[stuperstar]

I've gone through the forums and have tried every solution possible.

1. I go to 'Advanced Options' and 'Refresh GPS'. It searches for satellites for about 5-10 minutes (I'm standing outside) and comes back with a message saying 'GPS location update failed. OK.

2. I go to Status and type 'test' and run the 'Start Fixing' option. After 5-10 minutes I get a message saying "Timed out while waiting for GPS location".

I've tried doing a battery pull, even uninstalled Google Maps but to no avail.

What gives? Anyone else on T-Mobile having this issue? Has T-mobile disabled the GPS functionality for the 9700? I'm starting to think that it's a hardware issue, but I'm finding it hard to believe that's the case since there are few others in the forum that have had this problem.

HELP PLEASE!?!?

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8820)

Before you are in a position to really suspect a hardware problem:

Double check your settings in options > advanced > gps.

Being outside may not be enough. If you are in the city and between tall buildings, get out in the open. If you are under trees, get out in the open. The blackberry should have a clear view of the sky.

You may need to wait 20 minutes or more if this is the first time.

[stuperstar]

aiharkness - Thanks. So when you say I may need to wait about 20 minutes does that mean it will continually say 'GPS location update failed' until it finally finds a satellite?

I really do doubt this is due to hardware problems since it's a common question in the forum...

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8820)

I don't know what triggers the update failure message. I've actually never seen that, at least not that I can remember. I guess I would try again. But as long as it is continuing to search, continue to wait, so long as you are out it the open and the sky is clear.

(With some experience, you'll know when waiting is futile, such as when the sky is extremely overcast, you are in a forest, or you have skyscrappers on all sides of you.)

[tom0100]

No, new google maps are bad on all the phones..GPS takes longer to lock. My 8900 locked much faster than my 9700 does. I was using an older version of maps on my 8900 though. And I assume the 9700 shuts down GPS for battery until needed and takes longer to lock than the 8900 did.

Mine will lock in about 3-4 minutes though...from 1 minute on the 8900....

[stuperstar]

So, I tried to lock on my GPS location and still nothing. Could be that I'm here in SF and it's still pretty cloudy and overcast from the rain we had this morning. But then does that mean if you live somewhere like Seattle or even London you're pretty much screwed since it's ALWAYS cloudy and overcast there?

Is there anyone out there still having problems locking their GPS on to satellites?

[JSanders]

stuper, I would do a powered-on battery pull reboot.

After rebooting, try it again. Do as instructed again. In SFO, I would make sure you have a good clear southerly view of the sky. Do the refresh, let it fair, do it again. Give it several chances.

The very first refresh, what is happening is a) the device is looking for the satellites and b) the actual ephemeral tables are being downloaded TO the device for the general location you are in.

So the next time you refresh GPS in that area, it will likely be quicker. But if you fly to, say Tampa, Florida, and refresh, you'll get the long refresh time, because again, it is downloading new tables.

[stuperstar]

JSanders - Is it common to get the 'GPS location update failed' message? That doesn't automatically mean that the GPS device in the phone is defective, does it?

[JSanders]

Common, no. But it happens.

I doubt your GPS is defective, if its the first to refresh, just be patient.

I know I can walk to the backside of my office and never get a refresh. I can walk out the front door get it within 2 mins. And each new BlackBerry I get, it takes 2-3 tries often, for the first time.

[stuperstar]

The more it fails am I messing it up even more? Does it matter that I'm only now trying to set up the GPS? Is it worth doing a hard reset? Seeing as how I've only had my device for a few weeks I don't think it would be necessary. But I'm just desperate at this point!

[JSanders]

It won't hurt it to do it, at all.

And yes, a simple reboot would be helpful... with the device powered ON, remove the battery and replace it to reboot the device. << that is a hard reset. reboot. reset, whatever.

Then try the GPS refresh again.

[stuperstar]

so yeah, clear beautiful sky this morning in SF. tested to see if my GPS would lock to any satellites. NOPE! just keeps coming back with a bunch of zeros for the coordinates. tried for 30 minutes and nothing.

the GPS thing isn't an entirely huge deal for me as i find the approximate location that google maps gives me is sufficient. it's just a bit frustrating that a device as reputable as the blackberry can have issues connecting to a GPS satellite. my previous phone was the G1 and from the beginning i never had issues with the GPS function. Just a simple check of the box to enable GPS satellites and......VIOLA, there i am! accurate to within 4 meters. there was no download of tables that needed 20 minutes to refresh. at least none that i know of. AHHH.

alas, i still love this blackberry. maybe SF is not in view of any GPS satellites (on holiday in the maldives perhaps?). i've read a few entries to the forums that one day the GPS magically began to work. here's to hoping i can be so lucky! cheers!

[JSanders]

I'll tell you this, even with NO sim inserted or Data Plan, you should be able to lock the sats by refreshing. I've used my bold to do so.

You could drop by a retailer and tell them of your issue, and test an in-the-box unit and make sure it works, and get an exchange on this issue if you felt so inclined.

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8820)

Ditto. It's not impossible the GPS is faulty. Sounds like you have done all that is reasonable now to rule out everything else. I would ask for an exchange if it were me.

[stuperstar]

does blackberry enterprise activation need to be activated in order for me to use the GPS?

[JSanders]

No, read again what I wrote... EVEN with the SIM card removed and NO Data Plan, your device should be able to fix satellites.

Now, are you on a corporate BES account? Your BES Admin could have pushed a GPS policy that disables the GPS.. I don't know why, but...

[stuperstar]

nope, just a regular blackberry user. :/

[ragorman]

Maybe this is assumed, but is the GPS set for "Device GPS"? I know when I got my Curve it was not set. I sat in a parking lot in the cold for 2 hours before I realized it. 3 minutes later I had Sat Lock.

[MrVersatal]

Knew I'd find something like this thread eventually....

First time BB user, but no stranger to forums. It pays to lurk... Lol.
Was having this exact issue myself, thought I was going crazy.

Thanks guys...

[vollrathian]

i have tmo and this happens to me about 30% of the time, if i have a 3g connection it will work for me