How to fix Galaxy J7 mobile data issue: TracFone mobile data not working

There are many Android users who encounter mobile data issues everyday so this troubleshooting post will answer some questions of #GalaxyJ7 owners. In this article, we bring you solutions to try if you have a mobile data issue similar to the one detailed below. We hope you’ll find this post helpful.

Problem #1: How to fix Galaxy J7 mobile data issue: TracFone mobile data not working

i just recently purchased a Galaxy J7 and received with it 2 months of TracFone service.  My problem is that when there is no Wifi available, the phone will not connect to any app or website even though the service includes data.  I’ve tried turning WIFI off but it still doesnt work – what am i doing wrong? I have an older XTE phone with the same service but it has none of these problems and allows me to surf or open apps with no WIFI available.  I like this new phone, but am currently living with someone who “does not believe” in WIFI or the internet. I have thought about purchasing a mobile wifi but it bugs me that this phone will not operate as it should. thank you.

Solution: Below are the solutions that you can try to resolve this issue:

Ensure that mobile data is ON

This may be obvious, but a lot of people mistakenly think that mobile data function works automatically. Make sure that you enable Mobile data first before using apps that need internet connection.

Use Smart Network Switch

While some Samsung devices may be equipped with Smart Network Switch, a feature that automatically turns mobile data on when there’s no wifi, it may not work as advertised. To check if your J7 has this capability, follow the steps below:

  1. From a Home screen, go to Apps icon.
  2. Tap Settings icon.
  3. Tap Wi-Fi (Wireless & networks section).
  4. Tap Advanced.
  5. Tap Smart network switch.
  6. Tap the switch (located in the upper-right) to turn on Switch on or off Switch off.

Install Android and app updates

Whether you have issues or not, always make it a point to regularly check for updates for both Android and apps. Updates not only bring cosmetic changes but also

To check for Android updates, go under Settings > Software update.

To see if there are any available app updates:

  1. Open Play Store app.
  2. Tap More settings at the upper left (three-line icon).
  3. At the very top where you see the photo for the selected Google account, tap on the profile photo of the account you want to use.
  4. Once you’ve selected the profile you want, select My apps & games and update your apps.

Reset network settings

Resetting a device’s network settings is usually performed to fix text messaging, voice calling, or any other network issues. If you haven’t tried it yet, follow the steps below to know how it’s done:

  1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
  2. Tap General Management > Reset settings.
  3. Tap Reset settings.
  4. If you have set up a PIN, enter it.
  5. Tap Reset settings. Once complete a confirmation window will appear.

Reseat SIM card

Some Android users were able to fix mobile data issues in the past by temporarily disconnecting the SIM card. Try doing that and see if that will make a difference. So basically, these are the steps that you want to do:

  1. Turn off your phone.
  2. Carefully remove the SIM card from the device.
  3. Turn it back on without the SIM.
  4. Reinsert the SIM card after a few moments.
  5. Check how mobile data works.

Contact your carrier

Should the issue continue after doing all the steps above, the issue is most probably account- or network-related. In any of these cases, only your carrier would be able to assist you. Make sure to contact TracFone for support.

Problem #2: Galaxy J7 keeps restarting when trying to open a URL, won’t charge

I installed the latest update on July 15, 2018 and since then whenever I am using the google search to look up something or whatever url address I am in, shuts down and reverts back to the phones main page. the  screen I am on goes back to the main page and does not save the url address that I was in. At first it was random, but now it’s all the time. I turned the phone off and removed the battery for one minute, then I pressed to off button for another minute.  I then placed the battery back on the device and went to the incognito page and deleted cache from the privacy settings. This did not help.

In fact I am unable to fully charge my phone even after it has been on the charger for over 12 hours.  Can you tell me out to remove that last update? The phone was working just fine then, or is there a patch I can add to fix the update.

Solution: So what exactly is the main problem right now? Is it the random shut down or slow charging? We don’t know enough history about your phone to help you determine what may be causing these issues but you can try two things: cache partition wipe and factory reset.

Removing the most recent Android update is out of the question, unless you are amenable to flashing stock firmware to it. Flashing is basically modifying core system files on your device using a special tool called Odin. It’s a risky procedure and can potentially damage your phone for good if not done properly. If you can accept that risk, then do some research how to flash the particular phone model you have.

Cache partition wipe

This is a necessary troubleshooting step if your issues started after an update. Sometimes, an update may cause some file or cache corruption. If the system cache had been recently corrupted, it may affect how apps perform. To ensure that you have a good system cache, follow these steps:

  1. Turn off the device.
  2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key.
  3. When the device logo screen displays, release only the Power key
  4. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
  5. Press the Volume down key several times key to highlight ‘wipe cache partition.’
  6. Press the Power key to select.
  7. Press the Volume down key to highlight ‘yes’ and press the Power key to select.
  8. When the wipe cache partition is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
  9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Factory reset

Should wiping the cache partition won’t help fix the problems, do a factory reset. This will return all software settings to their defaults and should address possible software bugs causing them. Be sure to back your data up first before resetting the phone.

To factory reset your J7:

  1. Back up data on the internal memory. If you have signed into a Google account on the device, you have activated Anti-theft and will need your Google credentials to finish the Master reset.
  2. Turn off the device.
  3. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key.
  4. When the device logo screen displays, release only the Power key
  5. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
  6. Press the Volume down key several times key to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
  7. Press Power button to select.
  8. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
  9. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
  10. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
  11. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Get professional help

Should the two solutions above won’t fix the issues, the phone’s hardware must be to blame. Let Samsung check it so they can perform repair if needed.

Problem #3: Galaxy J7 won’t accept Google account credentials after factory reset

My J7 dropped network connection last week and it wouldn’t reconnect . I called Tech support they talked me thru a reset but when I tried logging into my google acct it keeps giving “no acct by that name…”.  We tried opening a new google acct but that didn’t work either. If I open my google acct on my computer it accepts my name and PW just fine and even shows all the activity with my phone since this happened but I can’t seem to get past this issue.  My carrier is ATT if that makes a difference. I called a local repair svc and he didn’t seem to have an answer either. Thank you.

Solution: We’re not aware of a Google error that says “no acct by that name…” Try to visit Google Product Forums and see if there’s anyone who can help you figure it out. Be sure to provide the exact error so they can easily identify it. As it is, there’s nothing in it that can help us determine where the problem lies.

Factory Reset Protection

If you happen to be having a Factory Reset Protection problem and your J7 refuses to accept the Google account username and password, you can bring the device to Samsung so they can unlock it for you. You also need to present the proof of purchase (receipt) as well as other proof that you’re the owner of the device. Without these, Samsung won’t entertain your request to unlock the phone at all.


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