Galaxy S6 - Wifi disconnects mobile network

[Killda]

Hello, I have the S6 Edge that I bought on Launch day through Telus. Recently (seems like since the 5.1.1 update), there has been some connectivity issues. I have narrowed it down to be completely reproduce-able.

If I am on a call and not on wifi, and then I connect to a wifi network, then the call will disconnect - however, not immediately like a standard dropped call. The device will stay say I have 5 bars of service, and will still even try to dial out when asked to. However, these calls will not go through (i.e. never start ringing), and I am unable to send texts. Restarting the device will fix the issue. 

If I am already connected to wifi and that doesn't change throughout the call there is no problem. This may sound like a small issue, but it means if I'm on the phone when walking into my house - call drops and I have to restart the device, walking into work - call drops and I have to restart the device. It is especially painful if I am on more unstable wifi networks, like say, in a mall or coffee shop - since the wifi will disconnect mid call and reconnect - dropping my service. 

Researching the issue makes it seem like it has something to do with wifi calling, and many others experiencing the issue on american carriers were able to fix it by disabling that feature - but Telus does not offer it and thus there is no way to turn it off. I have done a full factory reset and bought a new SIM card - issue persists. I have also called both Samsung and Telus support - who basically both say to just do a factory reset and then when that doesn't work to bring it in for repair, but i really don't want to deal with a loaner for 2 weeks especially when it doesn't even seem like a hardware issue.

Any help would be appreciated,

Thank you

[Nighthawk]

Telus support may not be able to offer much help with this. It is very likely an issue with the phone. I have not experienced this issue on my S6 Edge yet. As for wireless calling, since that feature isn't offered by Telus there is nothing at all to try turning on or off. Are you using the default included dialer on the phone or some VoIP / third party dialer?

[Killda]

Hi Nighthawk, thanks for the quick reply. I am currently using the default Samsung Dialer.

[NFtoBC]

Tried replying earlier, but the reply disappeared somewhere.

This may seem a stupid question, but can you 'forget' the random Wi-Fi networks to prevent them connecting to your phone? OR would turning Wi-Fi off until you need it solve the problem temporarily?  Seems like the phone is trying to handoff to a non-existent Wi-Fi network service.

[Killda]

It is not random Wi-Fi networks. This happens with my known networks such as the ones at home and at work. The call will get dropped if I connect to ANY Wi-Fi network while in a call. 

Currently I have a tasker profile set up to turn off WiFi while in a call, but it's a little unreliable about turning it back on so I'm hoping for an actual solution rather than my band aid.

[Funky-Munky]

I stumbled across this issue first on the Rogers forums and it seems like a problem with the 5.1.1 patch.  The only "reliable" solution I've come across so far is to drop from LTE down to 4G (yes I'm aware it's a horrible solution).

[Funky-Munky]

By the way if anyone is interested here's the link to the Rogers forum with users complaining about the same problem - I'm just surprised not many have noticed it here compared to Rogers customers

http://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/forums/forumtopicpage/board-id/Android/message-id/33454#M33454

[Killda]

Is there any official capacity to flag this as a problem to Telus and/or Samsung so that it may be fixed in the next OTA update? My work around is fine for now but its making me incur extra data charges since my WiFi will sometimes not get turned back on.

Edit: Can now fully confirm that LTE is causing the problem. Switching from "LTE/WCDMA/GSM" to just "WCDMA/GSM" fixed it, and is reproduceable every single time.

[Nighthawk]

To Telus? No. It's an issue with Android 5.1.1 and if other carriers have the issue, it'll be Samsung that has to come up with a fix.

The reason I haven't seen this issue is because I disabled LTE also, becuse LTE is nearly non-existant where I live. If you have LTE off, your wifi should continue to operate normally. Mine does.

[Killda]

I have LTE+ where I live so it's a pretty rough downgrade :(.

[NFtoBC]

I nominate @Funky-Munky post above as a solution / best answer, at least until Google and Samsung push an update.

[dru · Accepted solution]

Hi all,

We hear you loud and clear.

Here’s the latest on this development:

We have identified an issue with Samsung’s latest software update for the Galaxy S6/S6 Edge that was released mid-September. The following software versions are affected:

• S6 - G920W8VLU2BOH8

• S6 Edge - G925W8VLU2BOH8

Impacted customers were reporting a number of issues including dropped calls, missed calls, delays with incoming SMS/MMS messages and the loss of network connectivity

We are working with Samsung and believe the root cause has been identified. We are currently testing a fix and anticipate its release in the next several weeks. The fix will be made available as an over the air (OTA) SW update to all Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge devices. 

In the meantime, we do not recommend re-flashing your device's modem firmware, as this may void the manufacturer’s warranty. 

Keep an eye on this thread – we will be posting updates as they become available.

Stay tuned!

[Darknk]

Hi,
I just bought a S6 and I am having this issue. Any updates? I'm on build ending in BOJ7

Thanks,
Marc

[Killda]

Hi Darknk,
This issue should have been fixed with this update:http://forum.telus.com/t5/Neighbourhood-Blog/Samsung-Galaxy-S6-S6-Edge-connectivity-issues/ba-p/5643...

Make sure that your software is fully up to date by going to settings > about device > software update. Android version should be 5.1.1, but Telus pushed an OTA update a few months after 5.1.1 released that your device may not have. I also have the build number ending in BOJ7.

Is the issue exactly as described? (Connecting to wifi while in a call disconnects mobile network?)

[Akwalline]

Hi Dru, I am wondering when this OTA update is being issued. There was one a couple weeks ago but my phone is still having this problem. Galaxy S6 128gb SM-G920W8