My iPhone Says No Service: 12 Best Fixes

When your iPhone‘s status bar displays no service instead of the network signal indication, it signifies your device isn’t receiving a signal from your cellular network and displays an error as a result.

As a result, essential cellular services like calling and messaging are unavailable. There are several reasons why such an issue may arise on your device.

I’ve listed the primary causes and laid out a few comprehensive remedies you may attempt to obtain some insight into why and how to cope with a no service problem on your new iPhone 11. Continue reading to learn how to fix when ” my iPhone says no service ” or other signal difficulties on your new iPhone.

Cause for “My iPhone Says No Service” error

Signal or network problems: When network problems occur, the signal may be lost, and all your iPhone displays instead of the signal indication is a no service. This is frequently the situation if you’ve already left your cellular network’s service area or if you’re in an area with a lot of signal barriers, resulting in a poor signal.

Issues with SIM cards: A faulty SIM card system, as well as a loose SIM card on the phone, might be the cause of your iPhone’s no service issue.

Software-related errors: This error is more likely to occur when your iPhone’s network system is malfunctioning and cellular communications are disrupted.

Account Problems: If your account services are momentarily disconnected due to unresolved account issues. Carriers frequently impose a soft disconnect status, in which outbound services are temporarily stopped, particularly when you fail to pay certain invoices.

Hardware issues: Hardware failure is the most serious conceivable reason. Your iPhone’s SIM card or other essential components may have been damaged, preventing it from receiving a cellular signal as intended.

How to fix no service on iPhone?

Here are the possible solutions to fix this issue on iPhone.

  1. Update your iPhone
  2. Check Cellular Settings On Your iPhone
  3. Restart your iPhone
  4. Check that your carrier settings are up to date
  5. Remove and reinsert the SIM card
  6. Reset your Network Settings
  7. Ensure that the date and time are set correctly
  8. Contact your service provider
  9. Check-In With Your Carrier About Your Account
  10. Check For Water Damage
  11. Back-Up And Restore Your iPhone
  12. Toggle Airplane Mode on and off

Solution 1: Update your iPhone

After Apple introduced iOS 8, many people’s iPhones displayed No Service. Despite the fact that the issue has been rectified, iOS upgrades always include a bevy of patches for less-common software vulnerabilities that might trigger the No Service issue. You have two options for moving forward: 

My iPhone Says No Service
  • If you have access to Wi-Fi, go to Settings -> General -> Software Update to see if an iPhone software update is available.
  • If an iOS update isn’t available, try for carrier settings update in Settings -> General -> About. There isn’t a button to check for these updates; simply stay on the Around page for about 10 seconds and if nothing appears, your carrier settings are current.
  • If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi, connect your iPhone to your computer and check for software updates using iTunes or Finder (only on Macs running Catalina 10.15 or newer). If an update is available, you’ll be asked if you want to upgrade your iPhone. It’s also a good idea to change your carrier settings if iTunes and Finder urge you to do so.

It’s time to dive in and do some troubleshooting if your iPhone indicates No Service after you’ve updated your software, or if your software is already up-to-date.

Solution 2: Check Cellular Settings On Your iPhone

Your iPhone has a variety of cellular data options, and if one of them isn’t set up correctly, your iPhone may indicate No service. Settings can be mistakenly modified, and the problem can sometimes be resolved by just turning a set-off and back on.

The trouble with analyzing your iPhone’s cellular settings is that what you see in Settings -> Cellular differs per carrier. If you don’t see a setting mentioned in this section, skip to the next recommendation; you won’t be losing out on anything. My recommendations are as follows:

  • Make sure Cellular Data is turned on under Settings -> Cellular. If that’s the case, try turning it off and on again.
Check Cellular Settings On Your iPhone
  • Make sure Voice Roaming is enabled under Cellular Data Options -> Roaming. For the most part, voice roaming should be enabled in the United States. Carriers no longer charge for cellular roaming as they did in the past. A word of caution: When traveling overseas, it’s a good idea to switch off Voice Roaming to prevent a hefty phone charge when you return.
  • Turn off automatic carrier selection in Settings -> Carriers. If you manually select which cellular network to connect to, your iPhone may cease stating No Service. On their iPhones, many readers will not see this choice, which is entirely normal. It only applies to a limited number of carriers.

Solution 3: Restart your iPhone

Many difficulties may be resolved and your device restored by just restarting your iPhone. To restart your device, follow the instructions below:

  • For iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12: Hold the side button down until you see the power off slider appear. After that, drag the slider to the off position and wait 30 seconds for your device to shut off.
  • To reactivate the device, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • For iPhone 6s, 7, or 8, follow these steps: Hold the side button down until you see the power off slider appear. After that, drag the slider to the off position and wait 30 seconds for your device to shut off.
  • To reactivate the device, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • Press and hold the top button on an iPhone 5 or earlier until the power off slider displays. After that, drag the slider to the off position and wait 30 seconds for your device to shut off.
  • To reactivate the device, press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.

Solution 4: Check that your carrier settings are up to date

Incorrect carrier settings may potentially result in no service on the iPhone. Carrier settings save information about your iPhone and the network you use to make calls, among other things.

As a result, it’s critical to maintain your latest version of ios in order to ensure increased performance and seamless operation. Follow the procedures below to manually check if a career settings update is available and install it:

  • Make sure your device is connected to the internet through WiFi or cellular.
  • Select Settings > General > About from the drop-down menu. (You’ll notice an option to update your carrier settings if an update is available.)
  • Then, if available, press Update.

Solution 5:  Remove and reinsert the SIM card

The SIM card in your iPhone connects it to your carrier’s cellular network. It’s how your carrier identifies your iPhone from everyone else’s. Occasionally, merely removing and reinserting your SIM card from your iPhone can cause it to stop saying No Service.

  • Using a paper clip or the SIM ejector, open the tray.
  • Remove the SIM card and inspect it for any signs of damage.
  • Replace the card properly if no damage sign shows.
  • Close the tray and see if the problem has been resolved.

Solution 6: Reset your Network Settings

Resetting your iPhone’s network settings to factory defaults can help you address a variety of cellular and Wi-Fi issues. All of your Wi-Fi networks will be “forgotten,” so you’ll have to rejoin and re-enter your credentials. After your iPhone reboots, the No Service issue may go away.

Reset your Network Settings

Tap Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings to Reset Network Settings. When the confirmation pop-up displays towards the bottom of your iPhone’s display, enter your iPhone passcode and then touch on Reset Network Settings.

Solution 7: Ensure that the date and time are set correctly

It’s possible that you won’t be able to use your iPhone because the date and time are incorrect. To make things right,

Turn on Set Automatically under Settings > General > Date and Time > pick the right Time Zone.

Solution 8: Contact your service provider

It’s possible that your iPhone’s lack of service is due to a fault with your service provider or an issue with your account. As a result, check with your carrier to ensure that the network isn’t down in your region, that your account is current and in good standing, and that your device is set up with the appropriate data plan.

In most situations, the troubleshooting techniques listed above on how to fix no service on iPhone have been found to resolve the difficulties. If none of the above techniques work for you and you continue to see the iPhone no service problem message, don’t panic.

For further information, you may contact Apple support or make an appointment at the Genius Bar. If the device is still under warranty, Apple will pay for the repair; otherwise, they will charge a fee for the service.

Solution 9: Check-In With Your Carrier About Your Account

Customers’ accounts are canceled for a variety of reasons. I’ve heard of iPhones being turned off because the carrier suspected fraud or the customer’s payment was late, as well as dissatisfied spouses who didn’t want to hear from their ex.

If any of these reasons apply to you, call your carrier to double-check that everything is in order. If your account was canceled, your iPhone will display No Service, which is typical but often missed cause of this issue. If the problem isn’t caused by your carrier (which it usually isn’t), it’s time to dig into your iPhone’s software.

Solution 10: Check For Water Damage

When an iPhone is broken, it’s simple to see why it could read “No Service,” but water damage might be difficult to detect. If your iPhone starts saying “No Service” after becoming wet, there’s a significant probability it’s due to water damage.

Water-damaged iPhones are not repaired by Apple; instead, they are replaced. If you have AppleCare+, the cost of replacing a broken iPhone is a fraction of what it would be if you didn’t.

Solution 11: Back Up And Restore Your iPhone

Software corruption may result in a variety of issues, including high battery drain, overheating iPhones, and issues like this one. If you want to proceed, make a backup of your iPhone to iTunes or iCloud, as restoring your iPhone erases everything on it.

Back Up And Restore Your iPhone

Warning: This Is An Extremely Important Message

Because restoring your iPhone while it can’t connect to a cellular network is extremely risky, it must first be enabled before it can be used. It will be completely worthless if you restore your iPhone and it still reads No Service.

You won’t be able to do anything: you won’t be able to restore your iPhone, you won’t be able to use your applications, and you won’t be able to do anything.

If you have a backup phone and are prepared to take a chance, you can restore your iPhone to fix the problem, but there are no assurances. If you don’t have access to an Apple Store, I don’t advocate attempting to restore your iPhone.

Solution 12: Toggle Airplane Mode on and off

Another option for dealing with issues with wireless connections is to use the so-called Airplane Mode technique. It’s an old hack that’s been proved to fix a variety of wireless issues on an iPhone. If you want to give it a try, follow these steps:

Toggle Airplane Mode on and off
  • Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  • Select Airplane Mode from the drop-down menu.
  • To turn on Airplane Mode, click the switch next to it. This disables your iPhone’s wireless radios and essential capabilities at the same time.
  • Restart or soft reset your iPhone while it is in Airplane mode to clear the cache.
  • Return to the Settings-> Airplane Mode option when your phone has rebooted.
  • Then flip the Airplane Mode icon back to OFF to disable the function.

Wait for your iPhone to re-establish wireless signals before checking to see if the no-service problem has been resolved.

Is your iPhone 11 still showing no service?

If the no service issue persists after a factory reset, contact your carrier or network service provider for more assistance. There might be an issue with the network base or your account that is disrupting cellular services, causing your iPhone 11 to lose cellular network signal and instead display a no service message.

If you believe your SIM card is to blame, you may also ask your carrier to investigate more. You can also request a new SIM card directly from your carrier if necessary.

Escalating the problem to Apple Support is required if the no service error was caused by an iOS upgrade and continued after troubleshooting. It’s possible that this is another iOS bug that needs to be addressed.

Conclusion

Because there is no one cure for the iPhone no service problem, and the causes aren’t usually obvious, each of the procedures listed in this post should be tried if you’re wondering why your iPhone isn’t working.

Since everyone nowadays needs an internet connection or cellular data, it goes without saying that being unable to connect to the internet through your smartphone due to an iPhone no service notification is quite aggravating.

If you follow the basic troubleshooting methods above to solve no service on iPhone correctly, you won’t have to worry about losing your connection when your iPhone indicates no service.