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Tuesday, October 3rd, 2017 6:02 PM

Dropped Calls & Low Signal - Check out the Solutions from the AT&T Community

Learn about some of "the science" behind the cell signal and why your service is dropping

Science. It is what allows you to make calls, text, stream, games, surf the web, and use apps on your device. It is also the reason why your service may not work as intended. Below is a crash course that goes over scenarios I have personally experienced and discovered during my time helping our AT&T Customers.  

First, some quick fixes 

Toggle Airplane mode this will refresh your connection to the tower
Power cycle your device This can clear up backend functions that could be causing issues
Reinsert your SIM sometimes it is dislodged. I know, not all phones have SIMS now
Things happen, check for an outage/ maintenance   Select mobility and enter your address

 

Signal Loss - Is It Us or Something Else?

Environmental Factors - Dead Zones

At my sister’s house, there is one spot where I never get calls or texts. If I move 5 feet away from that spot, boom, everything works. Sound familiar? This is known as a dead-zone and caused by the environment of your surroundings. Unfortunately dead-zones, in homes or offices, are beyond AT&T's control.

Common Causes:

  • The material used to build the home/ office like metal. Check out the video below to learn more
  • Material thickness - the wireless signal can weaken as it goes through different materials/ floors
  • Ground elements - sometimes what is in the ground can affect service, like mountainous areas
  • Areas with heavy electronics. They can emit EMI which can affect not only the wireless signal, but Wi-Fi

Solution

  • Move away from dead-zone(s) in your home, near a window or area without electronics.

  • Consider using Wi-Fi Calling. Please note Wi-Fi Calling must be set up first and activated. 

  • Know your surroundings. Keep an eye out for areas with electronics and either move away from them or turn them off. 

 

Treadmills and Stationary Bikes

I bet you are thinking, seriously? Yes! Almost all electronics emit electromagnetic interference that not only disrupts your wireless signal but your Wi-Fi signal. The bigger the device, like an elliptical, the more interference it produces. I've seen it firsthand. Did you get a new electronic around the time you started seeing issues?

Common Causes:

Some electronic bikes use your body to power them and have their own internal power sources. One bike alone may not cause issues but if you are in a gym around treadmills, stationary bikes, and stair climbers, all the EMI created may cause electrical interference. Not just that, but many electronics emit/ use signals in the same spectrum as your phone (picture above). This means the more electronics, the more likely interference from those will cause issues like drop calls and slow webpage loading for example. 

Solution:

  • Move away from the electronics.

  • Check out what the FCC has to say.

  • Unplug new electronics and test

Time of day

Sometimes, during peak times, AT&T may slow down speed to keep everyone connected. Also, if you see a drop in service, or slow speeds, at a specific time, this could indicate another issue, like equipment around you emitting interference. It could also mean something on your device is causing issues. 

Phone Damage

Dropping your phone can damage the components inside. This can affect your calls, texts, and internet experience. Having a case is important and I recommend getting one. A drop can also dislodge the SIM card and permanently damage your phone. 

Solution

Rural Areas

Rural areas tend to have weaker signals. One of the reasons, the distance you are from the towers. This means your home may get a weaker signal compared to the center of town. The reason, the tower may be optimized for town center since more people tend to be there. 

Normally, the signal is not an issue in rural areas. But when it is, a key factor to think about is the terrain. If you are in a hilly or mountainous area, you may experience a weak signal, the reason, the signal is being blocked not only by the land, but whatever ground elements are there. You factor in building construction, especially those will metal roofs, you can understand why the signal may be weak. 

Is there an outage or something else going on?

Check for an outage Network Coverage Online Device Troubleshooting

Note: Stores are not able to troubleshoot devices but they can give you options to get another.

     

    5G Speeds

    AT&T may temporarily slow speeds if the network is busy. This means during peak times, you may see slower speeds. We do this to make sure everyone has the best experience possible. 

    Other helpful links regarding poor signal

    ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist 

     

     

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    Community Support

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    2.7K Messages

    6 years ago

    Losing your mobile signal is never a good thing! Learn what may be the cause of this and check out the information above! 

     

    Need additional assistance? 

    Mobile Troubleshooting

    Ordering, Billing, & Delivery Information

     

    ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist 

    Tutor

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    1 Message

    6 years ago

    In the last two months or so my phone service has gone very far down hill. I live in Colorado Springs and for the first 2+ years I have had excellent service at my house. I had full bars all the time even in my house. Now I have close to no service. I am missing my on call phone calls from work, they don't even come through. What is going on with the service? Why am I having this issue?

    Tutor

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    2 Messages

    6 years ago

    We have had a reduction in cellular power for an extended amount of time. Used to get 4-5 bars anytime and now consistently 1-3. I live within 1 mile radius of ATT cell tower. You've got me thinking of switching. I also use home wifi hotspot and it goes in and out quite frequently. I understand upgrades. It this has been too long.

    Community Support

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    2.7K Messages

    6 years ago

    Hi @Flyncold and @erinhamilton87,

     

    Sorry to read of the trouble you are having with your signal and service. In this thread, you will find some great information that should help restore your service and help report these issues to our network teams if there is trouble around you. 

     

    ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist 

    Contributor

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    1 Message

    6 years ago

    Hi,

     

     I have very horrible cell service in my area of Farmington Hills Michigan crossroads of 14 mile and halsted Road.  I have reported this to At&t  too many times.  I have five lines I love AT&T but I cannot bear the cost and the horrible service that I get in my area.  Also there’s no LTE coverage at all near my location off 13 mile and haggerty.   I just don’t get it it’s 2017 there is still no good reception here will take for AT&T to add a tower nearby. 

    Contributor

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    1 Message

    6 years ago

    I keep having “no SIM card,” happen and I have gone through all the steps to fix it, ie turning on airplane mode for 10 seconds then back off then shutting the phone off and back on, then it just pops up again within a few hours and this has been happening for a couple weeks on my iPhone 6s

    Community Support

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    2.7K Messages

    6 years ago

    Hi @Dunnkaroo,

     

    Sorry to read of the trouble you are having with your SIM. It sounds like it may be dislodged or damaged. I moved your post into our troubleshooting steps that may help. 

     

    ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist 

     

     

    Contributor

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    1 Message

    6 years ago

    Has anyone else had an issue with the iPhoneX on at&t network with extremely slow cellular data when not connected to WiFi? 

    Community Support

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    2.7K Messages

    6 years ago

    Hi @BFG2012,

     

    I moved your post to our Low and Weak Signal thread. It has some troubleshooting information that should have resolve the trouble you are having. 

     

    ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist  

    Contributor

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    1 Message

    6 years ago

    I’m new to Portland, Oregon. There is area which doesn’t have coverage (cascade station), would you please tell me what can I do to get good coverage because I go to that place every day.

    Thanks..

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