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GPS problem on Sony Xperia L1

DejNa -  
DejNa31 Posted messages 8 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   -
Hello everyone,

For several months I’ve had big GPS problems with my phone. I’ve had a Sony Xperia L1 for 3 years (purchased in August 2017). Everything works relatively well, even if it sometimes lags a bit, nothing alarming.

I started with Free, then now with Sosh (for almost 2 years it seems). I think my GPS issues coincide with the operator change.

In short to describe the problem: three quarters of the time, it doesn’t show the correct position, it spins in all directions and doesn’t show the right route (I test it on known roads to check). On Waze, it says “No GPS signal, displaying your location” or “Join the highlighted route.” On Google Maps, it also acts up completely and often says I don’t have a signal… (but I have 4G though).

This is constraining for me because I drive a lot and I offer home consultations, so you can imagine that not getting a signal in a large city (Toulouse) is highly impractical haha

Anyway, I looked into it several times and contacted Sosh Support for a technical issue, and I already tried/checked all of this:
- I have good reception, and 4G most of the time
- Android version 7.0
- My location is enabled AND in high accuracy mode
- My Waze and Google Maps apps are up to date
- My software has the latest system updates
- They (Sosh Support) tried remote troubleshooting; it didn’t work, so they said it might be a defective SIM => they sent a replacement which I installed last week, but nothing changed
- I contacted them again; they suggested a factory reset of the phone => which I did yesterday. On wifi everything is fine, as soon as I want to use GPS without wifi, it’s the same circus…

Does anyone have another solution to try?

My phone works very well apart from this major issue (faster since the reset too), it would annoy me to have to change it just for that…

I’d appreciate any advice,

Thanks in advance :)

4 answers

  1.
    polux125 Posted messages 53 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   729
     
    Good evening,

    perhaps it’s simply the GPS chip in the phone that’s faulty. Try downloading an app like GPS TEST from the Play Store and see if your GPS signal is OK. If the GPS chip is faulty, there’s nothing to do except change the phone.

    --

    All problems have a solution; if there isn’t a solution... well, there isn’t, since they tell you so!
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    1. loisou17 Posted messages 1297 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   470
       
      hello
      completely agree with you regarding the GPS chip, moreover today with planned obsolescence after 2 years a smartphone starts to show signs of weakness I have had the painful experience with a high-end Motorola
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    2. DejNa
       
      Hello,
      Okay thank you, I’ll try that then :)
      I imagine it’s not a part that can be easily changed if indeed it’s the chip that’s malfunctioning?
      Have a good day
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  2. polux125 Posted messages 53 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   729
     
    Hi,

    Your phone is picking up the GPS signal but the signal is quite weak (none of the bars are green). Have you tested it outdoors or indoors? On this same app, try refreshing AGPS: To do this, click on the three dots in the top right corner, then select AGPS and choose Clear and Update.

    If your phone is in a protective case, also try performing the test without the case to see if it improves.

    -- All problems have a solution; if there isn’t one... well, there isn’t, since we’re telling you so!
    1
  3. DejNa31 Posted messages 8 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     
    Hello again,

    Thank you for your help.

    I did the indoor test this morning. I just redid it on my balcony (I’m on the top floor of my building).
    First time with the case, second time without: it stays between 10 and 36 regarding the bars, so I’m still in the yellow between 24 and 29 on the bottom line of the AVG / SNR screen.
    Same after performing the AGPS refresh.

    So basically my GPS catches, but so badly that it’s not enough to guide me I suppose? Especially since it varies a lot when I look at the screen, it turns green for a few seconds, then orange, and overall it stays in the yellow actually!
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    1. polux125 Posted messages 53 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   729
       
      Hi there, Yes, that seems to be it; the GPS on your phone appears to be of poor quality (likely a malfunction of the chip related to its age). I advise you to change the phone because it cannot be repaired. If you want advice on buying a phone, provide your budget and your needs and we will advise you.
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      1. DejNa31 Posted messages 8 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 > polux125 Posted messages 53 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        Hello,

        Thank you for your explanations! It's a pity. I would never have kept a phone for so little time haha long live smartphones and planned obsolescence!!

        I think I’ll get a refurbished phone when I change it. My budget is quite low, 200 euros maximum, less if I can.
        In any case, I use it for basic things. As long as the GPS works and I have good photo quality day and night, that’s enough for me.
        If you have any advice, I’m all ears :) whether it’s for a site to buy from and a brand to favour.

        Thanks in advance and have a great day!
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      2. loisou17 Posted messages 1297 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   470 > DejNa31 Posted messages 8 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        Hello
        unfortunately with their planned obsolescence after two years, my €700 Motorola gave up on me, so I swore I wouldn’t spend more than €150 and I found Xiaomi's Redmi Note 7 which suits me perfectly! It’s better to buy on a French site like Fnac, Darty, Boulanger at least you’ll get the European version and not the Chinese one.
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      3. DejNa31 Posted messages 8 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 > loisou17 Posted messages 1297 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        Hello,
        Okay thanks for your advice, I’ll start looking into it :)
        Have a nice day
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  4. DejNa31 Posted messages 8 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     
    Hello,

    I downloaded the GPS Test app, I’m sending you a screenshot of what it says.
    I did turn off Wi-Fi to run the test.



    Could you help me understand what that means?

    Thanks :)
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    1. loisou17 Posted messages 1297 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   470
       
      re
      apparently the bars on the chart show the satellite reception power, which makes you think it’s not great, but oh well, other users might be able to explain it better!
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