Why Your Phone Says No Service: 11 Issues and Solutions

PDF download Download Article
Get back online when your phone can't find service
PDF download Download Article

You’re just about to make a call, text a friend, or surf the web when the words “no service” pop up in the top corner of your phone. Grr! But don't worry—the fix is usually as easy as restarting your phone, changing locations, charging your battery, or quickly activating and then deactivating airplane mode. We’ve outlined a few common “no service” issues, along with some easy fixes. Give a few of these solutions a whirl to see if they solve the problem.

1

Your phone needs to be restarted.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Sometimes, turning your phone off and on again helps clear away any pesky connectivity issues.
    • On Android phones , open up a quick settings menu by pressing and holding the power or volume down/up buttons (the exact button combination depends on your phone model). From there, tap the “Restart” option and let your phone reboot. If your Android phone doesn’t have a “Restart” button, shut down your phone using the Settings app instead. [1]
    • If your iPhone has Touch ID , press the power button until the power slider shows up on your screen. Move the slider to power down your phone, then press the power button for a few more seconds until the Apple logo pops onto the screen.
    • If your iPhone has Face ID , shut down your device by holding down the volume up or volume down button along with the power button. Then, turn on your phone by pressing and holding the power button. [2]
    2. Advertisement
2

You’re in a place with bad cell service.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you're in an enclosed space with no windows, brick walls, or in a basement, you may need to move to a spot that gets better cell service. Try going outside or moving to a room with more windows, as well as holding your phone higher in the air.
    • You can also try turning on “Wi-Fi calling” in your phone’s settings, but you need to be connected to Wi-Fi to use this feature. [3] On an iPhone, simply tap on the Settings app and hit Cellular and Wi-Fi Calling . If you have an Android phone, open up your Settings app and hit Networks and Internet or Connections , along with Mobile Network, Advanced , and Wi-Fi Calling . [4]
    • Rural spaces and crowded areas can both lead to poor service.
3

Your phone is in airplane mode.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The process is the same for both Androids and iPhones—just slide your finger down from the top of the screen to pull up your quick-access settings menu. Then, see if the button with the airplane icon is toggled or not. If it is, tap the button once to turn it off. [5]
    • Airplane mode switches off your phone’s wireless capabilities, so you won’t get any signal when it’s toggled on. [6]
    2. Advertisement
4

Your phone isn’t connecting to the best signal.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Pull down your iPhone’s “Control Center” or your Android phone’s Quick Settings panel. From this menu, tap the airplane symbol, which will completely shut off your phone’s network connectivity. Wait at least 10 seconds, and then toggle the airplane button off again. This may help your finicky phone get cell service again!
5

You’re blocking your phone’s antenna.

PDF download Download Article
  1. In rare cases, your hand might be blocking your phone’s antenna bands (back in the day, this was a notorious problem with the iPhone 4). Try to hold your phone along the sides and see if your signal strength changes. [7]
    • Antenna band issues probably aren’t the source of your troubles, but this trick could still be worth a try!
    2. Advertisement
6

Your network settings are not correct.

PDF download Download Article
  1. To reset your iPhone’s network settings, tap the following buttons in your Settings app: General, Reset, and Reset Network Settings . Unfortunately, Android phones don’t have a universal way to reset your network settings; on some phones, you may have to tap Settings , Reset options , Reset Wi-Fi , Mobile , and Bluetooth . On other phones, you may only need to hit Settings , General management , Reset , and Reset network settings .
    • Keep in mind that resetting your network settings will erase any Wi-Fi passwords and remove all paired Bluetooth devices. Be sure to jot down any important passwords before you hit the reset button and remember to pair your Bluetooth devices afterward.
7

Your iPhone’s carrier settings aren’t up-to-date.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Carrier updates help optimize your phone’s network connectivity and may solve your cell signal issues. In your Settings app, hit the General option, along with About . Then, tap the Carrier button to see if there’s an available update. [8]
    • Carrier setting updates only apply to iPhones. [9]
    2. Advertisement
8

Your phone is connecting to a weaker cell tower.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Some phone carriers will automatically connect to 5G, even if this means hooking your phone up to a distant, weaker signal. Instead, switch your phone to LTE and see if you notice a change in signal strength. You can even switch to 3G if your phone offers it—both LTE and 3G may provide a stronger signal than the 5G default. [10]
    • If you have an iPhone, pop over to your Settings app and tap on Cellular . Select Cellular Data Options near the top of the screen, then tap Voice & Data . "5G Auto" means your phone will only connect to 5G as needed for performance, whereas "5G On" means your phone will always try to connect to 5G even if it lowers performance. Try LTE or 5G Auto if 5G isn't working well for you. [11]
    • On Android, open your Settings app and tap on either Connections or Wi-Fi and Internet . Then, hit Mobile Network or SIM and Network to get a list of different “G” choices. [12]
    • It may also help to switch on the Data roaming setting.
9

Your SIM card is grimy or worn out.

PDF download Download Article
  1. SIM cards can get pretty icky and worn down over time, which can interfere with your phone’s connectivity. Start by removing your iPhone or Android phone’s SIM card. Then, wipe down the metallic surface with a disinfectant wipe or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Slip the SIM card back into its proper compartment, and see if your cell service returns.
    • An older, pre-5G SIM card might not connect to 5G networks. If you’ve just upgraded your cell service and are running into service issues, call your provider and ask them if you need a new card.
    2. Advertisement
10

Your phone battery is running low.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Your phone battery helps keep your phone running in top form, including your phone signal. If your phone’s battery drops beneath 25%, your phone might have some trouble picking up a good signal. If you’re able to, plug in your phone until it’s over 25% charged. Then, check your signal again to see if anything improves. [13]
    • Keep a portable charger on hand if you won’t be near a wall outlet for a while.
11

There’s a problem with your phone account.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Overdue payments and other issues may cause your carrier to cancel or suspend your service. To be on the safe side, call your cell carrier to clear up any discrepancies. [14]
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Consider buying a network signal booster if your at-home cell signal is really poor. These devices start at $200 and may improve your phone service.
        Thanks
        Helpful 9 Not Helpful 11
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Tell if Your Phone Has Been Tapped
      Safely Remove Water from a Charging Port on Android & iPhone
      11 Possible Fixes to Solve the "Mobile Network Not Available" Error on Android
      How to
      Activate a Double Tap Screen on Android
      How to
      Use a SIM Card to Switch Phones
      How to
      Wake Someone Up over the Phone
      How to
      Attach Phone Charms
      How to
      Make Your Phone Vibrate: Complete Guide
      How to
      Send Pictures from Your Cell Phone to Your Computer
      How to
      Transfer Files from a Phone to a PC or Mac
      How to
      Find the 32-Digit EID Number on iPhone and Android
      16 Reasons Your Phone Says "No SIM Card"—And What to Do About It
      Phone Not Charging? The 9 Most Likely Reasons (And What to Do)
      6 Simple Ways to Play Music While Recording Video
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7664998?hl=en
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201559
      3. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-improve-mobile-signal-strength
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203032
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204234
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/12639358?hl=en
      7. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-improve-mobile-signal-strength
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201415
      9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201270
      1. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-improve-mobile-signal-strength
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/view-or-change-cellular-data-settings-iph3dd5f213/ios
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/fi/answer/9458407?hl=en
      4. ↑ https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-get-better-smartphone-cell-service/
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201415

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 386,784 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement