If connected to wifi I can hit the refresh button and it works. If background data is disabled, and wifi turned off - hit the refresh button it acts like it is checking for a split second and the nothing. Signal strength is good. With my HTC I just hit the refresh button using data time. I do not have a lot of email coming in, just like to check every now and then. I don't want background data enabled all the time due to extra battery and all the apps running and updating, not important to me. Thanks, Nelson