Stuart Mchattie
Level 1 (25 points)

Q: iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random

Hi,

 

I've been using an iPhone 4 on a Vodafone contract for the past 16 month and just bought an iPhone 4S direct from Apple. It arrived on Friday morning and I got it set up correctly as far as I can tell.

 

When I first turn it on, it works lovely and exactly as I would expect, able to make calls, send texts and access the internet via the cellular network. However, at what appears to be random, the network will disappear (no bars of signal) stopping me making calls and texts, but still allowing me to access the internet.  Sometimes, the Internet goes, but I can still make calls and texts.  Other times, everything is gone and I get "No Signal" where it normally says Vodafone UK.

 

So when trying to fix this problem after it's noticed, I try putting it into Airplane mode and back out.  The phone scans for a network and goes back to the same state as before I tried this fix. I have tried resetting network settings, but this doesn't change anything. The only thing that actually fixes it temporarily is turning the phone right off and back on again.

 

At this stage I assume this is a bug with the software, but I wondered if anyone else is experiencing anything like this? If no one is, I will take it up with Apple, but I don't really want to do that as I love the new phone so much!!

 

Cheers, Stuart

iMac (late 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.3), 27" i7 Quad-Core, 4GB RAM, 1TB HDD

Posted on Oct 16, 2011 2:53 AM

by L2C2002,Solvedanswer
L2C2002 L2C2002
Level 1 (10 points)
A:

Same issue here in Germany with T-Mobile.

The only way to overcome this is to disable the SIM PIN.

Not a real solution but that solves the issues for now.

Cheers

Posted on Oct 16, 2011 4:02 AM

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Stuart Mchattie

Q: iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random

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  • by tamerlanfromkremenchug,

    tamerlanfromkremenchug tamerlanfromkremenchug Dec 30, 2011 6:36 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2011 6:36 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

    How i solved this problem.

    In the first restory version 5.0.1 (9A406)

    Not solved the problem.

    Later inserted different sims single operator and only the third has earned as necessary.

    Solved  the problem.

     

    Im not sure, maybe it was just a coincidence.

  • by RudyKorinek,

    RudyKorinek RudyKorinek Dec 31, 2011 1:37 AM in response to 8Honza
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 31, 2011 1:37 AM in response to 8Honza

    Just to clarify it again for everyone:

     

    If your network drops and you get constantly Invalid SIM, SIM failure message or your cell reception bars drop without any reason:

     

    1. Try to restore to version 9A406 (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4148)
    2. If this does not help (it helps only to some phones and some SIM cards - I want to make this clear, I am one of those frustrated) try to get a 128K SIM card from your provider (http://www.ehow.com/info_12168797_64-k-sim-card-vs-128-k-sim.html)
    3. If this does not help or your provider doesn't have/support 128K SIM cards (again its my case and there are people here where 128K SIM did not help) return your phone and get a new one, or wait for 5.1. to see if this issue gets fixed.

     

    Note:

     

    • In my case 9A406 is totally unusable, network drops and SIM card issues were so several that I had to restore my phone back to 9A405 so I can at least use it occassionaly.  At this time it is pretty expensive iPod docked in a docking stations and I am back by my older BlackBerry device.
    • Try to call Apple support, if you followed those steps above it will not help , but it might decrease your frustration for a while.  Apple Support does not know when iOS 5.1. will be released - they get the notification exactly at the same time like its published to web (iOS releases are done by other Apple departments and its a common practice).
    • There are as well reported cases where exchange of iPhone did not help - it might be that those guys did get an iPhone from a same batch, or its a combination of SIM&Phone errors. In that case if this issue would not be resolved within 5.1. get your money back and get some other phone - there are plenty of enough cool ones on a market now.

    • by 8Honza,

      8Honza 8Honza Dec 31, 2011 7:44 AM in response to RudyKorinek
      Level 1 (0 points)
      Dec 31, 2011 7:44 AM in response to RudyKorinek

      Thanks man! I did exactely all steps you suggested, the network is still dropping. Gonna have it exchanged hopefully. Still dont know what is Apple waiting for, the phone has been out for more then 3 moths and not a single word about this issue was given by Apple...

    • by 8Honza,

      8Honza 8Honza Dec 31, 2011 7:45 AM in response to jurajpe
      Level 1 (0 points)
      Dec 31, 2011 7:45 AM in response to jurajpe

      It didnt work, network still dropping. The phone s going to servise ASAP. Thanks anyway!

    • by jurajpe,

      jurajpe jurajpe Dec 31, 2011 8:56 AM in response to 8Honza
      Level 1 (0 points)
      Dec 31, 2011 8:56 AM in response to 8Honza

      sorry to hear that...

    • by Karthiksh87,

      Karthiksh87 Karthiksh87 Dec 31, 2011 9:16 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie
      Level 1 (0 points)
      Dec 31, 2011 9:16 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

      My phone is working perfectly.. I just throw my mobile in dog **** and got a samsung galaxy s2....

       

      Do try my fix... It works...

    • by unicohijo86,

      unicohijo86 unicohijo86 Dec 31, 2011 4:28 PM in response to tamerlanfromkremenchug
      Level 2 (255 points)
      Dec 31, 2011 4:28 PM in response to tamerlanfromkremenchug

      Hi tamerlan...,

       

      I'ts not a coincidence. The build work or it doesn't. If it works in your phone, then that's it. I only restored my firmware once, and the "No Sim" and "No Service" problem hasn't resurfaced. Been running on this for 7 days now.

       

      http://iphone-and-i.blogspot.com/2011/12/fixing-iphone-4s-signal-problem.html

    • by unicohijo86,

      unicohijo86 unicohijo86 Dec 31, 2011 4:33 PM in response to 8Honza
      Level 2 (255 points)
      Dec 31, 2011 4:33 PM in response to 8Honza

      Hi 8Honza,

       

      If you go and check your firmware version in your phone, what does it say now? (Settings > General > About > Version). I've tried to outline some verification steps in the link below.

       

      http://iphone-and-i.blogspot.com/2011/12/fixing-iphone-4s-signal-problem.html

       

       

      scott

    • by 8Honza,

      8Honza 8Honza Jan 1, 2012 6:53 AM in response to unicohijo86
      Level 1 (0 points)
      Jan 1, 2012 6:53 AM in response to unicohijo86

      Hi Scott,

       

      it says 5.0.1. (9A406). I aleady did restore , it was working all right for some time but then it dropped again and I still loose signal...

       

      Scott, I have read your step-by-step tutorial, seems that you know what you talking about. Do you have any clue what might solve my problem? Since my current version is 9A406, it is useless to do another restore, isnt it?

    • by Francisco Robles,

      Francisco Robles Francisco Robles Jan 1, 2012 12:28 PM in response to unicohijo86
      Level 2 (185 points)
      Jan 1, 2012 12:28 PM in response to unicohijo86

      Hi Scott,

       

      Very good Step-by-Step tutorial, unfortunelly it did not work for me I'm using 5.0.1 (9A406) with iPhone model MD257E. I have tried everything I read in this forum and still have the Invalid SIM or SIM Error issue, I think the only solution for me is to be patient and wait for an uptade or exchange my phone with the carrier company.

       

      Thanks for the tutorial, very nicely done.

      Francisco

    • by 8Honza,

      8Honza 8Honza Jan 1, 2012 1:39 PM in response to Francisco Robles
      Level 1 (0 points)
      Jan 1, 2012 1:39 PM in response to Francisco Robles

      Hi Francisco,

       

      I have exactely the same problem as you. I will definitely NOT wait until Apple release an update, I bought the phone to make calls and send texts! I m pretty upset! All I do nowadays is just turning on and off my phone over and over to be able as least make one call or send a single message! Moreover, I cant use 3G either!

    • by Francisco Robles,

      Francisco Robles Francisco Robles Jan 1, 2012 2:03 PM in response to 8Honza
      Level 2 (185 points)
      Jan 1, 2012 2:03 PM in response to 8Honza

      I know, is really annoying and if is wasn't that I did transfer my phone calls to another mobile I have from work, believe me I will exchange my phone right away. I use data instead SMS, so I can manage between wi-fi or restarting my iPhone. Another reason why I haven't return my phone is because they will probably give me a refurbished one. I know is a stupid reason, because it is a working phone, but I think is part of my neurotic behavior.

    • by unicohijo86,

      unicohijo86 unicohijo86 Jan 1, 2012 2:39 PM in response to 8Honza
      Level 2 (255 points)
      Jan 1, 2012 2:39 PM in response to 8Honza

      Hi 8Honza - it's probably a good idea to replace your phone but then when you do, try to have your phone activated right there in the store. That way you'll know right away if the replacement is good or also problematic. My iPhone 4S showed the "No Sim" problem on the first day of activation, which I did at home. I did try to have my phone repalced as well but guess what, they ran out of stocks. Did you manually update to 9A406 or did your phone come with than version installed already?

    • by 8Honza,

      8Honza 8Honza Jan 1, 2012 2:40 PM in response to Francisco Robles
      Level 1 (0 points)
      Jan 1, 2012 2:40 PM in response to Francisco Robles

      Well, basically we both have now pretty expensive iPod touch :/

    • by unicohijo86,

      unicohijo86 unicohijo86 Jan 1, 2012 2:40 PM in response to Francisco Robles
      Level 2 (255 points)
      Jan 1, 2012 2:40 PM in response to Francisco Robles

      Hola Francisco. Did your phone come with the 9A406 already or did you do manual upgrade?

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