[Solution] How to fix S6/S6 edge econnectivity issues

[Davidson]

**NOTE** - I only tested this on an S6 edge so I cannot guarantee this will work on the normal S6

After upgrading my S6 edge to 5.1.1, I experienced the connectivity issues that have been described here and elsewhere. Specifically, when connected to WiFi and LTE, I would not receive SMS messages and any phone calls would go straight to my voicemail. The only solution was to change the network to WCDMA/GSM. After calling Telus a bunch of times and trying multiple fixes (new SIM card, network reset, factory reset on the phone), I finally got a tech support rep that admitted there are currently just under 300 open service tickets regarding this issue and Telus is working with Samsung to get a software update. In the meantime, he recommended that I stay on WCDMA/GSM until an update is pushed out.

After researching on multiple support forums, I have found a solution that fixes this. It seems that when the modem file was updated in 5.1.1 it was not properly tested on Telus and contained the bug as described above. The solution is to downgrade to a previous and stable modem. The steps to do this are below. You do not have to have a rooted phone, nor will you lose any data.

Files need first:

Odin 3.10.7 -

Stable modem file (OG2) - 

Instructions:

1. On your phone, go to settings>about device and note your baseband version. If it doesn’t end with OG2, this fix should work

2. Turn off your phone

3. Boot your phone into download mode by pressing and holding Volume Down, Home and Power keys at the same time, release all three buttons when S6 screen flickers and you see a warning sign and finally, press volume up to continue to the main screen of Recovery mode.

4. Run Odin as an administrator (right click on the exe and select “Run as administrator”)

5. Connect your phone to your computer

6. Odin will show “Added”

7. Click on the CP button and select the modem.bin file you downloaded from the link above

8. Make sure “Auto-reboot” and “F. Reset Time” are selected under the options tab in Odin

9. Push “Start”

10. After a bit, your phone will reset and you can unplug your phone 

11. Once it has reset, on your phone, go to settings>about device and look at your baseband version. It should now read G925W8VLU2AOG2

**NOTE** - I only tested this on an S6 edge so I cannot guarantee this will work on the normal S6

[NFtoBC]

@Davidson

  Thanks for sharing!

I'm assuming Odin and the modem file are downloaded to one's PC? Do you know if there is a Mac OS X version?

[Davidson]

Yes, Odin and the modem file are downloaded to your PC. Unsure of a Mac version. 

[Nighthawk]

Is there any way to be sure that using a questionable third party tool like that to mess with the system will prevent the fix from being installed once (if) Samsung (ever) releases the fix for this issue? If the file versions / checksums don't match, will the modem file actually update?

[Davidson]

Can't say for sure but I don't see why it would. Its just an older modem file from a previous KitKat version. Worse comes to worse you could just flash the broken modem file back on to your S6 if an update is released. 

[Nighthawk]

That's if the users have that broken modem file to flash. Only download is the old one.

[Davidson]

It could easily be obtained. That being said, if you don't feel comfortable doing this or don't want to risk missing out on an update, definitely don't do this. However, it sure is nice to have a fully functional phone again. 

[AJpublicMobile]

I found the modem for the regular S6 OG2 modem.bin, but when I try to flash it get an error after it finishes transferring the file. 

 Added!!

 Odin engine v(ID:3.1100)..

 File analysis..

 SetupConnection..

 Initialzation..

 Get PIT for mapping..

 Firmware update start..

 SingleDownload.

 modem.bin

 NAND Write Start!! 

 Transmission Complete.. 

 Now Writing.. Please wait about 2 minutes

 FAIL!

 Receive Response from boot-loader

 All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

[Davidson]

Could be a faulty modem.bin file.  Could also try changing your USB cable and the USB port that it is plugged into.

[hishak]

I still have conectivity issues with the latest firmware. Anyone still having issues? LTE almost never works, i get missed calls or cant make calls (emergency mode). At my work, I have no data, can't receive or send calls. 

I flashed the old model mentioned here and I get "unknown baseband" so I flashed back the one from 5.1.1

[Nighthawk]

The Marshmallow update is scheduled for March 16th if I remember right. I'm hoping that fixes everything.

Samsung will not be putting any effort into fixing 5.1.1 since 6 will be replacing it shortly.

[hishak]

My phone is unusable. Dropped calls, missed calls, lte not working, etc.

The people at my work who have galaxy s6 have no issues. I'm not sure if my Galaxy S6 Edge is defective...

I placed my phone next to a galaxy s6, both on telus network. My edge had as stronger signal  -100dbm vs -113, yet on mine I couldn't call (or I could get a call after 5-10 tries) and no activity in data (eventhough it shows 4G in the notification bar) and the S6 had LTE and was working well.

At home, my data and calls work. However calls do drop once every 3 calls...

The Marshmallow update is scheduled on April :(. I bought this phone from someone on Fido (which I can't get a hold of), and Samsung can't do anything without a bill 😞

[Nighthawk]

S6 Edge - March 16th > http://forum.telus.com/t5/Mobility/Software-Update-Schedule/ta-p/53566

S6 = April.

If you bought it from some third party, who knows what they did to the phone physically before selling it to you. It sounds like there could be a problem with the phone itself but it's hard to say for sure whether or not it's a manufacturer issue or the negligence of the original owner that sold it to you.

[mirrim]

I was able to fix my continuing connectivity issues with my S6 by using Smart Switch to do a complete wipe and reinstall, then doing updates.  I had given up on my phone, and this fixed all my issues.  Just doing a restore from the phone didn't make a difference.

[hishak]

I've tried a Galaxy S6 , Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6 Edge plus on the Telus network. Galaxy S6 works perfectly but both galaxy S6 Edge do not. At home they work well (except basement), at work I get no signal (emergency mode).

I've sold all of them, now waiting for the S7..

[Kyle2]

didnt work