topic Re: GPS not working in Z Series

GPS not working

maroof — Fri, 22 May 2015 14:09:35 GMT

I have this strange problem with my Z1c's GPS. It works with Google maps but doesn't work independently. Like, when I carry out tests using the built-in diagnositc tool and the Service menu(*#*#77378423#*#*), the tests fail. The Service menu GPS test just keeps searching and never completes it. I tried it outdoors as well. Whereas, as soon as I switch go Google Maps, the location is pinpointed instantly. Would appreciate any help regarding the issue. I'm on Lollipop 5.0.2, firmware: 14.5.A.0.270. Thanks! .

Re: GPS not working

Uliwooly — Fri, 22 May 2015 14:23:36 GMT

@maroof

Settings > location > Mode > how accurate is it?

Re: GPS not working

maroof — Fri, 22 May 2015 14:40:52 GMT

@uliwooly

It's set to "High Accuracy".

Re: GPS not working

Uliwooly — Fri, 22 May 2015 14:42:57 GMT

@maroof

How about if you boot on safe mode > check again

http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/FAQ/How-to-boot-your-phone-into-safe-mode/m-p/348008#U348008

Re: GPS not working

maroof — Fri, 22 May 2015 15:07:08 GMT

@uliwooly

Just tried it. Same result. Didn't work

Re: GPS not working

Uliwooly — Fri, 22 May 2015 15:10:53 GMT

@alexdon

Are you able to recreate this?

Re: GPS not working

_alexdon_ — Fri, 22 May 2015 18:16:36 GMT

No,sorry. Just tested on mobile data on the service tests. It works.

Re: GPS not working

Uliwooly — Fri, 22 May 2015 18:28:19 GMT

@maroof

It'll be wise to repair your phone with PCC

PC Companion (PCC)

Bridge (for Mac)

Alternatives on How to backup Xperias

http://talk.sonymobile.com/thread/36355

Re: GPS not working

maroof — Fri, 22 May 2015 21:40:51 GMT

Was dreading this! it's a pain to go through the backup and restore bit but I guess I have no other option right now. Will do it and see if it fixes it. Btw, how come Google maps is able to pinpoint the location if the GPS isn't working? I didn't get that part.

Re: GPS not working

Uliwooly — Fri, 22 May 2015 22:45:57 GMT

@maroof

I don't know why, but do repair your phone and report back, perhaps an app or service it's acting up.

Re: GPS not working

komilAD — Sat, 23 May 2015 03:02:30 GMT

I had the same problem after lollipop update: http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-Z1-Compact/GPS-test-always-fails/m-p/973384#U973384
But i didn't do system repair because there is no need for it. Every other applications that requires gps works perfectly fine but only during test with diagnostics or service menu it fails.

Re: GPS not working

maroof — Sun, 24 May 2015 01:01:33 GMT

Okay, so I was busy with work and had planned to repair my phone through PCC tonight but thanks to you, @komilAD, I don't think I have to. Your post was really helpful. I'm facing the same issue and I even tried that app which was suggested by the Sony rep and my GPS got a fix in 3 minutes with it. With Google it's instant so long-story short, it just means my GPS is fine. This has something to do with the phones diagnostic tools and the service menu. Anyway, why fix something that ain't broken?
I'm good for now! Thanks again, @komilAD!

Re: GPS not working

komilAD — Sun, 24 May 2015 04:36:38 GMT

Anytime :smileysmileythumbsup:

Re: GPS not working

Lasis — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 09:00:51 GMT

"Btw, how come Google maps is able to pinpoint the location if the GPS isn't working? I didn't get that part"

Because in "high precision" mode it can more or less pinpoint you by using known coordinates of the WiFi connection.

I have the very same issue under Android 5.0.2 on Xperia Z (c6603). So far I've gathered that this problem started after 4.4 or 4.4.4 Android update and has something to do with Google Play services, it's been over a year since people are complaining, but neither Sony or Google has solution to this problem. So now I'm planning to downgrade OS to 4.3 using 3rd party software and see if that works.

P.S. What's really annoying, the phone does see satellites (curently it's 22, I believe I haven't seen it registering less than 16), but it still isn't able to calculate coordinates, so it seems that GPS module works and this is purely a software issue.

Re: GPS not working

LasisS — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 13:17:10 GMT

Couldn't log in for some reason, had to change my alias.

So, I still haven't downgraded my OS on my phone to earlier Android, since I've discovered GPS actually works, it just doesn't work all that well. Whenever I'm at home, at work (I'm sitting at a very large window - from floor to ceiling, so GPS should work, but doesn't), GPS test does see satellites, but can't calculate coordinates.

Another example - this weekend I was at an open air festival, out of several dozens of photos only five had geotag added.

So, GPS does work. Sort of. Bought a cradle to fix my XPERIA Z1 on my cars windscreen, navigation does work, not very precisely, but for most part it does.

Therefore I recommend to do a GPS test at a park or beach where a lot of open sky is available.

Meanwhile another much, MUCH more upsetting problem surfaced - this phone sometimes fail to function as a phone - it doesn't ring or vibrate for incoming calls, only shows a message on screen. Searched online, I'm not the only one who had experienced this. Resetting factory values helps for some time, but then again alerts are gone. So far I've done reset twice in two weeks. Contacts are saved on Google, so as soon as phone is back online, they are back, but the software need to be downloaded repeatedly, good thing phone remembers the list and does it by itself... mostly.

Re: GPS not working

KJZ78701 — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 19:06:12 GMT

Bringing this up again, because the problem is not solved for me. I have the same issue of the test not finding location, BUT I don't have the pinpoint accuracy in MAPS like the OP. Problem exists on a new 5503 with unlocked bootloader and Emma used to load the only "Service" that was available. GPS worked on the firmware that came on the phone when new, but as it was a UK and or Austrian software package, and I am in the USA on ATT, I wanted software better matched to ATT. (The Hutchison software package did not allow all the Sony LTE options, and there were "3" apps that I could not uninstall.) So.....

Since the bootloader is unlocked, I cannot use the Companion software to attempt repairs. Options? Even if I could relock the bootloader, I cannot figure out a way to get Companion to install a clean US (Android 4.x - 5.1) ROM on this phone. It seems to look into the phone's current settings and load what IT thinks is best for me. I would like to make my own choices please. 🙂

BACKGROUND: The phone came new with 4.4.4 installed with SEEMED to allow me to delete the ?five? Hutchison ("3") apps, which I did before I used Companion to upgrade to 5.1. Once 5.1 was installed, I noticed that the Hutchison apps were back on the phone AND this time I had no option to uninstall those five apps. i.e. They looked like system apps that I could only disable. As a result I went through the official bootloader unlocking procedure and used Emma to install the new "Service" on my phone. BTW, anyone care to explain the difference between "Services" in Emma and ROMs or Android OSs?

Thanks in advance for answers to either or both of my questions!