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Waze App Useful Resources

losing GPS signal

Post by jimjeffcoat
I have a Galaxy S3 using Sprint.

On a fairly regular basis, Waze will not pick up a GPS signal when I first launch the app. (I can verify that the GPS is working by checking Google maps or GPS speedometer.) However, if I turn off location services, wait about 5-10 seconds and then turn it back on, Waze will immediately pick up the signal and show my car location correctly, etc.

While it seems pretty easy to fix each time, it is frustrating to have to do this over and over. Any ideas on what causes this to happen and how to correct it?

Jim
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Re: losing GPS signal

Post by Diredumalde
How long do you usually wait before turning off your location services? Waze uses both data and GPS, so if you're in a garage or Waze is starting for the first time it may take a couple mins for it to recognize you're connected. I had an older phone that gave me this issue with google maps.. my resolution was to have the location services off most of the time then when I was ready to go I would launch the application, and then turn location/GPS on after. It's still a pain, but may be easier than doing the on/off thing everytime you get into your car.
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Re: losing GPS signal

Post by Diredumalde
Odd. It definitely sounds like it's less of an issue with the app and more of a signal or GPS problem. My solution would be a new phone. I just got the Galaxy S6 and it's Amazeballs. =D
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Re: losing GPS signal

Post by james890526
How about getting a good GPS location before entering your car? Some car's windows tint are known to interfere with GPS transmission
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Re: losing GPS signal

Post by jimjeffcoat
Don't think that's the issue - as I stated whenever this happens, other GPS-based apps work fine. And turning location services off and back on seems to fix it.
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Re: losing GPS signal

Post by jimjeffcoat
This actually hasn't happened much at all lately. It comes and goes, and and when it happens, it seems to be persistent for a few days, then everything returns to normal. But I have tried waiting to see if it fixes itself, and have driven for several miles with my location showing up as a dot and jumping from position to position based on closest cell tower.
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Re: losing GPS signal

Post by jimjeffcoat
I'm eligible for an upgrade in about 2 months and it can't come soon enough. My phone is giving me all sorts of problems overall.
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Re: losing GPS signal

Post by jimjeffcoat
Has not happened since I upgraded to Galaxy S 5.
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Re: losing GPS signal

Post by JoeWalker9
Another point of reference:
I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 which has always had intermittent issues w/losing gps signal while on waze. Since my last waze update a couple of days ago (R3.9.5.4) the problem has gotten significantly worse. I may have a hardware issue, but it has been made worse by software. Thoughts?
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Re: losing GPS signal

Post by MoodZy
It could have something to do with this : viewtopic.php?f=473&t=140725

(i.e. a temporary fix to a bug that has been acknowledged by Google in AOSP)
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