gps lock almost unusable after 5.0 - Xperia Z3 Compact Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have been using the z3 compact since it came out. It ran flawlessly when I first got it. Updated to lolipop as soon as it came out and now I am having serious gps lock issues. It will bounce around for 20 minutes and lose signal completely at times. I am using a mac and am unable to rollback the update. I have used gps tools, done a complete reset and tried high accuracy and every other possible location setting.
has anyone dealt with this?
how did you fix it?

I have the same problem. It worked with 4.4.4 and 5.0.1 and stopped working with 5.0.2.
I have downgraded to 4.4.4 and it still doesn't work now so am very annoyed.
Looking on the Sony support forum there are other users with the problem but no insight from Sony. Some users have sent off for repair which hasn't worked.

Related

[Q] GPS doesn't find my phone after updating to .257

Hello there, a happy 6603 user from The Republic Of Bananas reporting here:
When I was with .536 (...whatever) I rooted my phone with vRoot. GPS was fine, as a daily bike rider I use Strava a lot. I was really amazed that GPS was locating my phone so damn fast (<10 secs), considering that I was used at a minimum of a minute with my "old" (crapped) Motorola Atrix 4G.
On last saturday I updated to .257 with Sony Companion (couldn't update via OTA because of being rooted with vRoot; if you want see more info about that, visit http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47316966). Today at morning I was ready to fire up Strava, but I got NO SIGNAL! Even when I was under a wide-open space and no even a little cloud at all. I left it searching signal for almost 5 minutes but I got no luck. The same happened at afternoon.
Do I did something wrong, or this is actually because of updating? Is anybody facing the same issue? (I've searched here but seems nobody has the same trouble)... thanks!
The FW is already old, update to .290 or .236.

Wifi turning off when phone idle or sleeping

I've got an annoying problem with my phone where the Wifi turns off when my phone is idle or asleep. This means my WhatsApp for Web disconnects and also my Moto Connect plays up too.
I've got the same problem at home, work and parents house so can't be an issue with all 3 networks. The keep wifi on during sleep option is set to Always before anyone mentions this to me.
Phone is running Lollipop 5.0 in the UK and is NOT rooted.
I noticed it doesn't happen when the phone is charging though.
Any ideas?
Right I've now tried changing the Sleep setting to Never but get the same problem.
Also tried connecting to the router via WPS but no luck.
Router is a Superhub 2. I've ruled out that it's the Superhub as I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini that is running fine without a single drop out.
Definitely something Moto X related.
I've also tried on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands with same results!
Try looking within the WiFi settings on the phone. Mine has this
. Added photo
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Free mobile app
Mine is identical to yours other than the fact that I don't have the wifi optimization option.
Right I've just cleared the cache as instructed by Motorola support.
Still have the same problem even after clearing cache.
Ok I can confirm that the issue goes away when in safe mode.
This is starting to piss me off as I don't have any way of checking if it's an app affecting my wifi disconnections!!!
I've finally found and fixed the problem myself!!
I decided to turn my bluetooth on (even though it wasn't connected to any bluetooth devices). This seems to stop the phone from causing the wifi to go to sleep!
It seems like it's a bug in the Moto X Lollipop firmware. How do I report bugs to Motorola??
It's funny how most say it's apps that cause strange behaviour but for me it's been the actual Android firmware each time I've ever had an issue!
I hope it gets fixed soon.
Wutang200 said:
I've finally found and fixed the problem myself!!
I decided to turn my bluetooth on (even though it wasn't connected to any bluetooth devices). This seems to stop the phone from causing the wifi to go to sleep!
It seems like it's a bug in the Moto X Lollipop firmware. How do I report bugs to Motorola??
It's funny how most say it's apps that cause strange behaviour but for me it's been the actual Android firmware each time I've ever had an issue!
I hope it gets fixed soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a known bug of 5.0, and already fixed for 5.1. Source, at the "Bug fixes section".
Great that you found a workarround.
Cheers!
Manuel.
Hey glad to know it's a well known bug. The work around still doesn't work. It still keeps disconnecting all the time! Driving me mad!! If the 5.1 update doesn't fix it for me, I'll need to try and get a refund and go for something else. Shame as I really like the Moto X but I can't live with an issue as stupid as this!
I'm not sure Motorola are aware of this issue at all. See their comment below from one of their support staff I'm speaking to now:
Santhosh: We have not received any reports regarding Wi-FI issue after the Android Lollipop update but please give me a moment I will provide the solution for this issue.
His solution for the issue was to get me to do a factory reset lol. I already did this when I first got updated to Lollipop!!
Going to try doing another one now to see if it actually makes any difference. Then will install a few apps at a time or something.
I am connected to WiFi just about all of time, and I have never experienced this.
Right I've done a factory reset and started completely afresh with none of my data or apps restored. WiFi has been solid; I've not had a single drop out!
I'm going to install just a couple of apps at a time and keep an eye out if the issue comes back until I find the culprit.
Hi
My phone was perfect (until now) with the WIFI since november 2014 even after I upgraded it to 5.0
But today, it suddenly starts with this problem by itself. so I restored it to factory defaults with no luck, I installed a new firmware, and still has the bug.
So, why it shows up until now by itself without any mod, app or update?
Sorry for my English.
Today I upgraded it to 5.1 and the issue persists
I had to back to stock 4.4.4. and now my wifi has been fixed so far, working good without interruption until now.
I hope this has fix the problem from sourse, and I'll wait a few days to upgrade it again.
EDIT: Has been a month since my downgrade to 4.4.4. and my WIFI still rocks.
Just want to say that I'm having the same issue since the update to 5.1. Wifi is set to be always on during sleep, but I regularly wake up my phone only to find it connected to 4G, and switching to wifi a few seconds after waking up.
I'm on a locked bootloader (unrooted of course). I did a full reset after the update...
I'm sorry to say that I've seen more little glitches since 5.1 than anything I noticed on 5.0.
EDIT: another issue I'm having is the stock mail client not syncing saying that there is no network connection. My exchange account (push) works fine however...
Just to say the issue has started for me too since the update to 5.1.
I've done 2 factory resets but no luck trying to fix this very annoying problem.
Motorola have asked me to send my phone in for repair so I'll try that and see what happens.

GPS sensor not working

Hello XDA guys. Your webpage is awesome.
I have a problem witn my Z3C (5833) for a month now and I have tried many things with no success. I hope you can help.
My phone was updated to Lollipop not long ago (May - June to 5.0.2) and in one moment (I cannot tell exactly when) the GPS sensor stopped working. The Wifi and Mobile location work, however the GPS is dead. Phone not unlocked or rooted. Original Stock ROM.
I go to the about phone - Diagnostics and test the GPS.. and it stays as "GPS is starting ... the GPS couldnt be started". When I download GPS test apps, they dont detect a single sattelite. I also tried the *#*#7378423#*#** GPS diagnostics, "purged assistance data", and it keeps on "waiting for location update" eternally
Because of this I wrote to Sony and they answered asking me to do a phone repair from Sony PC Companion. I did the phone repair and the problem was not solved.
Because of this I thought .. hey, maybe Lollipop is the problem. So I unlocked the bootloader and downloaded Emma (Sony recommended flash program for stock ROMs).
Emma downgraded my phone to 4.4.4 (23.0.A.2.93). However I still had the problem.
Next, I enter XDA and downloaded Flash tool. I downloaded one of your stock ROMs: 23.0.1.A.5.77 - Unbranded - Australia (1288-4214) {4.4.4}
I installed it and nothing. Same dead GPS.
So now I have no clue what might be the problem. Maybe the antenna got broken inside? How can I know if its a hardware or software issue?
Any help would be appreciated
Additional data:
Right now I have the 4.4.4 (23.0.A.2.93)
Baseband: 8974-AAAAANAZQ-00005-05
Kernel: 3.4.0-g0961cdf Build [email protected] #1 Tue Aug 19 19:48:36 2014
Thanks
If the issue still exist with different firmware i guess its a hardware failure.
basti2909 said:
If the issue still exist with different firmware i guess its a hardware failure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I open the phone?
Thanks
Emi85 said:
How do I open the phone?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I opened the phone. Now i need to know where is the GPS antenna, anybody know?
In sony it says its near the headphones plug. No more details.
Thanks
Hi,
I have the same issues. It says since about two months. 23-26 sattelites found, but no signal and no fix. On 4.4.4 was OK, since updating nothing anymore.
I went back to Kitkat but still dead.
Anyone managed to get it back without sending it in??
Same problem...no GPS.anyone with a solution??? New motherboard? Soldering a antenna. Someone's got to have a fix for this problem.
Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
Same problem and even tried to update to Android 6.0 with Marshmallow and still no GPS. 23-26 sattelites found, but no signal and no fix.
Any updates?
Hello,
I noticed since some time the same problem. I did a quick search on Google, and the problem seems more then usual after one of the official updates by Sony. The problem is discussed on the Sony Xperia Care support forums. All the affected user seems to suffer not from a complete signal outage, but rather from a substantially downgraded performance due to a bad SNR value and poor signal tracking, as can be seen by using the GPS Test app.
Resuming what has been written in the threads, all the following operations seems not to solve the issue:
- factory reset / repair with PC companion
- downgrading to an earlier release
- installing a custom ROM
- returning unit at service
What is annoying is the total disinterest by Sony that seems to ignore the problem, maybe they only want to take time to better understand the problem. If anyone should have news about this please let me know, because the only solution for this issue for now seems to be wating for a solution!
Thank you!
Same problem. Original Kitkat. In May worked excellent. During August I mentioned,it dosn't work. Some photos had changed infos about time and date of creating. On camera disappeared SCENE function in manual mode. When I allowed gps function on camera, gps worked immediately. Unfortunately only once. Camera Blocks gps?
Same problems here...
Hey, same issues here. I think it's just really slow to connect. I've recently sent my phone in for a warranty repair with Vodafone. It came back and was still broken.
Today however... I checked my phone and itw as working again (for about half an hour). Now I'm getting nothing again.
I've tried everything suggested, even down loaded AGPS file etc. But nothing seems to work.
Mega frustrating!!!
the only way for today is replacing motherboard... sony sucks. never again
I just wrote on the sony xperia support forum, somebody talks about a fix they provided for the xperia m series that seems to be affected by the same issue. But for our z series it seems not to be any fix at the moment.
After suceeding the GPS diagnostic test in the settings once, the GPS seems to be fully broken with no tracked satellite at all (before it was at least tracking a few satellites with a very poor SNR, now nothing according to GPS Test app). Repeating the GPS diagnostics now always results in an error. I'll try the warranty return but I'm pretty sure they'll give me a faulty device, as many other here and on the other forum have experienced.
Same problem ... just got the phone days ago.
Any solution ? or do I need to return it ...
I had issues with GPS, could see satellites but no fix on any. after expired warranty I rooted it and used 4 different ROMs, worked on all of them. instant lock on min 6 satellites. I am aware it could be HW issues but this is my experience with this problem.
gnjurac said:
I had issues with GPS, could see satellites but no fix on any. after expired warranty I rooted it and used 4 different ROMs, worked on all of them. instant lock on min 6 satellites. I am aware it could be HW issues but this is my experience with this problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm more and more convinced that this is a SW issue. Sony did something wrong when updating the firmware in August 2015. The fact that the satellites are visible comes in my opinion from the AGPS data, which loads the konwn satellite positions from the Internet. Instead, the problem seems to be the locking of a satellite signal, and it seems that something is disturbing the GPS antenna. If it comes out that this is really the issue, it is very disappointing that Sony didn't do absolutely nothing to solve the issue since last summer.
I'm using CM12.1 nigthlies and since about December/January I have the same problem. So a custom ROM does neither help nor prevent the problem. In addition to that, compass is uncalibrated and I don't get it calibrated again. Really sucks, last year I used the Z3C for lots of outdoor navigation, and suddenly something has happend which makes the device unusable...
I did root with kingroot and changed /etc/system/gps.conf as described in code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=81140#c695
Now my GPS is locking again.
Did not help for me. Currently I don't even get bad fixes, I get no fixes at all. Never ever, even after hours in the open. This sucks.
Hi,
Disabling google maps helped me. Before 0 sats visible, after disabling it locks within seconds.
apneist said:
Hi,
Disabling google maps helped me. Before 0 sats visible, after disabling it locks within seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the opposite experience, I had no lock, I was trying everything, then I opened maps and I had lock in under ten seconds.
I wonder if it's a glitch in accepting the google 'we're going to follow your movements' contract. Because until I agreed to that, gps didn't work.

5.1.1 killed my GPS

Happy stock user here using only official Sony upgrades (non rooted) on my Z3C. 5.1.1 arrived 3 days ago, I did a factory reset after the upgrade and woah, suddenly I have no more clean GPS locks anymore. It was working perfectly and now it locks in about 5% of all attempts and even then loses fix in a minute or so.
Tried to search around, clean agps data, refresh agps data, double check location services and what not, nothing helped so far. I just arrived to Greece with my family for vacation and had to find our apartment with a paper map - a pretty amusing experience anyway, not counting my wife's harsh comments..
Should anyone have an idea to counter this problem, it's most welcome. Should anyone have a similar experience with the 5.1.1 upgrade, this would be comforting at least..
Thanks and enjoy an otherwise brilliant smooth upgrade!
I seem to experience this as well. I regularly check the weather (several times per day) and I can hardly find my position, so I'll have to resort to manually type in my location (which doesn't provide me with the precise location prognose that I'm looking for).
same here, 1weather really struggles to locate my phone
Just by chance, are you also EU users? I thought maybe the 5.1.1 update defaults to some US settings and this might cause the problem.
What I tried already and did not help (to save you some time):
- removed Google backup and do another factory reset to avoid restoring some backed up settings which might be the cause
- various gps apps from play store which claim to fix/reset gps, with or without rebooting between attempts
- resetting gps settings from the service menu accessible via codes from the dialler
I'll also try to achieve root and install custom rooms from xda once I'm back from my holiday (assuming that I'll find the airport with a paper map )
kjozsa said:
Just by chance, are you also EU users?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm Swedish.
Have you tried GPS Status from the store and downloading the A-GPS data??
Yes, of course, many times with many different apps. Made no difference at all..
No problem with gps in Ingress or different maps while driving around in Denmark.
From the planet Nexus 7
kjozsa said:
Just by chance, are you also EU users? I thought maybe the 5.1.1 update defaults to some US settings and this might cause the problem.
What I tried already and did not help (to save you some time):
- removed Google backup and do another factory reset to avoid restoring some backed up settings which might be the cause
- various gps apps from play store which claim to fix/reset gps, with or without rebooting between attempts
- resetting gps settings from the service menu accessible via codes from the dialler
I'll also try to achieve root and install custom rooms from xda once I'm back from my holiday (assuming that I'll find the airport with a paper map )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm back from my holiday. Downgraded to 4.4.4, rooted my phone installed TWRP and poured the custom rom 23.4.A.0.546 SLiM 2.6 on it. Still no GPS lock in Waze or any other location app..
kjozsa said:
I'm back from my holiday. Downgraded to 4.4.4, rooted my phone installed TWRP and poured the custom rom 23.4.A.0.546 SLiM 2.6 on it. Still no GPS lock in Waze or any other location app..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your GPS hardware might be broken...
Theshawty said:
Your GPS hardware might be broken...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think yours is broken as well? Would there be a way to get certain about it?
kjozsa said:
Do you think yours is broken as well? Would there be a way to get certain about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine isn't broken, I can still get locks. It just takes it sweet time most of the time.
Yes, go into the settings, then location and enable "device only" (only gps). Then try to get a lock somewhere. If that doesn't work, then your GPS is broken.
Theshawty said:
Your GPS hardware might be broken...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theshawty said:
Mine isn't broken, I can still get locks. It just takes it sweet time most of the time.
Yes, go into the settings, then location and enable "device only" (only gps). Then try to get a lock somewhere. If that doesn't work, then your GPS is broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See the attachment.. it seems I can get a lock too! It happened after 10-12 minutes of searching after clearing A-GPS data and after 5-10 seconds (!) it loses it and often also falls back to having exactly 0 satellites in both "in view" and "in use" (as if turning GPS off completely and restarting seeking from scratch).
I assume it's rather a software than a hardware problem then, or..?
I have a similar problem with andosm app. If I let the app open on the background with my screen off, when I turn the screen on I have a precise location with 5 to 10 GPS fix but 5 seconds later the GPS fix drop to 0 and have to wait 30 second to get my location back.
After upgrading to 5.1.1 my GPS stopped working. I was unable to obtain a lock in Google Maps (as well as the Service Menu).
I downgraded to 5.0.2 but the situation did not improve.
I ended up sending my phone in for repairs (under warranty). So far the seller has confirmed that the "GPS is not functioning as expected" and has sent it to the repair centre.
Hopefully I'll get it back with a working GPS eventually!
kjozsa said:
I'm back from my holiday. Downgraded to 4.4.4, rooted my phone installed TWRP and poured the custom rom 23.4.A.0.546 SLiM 2.6 on it. Still no GPS lock in Waze or any other location app..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried with kk before updating to lp again? If it doesn't work there either it might be hardware related.
charliebigpot said:
Have you tried with kk before updating to lp again? If it doesn't work there either it might be hardware related.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I did not - I was in a rush unfortunately.
I have had the exact same issue since upgrading to 5.1.1. I was convinced my GPS hardware was broken as I had tried all of the possible fixes I could think of (a-gps clearing / factory reset etc etc), I have sent mine for repair under my insurance policy, but they have already sent it back once without being able to fix. I too am getting GPS fix eventually, but it is very weak and I lose lock after 5-10 seconds, especially when in motion (in a car).
I am hoping this time that they just replace the phone. Will reply here if that resolves the issue.
Would be interesting to see if anyone was able to resolve this through rooting/custom ROM...
---------- Post added at 04:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:03 PM ----------
Also it looks like there are others that are having the same issues (possibly since before 5.1.1 as well):
I cant post the url, but there is a forum on the sony website if you google for it.
it seems strange that this doesn't seem to affect everyone...
I'm not sure how it is for others but I most often get a fix now in a few minutes (without changing anything on the software or hardware side!) and it's so-so stable, losing it only 1-2 times per minute So it's very far from perfect but much better than a month ago..
I would _love_ to know what the hell is going on here. If nothing changed on my phone's side, I'm about to believe that it's a central issue..
Same issue here: Xperia Compact Z1
Upgraded last week and had no GPS since. GPS test receives no lock
Am running stock rom - Upgraded from 5.0.4 (i think) to 5.1.1
This is definitely 5.1.1 as had no issues before this. Bit worried that downgrading isn't helping anyone.. going to do some more digging and see if there is any fix for my out of warranty handset

gps fix problems

Dear All,
I have been a LP 5.1.1 user since the beginning and I didn't change anything but all of a sudden I can't use Google Maps as I don't get a fix. I used GPS test and also no fix.
I had this problem before and did some fiddling and got it working again. But I forgot what I exactly did. But I don't think its a hardware failure but a software glitch.
Hopefully somebody here with same problems.
3ebdie said:
Dear All,
I have been a LP 5.1.1 user since the beginning and I didn't change anything but all of a sudden I can't use Google Maps as I don't get a fix. I used GPS test and also no fix.
I had this problem before and did some fiddling and got it working again. But I forgot what I exactly did. But I don't think its a hardware failure but a software glitch.
Hopefully somebody here with same problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hy, try to update Google play app. or one more thing, uninstall completely Google play app, reboot the device, and install it again.
I would love to try your suggestion but could you please be more specific? Which app are you talking about the playstore app or the Google app services app? How can I Uninstall such apps on a stock lollipop 5.1.1? I have never rooted my phone or whatsoever a real strange problem that showed up out of the blue.
Did a whole f*cking reflash with stock android (wiped all the data with flashtool) 5.1.1. but it didn't resolve the problem... time for a new phone.
I think this is not software problem. It was happened when I flashed to 5.0. I think flashing from 4.** to 5.0 killed my gps. After tried all kind of solutions in sent my phone to Sony service centre. The changed my motherboard without any questions. And my warranty was extended to +2 years. I think Sony know exactly what is problem. And my opinion is that is hardware problem. I also think this problem is just with first generation of z3c. My friends bought this phone later with android 5.** don't have any problems.

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