Welcome to our focused troubleshooting series that aims to resolve the Samsung Galaxy S4 not connecting to mobile data or Wi-Fi and other related issues. As the title suggests, we will be troubleshooting issues pertaining to data connectivity on this device. If your S4 does not connect to the Internet or is having a slow connection then you have come to the right place.
In this installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle four connectivity related issues sent to us by our readers seeking our help. We have analyzed each of these issues and will be providing the best possible troubleshooting procedure which we hope will lead to a resolution.
If you own a Samsung Galaxy S4 or any other Android device for that matter then feel free to contact us using this form. We will be more than happy to assist you with any concern that you may have with your device. This is a free service we are offering with no strings attached. We however ask that when you do contact us try to be as detailed as possible so that an accurate assessment can be made and the correct solution can be given.
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S4 Mobile Data Connection Does Not Work
Problem: Hello! I have a problem with data connection in my Galaxy S4 I9505, at the first the devise was running on Android 4.4.2, the Connection data keep disabling time to time even if is activated the (H+, 3G, E) symbols next to the battery icon disappear until I switch the “Data Connection” option on/off couple times or the Airplane mode so it activate again. I did a manual update for the system to the latest version (Android 5.0.1) framework :I9505XXUHOA7_OXAHOA7 and after I finished, I started the phone but this time the “connection data” won’t work at all even it is turned ON and the (H+, 3G, E) doesn’t appear at all next to the battery icon. Please help me!! I don’t know what to do to solve this issue!! Thank you.
Solution: Since you updated your phone software you will need to check first your phone APN settings and see if this is the one used by your carrier. Compare your phone APN with the carrier settings and make the necessary changes. You can get your carrier settings from their website or by calling their technical support hotline.
- From any Home screen, tap the Menu key.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap the Connections tab.
- Under Network connections, tap More networks.
- Tap Mobile networks.
- Tap Access Point Names.
- To reset your APN, tap the Menu key and then tap Reset to default.
- If available, tap the APN (the bullet point fills with green).
- Verify and update the following settings for the Data APN.
If your phone already has the right APN then verify if your account has a mobile data subscription.
If the problem persists then back up your phone data then perform a factory reset.
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the following three buttons at the same time: Volume Up key, Home key, Power key.
- When the phone vibrates, release the Power key but continue to press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key.
- When the Android System Recovery screen appears, release the Volume Up and Home keys.
- Press the Volume down key several times key to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
- Press Power button to select.
- Press the Volume down key until ‘delete all user data’ is highlighted.
- Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
- When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
- Press the Power key to restart the device.
S4 Not Connecting Online When On Mobile Data
Problem: Hi I have just bought Samsung S4 and I have a problem when I’m on mobile data. When Wi-Fi is working everything works perfectly. But when using mobile data I couldn’t connect to the Internet or Facebook or you tube. But messenger and emails works perfectly. Kindly can you please guide me how to resolve this problem?
Solution: Try checking first if your account has an active mobile data subscription. Next, check your phone settings especially the APN.
- From any Home screen, tap the Menu key.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap the Connections tab.
- Under Network connections, tap More networks.
- Tap Mobile networks.
- Tap Access Point Names.
- To reset your APN, tap the Menu key and then tap Reset to default.
- If available, tap the APN (the bullet point fills with green).
- Verify and update the following settings for the Data APN.
Compare your phone APN to the one used by your network and make the necessary changes in your phone if there are any differences.
If the APN checks out and you have an active mobile data subscription the next step is to check if a third party app installed in your phone is preventing you from getting online. To do this, you should start your phone in Safe Mode.
- Turn the device off.
- Press and hold the Power key.
- When ‘Samsung Galaxy S4’ appears on the screen, release the Power key.
- Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
- Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
- Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.
Once your phone is in Safe Mode check if the problem persists. If it doesn’t then it may be caused by an app installed in your phone. Find out what app this is and uninstall it.
S4 Does No Internet When Using Mobile Data
Problem: Hi. My internet does not work when i am outside. Inside it works perfectly fine cuz i am connected to my home wifi. When i am outside though i cannot go on the internet, facebook, whatsapp, snapchat or any other social media. I have turned the wifi off and put my mobile data on but it still does not seem to work.
Solution: Try to check first if your account has an active mobile data subscription. You may need to contact your carrier’s technical support hotline regarding this matter.
Once you have verified that you have an active mobile data subscription try to check the APN settings of your phone and make sure that it matches the one used by your carrier.
- From any Home screen, tap the Menu key.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap the Connections tab.
- Under Network connections, tap More networks.
- Tap Mobile networks.
- Tap Access Point Names.
- To reset your APN, tap the Menu key and then tap Reset to default.
- If available, tap the APN (the bullet point fills with green).
- Verify and update the following settings for the Data APN.
Make the necessary changes if there are any differences.
There are also instances when an app installed in your phone may be preventing you from using your mobile data. To check on this you should start your phone in Safe Mode.
- Turn the device off.
- Press and hold the Power key.
- When ‘Samsung Galaxy S4’ appears on the screen, release the Power key.
- Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
- Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
- Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.
Try to go online while your phone is in this mode. If you can go online then the problem may be most likely caused by an app you installed. Find out what app this is and uninstall it.
S4 Lag In Selecting Wi-Fi After Lollipop Update
Problem: After the recent Lollipop 5.0.1 update I get the Settings not responding warning message (attached) when I turn on wifi then open Settings to view wifi networks on my Samsung Galaxy S4 l. It then goes to a semi black screen when I select Wait. It then eventually shows all wifi networks or connects to the relevant wifi network. I use to select OK and there is some lag time before it goes back to my home screen and I have to start the process again. Settings now has around a 20-30 second lag when it tries to load the wifi page to see available wifis. I can also select the Wifi button on the Quick Menu drop down but it has the same result. I also get a recurring random pop up message saying cannot download, try again later. Not sure what it relates to though….perhaps a MMS but not received any message telling me I have one. I have cleared the cache already. I’ve updated all apps. Not sure what else to do.
Solution: Since this problem occurred after the Lollipop update the best way to proceed is by doing a factory reset. This is a highly recommended procedure since this issue may be caused by data from the old software version that has not been completely removed from the phone and is now causing a conflict with the new software version. Make sure to back up your phone data before proceeding.
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the following three buttons at the same time: Volume Up key, Home key, Power key.
- When the phone vibrates, release the Power key but continue to press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key.
- When the Android System Recovery screen appears, release the Volume Up and Home keys.
- Press the Volume down key several times key to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
- Press Power button to select.
- Press the Volume down key until ‘delete all user data’ is highlighted.
- Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
- When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
- Press the Power key to restart the device.
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