GPS won't work

[acaprez]

I just got a galaxy 4 and the GPS doesn't work. When I go to navigation it just gets stuck on "Waiting for location." I got a GPS test app and it tells me there's either 0 or 1 satellites in view and 0 in use. The firmware version is 2.3.5 and Kernal is 2.6.35.7. How can I troubleshoot this? Samsung's website has nothing.

[CrowdAds]

[1776]

Are you outside in a clear open space when you are testing this? GPS does not always work inside a building, under trees, or in an urban area with large buildings blocking the sky. Also make sure GPS is turned on in your settings. Like wifi, it can be turned on and off to save battery power.

[acaprez]

i think that might be my problem. i've been doing it inside. i'll give it a try outside tomorrow and see how that works. although tough to find open space in a big city.

[steinburger1109]

Rain is also a big interferer with wireless signals.

[tcat]

And if you're trying NAV, you need to be on Wifi. Once you start driving you'll loose wifi and Nav won't work. You'll need an off-line app like Navfree (or paid one like Sygic or Co-pilot).

[scowl]

GPS can take a long time to lock even in wide open areas on clear days.

[acaprez]

how long is a long time? does gps simply need to be enabled or does a gps app need to be running to catch the signal? problem will be trying to find a nice wide open area where i can get wifi or do I need wifi simply to get a connection with a gps satellite? I just want to make sure the gps function works.

[tcat]

Mine locks in less than 30 seconds. Shows 30' accuracy in less than 1 minute. You need GPS turned on (either pull down or in settings "Use GPS sats" (I also use "wireless net"), and you need to be outdoors.

I am indoors right now (concrete building with metal roof), opened GPS Test, turn on GPS, within 30 seconds yellow turned to green and have 5 sat's locked (to 45'). This surpised me!

[acaprez]

i got it working. just had to be outside and picked up satellites even without the wifi. I just wanted to make sure it was working.

thanks.

[scowl]

Originally Posted by acaprez

how long is a long time?

30 seconds to 5 minutes. It's mostly a matter of luck.

[scowl]

In my living room, 5 minutes 28 seconds for a lock.

[Daniel644]

its all a matter of how many obstructions are between you and the satellites, it needs atleast 3 to determine a location and any metal between you and the sats will block the signal.