Can't send or receive text messages when indoors.

[smasheroO16]

Hello. A day or so ago, I bought a (supposedly refurbished) Samsung Galaxy s5 smartphone. I expected, once the sim card had been inserted, to be able to send and receive text messages without any problems. However, I find that, if I am sitting indoors, a statement appears saying "Emergency Calls only" (which was exactly the case BEFORE my sim card had been inserted). Sometimes, it says "No network connection" (or words similar to that). Frequently, the signal indicator is all grey, but sometimes, it can have three bars of white. Yet, this makes no difference whatsoever — it still can say no network connection, or emergency calls only.

However, if I stand near to the open front door, suddenly, a message that went to Drafts will be sent. Also, I receive test messages, sent by my wife, when near the open door. You may think, from this, that our house walls are lined with lead! Not so. Also, my wife's Galaxy 7 can send and receive texts at any time, when she is sitting next to me. So it cannot be the conditions indoors that are at fault. I note, also, that, when I sit outdoors, the signal indicator can still be grey (sometimes, white bars will show) — yet my texts can still be sent from there.

Is it possible that there is a hardware fault with my new-ish phone, or is there a setting, somewhere, that ought to be turned on? If so, why does it send and receive when outdoors (where, incidentally, in the bright light, I can hardly see the screen) or with the front door open?

Any helpful response would be gratefully read. Thanks in advance for this!
S.

PS: My provider is 3UK, and my phone shows a 4G indication. I think my wife's phone is 3G, but am not sure of this. When I went to the "Three" store, to have my existing sim card modified (to suit my new phone), as soon as the assistant put the sim card in, I was able to send a text while in the store (in a large shopping mall, where one would think the conditions would not be as good as the room at home).

 

[Hadron]

I assume you are both with 3, but maybe you are connecting to different base stations. What happens if you put yours into 3G mode (though if your wife's phone is an s7 or an a7 that is also 4G capable)? I'm wondering whether it's clinging to a sniff of signal from a weaker station that doesn't give it enough to actually make a call or receive a message? I don't know whether the signal meter occasionally saying 3 bars means anything: there's no standard for what reception level = how many bars, and it can vary between software versions on the same device never mind between devices, and it's sometimes configured to look good rather than give you a useful indicator of what to expect.

Certainly all of the symptoms sound like a reception issue, and these can be strangely localised. So the question is whether there is anything different between the two phones? The real test would be to check the cell id. There's probably a widget or monitor app somewhere that can tell you this, but I don't seem to have one installed currently.

It is also possible that there is a fault. The S5 is a 2014 phone, so if it's newish to you that probably means that it has a history that you don't know very well.

It's hard to say more - diagnosing things remotely is tricky, and connection issues are rarely easy. But if the problem really only shows up in one location it may be something about how it is connecting to the network (i.e. something, in the phone, the SIM or 3's systems, stops it using the stronger cell your wife's phone is using).

 

[smasheroO16]

I assume you are both with 3, but maybe you are connecting to different base stations. What happens if you put yours into 3G mode (though if your wife's phone is an s7 or an a7 that is also 4G capable)? I'm wondering whether it's clinging to a sniff of signal from a weaker station that doesn't give it enough to actually make a call or receive a message? I don't know whether the signal meter occasionally saying 3 bars means anything: there's no standard for what reception level = how many bars, and it can vary between software versions on the same device never mind between devices, and it's sometimes configured to look good rather than give you a useful indicator of what to expect.

Certainly all of the symptoms sound like a reception issue, and these can be strangely localised. So the question is whether there is anything different between the two phones? The real test would be to check the cell id. There's probably a widget or monitor app somewhere that can tell you this, but I don't seem to have one installed currently.

It is also possible that there is a fault. The S5 is a 2014 phone, so if it's newish to you that probably means that it has a history that you don't know very well.

It's hard to say more - diagnosing things remotely is tricky, and connection issues are rarely easy. But if the problem really only shows up in one location it may be something about how it is connecting to the network (i.e. something, in the phone, the SIM or 3's systems, stops it using the stronger cell your wife's phone is using).

Yes, my wife also is with 3. Since my posting (in desperation), I went on the Web and typed in 3UK coverage (or something similar). I found, on a page of 3's, that our postcode is a very good area for reception. However, it did say that indoors, reception can vary from building to building. I never had any trouble with my old Nokia 8, which was with 3 also, so I'm thinking that it must be something about the new phone. Fortunately, it later occurred to me to go upstairs to my study, and try sending and receiving there. The network indicator for 3 stays up all the time, and there is no trouble, whatsoever, in the study, in sending or receiving. At least, my money has not been wasted. I don't know what to think,now, about the phone. If it works all the time in my study (with only one ceiling and the roof to block out signals), there cannot be very much up with the phone. However, it would be nice to have it work anywhere in the house.

Thanks very much for your considered reply.
S.

PS. I didn't know that this phone could be put into G3 mode. I can't find out how to, but will search the web.

 

[svim]

This is just supposition but from you description this might be attributed to an antenna issue. The antenna is just a short piece of wire that runs alongside the inside edges of your S5 (see step #28 in the link below)
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Samsung+Galaxy+S5+Motherboard+Replacement/27075
A possible scenario is the connector, between the antenna and motherboard, just needs to be re-seated.
Have you tried the same tests at home elsewhere? If you can't get a solid cellular connection inside somewhere else, like at work or a friend's home that might help determine if the problem is with your phone or something else. You mentioned the SIM checked out when you took it to a 3 shop but the matter of the antenna in your phone is an issue relative to the coverage range of the tower(s) near your home, not the presumably very adequate signal strength inside a 3 store.

 

[KBU2]

If your read your owners manual it will explain connectivity issues when the device encounters buildings, structures like tunnels overpasses power lines etc will interfere with your device having good contact to your mobile service provider.

 

[smasheroO16]

This is just supposition but from you description this might be attributed to an antenna issue. The antenna is just a short piece of wire that runs alongside the inside edges of your S5 (see step #28 in the link below)
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Samsung+Galaxy+S5+Motherboard+Replacement/27075
A possible scenario is the connector, between the antenna and motherboard, just needs to be re-seated.
Have you tried the same tests at home elsewhere? If you can't get a solid cellular connection inside somewhere else, like at work or a friend's home that might help determine if the problem is with your phone or something else. You mentioned the SIM checked out when you took it to a 3 shop but the matter of the antenna in your phone is an issue relative to the coverage range of the tower(s) near your home, not the presumably very adequate signal strength inside a 3 store.

Thanks for the input, friend. I am unable to test the phone anywhere else (because of poor mobility, I hardly ever go out). However, yesterday, I found that if I sit in the living-room, with the back door (situated in the kitchen) of the house open, the connection appears and remains stable. After the back door is closed, within twenty seconds, the connection drops. So, it seems to depend on reducing the barriers to the outside that is the key.

What you suggest about the antenna connection is, I'm afraid, beyond my courage threshold. When I have more time, though, I shall consult the web-page that you have provided a link to, and study it. It may be that later on, my fear of messing with phones innards will reduce, and, if it does, I shall see what can be done with the antenna. Thanks — very much — for your input!
S.

 

[smasheroO16]

If your read your owners manual it will explain connectivity issues when the device encounters buildings, structures like tunnels overpasses power lines etc will interfere with your device having good contact to your mobile service provider.

Ok friend, I will look at that. Meanwhile, can anyone tell me of a good signal booster app that can be downloaded. I would not mind, if it was not free, as long as it improves matters.

 

[mikedt]

PS: My provider is 3UK, and my phone shows a 4G indication. I think my wife's phone is 3G, but am not sure of this. When I went to the "Three" store, to have my existing sim card modified (to suit my new phone), as soon as the assistant put the sim card in, I was able to send a text while in the store (in a large shopping mall, where one would think the conditions would not be as good as the room at home).

That's a public place with a lot of people, and usually carriers will work with the site owners to ensure there's satisfactory coverage for everyone, in places like malls, train stations, airports, stadiums, etc. Often they'll use picocells within the premises to provide the coverage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picocell

There might be poor reception at home, and this is why some carriers provide things like WiFi calling and messaging, or you might be able to use femtocell, which you buy or rent from the carrier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femtocell
I don't know if 3UK provides these or not.

 

[mikedt]

Ok friend, I will look at that. Meanwhile, can anyone tell me of a good signal booster app that can be downloaded. I would not mind, if it was not free, as long as it improves matters.

There's no such thing, you can't boost a carrier signal with just an app. Any apps that promise to improve signal are snake-oil, and all they really do is spy on you and show you ads.

 

[svim]

....
There might be poor reception at home, .....[/QUOTE
Note that the OP did mention his wife's S7 has no similar problems and that he had no similar problems with his previous phone. Installing an extender might be more of an overkill solution as the problem is apparently with this particular S5, not necessarily local cellular network coverage. I'd focus more on getting that S5 working properly instead of over-saturating his home with 3's cellular coverage with an extender. In that instance, whenever he's not at home, unless there's a cellular tower nearby the weak signal pick-up problem will still be a problem.

 

[KBU2]

I know that this doesn't help your issue but my sister is an avid buyer of Samsung products especially all the new stuff that comes out, she has the most expensive high-dollar appliances and cell phones that Samsung has produced and she can't even get a good cell phone call in her home due to her location and how her house is designed plus the abundance of trees in and around her area. She has to have WiFi in her home just to make and receive calls and text messages. So much for a the $1,100 S9+ she can't even use in her own home without a Wi-Fi connection huh? Go figure..

 

[KBU2]

Oh I forgot to add that the reception had gotten so bad in her area her husband decided to purchase this item for her just
recently for her birthday.

https://satellitephonestore.com/cat..._z5jAYluQhh7-9Fp4VZlpIyFI3btqi-MaApaoEALw_wcB

 

[smasheroO16]

That's a public place with a lot of people, and usually carriers will work with the site owners to ensure there's satisfactory coverage for everyone, in places like malls, train stations, airports, stadiums, etc. Often they'll use picocells within the premises to provide the coverage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picocell


Yes, that makes sense.

There might be poor reception at home, and this is why some carriers provide things like WiFi calling and messaging, or you might be able to use femtocell, which you buy or rent from the carrier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femtocell
I don't know if 3UK provides these or not.

Three does have some kind of app, but it is suitable only for iPhones and other phones bought from Three. They say that they are working on this, but I'm not holding my breath.
S.

 

[smasheroO16]

There's no such thing, you can't boost a carrier signal with just an app. Any apps that promise to improve signal are snake-oil, and all they really do is spy on you and show you ads.

Hey, thanks for that clarification. It's saved my money and trouble (also, disappointment).
S.