I have a Z fold 5, received on 23/12/23 as an upgrade
I’m having strange WiFi issues, similar to many users I have found online but not the exact same.
The issue:
When attempting to browse Wikipedia (which typically isn’t data or graphics heavy), the page very slowly loads or not at all on google chrome or on Samsung internet when my device is connected via WiFi. However, when I switch to data the page loads immediately. I have only noticed it on Wikipedia so far as I have only had the phone for just over 2 days. My service provider has confirmed that there are no issues with my broadband.
So far I have tried:
A safe mode restart (Samsung tech support instructions, this eliminated the problem until a subsequent normal device restart)
A WiFi settings reset (Samsung tech support instructions)
A soft reset (Samsung tech support instructions)
A "partition cache wipe" where I plugged device into my laptop (Samsung tech support instructions)
I have tried other phones on same WiFi connection with Wikipedia without issue (Samsung tech support instructions)
Changing connection settings to non-random mac address (from a post on reddit about similar issues)
Changing DNS to google (from a post on reddit about similar issues)
With the help of Samsung tech support (4 different agents between device reboots), I restarted my device in safe mode where the problem briefly disappeared. But then when I restarted the phone in normal mode the issue reappeared immediately.
After this I also did a soft reset on their instructions which didn’t work either. My attempts to solve the issue with Samsung tech support ceased after I declined their offer of a repair or potential replacement as the problem seems to be of design rather than anything actually being broken from what I have read here and other sites re similar WIFI issues with the Z fold 5. They also suggested a factory reset which I also declined to do after everything else failed. (I upgraded from an s22 ultra to the fold 5 and it took me the most part of 2 days over xmas to get my home screen laid out the way I wanted being unaccustomed to a foldable. I didn't want to start all over again, waiting for a repair or replacement where there was no guarantee that the problem is even solvable).
Seeing that others had ad-hoc solved it by having unlimited data, and also having unlimited data myself, I reasoned that it would suffice to fix the problem for now to just mostly use my unlimited data connection. Because so many have experienced similar issues and the impression I got that Samsung doesn't recognise this as a common problem with the fold 5 from the agents I spoke with, the suggestion of a full factory reset or sending it for repair were both unappealingly time consuming with no guarantee that the problem could be solved. With only so much free time, a lot of which I had given over to this 1 issue already I declined.
Unlimited data is included in my price plan, so I'm not charged by my service provider for heavy data usage. It's an immediate fix (sort of) whereas repair or a factory reset involve a lot more time spent on the problem.
Any suggestions apart from sending it back to Samsung or a full factory reset?
It's only Wikipedia for now that I'm having an issue browsing via wifi, but it could be more sites as I spend more time with the device.
" I restarted my device in safe mode where the problem briefly disappeared. But then when I restarted the phone in normal mode the issue reappeared immediately."
That's exactly what Safe Mode is supposed to demonstrate, that when you only have the apps active that we're installed from the factory, the problem is either still there or gone away. In ur case Safe Mode solved the issue meaning that is is likely one of the apps you added after receiving the phone.
You have two options, painstakingly remove those added apps until you find the culpret or Factory Reset without restoring your backup, installing the apps and checking how the wifi is working.
If it were me, I'd perform the Factory Reset because where I live, mobile data is spotty and wifi is faster.
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Bill --- Galaxy Fold 6 512g(VZW), Galaxy Book (original, VZW), Tab S8 Ultra, Tab S4, Galaxy Watch7Ultra(VZW),Galaxy Watch6Classic 47mm(VZW), M8 Smart Monitor, NEO 55" QN90D TV, Buds Pro
The Z Fold could be in WiFi Power saving mode which you can find and disable by enabling developer options.
Settings>About Phone>Software Information>Tap build number until the toast message appears saying Developer mode has been enabled. Then enter developer options and try disabling it to see if that solves the issue.
Hello, Welcome to the Community. We understand how frustrating a slow Wi-Fi connection is. There are several steps to try to speed things up!
1. Restart the phone.
2. Forget Wi-Fi connection, restart the phone, and then reconnect to the Network.
3. Reboot your networking device
Turn off the modem. Turn off the router. Turn off devices affected by slow connection issue. Wait for at least 30 seconds. Afterwards, turn the modem first and wait until it has fully initialized. Then, turn the router back on and wait until it too has full initialized. Finally, restart the affected devices and see if the connection speed has improved.
5. Clear cache partition and repair apps in the Recovery Menu
To get to recovery mode: - Turn off phone - Once off, hold down volume up and power buttons simultaneously - When Samsung logo appears, release power button BUT KEEP HOLDING VOLUME UP until the recovery menu appears - Use volume buttons to navigate down to clear cache (NOT CLEAR DATA/ FACTORY RESET) - Use power button to select. - Run the repair apps option and your device will restart.
8. Check your router. You may need to work with the manufacturer of the router and your service provider for additional assistance.
If you've completed all of these steps and are still experiencing slow Wi-Fi, we recommend having the phone evaluated by a certified technician. You can use the following link to find a list of service centers in the U.S. that can do the evaluation: http://www.samsung.com/us/support/service or by contacting customer support at 1-800-726-7864.
