Galaxy S22 Wi-Fi issues; connections drop, Wi-Fi stops working, networks not recognized, etc.

[SportGlideSteve]

Hi 🙂

I am the IT manager for an SME (300 users). We recently began rolling out Galaxy S22 devices. There are about 60 in use, and I have another 80 or so to deploy. But I now face the issue that users are refusing the new phones. Here's why:

Nearly every device drops its Wi-Fi connection at some point during the day. When you open the Wi-Fi settings, it does not list any networks. Wi-Fi must be restarted, or the device restarted. Then the connection is established, but soon drops off again.

All of my devices are fully patched. We deploy Enterprise managed devices via MS Endpoint Manager/Intune. I run a Meraki Wi-Fi infrastructure with both frequencies. I have tried all the silly temporary fixes (reset, static MAC, change frequencies, etc.) but nothing resolves the issue. I have even gone to the extent of changing my Wi-Fi infrastructure in an attempt to resolve the issue with no success - which is no surprise as users report the same behaviour with their home networks and public Wi-Fi networks.

Given the number of posts here, and around the Internet, it is quite obviously a Samsung issue; evidenced by the fact that when I raised the issue with my mbile provider they said "yes, this is a known issue". They offered to send new devices for the first couple I reported but the replacements had the same issue. Now they don't offer replacements. Samsung support is equally 'unspportive'.

So, anyone want to buy some Galaxy S22 phones in bulk while we switch to iPhones (which do not have any issue in our environment)?

[PaulC59]

I got the S22 originally when it first came out and it was plagued with connectivity problems which improved via updates. I think the decision to have 2 versions of the chip i.e exynos for Europe and Snapdragon elsewhere was a recipe for problems and firmware glitches. I have always been against iPhone and wouldn't buy one myself due to restrictions in the devices and apples business practices, but I can see the appeal for enterprise use as they can generally be more predictable and can be more stable due to less os and hardware variations. With Android you tend to get more and can do more but that can make them a bit more complicated especially when catering for a wide variety of devices. I believe iPhones only have 3gm of ram although I think they use nvme SSD so storage will be much quicker

I am a heavy user so need my phone for personal and business use so have multiple accounts and enterprise apps etc so they get put through their paces

I am currently using the S23 which seems to be much better and up to now can handle pretty much everything I throw at it with the odd Biddle

It's a case of pros and cons and of course personal preferences but I don't think I could bring myself go with an iPhone, maybe consider other android phones in the future now the SD card has gone

I'm not sure what's behind the connectivity problems in later Samsung devices, I'm assuming it's firmware or maybe antenna as Samsung are usually leaders in making chips and components

[keith30]

It can be down with your network provider which the problem lies with, iv'e got the S22ultra 5G and my wf-fi router is with Virgin Media with no problems, my mobile provider is O2 as well.

[SportGlideSteve]

Thanks for your response PaulC59

I too despise iPhones. The ones in our environment are personal, unmanaged, user devices.

The S22 devices have been exceedingly disappointing. We had/have some Galaxy A-series devices (A50 & A52) which worked fine. When we decided to upgrade the fleet, users begged for the '**premium** S-series devices.

I just wish there was some way to get support from Samsung.

[SportGlideSteve]

Thanks for your response keith30.

We don't have any issues with the LTE/5G connections - other than spotty coverage within the building - but that's exactly why the Wi-Fi connection and Wi-Fi calling are critical.

I've also tested the devices without a SIM card and with SIM cards from different operators in an attempt to isolate the problem.

It is without question a hardware/operating system issue that neither Samsung, nor the provider can identify/resolve.

[PaulC59]

If I was in your position I would road test a couple of different handsets The S23 base model and the A53 and do a side by side comparison maybe try a pixel pro 7. Sometimes a lower end model can perform better for business use as you can get better battery life and more effective processing etc due to the CPU not having to handle as many tasks at once. My personal favourite phones for business use were the Nokia's but it was more to do with the symbian OS than the features of the phone as there were loads of useful tricks that made them more productive such as the ability to duplicate multiple calendar entries etc saving loads of time loading the calendar for the year etc. Windows killed off Nokia due to lack of apps which made it useless as a personal device although the os ran much quicker and smoother than other OSs, it's a shame WP didn't catch on with app developers. I hated the balackberries. The S23 is how the S22 should have been i.e all using the same CPU which should help with stability. I can't really say for sure how good the connectivity is on the S23 but I have noticed it seems more seemless when connecting to external devices with fewer errors. I think Android is getting very bloated as we all demand more and more stuff to do on phones which inturn makes glitches more likely as software developers have to contend with far more code to make everything work and I'm sure a lot of external factors such as app developers, ISPs and network providers etc add to the mix with their own glitches and errors which in a lot of cases the phone will get the blame 🤔

I hope this is helpful

[Clarkeylew]

Hi Steve,

I use an s22 ultra and have experienced perhaps half of the issue that your users are experiencing. Since the update before the last, wifi will turn itself off when you leave the coverage area (or signal strenght is weak). For example, a colleague will leave the building to visit the smoking shelter, their s22 will turn off wifi, and remain on data until the device is well within the local network range.

That sounds like a good worked out feature, however isn't.

As you say I also believe it is a samsung problem. I never had any connectivity issues on my previous note 10.