Droid 4: Constantly dropping data some days, goes into 'white bar' 4G instead of 3G

**SadbutTrue** · 07-30-2012, 09:30 PM

So I have a Droid 4 I've had for about 6 months. For the last month or so I've noticed it seems to drop data often... continually not being able to load games, youtube, music, whatever... despite being in the LA metro area always and usually having 4G.

My friend had to replace his first Droid 4 (for non-coverage reasons) with another under warranty, and he has experienced similar things. He's noted that the 4G bars go white when it happens (as opposed to blue), and mine does the same thing. is this 'roaming' 4G or something? Whatever it is, its annoying... maddening really.

This has gotten a lot worse recently. While some days it is nearly unnoticeable, other days (like yesterday), it will literally spend 80% of the time in useless white 4G and effectively is useless. Is there something I can do software wise to help? Several months ago it seemed like it'd go into 3G and continue to function - I'd prefer that versus this white-barred 4G mess, but I almost never see 3G these days.

FYI its not rooted, I'm on a grandfathered unlimited plan, etc Thanks! If this belongs in another forum please move it

**JP Whoregan** · 07-30-2012, 09:32 PM

See the post below this one, titled "Got the Maxx swapped out".

Welcome to Android!

**Steveanderson13** · 07-30-2012, 10:18 PM

But merely for edification, "white" means only no background data. Disable background data to see.

**allanak** · 07-31-2012, 12:18 AM

I've got what sounds like the same problem on my D4 in the LA area although I've also experienced it in other cities as I travel frequently. Data works fine for a few seconds and drops. Classic example I notice: Facebook app will load some status updates but the connection drops and data signal goes white before it loads pictures, etc.

**ROLLTIDE** · 07-31-2012, 07:15 AM

This is a common problem and effects all and its due to the poor 4G network that we are all beta testing

**johnhere** · 07-31-2012, 07:29 AM

I was hoping it was just a phone issue for me, but looks like others are having issues too.

**TC_Mits** · 07-31-2012, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Steveanderson13

But merely for edification, "white" means only no background data. Disable background data to see.

Is that the same for 3g?
Would that mean the bars stay white all the time for 3g or 4g if background data stays disabled?

Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

**jim9000** · 07-31-2012, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by ROLLTIDE

This is a common problem and effects all and its due to the poor 4G network that we are all beta testing

Exactly. The problem tends to come and go, so usually VZW will suggest a replacement SIM card or phone. This means waiting a day or more for the new phone, or until one has time to go to a store and get a replacement SIM. Usually, the problem has worked itself out by this time.

I'm sure it really is a phone issue in some rare cases. However, I have found that if I ask other Verizon customers if they are seeing LTE dropouts when I start seeing them, they tend to say yes.

I don't see this issue quite as often as I used to, but If LTE stability isn't perfect when the new iPhone is released, it will be interesting to see if Verizon gets slammed as hard as AT&T did for their network issues.

**jseah** · 07-31-2012, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by jim9000

Exactly. The problem tends to come and go, so usually VZW will suggest a replacement SIM card or phone. This means waiting a day or more for the new phone, or until one has time to go to a store and get a replacement SIM. Usually, the problem has worked itself out by this time.

I'm sure it really is a phone issue in some rare cases. However, I have found that if I ask other Verizon customers if they are seeing LTE dropouts when I start seeing them, they tend to say yes.

I don't see this issue quite as often as I used to, but If LTE stability isn't perfect when the new iPhone is released, it will be interesting to see if Verizon gets slammed as hard as AT&T did for their network issues.

That said, in my experience (with the Bionic and the Razr Maxx), Motorola phones are much worse with their data connections when compared to HTC phones (Thunderbolt and Rezound) and Samsung (GSIII).

**akhi216** · 07-31-2012, 09:47 AM

My Bionic's data connection had became unusable on .905. In an act of desperation I installed the leaked ICS update and I haven't had a problem since.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using HowardForums

**WaltA** · 07-31-2012, 10:22 AM

I have a Droid 4, rooted, and with the .219 update. I never had such a problem as you describe. I have had 4G drop to 3G, and even once to 1X, but I still got data (just more slowly).

The comment that 4GLTE being white in color means that you have background data turned off. Are you turning background data off intentionally? If so, why? If not, what is doing it? Could it be Smart Actions attempting to save you battery power by disabling data? Since I am rooted, I "froze" Smart Actions just to prevent such problems.

**SadbutTrue** · 07-31-2012, 10:52 AM

I didn't conscoiusly change the background data setting... is there a setting somewhere that I can adjust that? Guess I'll have to look into ICS or something.

**WaltA** · 07-31-2012, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by SadbutTrue

I didn't conscoiusly change the background data setting... is there a setting somewhere that I can adjust that?

Settings.... Data Manager... Background data (the third item down).

Again, I would be concerned that some app, like Smart Actions, is changing that setting for you.

Originally Posted by SadbutTrue

Guess I'll have to look into ICS or something.

VZW is expected to release the ICS update for D4 in the next month or two.

**clonehappy** · 07-31-2012, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by jseah

That said, in my experience (with the Bionic and the Razr Maxx), Motorola phones are much worse with their data connections when compared to HTC phones (Thunderbolt and Rezound) and Samsung (GSIII).

This is true, and I don't know why. I'm not sure how a company like Motorola could actually let these things out the door with the data performance (or lack thereof) that they have. I really, really prefer Motorola phones, but will stick with HTC (Tried a Droid Charge, too, and will definitely not go with Samsung again, either) until someone proves they have solved the data connection issues.

Many 4G Motorola handsets I've seen are effectively unusable under all but the most pristine RF conditions. Beautiful hardware and design, but useless to me if I'm staring at a phone with no data connection whatsoever 80% of the time.