/tablet Google webpage. It never got there. I tried to access other pages in Google until I tired myself out. I tried installing Dolphin, Firefox, etc and still no go. I then tried connecting to WiFi and was able to access Google, so I figured this was probably a 4G issue. So I decided to call Verizon as I was somewhat sad about my new toy. Verizon had no notes or information at the time except for wiping my device a few times. Nothing worked. I was advised to return it, as it was deemed defective by Verizon's Tech Support.
I brought my device in and swapped it out. This one did the exact same thing. I tried logging onto Yahoo and it worked though. I showed the Verizon staff inside the store (because they had been fiddling with it for over an hour) and they were very happy to see that I found a way to make it work. I then tried accessing other sites and it also worked. About 10 minutes later, the staff had checked their Tech Notes on their Intranet or whatever they use, and a note popped up about a very large number of other customers reporting this problem.
Verizon said that they had a server issue and that was why this was not visible in their "notes" earlier. They said they are working on the problem and should have a way to fix the problem very shortly. One of the Techs their said I would be lucky if it happened in the next update. So we will see what happens.
Again this is only affecting a small portion of the Verizon Tab 10.1 4g LTE users at this time. And only when you are connected to CDMA or 4G. If you are having these issues with Google while on CDMA 4G (your data connection), just use your WiFi and everything should work just fine.
Don't cry. It will all be okay.
PS: I would like to apologize in advance if this post is not in the proper section. I am sorry.
-h3lls
Droid X-Droid X2
Xoom-Galaxy Tab 7-Galaxy Tab 10.1
Verizon Wireless
thanks for the info. BTW do you have Gtab wifi other than verizon Gtab. If yes any difference in functionality?
tabing said:
thanks for the info. BTW do you have Gtab wifi other than verizon Gtab. If yes any difference in functionality?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally do not have a Galaxy Tab (WiFi Only) for either the 7 or 10.1.
But my ex-wife has the WiFi Only version and she says that there is not as many processes running in the background on her WiFi Only Tab (compared to mine). I would have to guess that this has to do with the Provider, but I could be totally wrong.
-h3lls
Droid X-Droid X2
Xoom-Galaxy Tab 7-Galaxy Tab 10.1
Verizon Wireless
I have the same issue...
I wanted to chime in on this post to let you know what I've found out and to also give you a background on the experiments I've conducted both locally and with the Verizon techs.
I purchased the new Samsung 10.1 4G LTE tablet 2 days ago and have the same issue where I can't access google.com or anything related to the google domain via a browser when connected to the cellular network. Over wi-fi it works fine, but not over the 3g network.
That being said, I called Verizon tech support (no one had been aware of any issues with the tablets), and explained what was happening. I was escalated to a very good tech who walked me through several tests. In addition, I had two people in my office that had other tablets (a Verizon Xoom and an iPad2). This setup the perfect test bed.
Here's what we found out:
1. My Samsung 10.1 4G LTE can connect to google.com via wi-fi (both via a router and cellular hotspot).
2. My Samsung 10.1 4G LTE cannot connect to google.com via the cellular connection.
3. We did a factory restore on the tablet but that had no effect.
4. I turned on the Samsung 10.1 hotspot and had the other tablets try to connect to google.com using my cellular connection to see if it was something on their server blocking the domain. Both their tablets connected successfully.
5. I downloaded both Firefox and Dolphin browsers to see if it was in the default browser. Both didn't load google.com.
6. Tested all the google apps on the Samsung and all worked via wi-fi and cellular connection.
The only thing I couldn't try was to load google.com inside a 4g network. I live in South Texas and the closest 4g network is 2 hours away.
So...
I was told to take back the device to where I purchased it and exchange it to see if it was the device. It took about an hour to see the local tech, so in the meantime, I though I would try the display tablets in the store to see if the problem existed with those.
All the Samsung 10.1 4G LTE devices didn't load google.com over the cellular network.
I felt like I had reached the limit of what could be done, but I still was interested to see if it would work in a 4g network.
So...
I had one of the techs call another Verizon store in San Antonio (a 4G environment) to have them load google.com.
IT WORKED!!!
My conclusion is that there is an issue with the tablet's software that is preventing google.com from loading via a 3g cellular connection. This explains why some people can get it to work (4g network) while others can't (3g network).
The tech went ahead and exchanged my device for a new one (which by the way, still didn't load google.com as expected) so he could send it back to Verizon and start the process of getting this rather embarrassing situation fixed...hopefully.
The ironic thing is, this only affects loading google.com and no other website. Being a google supported device, I would expect this to be resolved quickly.
I hope this has been helpful.
UPDATE: My 10.1 is working FLAWLESSLY now.
Thanks for the chime in. As I had said, the Tab worked fine with Google when connected to wifi, just not when connected to the Verizon network. That was the whole issue. The software issue seems to be a part of the issue, BUT I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE 4G LTE SIM CARDS MAY WELL ALSO BE A HUGE ISSUE (ALSO HOW THEY WERE INSTALLED).
The way the SIM card is installed could have been an issue, but there also could have been an issue with certain "batches" of 4G LTE cards that Verizon was given. To be perfectly honest, the first tablet I had that had this problem, I returned immediately and asked them to just replace my device and give me the card to take home so I could install it myself (I had been the only customer that day [opening day] to pickup a 10.1 and nobody there really knew how to set them up. They know the type of work I do and had no issue with it. I followed directions exactly as described, and still had the same issue.
It really disturbed me though when I had brought my first 10.1 back and they spent an hour into closing trying to figure out what was wrong (all 5 employees). The man who installed the card in the first place really wasn't even that sure if he had done it correctly. I don't think everyone was really too up-to-date on how to get these Tabs up and running with the LTE out of the box.
Verizon later told me that problems with the SIM cards themselves could be corrected without having to manually service the device.
Who knows.... All I know is that the issue is no longer a problem for me. If anyone is still having problems in this area, please try and give me any details you can besides what has already been said. This way I can forward the information to my colleagues at Verizon and Motorola and update them further.
PS: I had also just learned that if you lived in an area where 4G was not available, but was suppose to be in the very near future, you could have also had some "issues" with your 10.1. Nothing too specific, but there could be a handful of odd issues concerning new and upcoming 4G locations. That's about all I can really say.
-h3lls
Droid X-Droid X2
Xoom-Galaxy Tab 7-Galaxy Tab 10.1
Verizon Wireless
Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk
Chiming in here. I've had the same issue with not being able access Google sites while on CDMA (LTE coming in November locally) since I purchased the GTab 10.1 LTE a week and a half ago. I have read posts on several forums with others having the same issue. After seeing this post today I tried once more using CDMA and it works. I have not made any changes or messed with the SIM card on my Gtab. Verizon must have done something on their end.
i've just been changing a few icons on my home scree. everything has been running great, had no problems whatsoever until i tried to access the market this afternoon.
the error im getting is that i need to set up or sign into my gmail account, so i go ahead and chose sign in, then it says:
"Can't establish a reliable data connection to the server.
This could be a temporary problem or your SIM card may not be provisioned
for data services. If it continues, call Customer Care."
ive searched all day on the net for a fix, tried unmounting the sd card, removing the sim, signing in via youtube, but nothing works.
what i have noticed is that, in the accounts settings, my gmail address is missing (samsung & regular email accounts are still there).
now, i must say that while i have been messing around with stock icons, i havent touched anything google related, or indeed deleted any apk's.
the last option open to me is a hard reset, which i want to avoid like the plague after weeks of customising my phone, even titanium restore didnt fix it
does anyone have anymore ideas what i could do?
thanks
i've had an idea, but will it work?
if i create the same account on my girlfriends galaxy ace, would i be able to transfer those account settings to my phone? if so, where are they located
i've just noticed as well, that i'm not getting any emails from my other accounts either
please....really need some help here guys
You could always re-flash your firmware to get the gmail icon and all the other settings back.I know you said you don't want to but if its disappeared then its a good way to get it back at least and with a nandroid and /or titaniun back-up its not that much work to put all your settings back.
ok, reflashing the firmware didnt work. the problem is definitely with servers as i cant add any more email accounts, all are getting server errors.
so....i ask this, what file holds this information? and if i can copy this from my girlfriends phone, will it work?
in fact, does anyone know ALL of the google apk's that should be installed, i have a feeling one is missing/corrupted
surely someone on here must know the answer to my last post??
I was having data issues with many different modems on my carrier but found today that KE7 modem solved my problem with solid download/upload speeds. worth a shot.
Have you frozen something or deleted something with titanium that you shouldn't have?
Try calling your operater to check if you have connection problems or not.After all the warning did say to call.The fact that it just happened suddenly is quite surprising and re-flashing should have put back everything that was missing.
Hi Taco1916,
Did you find a solution? I have exactly the same problem and I've tried all suggestions without success.
PlanetP said:
Hi Taco1916,
Did you find a solution? I have exactly the same problem and I've tried all suggestions without success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PlanetP,
I actually have a similar problem, and I see that you are also using China Unicom. I arrived in Kunming from Hong Kong last Sunday, and ever since Wednesday, Gmail suddenly stopped syncing, and Market does work. Market gives me the "no connection" thing. The weird thing is everything worked for two-three days after arriving in Kunming.
I've restored to previous nandroid backups, I've reflashed a fresh LeoMar Revolution rom (with everything wiped), and still cannot sign into my Google account..
My internet (via prepaid China Unicom data sim) and hotmail still works, XDA app, engadget all works..
I am going back to HK tomorrow, I will then find out if this is a China thing, or else...
chiefroastbeef said:
PlanetP,
I actually have a similar problem, and I see that you are also using China Unicom. I arrived in Kunming from Hong Kong last Sunday, and ever since Wednesday, Gmail suddenly stopped syncing, and Market does work. Market gives me the "no connection" thing. The weird thing is everything worked for two-three days after arriving in Kunming.
I've restored to previous nandroid backups, I've reflashed a fresh LeoMar Revolution rom (with everything wiped), and still cannot sign into my Google account..
My internet (via prepaid China Unicom data sim) and hotmail still works, XDA app, engadget all works..
I am going back to HK tomorrow, I will then find out if this is a China thing, or else...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
me too,google maps, google account,all disconect from server,maybe this is really a china thing, exchange works great though, maybe later microsoft will sell a lot more wp7.5 in china,because android can not sync with google anymore
2 days later i will check again in europe
Connection Error
I have been accessing gmail/market/maps on China mobile for past 3 months ... but for last couple of days I am getting Error connecting to server message... does it something to do with China mobile connection or something to with the setting... I have wiped the mobile couple of times and installed new rom also. Even then it is not solved? any soultion
Seems like this is a problem on both networks just recently, for me, it was just four days ago.
I have been in and out of china the past three months with my s2 without problems. I wonder why we are all met with this problem.
Now that you brought it up, google maps doesn't work either. it seems to detect my location, the arrow swivels around, but the map its not displayed, just the grid.
I really hope this is a temporary thing...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
I've recently (2 days ago actually) upgraded my firmware to 2.3.5 (from 2.3.3) and I'm getting the same connection error when trying to add a google account. I'm pretty sure this is related to the china firewall as all the google services work correctly ever since the day I bought the phone.
In fact, I have tried all the alternatives that you can think of: using wifi to add google account does not work, using youtube to add account does not work, using market enabler to fake my sim card provider does not work, factory reset does not work, downgraded back to my original 2.3.3 firmware does not work. The only plausible option left now is to try and add a L2TP VPN account to my phone. If this happens to work (which I'm pretty sure should) then it means china has resumed blocking all the google mobile services.
I'll keep you guys updated in a few days once I find a good vpn service provider.
UPDATE: I have got a reliable vpn service going on and am now able to connect to google services and sign in to my account. Note that you'll need to take out your unicom sim card and connect to wifi+vpn to have this work. If you have a sim card inserted, you'll have to try the youtube trick with vpn connected.
So I have proved that this is, in fact, related tol china blocking access to all the google mobile ports.
So the china firewall has blocked google mobile services before?
I never knew this since I recently switched from a hk blackberry with a roaming plan in china the past three years when I traveled in and out of china.
Do you think it has to do with this weeks anniversary?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Got the same problem after have bought a GS2 from Hong Kong.
Try Wifi/China Mobile internet but nothing works was wondering if it didnt come from my rom...
Same problem, wish I'd seen this thread early, as I 've just wiped my phone, lost **** loads of data re-installing firmware, stock rom etc, re-setting, sim card in/out, cannot try the YouTube Trick as China won't allow You Tube and still can't add the google accoutn as it says it can't establish a reliable connection.
Jesus, what the feck is going on ?, anybody got any information on whether this is actually just China ?
This was working fine up until a few days ago, I have been in Guangzhou for past 2 years, and had Galaxy S2 working fine here for last 6 months, and now this ?
Wow, that sucks for you, I feel for ya, I have since rooted my phone so I can make bootable back ups.
I am heading back to hong kong tonight, so I will update you guys tonight when I get out of the firewall.
When did this problem start happening for you guys?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Hi Chief,
For me 3 days ago, it really is a complete pain in the A$%e...
At first I thought my Data Plan had been cancelled with China Telecom, but even after re-booting, hard reset without sim and just connecting to the WiFi in the company which is obviously Chinese, it still will not add the Google Account so no GMAIL or Market Place anymore...
Still trying to see what else is shafted, but also my phone looks naff now as I cannot re-download Go Launcher EX from Market Place as cannot get on it...
That is around the same time as mine, I think I lost connection last wednesday. I hope this isn't forever, especially for you guys that are in china long term.
Had this happened before? I wonder if this is across all phones with android platform.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Hi, I just got a brand new Xperia Play and am loving it so far, aside from one infuriating issue.
When I'm on WIFI I simply cannot download anything from the market, I've been messing with this for the past 2 hours, things I've tried:
Clearing app cache of several apps related to downloading
Toggling WIFI / 3G
Restarting phone
Updating to latest firmware
Reset to factory settings
Play with router wireless settings
Reinstall router firmware
The only thing that did something is clearing the cache of the download manager, after I did that I was able to install one thing from the market. But it only worked once, it's not working anymore.
I'm also unable to play youtube video's when using wifi.
Does anyone have any ideas as to why this is happening? My phone is brand new, so it can't be something I did with it.
Also, up till today I had an HTC Magic, which did not have the problem on the same wireless network. It did have occasional "download starting" hiccups, but nothing like this.
Any advice?
Thanks!
Edit: Solution: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=17359553&postcount=4
Edit2: False alarm, still not working.. seems to come and go
You have the weirdest problem.. Did you check your router to see if it's generating enough ip addresses for all your wireless devices?
What is the distance between you and your router and what kind of router is it? I believe the play has a weaker wifi radio, so it might be dcing too often to stream and download.. Try standing closer to the router to see if there is a difference first.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
I'm right next to the router and the web interface shows a full signal, so it can't be that. I can also see in the web interface that an ip address was assigned.
I've tried setting the phone as the DMZ and disabling the router firewall. No luck with that either.
I also tried upgrading my router firmware from Tomato to DD-WRT and doing a factory reset, but again .. no luck.
I'm running out of ideas, it seems the problem originates from Android and not my router, but I can't think of anything else I could try. Could it be an issue with the Android network in my location?
Omfg.. 3/4 hours later I finally got it, and this one wasn't suggested anywhere else so hopefully this will help some others in the future.
I had to go into wireless settings on my phone, click menu, go to advanced and then manually configure the network connection. Make sure your router has reserved an ip for you and use that one, otherwise you might end up trying to use one that is already in use.
After that it all seems to be working for me (so far). Fingers crossed that it won't stop working again.
Yea you couldn't find the answer anywhere else because it seemed like it was an isolated incident. Gratz for figuring it out though.
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
Next day, working fine in the morning. Couple hours later and it's back to getting stuck on "Downloading". Tried toggling static ip with no luck.
God this is incredibly annoying. I'm guessing it'll magically start working again at some point, and then stop working again later.
From what I've found through google this bug has been around since the very first version and not a single solution has been offered by google. Seriously this is ridiculous
Hi,
I'm having exactly the same issues.... Normal browsing, etc works fine on WIFI but market just wont work on WIFI.
I dont even see the device hitting my router when I try to download thru the market. Other network connections are seen by my router.
I wonder if it might be linked to the the fact that I'm running a UK rom on my device. When I'm using my data connection off Rogers, it actually does a RMNET to the British government... So we are seen as downloading from the UK.. Just an idea...
It's annoying as hell....
I was going to say download speedtest.net app when you can and see what it yields... but I see you've got it figured out. Nice!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
lafoma said:
Hi,
I'm having exactly the same issues.... Normal browsing, etc works fine on WIFI but market just wont work on WIFI.
I dont even see the device hitting my router when I try to download thru the market. Other network connections are seen by my router.
I wonder if it might be linked to the the fact that I'm running a UK rom on my device. When I'm using my data connection off Rogers, it actually does a RMNET to the British government... So we are seen as downloading from the UK.. Just an idea...
It's annoying as hell....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, so you're saying that google somehow classifies us as UK users, which causes problems when switching to WIFI, which is not classified as a UK connection?
It would make sense, seeing as it seems to start working again after a while.. which could mean that whatever info google is caching on us is expired and it finally adopts the WIFI connection info.
Still, I have doubts about that.. I mean wouldn't a LOT more Rogers users be complaining about this?
The only persons that would be complaining are people like us running UK roms but our WIFI is coming from a canadian provider. In my case Videotron.
So when i<m using 3g data, i'm seen as coming from the UK because of the RMNET connection and when using WIFI i'm seen as Canadian... with a uk rom.
I've read that the market DOES have regions... might not be 100% correct on that but it might be part of my issue.
Mine BTW, never works anymore even after clearing cache, FC the market, etc...
lol i got the opposite problem i have trouble downloading stuff from the market using 3g but works perfect using wifi
not really an issue since im not an app whore
Its not a issue on play all phones has that. Simply log in to your Talk app then try again. (launch Gtalk app and login)
Thanks, but i had already tried that.
Reinstalled the UK rom yesterday, and even after a clean install market still doesnt work on WIFI even tho my WIFI works for browsing, accessing my computer thru RDP, etc.
yohandesilva1 said:
Its not a issue on play all phones has that. Simply log in to your Talk app then try again. (launch Gtalk app and login)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This only works for some people.
My market has been working for a day now (I didn't do anything to fix it), I'm expecting it to stop working any moment. Fingers crossed.
Edit: Aaand there we go.. stopped working again. Sigh.
Got the same issue both on my Nexus S (Videotron) and (which is strange), on My Motorola Xoom Tablet which only has wifi, no 3g !!
Edit: If I connect my tablet thru my cell phone (wifi tethering) I have no problem with market
ok so me and mobidoy are both on Videotron...
Naatan I see you are in quebec... Videotron also?
Starting to believe it migh be an issue with them
hey
im in videotron too and since 4 days i cant watch youtube on youtube app and my download on market stay stuck in green bar!! i have a toshiba thrive android 3.1!!!!!
when i connect with a 3g router or on the wi fi in my city everything work again
so it clear that videotron is the problem!!!!
Had the same problems
First time hard reset fixed it.
Second time by magic, sorry. I was about to send the phone to repairs
I used the XDA App to post this, what did you use?
I've been having the exact same problem as you and can't seem to find a way to solve this. I just purchased a Galaxy Tab 10.1, WIFI only, and at home nothing will download from the Android market. It just gets stuck. Youtube videos also dont work via the app.I tried it out at a friends and everything worked flawlessly.
At home, I also have Videotron internet. I just called them, and tried to explain to their customer service but obviously they were quick to blame it on anything else they could. They said they did not block any ports either.
I read a thread about some vodafone users in the UK having a similar problem than us:
Edit: It wont let me post an external link because I'm a new user, but the post is on androidforums.com and is titled "ANDROID MARKET download/update problem via WiFi"
It seems their problem was fixed after calling Vodafone.
I'm also inclined to point fingers at Videotron since its odd we are all customers of theirs.
Just called Videotron technical support, they have an open ticket about it since yesterday morning and are actualy working on the issue !! There is hope !!
Greetings All,
Got my Xoom back from its 4G upgrade last week and I have been noticing some issues with connecting over the 3G/4G network now. I use pocketcloud to connect to computers over RDP and when connected over WiFi networks, it works fine (computers connected to networks other than one I am connected to WiFi on), but when using the 3G or 4G connection on the Xoom, there is a network connection error. I tried it out on my incredible and it works just fine. Also, sometimes I get an error "cannot update" from the engadget app.
Also, the new market would not install some of my apps, like ThinkFree Office for example, I worked around it by using the web interface of Android Market on my computer and it worked fine.
I sent in the Xoom completely reverted back to stock 3.1, I recieved it with 3.2.2 stock. I cleared memory after I got it back and did a factory data reset. Not rooted, and no other modifications have been made.
I'm at a loss as to why some connections are causing the network to flake out.
Regards.
I read on here that some of the app installation issues were due to the possible change in pixel density that took place with the upgrade but that is something you can change back if you root.
I'm noticing the same exact issue and have no idea what is causing it - let's see if together we can figure it out. It's extremely flaky so far.
I got my upgraded Xoom back today and noticed the exact same issue. It wouldn't activate on the setup screen and prompted me to reboot. After reboot, it connected to 4g just fine and showed the 4g icon below.
I then went into the market to install my apps. It installed Thumbkeyboard just fine but when I went to install others, it stopped at 8.03k on the download. Did this for every app i tried.
I turned on wifi, connected to my AP and the downloads worked just fine. Even tried a couple reboots before doing this and it didnt work.
My 4g signal is about 75% so it's strong.
Very strange...
Power off
Remove SIM.
Put SIM back in
Power on
Done. Worked for me.
I take it back, still having all kind of issues.
just got mine back this morning, and it wont connect to anything! no 3g, no 4g, no wifi... nothing. WTF!?!?! restarted, pulled sim, etc...
going to do restore next and see what that does.
Same connection problems
Got my LTE upgrade back.
When I am at work I cannot update Touchdown from inside the firewall (not sure why) so I flip back to Verizon to refresh by shutting down the wifi. When I do, I noticed that the xoom would drop the connection (three bars) and then not reconnect. When I try to turn on the wifi it stays grayed out and neither system will connect until I reboot.
Went around with VZW tech support, they reported that the unit was registering on their network but not connecting. Sent back to Moto for further testing, got the unit back (they reported it was a software fix, no other data) but the unit continues to have the problem.
Stock 3.2.2 xoom with LTE
Any suggestions appreciated....
Has anyone been able to resolve this issue?
Hello, I am still having all kinds of connection issues after I received my device from Motorola. After a reboot the xoom will connect to the Verizon network but If it stays idle for some time, I lose the connection and it will not connect until I reboot the device.
sent it for replacement
I had the same problem. I had to send it back once for 'repair' (no improvement) before Motorola replaced the unit due to an undefined hardware problem. Keep calling or go to a store.
I had something similar when I got my Xoom back. Apparently the geniuses at Verizon never added the SIM to my account. Took multiple calls/emails to get it corrected. Once someone realized it was missing it was corrected in about 10 minutes.
nirgal2002 said:
I had something similar when I got my Xoom back. Apparently the geniuses at Verizon never added the SIM to my account. Took multiple calls/emails to get it corrected. Once someone realized it was missing it was corrected in about 10 minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In your case did you have sporadic connection or, without the SIM number, were you completely unable to connect?
BTW, I missed this thread when it was fresh (as I was traveling) but I've had the exact same issues since the LTE upgrade. When it happens, the only way to reconnect is to reboot.
I used to be able to get it to reconnect by switching airplane mode on and off. Sometimes I had to reboot. Friday, even that did not help. I was furious. The next day, the update pushed out to me via wifi. I guess the servers recognized me as a customer again even though I already had a 2 year contract. Some people got the dataplan because they don't use wifi. I love the shortsightedness of the people who come up with this... not.
At least I haven't gotten disconnected since the patch was installed.
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium
I had to unroot my device for 4G to start working normal.
Hi All,
I was wondering if someone can help me. I am having a bizarre problem on my Galaxy S5, which so far has stumped Verizon, Samsung and Time Warner Cable Tech Supports.
For some reason, when I'm connected to my home Wifi network, certain apps run very slow. Basically, if you open an app like Facebook, Instagram, or the Google Play Store, a lot of the icons, pictures and thumbnails all show up gray, and either don't come up at all, or take forever to load. As soon as I turn Wifi off and switch over to 4G, they all pop up almost immediately. I've also noticed this problem on Google Now. You tap the microphone, say a command and it gets stuck on "Recognizing..." for a long time, and quite often comes up with "Can't reach Google at the moment." Again, it's only certain apps. Other apps like my web browser app don't seem to be affected.
This doesn't make sense to me, because I also have a laptop and my girlfriend's Galaxy S III connected to my Wifi network and they don't have this problem. I've even busted out my old LG Spectrum 2 and sure enough, these apps load up lightning quick on it. I've done an internet speed test on my S5. On my Wifi I get a 19ms ping, download speeds of 18 MB/s and uploads pushing 2 MB/s. When I'm on 4G, the ping is 40ms, and the speeds are only 6MB/s and 0.7MB/s respectively, so the Wifi theoretically should be way faster.
I spent over an hour on the phone with Verizon and Samsung Tech Support, and after trying a ton of different things, including a Factory Reset, they determined it was probably the device. Since I'm under warranty, they sent me another one. I got it yesterday and tried it...yep, same problem.
Just out of curiosity, I tried it on the Wifi at my workplace. Wouldn't you know it, the problem isn't there. But, I don't understand what could be wrong with my home Wifi. I've got Road Runner Turbo internet from Time Warner w/download speeds up to 20MB/s. I've also got a really good modem/router that cost several hundred dollars. And, like I said the problem doesn't seem to happen on other devices.
I've searched the internet and have found almost nothing on this. Does anyone know of something I can try? Here's everything I've tried so far:
"Forgetting" my Wifi Network and Reconnecting
Resetting the Modem/Router
Clearing Data and Cache on Affected Apps
Phone Factory Reset
Trying with another Galaxy S5
Switching from DHCP to Static Connection on Phone
Switching DNS to Google's Addresses on Phone (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4)
Tinkering with the Modem/Router Security Settings and even Disabling Security
Changing the Router Bandwidth Settings
Changing my Router's Broadcast Channel - Have Tried Several Different Ones
Calling my ISP and Upgrading to a Higher Bandwidth/Speed
Here's my hardware details:
Phone - Verizon Galaxy S5, Unrooted, Running Stock Kitkat 4.4.4
ISP - Time Warner Cable, Road Runner Turbo
Modem/Router - Motorola/Arris SBG6782-AC
Thanks so much in advance!
Watching with interest.
Have a similar situation with my s5 900f international running latest NeatRom.
Some days better than others even when using home sky fibre optic and no drop in speed from router.
Had to get a new router
Ok, so I finally fixed the problem...in a manner that I wish I didn't have to resort to, but it seemed like the only option.
Let me start by thanking Rukbat from Android Central. I posted this topic there too, and his response was very helpful. Here's a repost of it:
Talk to Verizon (the tech people in the back, not the sales associates) or the Time Warner people (same thing - tech people) and see if anyone has an old Linksys or D-Link wifi router you can borrow for a day. (I'm using a Linksys WRT54G at the moment, and in router years it's as old as George Washington's corpse.)
From years of experience, writing communications code, playing with my phone, routers - and looking at my calendar - I'm guessing a bug in KitKat that shows up only with some apps. My almost new Linksys EA4500 started showing this problem almost as soon as the phones updated to 4.4.2, but the apps all work fine on old routers.
If an old router solves the problem, you can get a refurb WRT54 (G or GS) for the $25 range on Amazon (or maybe TW has an old one they'll let you use with one of their modems).
The Facebook app works just fine on mobile data, AT&T hotspots, TMobile hotspots - but not on new Linksys (supposedly the best) routers, and I've heard reports of the same problem on the newer D-Link routers, also supposed to be top-of-the-line. (I actually left the app running for 12 hours once, just to see how long it would take to update. It's more than 12 hours, because it still hadn't done anything. But standing in the parking lot at a Sam's Club, with a barely usable AT&T hotsopt signal, it updates in a couple of seconds.) AT&T connected me to their in-store wifi (which is secured, so of course they deleted the connection after we checked it out) and Facebook updated immediately. Speedtest.com shows over 14mbps download and pings running from 15-50ms with my new router that doesn't work with facebook, so it's not the connection, it's not the wifi signal itself, it's either a problem with certain apps or a problem with the 4.4 wifi firmware. Play store downloads are slower on the new routers too, but not too bad. just noticeably slower. (If I set up a guest account on the router it works fine, though, so it's not a bad router. It's just a pain to have to sign into the guest account every so often.)
This is the reason systems analysts turn grey at a young age and have bald spots. Problems that don't seem to make sense, and people in a position to debug them who can't or won't. I can reproduce the problem at will (which is the difficult part of fixing a problem), but there's no one interested in fixing it.
I ended up just getting a different router, as he suggested. From what he's describing, it sounds like some routers just don't play nice with some newer phones, for no apparent reason at all, which is both discouraging and frustrating at the same time. And I've come to the conclusion that my router is one of them. After spending hours on the phone with technical support from Verizon, Time Warner, Arris and Samsung, no one could find a solution for me.
I will say that I did find some hints from other places online that tweaking certain router settings will fix this problem, but I think I kind of nipped myself in the **** by not doing my homework when I bought my Arris modem/router. This router is locked down pretty tight from changing certain settings. You can't disable IPv6, which some people say fixed the problem. Someone else suggested enabling IP tunneling, but I don't see this setting on my router. Somewhere else, I read that this is the same thing as Port Forwarding, but I really don't know what port you would have to forward to a phone. You can't even update the firmware on my router, as Arris only provides it to cable ISPs...and they won't push it to customer owned devices. I don't even know why they sell this model to the public if that's the case.
So anyway, I just bought a much cheaper Netgear router from Best Buy, and wouldn't you know it, it works great! I think that it even outperforms my Arris. I guess the moral of the story is be careful about what you buy.
Update - problem solved!!!
I cannot believe this. I managed to get my phone working yesterday with my old Arris modem/router. I didn't even have to tweak it, or try to disable IPv6 or anything.
It turned out that the problem was my phone's SIM card. When I first bought the phone, I ordered it online and I remembered that it came in the mail with a SIM card. But, when I placed the card in the phone, it wouldn't activate. I probably should have called Verizon at that point to ask what I should do, but I ended up just taking the SIM card out of my old LG phone, and putting it in the S5. It looked the same to me, so I didn't think it would matter.
Then, not too long ago, I noticed that certain apps were saying that I needed an "Enhanced SIM Card" to use them, so it got me thinking, maybe I should have used the card that came with the phone. I called Verizon, and sure enough, they said that the card that came with the phone used much more updated technology, which is a better fit for the phone. So, they got it activated for me, and now not only do all of my apps work, but the slow Wifi problem is gone too! I didn't even know that the SIM card can affect Wifi. But anyway, this is great! I can take my new modem back, now.
I would ask anybody who has this same problem if they are not using a SIM card that came with the phone. If you are, it could be that you need a new one or more updated one. I believe most carriers will give you a new one for free. You can also check to see if your card is outdated in a couple different ways. Try opening an app like Softcard, and if it says that you need an Enhanced card, then your card is outdated. Also, check the numbers on your SIM. According to Verizon, in the US, the card should have a handful of numbers, followed by FIVE zeroes. If there are any more than five, it is an older card. It might be different for different countries or carriers.
Hope that helps!
Grrrr....spoke too soon. It worked fine for about a week, but now it's doing the same thing again, even with the new SIM card. Switched back to the newer router. Guess it's something with the Arris router after all.