No reception indoors

Question

Level 1

8 points

No reception indoors

I just got myself a factory unlocked iPhone 3GS, but it pretty much loses all reception when I go indoors - reception drops to one bar and then usually to 'no service'. I've done some searching and it seems that a lot of people had this problem when the 3GS came out, but I haven't come across any recent information on this issue. I've tried all of the suggested fixes such as resetting the phone, turning 3G off etc, but nothing makes a difference. I basically can't send or receive calls when I'm inside! I've tried different sims and networks, but again, it makes no difference. The iOS is 4.3.1 and the firmware is version 05.16.02. I'm thinking this must be a hardware problem - if so, is there a known fix? Would appreciate any feedback, thanks.

Posted on Apr 5, 2011 9:02 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 5, 2011 9:39 AM in response to Sharklab

Cell signal strength almost invariable drops inside any kind of structure. The radio signals are weak at best, and they do not penetrate walls and such well (especially concrete, brick or steel, or walls with lots of pipes, wires and so forth inside them).

If your phone works fine outside (or try next to an exterior facing window) but looses signal as you go deeper into the building, then it is the structure, not your phone, that is the problem.

In my own home, I have to use a 3g microcell in order to get reliable signal in most of the place. And my place is a wood structured building, but it still blocks signal as soon as you get just a few feet away from a window.

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Answer 2

Sharklab Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 5, 2011 9:50 AM in response to Michael Black

I get a full strength signal with any other phone (using the same sim) in the same locations, so there's definitely a signal there to be picked up. It just seems that the iPhone's antenna is not working very effectively.

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Answer 3

Apr 5, 2011 10:25 AM in response to Sharklab

Different phones do behave very differently in the same area. Although if the other phone has a max. strength signal you'd think the iPhone would have at least a bar or two. How do those two compare in other buildings and places?

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Answer 4

Sharklab Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 5, 2011 11:02 AM in response to Michael Black

I'm picking up a full strength signal with the other phone in all the places that I'm having trouble with the iPhone. Interestingly, I stood beside a colleague at work today who has an iPhone 4 and he was getting five bars while my iPhone was hovering between one bar and no service (both using the same carrier). I made sure that all of my settings matched his, but we still had vastly different reception.

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Answer 5

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

Apr 5, 2011 12:19 PM in response to Sharklab

Try reseating your SIM card or get a new one from your carrier. Maybe yours works well in other phones but not your iPhone.

Try resetting your iPhone by pressing the home and sleep buttons until you see the Apple logo, ignoring the slider. Takes about 5-15 secs of button holding and you won't lose any data or settings.

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Answer 6

Sharklab Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 6, 2011 12:18 AM in response to paulcb

Yeah, I've tried all the various resetting, rebooting approaches, and different sim cards, but the phone still behaves the same way.

At this stage I'm just wondering if my iPhone has a hardware problem, which I could look into getting fixed, or if this is typical behaviour for a 3GS, in which case I can just give up and move on.

Thanks for the suggestions though.

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Answer 7

Sharklab Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 6, 2011 5:20 AM in response to Sharklab

Okay, it's definitely an issue with my handset. I tried my sim in a different 3GS and it had five bars of reception. In the exact same place, my handset was showing no coverage. Perhaps the antenna connection is loose?

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Answer 8

Apr 5, 2011 9:31 AM in response to Sharklab

Maybe the building you are in is very heavily shielded?

The office I work in has some tin-foil type of eco-insulation, which means virtually zero mobile phone signals inside.

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Answer 9

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

Apr 6, 2011 6:34 AM in response to Sharklab

It does sound like it's specific to your 3GS and is most likely a hardware issue but you might try to restore as new, i.e. without your backup and see how it runs factory fresh.

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Answer 10

Sharklab Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 7, 2011 2:04 AM in response to paulcb

Yeah, it seems that way. I've tried rebooting, resetting etc, and nothing has made any difference. I guess it's time to accept that it's a dud!

Thanks to all who responded.

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