"403 Forbidden" Error Message Using Samsung's BlackJack II Phone and AT&T Service
I am having the exact same experience as Randomsight discussed in his item 2, regarding the "403 Forbidden" messages with Samsung's BlackJack II wireless phone and AT&T service. I recently upgraded my Samsung BlackJack II phone to Windows Mobile 6.1, primarily to get rid of the annoying "403 Forbidden" messages that I experienced daily and that locked me out of the internet until I rebooted the phone. The WM6.1 upgrade did not solve the problem...I continue to get the "403 Forbidden" messages as before. I have had numerous phone calls with AT&T and Samsung regarding this problem, and have been told to make several changes to my phone settings, and have even been offered to exchange the phone with a refurbished BJII and/or replace the SIM card. After reading everyone else's experience, I now realize that the problem is inherant to the phone and service combination. It will take a coordinated effort between AT&T and Samsung if this problem is to be resolved.
Answers
I experienced this same problem on BlackJack I and BlackJack II phones using WM6 and WM6.1 (6.1 on the BJ2) and a very simple fix worked on all combinations:
1. Browse to any page, including one that causes the error.
2. Click the Menu softkey.
3. Scroll down to the Tools selection and click.
4. Choose Options from the sub menu.
5. Choose Connections from the Options screen.
6. Make the "Automatically detect settings." box is checked.
7. Choose the "WAP Network" in the "Select network:" list if it is not selected already.
8. Click Done twice.
You may have to power cycle the phone (or stop the browser process + reset the wireless link--it's probably easier to reboot the phone.)
This fix has permanently solved the problem on all the phones we use in our office.
Karl,
Some people at AT&T are researching this problem, but until they come up with a solution, this bandaid approach might save you some time in clearing the 403 Forbidden message. When you get the message, go to your home page and click the center button. You want to go into and out of the airline mode. Highlight "All" and click the center button again. This will turn all of the wireless features off. Once they indicate "off", click the center button again to turn everything back on. You should now be able to use your browser again. Turning the phone completely off and on again also works, but takes a little more time. I'll be sure to let everyone know if and when AT&T figures out a permanent solution to this problem. Good luck!
All Replies
- Thanks for the update Grizz44. Can you share what you have tried to resolve the issue?
- I wish I could provide some helpful tips on how to resolve this issue, but nothing I have tried has worked. I am interfacing with some good networking people at AT&T at the present who seem to be interested in resolving this problem. I will post any new info that I get that might help others who are experiencing the "403 Forbidden" horror. I am hopeful that a solution will come soon.
Thanks Grizz!
has there been any update on this issue ?
I am having this issue too - right now as i type in fact .The only cure seems - shutdown - take out the battery - wait 5 mins - replace battery and boot - what a gip .. blackjack II is the latest in their 'smart phones' and i have wm 6.1 - very annoying ..
Karl,
Some people at AT&T are researching this problem, but until they come up with a solution, this bandaid approach might save you some time in clearing the 403 Forbidden message. When you get the message, go to your home page and click the center button. You want to go into and out of the airline mode. Highlight "All" and click the center button again. This will turn all of the wireless features off. Once they indicate "off", click the center button again to turn everything back on. You should now be able to use your browser again. Turning the phone completely off and on again also works, but takes a little more time. I'll be sure to let everyone know if and when AT&T figures out a permanent solution to this problem. Good luck!
- I just got the Blackjack, have had it for one day and already my brower is locking up on me. But the solution you provided is working. Thank you very much for posting, Grizz!
Grizz ... thanks for the post on the "fix". I am sure it will save some pain for a few folks!
I experienced this same problem on BlackJack I and BlackJack II phones using WM6 and WM6.1 (6.1 on the BJ2) and a very simple fix worked on all combinations:
1. Browse to any page, including one that causes the error.
2. Click the Menu softkey.
3. Scroll down to the Tools selection and click.
4. Choose Options from the sub menu.
5. Choose Connections from the Options screen.
6. Make the "Automatically detect settings." box is checked.
7. Choose the "WAP Network" in the "Select network:" list if it is not selected already.
8. Click Done twice.
You may have to power cycle the phone (or stop the browser process + reset the wireless link--it's probably easier to reboot the phone.)
This fix has permanently solved the problem on all the phones we use in our office.
Tim,
I followed your instructions and hope that I will have the same success as you. I usually experience the 403 Forbidden error in the morning, and occassionally in the afternoon. I leave my phone on 24/7 and have been told that this could contribute to the problem. It was suggested by others that I turn the phone off at night and see if the problem goes away. Unfortunately I need my phone 24/7 and could not live with that solution. Thanks for your help.
Tim, thanks for that post!!
Grizz ... let us know how you make out!
Tim,
I have not gotten the 403 Forbidden error since I tried your solution; however, it has caused a new, minor problem that I did not have before. Now when I click on the direct internet button (second button from the left, bottom row on the phone), I get : "Alert...The page cannot be found. Check the name and try again." When I click on "ok", the last used internet page appears. I can then navigate around, as normal. I originally had the phone set up so that when I clicked on the direct internet button, it took me to my home page. Are you experiencing the same issue? If I go back to my original phone settings, the internet button works, but I get the 403 Forbidden errors again. Let me know if you have any other suggestions. Thanks.
- I've seen that on a couple of phones here, all with WM6 BJ1s and the default homepage. It appears to be because of how WM6 tries to access the default homepage, which is a local file. Unfortunately you cannot change your homepage in WM6 from the device itself with the BlackJack; it requires a registry hack. That's a column for another day, but there is a ton of information on how to do it floating around. I'll see if I can find my old set of tools for doing that. Performing the homepage change will alleviate the file not found error.
- Guys this is not a new Problem I had a Black Jack and now the BJ II is doing the same thing..... This is a Samsung/Microsoft issue that has been going on for over 18 months. NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!
WE all need to go to AT&T and demand another brand phone. OR LEAVE. - KC, I had the Blackjack and never experienced the issue.... so there clearly is something different between my setup and yours. The issue is, what is it?
- I had a long conversation with a Level 3 Tech from Samsung this week, and he told me that the "403 Forbidden" problem is well known and has been going on for some time. He said that it behaves differently in different areas, so some "lucky ones" might not be experiencing the problems that others are. He also said that the problem is an AT&T networking problem and that it involves other phones besides the Samsung Blackjack II. AT&T is aware of the problem, and I believe is investigating it. Hopefully, someday, someone will resolve this agrevating issue,
Thanks for that info Grizz44. If you get an update, please let us know what is hapening.
- I had this problem once with att tilt windows 6.1 there is a hidden proxy server within the phone. i dont know just guessing that what ever proxy server it was may be dead now but since i did this, no more 403 forbidden error again.
goto START-->PROGRAMS--->TOOLS--->PROXY MANAGER---->and run the Disable proxy app and all should be good
hope this helps
www.wi-tek.net - Tim - I tried your Blackjack II solution regarding the 403 Forbidden error message. It worked on the first try. The irony is that when I contacted AT&T Wireless, after at least 10 minutes of back-and-forth they dropped my call (I was on a land line). Thanks to your solution I was able to fix it myself.
Thanks much.
