Can't connect to Internet?

goodValue

I've had a Galaxy S III Mini passed on to me, and I got a SIM for it last week.
However, though it can be used for phone calls and text messages, it will not connect to the Internet.
Mobile data is switched on, and I went through the APN settings with PlusNet.
After a few calls to PlusNet, they suggested trying the SIM in another handset. I took it to an EE shop, where the SIM did connect. The shop played around with my handset, but could not get it to work. They eventually suggested doing a factory reset.
As this is the first time I've used a smartphone, I would like to see if there is anything else that could be done first.


Are there any other settings, or tests that I could try first?

TadleyBaggie

Doing a factory reset is a very good idea when getting a second hand phone anyway, just do it.

eDicky

You need a 3G signal, Galaxy S3 has no 4G capability. But that's not likely to be the problem.

Factory reset, then try...

goodValue

The phone came from a friend who hadn't used it in a couple of years.
He didn't have any problem connecting to the internet, and said he didn't even have to change any settings.


Are there any test I can do to isolate the problem before doing a reset?

Jon_01

goodValue wrote: »

Are there any test I can do to isolate the problem before doing a reset?

Try to connect, if it doesn't, do a reset.

There could be a setting somewhere in the many, many in there. It could take hours to go through them all.
Just do a reset and, unless there's a hardware fault, it should work.

pmduk

Ask Plusnet whether they can send the settings 'over the air', (OTA). A simple error in copying can cause this type of error.

goodValue

"Ask Plusnet whether they can send the settings 'over the air', (OTA). A simple error in copying can cause this type of error"

I think they tried that in the EE shop.
Also, I had previously done an internet search for the APN settings, and verified that those on the phone were the same.

At the moment, I'm trying another test. It may be that because the phone hadn't been used in a long time, the operating system hadn't been updated. So I'm presently in a WiFi hotspot, and will leave it connected for an hour or so in case it needs updating.

If it doesn't work after that, I'll do any important phone calls in the next couple of days, and then try the factory reset.

[Deleted User]

If there's any stored APN settings in there delete them first.

jenniewb

Go to the settings menu and check through the apps, check for any apps that are blocked, eg I have YouTube blocked on my 4G (I allow it only through wifi) to save data usage in case I accidentally leave it on in the background, I have if I wanted to, the option to block it completely from accessing wifi and 4G. If I want to release this restriction I'd need to manually switch it back on via the settings menu.

J_B

goodValue wrote: »

If it doesn't work after that, I'll do any important phone calls in the next couple of days, and then try the factory reset.

You haven't said why you are reluctant to do the 'factory reset' despite several folks advising you to.


Just make sure it's backed up to your google account and go for it - it will then restore on restart ..

goodValue

You haven't said why you are reluctant to do the 'factory reset' despite several folks advising you to.

I've been using my first smartphone for a couple of weeks now, and it still mystifies me.
A factory reset sounds quite drastic, and so I wouldn't want to do this until I'm a bit more knowledgeable, particularly as I need to make a few important phone calls in the next week.
So I'm going through all the menu options to see what might affect the Internet Connection.
So far, I've only found two tick boxes, in different menus, for switching Mobile Data on and off.
When I'm more comfortable with the phone, I'll do the factory reset if nothing else has come up.