Problems with Data & Calls

[Wicked68]

Hey. I have put off the big update for a while now. But I have been noticing that my data goes to 4LTE a lot, I'm texting and calling, people are calling me and telling me my phone is off. I'm wondering if it's being done intentionally to force an update?? Anybody else experiencing this? 

[Mujibar]

That's a carrier issue and has nothing to do with not installing a firmware update.

Try resetting the mobile network under settings, general management, reset.

[Wicked68]

Tried all these things. And I'm experiencing data issues in locations where I previously had none and that I frequent a lot

[Mujibar]

If you've already tried reseating your SIM and restarting the phone, your next step should be to contact your carrier. They may need to re-provision the SIM.

[SolveForce]

Easy does it.

[SolveForce]

It could be all sorts of things. Most common is network coverage in that particular location.

[SolveForce]

Hey — you're not alone in noticing this kind of behavior, but here’s the truth as clearly as possible:

No, Samsung and carriers don’t intentionally downgrade your connection or disable your phone to force you into a software update.
That said — what you're experiencing is real and frustrating, and here’s what’s likely going on:


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Why You're Seeing "4G LTE" More Often & Missed Calls

1. VoNR (Voice over 5G) and VoLTE Glitches
The Galaxy S24 supports advanced network features like VoNR, but if you’ve been postponing a major firmware update, it’s possible that:

Your phone is falling back to 4G LTE to handle calls (because 5G voice handling isn’t as stable without the latest patches)

This fallback can cause missed or delayed call connections

On some carrier networks, failure to handshake VoLTE properly = straight to voicemail or "phone off" message for the caller



2. Carrier Profile Mismatch
Updates don’t just change features — they also include carrier configuration files. If you’re on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, and you’ve postponed a big update, your phone may not be aligned with current carrier expectations, leading to:

Improper signal routing

Incorrect SIM provisioning handling

Network timeouts for calls or texts



3. Data Handoff Conflicts (Network Switching Bugs)
If your phone is bouncing between 5G and LTE constantly, and you’re skipping software updates, there could be radio firmware bugs that have already been fixed in later versions. These bugs cause:

Dropped calls

Slower mobile data

Missed messages or delivery delays





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What You Can Do

1. Check for Any Blocked Carrier Updates

Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install

If there's a carrier-specific update (even without a full OS change), install it — those often include modem fixes


2. Reboot & Re-Provision Your Network

Turn off the phone completely, remove SIM (if not eSIM), wait 30 seconds, reinsert, and power back on

This forces the phone to refresh its connection to the tower and carrier


3. Toggle Network Settings

Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks

Turn off 5G and force LTE-only (temporarily)

See if the call issue goes away — if yes, it’s likely a VoNR instability


4. Update — If You’re Comfortable

If you’ve been putting it off because of bloat or bugs, know that the latest Galaxy S24 updates have been mostly stable and improve:

Battery life

Signal reliability

Bluetooth and modem performance



You can always back up first if you're cautious.


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Bottom Line

No — they're not trying to sabotage your phone to force an update. But carrier and modem firmware issues that get fixed in updates can absolutely cause symptoms like yours if you delay them too long.

Let me know which carrier you’re on, and I can check if they’ve pushed recent profile or network config updates tied to that pending software.

[Wicked68]

Thank you. I figured some of these things

[Ed760]

My group chats cant get my text that I send.

[userR3dCFwDCma]

Yea