General tips for Blackberry data problems

Is your Blackberry not getting email?  See this list of the most common problems that get in the way of your Blackberry talking to your BES server.

1. Are you subscribed to data service? Are you in a data-capable location?

You must have proper signal for data service on your phone.  If you can’t get a proper signal you must contact your provider (see below)
If you can use the Browser icon on the main screen to get to any public web page (like www.yahoo.com) then you probably have proper data signal.

On the Blackberry home page, make sure you see the letters in all CAPS (GPRS,EDGE,EVDO, 1XEV) indicating a data connection specific to the local provider.

Even capital GSM is not good enough.  Also a voice-capable signal is not necessarily good enough

 

2. Have you tried 'rebooting' your Blackberry?

Just turning your Blackberry off and then on is not the same as rebooting.

You must take the battery out of the Blackberry, count to 5, then re-insert the battery.

 

3. Is wireless sync on?

Inside Email, show the menu and choose Options... Email Reconciliation... Wireless Reconcile should be ON.

Also, you can sync right away by choosing Email... Reconcile Now.

Inside Contacts, show the menu and choose Options... Wireless Sync should say YES.

Inside Calendar, show the menu and choose Options... Wireless Sync should say YES.

 

4. Is the date / time correct?

For some reason if the date / time is not correct, your Blackberry will not update your mail.

Go into Options... Date Time. 

Make sure the Date/Time Source says 'Network'. 

Also you can click and choose 'Update' to update the time right now.

Click and choose 'Save' to save your changes.

 

5. Manually choosing a local provider (for travelers)

The Blackberry normally chooses a local provider automatically.  If it’s not working you can do these steps.

On the blackberry look for the ‘Options’ icon (a wrench) and open it.

Then choose Mobile Network… Network Selection Mode… (Manual or Automatic)

When you switch to Manual you can click ‘Scan for Available Networks’ and will see providers that have a signal in your area and can choose them.

Make sure you switch back to Automatic when you return.

 

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