Panasonic GU87 Troubleshooting

Note:

Power button does not activate the phone

Phone may not turn on at all or turn on only very briefly. Check that the battery is designed for the GU87 and correctly connected. Make sure the battery is fully charged. As batteries age, they tend to lose charge faster and eventually completely fail; you may require a replacement battery.

Note: A deeply discharged battery may not be able to turn on or even display indicator LEDs. Give your phone several minutes to charge before turning it on or concluding that it is not charging.

The phone turns on, but the screen displays "Insert SIM", "SIM not accepted", or "SIM not valid". Your SIM card may not be inserted properly into the phone. Check your SIM card again to see if it is correctly and securely inserted. See if a friend's AT&T SIM card works. If it does not, there is likely a problem with your phone, not the SIM card. If another AT&T SIM card does work, you may need a new SIM card, which can be purchased from your service provider. The handset you have may be locked to another provider and does not work for your wireless carrier. If your cell phone displays “SIM registration failed” your SIM card may not be active; contact AT&T to check the status of your SIM.

Someone on the line has a problem with call clarity

If you are having problems with your microphone, the first step is to check all sound settings including the ones for outgoing calls. You may try changing them to the "default settings", which will return the phone to the factory settings. Another alternative is to use a hands-free set designed for the Panasonic GU87.

If you are having problems with your speaker, such as sound level and clarity, check all sound settings and make sure the phone is not on mute. Try cleaning the outside of the speaker with cotton swabs to remove any unwanted dirt. Another alternative is to use a hands-free set designed for the Panasonic GU87.

It is possible that the decline in clarity is due to poor signal quality or interference on at least one side of the line. Proceed to troubleshooting for poor reception, located below.

These are issues that hinder the use of your phone.

If an LCD display is cracked, the LCD may all together not work or partially work. Since a cracked LCD that display nothing is an obvious obstacle to using your cellphone it will need to be fixed. Follow the LCD replacement guide.

Keys may stick or become non-responsive. Try cleaning the keys, and the grooves in between them, with a cloth and air duster. If this does not work, follow the keypad replacement guide.

Cell phone receives low or no wireless signal. May "drop" calls as well.

It is possible that your wireless provider may not provide coverage in the area you are attempting to use your phone. Contact your wireless provider to see where the nearest "base station," or provider-side transmitter is located. These transmitters are low powered and do not offer much range, so if you are in a sparsely populated area, you may be out of luck. In the future, research cell providers and their offered coverage before deciding on a plan.

The GU87 cell phone features a screw-in external "stub"-style antenna. As with any connection, it is possible that corrosion of metal or deposition of tiny debris has occurred, creating a poor connection. Turn the antenna counterclockwise relative to the phone in order to remove the antenna. Proceed to thoroughly clean the internal threads of the phone's connection and the external threads of the antenna's connection. Turn antenna clockwise to reattach and proceed to test for improved wireless reception.

If a cleaning does not help your antenna, it is possible that it is internally damaged and must be replaced. A brief online search reveals an assortment of internet-based stores offering replacement GU87 antennas for around five dollars before shipping. Be sure to only purchase the Panasonic GU87 specific antenna.

Objects in the environment (including: thick walls, wireless signals, hills, metal piping, etc.) may not allow penetration of the radio transmission from either your phone or the provider's transmitter. There are many aftermarket cell phone "boosters" which can amplify your cell phone's transmission and allow it to pass through surroundings. You may also purchase an aftermarket external antenna adapter that would allow you to use an external FME "male" cellular antenna from a third party. Make sure your new antenna operates on the same band. Using an external adapter and antenna not only increases gain, but allows you to relocate and better position the antenna.

• NOTE: Wilson Electronics offers all of these aftermarket products. ***

So you got your phone wet...

If you get the cell phone wet, power it down immediately. Disassemble the phone to the greatest degree you are comfortable with and allow all pieces to dry completely. Reassemble and power on. If phone does not work, battery or phone's hardware is likely damaged and in need of replacement.

NOTE: Be completely positive the phone is absolutely dry before reassembly as to prevent corrosion and additional damage.