Fix Apple iPhone 6s Plus Unable To Connect To Cellular Network Error

Many device issues can typically be prevented by implementing certain measures but it’s a different story when it comes to network connectivity. While network carriers or ISP’s are implementing the best technology so as to ensure each of their consumers gets nothing but fast and stable connection, network problems or network service interruptions are inevitable.

Some factors including nature can halt network services unexpectedly at any time of the day. Even new devices are not exempted. In fact, you can see a rising number of pertinent complaints raised online by users of various mobile devices including owners of the Apple iPhone 6s Plus.

Among the widespread issues affecting the iPhone 6s Plus network functionality would include but not limited to no service error, searching or network unavailability, connection failed, and intermittent connectivity. Aside from being unable to connect to the Internet, iPhone users are unable to make or receive calls because of network issues. Sending and receiving of emails and messages, including iMessage can also be disrupted by network issues. Read on to find out which factors can likely network problems to occur on the Apple iPhone 6s Plus handset and how to deal with them.

What causes network problems on your iPhone?

Network service interruptions can happen due to many reasons. It could be an issue with your network service provider, your account status, software-related or worst, hardware damage. Other cases were tied to a faulty SIM card. If you are seeing SIM-card related errors, then that denotes a SIM card issue. So how do these factors affect network connectivity on your iPhone 6s Plus?

• Network Service Provider Issues – scheduled maintenance, system downtime, or network outage are tagged among the issues with your network service provider. Network service providers would usually issue early warnings or prior announcements on upcoming maintenance like network system upgrades. Otherwise, the problem is unexpected. System downtimes can also happen on schedule or unexpectedly. The same thing with outages affecting network services in certain places. To determine if the problem is on your network provider or ISP, give them a call for verification.
• Account Status – carriers would usually implement a soft disconnect or temporarily disable network services for accounts in delinquent status or those accounts with more than three consecutive outstanding balances. For network problems that are account-related, contacting and/or making arrangements with your carrier is usually the key to getting your network services restored.
• Software issues – some apps can go rogue and cause network errors on your device. Corrupted files can also inflict random and unexpected occurrence of the same problem on your mobile device. Minor software problems or apps inconsistencies happen randomly on any mobile devices including the iPhone 6s Plus.
• SIM card issues – usually network problems that are associated with SIM card issues are depicted by pertinent error messages or SIM error codes. These usually include errors on No Service, Searching, NO SIM card detected, or other relevant error messages. In this case, the problem is isolated to the SIM card and most likely can be fixed by working on the SIM card as well.
• Hardware damage – other worst cases of network connectivity issues have been tied to hardware damage. Some network components might have been damaged from a hard drop or liquid exposure, and the reason why you are having troubles or getting errors while attempting to use or connect to a network with your mobile device. Unfortunately, hardware-related issues often require an authorized iPhone technician’s aide in order to get fixed.

Meanwhile, network problems that are software-related can still be remedied by performing some workarounds or trying any of the potential solutions outlined subsequently in this page.

How to fix network problems on your iPhone 6s Plus?

Immediate resolution could not be guaranteed especially if the actual cause of the problem is hard to determine or unidentified. That being said, you may need to try several methods, which you think applicable to your situation. For as long as the problem is not hardware-related, your chance of fixing it on your end is higher.

Before you start doing any of the following troubleshooting steps, be sure to verify your account status by contacting your carrier first. Another thing to check with your carrier is on network outage. Troubleshooting won’t be necessary if the problem is account-related or caused by an outage. Instead, just follow your carrier’s recommendations for your network service to normally resume.

• Verifying account status – contact your carrier and make sure that your account status is good and that all your services are active. Also make sure that there are no restrictions imposed by your carrier to network services on your account or plan.
• Verifying network outages – again, outages can happen as scheduled or unexpected. For scheduled outages, prior announcements are usually made by your carrier. Unexpected outages would include nature-triggered instances that caused network service disruptions. Technical issues affecting your carrier’s network systems are also among the unexpected culprits.

After you verified your account status and confirmed that everything is good and that there are no network outages but you’re still having problems using mobile network, then you may try any of the generic solutions and standard troubleshooting methods as follow.

Step 1. Reboot (power-cycle) your router/modem.

It’s usually the very first method suggested by Internet Service Providers when it comes to dealing with network connectivity issues in mobile devices like the iPhone 6s Plus. Technically referred to as power-cycle or simply reboot or restart on the router or modem.

Power-cycling of the router or modem helps re-establish connection between the router/modem and the network tower, where the signal is transmitted. It can also fix minor glitches on the router or modem’s system that might have triggered network errors to occur on all devices connected, including your iPhone.

Here’s how to power cycle a router/modem:

1. Power OFF your router/modem by pressing its Power button.
2. When it’s completely powered off, unplug its power cord from the power source or outlet.
3. Let it unplugged for at least 30 seconds.
4. After the elapsed time, plug it back into the power source.
5. Press the Power button to turn it back on.
6. Wait until the router/modem reboots completely.

Now try to see if that has fixed the network problem on your iPhone.

Step 2. Restart (soft reset) your iPhone 6s Plus.

If the problem persists after you power cycle the wireless router/modem, try to reboot or soft reset your iPhone. Doing so will eliminate any minor software glitches on the iPhone that might have triggered network errors or connectivity issues.

Here’s how to properly restart (soft reset) your iPhone 6s Plus:

1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds until the red slider appears.
2. Drag the red slider to power off your iPhone completely.
3. Wait for at least 30 seconds.
4. After the elapsed time, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until the Apple logo appears.

Your iPhone will then reboot. After the reboot, check the network and see if it is now working fine.

Step 3. Verify and configure network settings.

Sometimes, network problems can occur due to incorrect settings or certain network options are misconfigured. For example, the Airplane mode is enabled on your iPhone. With Airplane mode enabled, most likely other network connections including Wi-Fi and Cellular Data Network are automatically disabled. To enable Wi-Fi or Cellular data network, you will need to disable Airplane mode again.

To access and configure the Airplane mode settings on your iPhone 6s Plus, follow these steps:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of your Home screen. Doing so will open the Control Center.
2. Tap the airplane icon in the Control Center to toggle Airplane mode OFF.
3. Check your Wi-Fi settings and enable Wi-Fi if necessary after you turn off Airplane mode.
4. To check Wi-Fi settings on your iPhone, go to Settings-> Wi-Fi-> then toggle the switch to turn the feature back ON.

Cannot enable Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi switch is greyed out or inactive?

If you cannot enable Wi-Fi because the Wi-Fi button is inactive or greyed out, then you can try to reset network settings on your iPhone. Doing so will erase your network information including your Wi-Fi password, APN and VPN settings. So make sure you take note of this information before you proceed.

• To reset network settings on your iPhone 6s Plus, head over to Settings-> General-> Reset-> Reset Network Settings.

After the network settings reset, reboot your iPhone and then go back to the Wi-Fi settings menu to see if you can now toggle the Wi-Fi button to enable the feature.

Unable to connect using LTE network band?

If you are having trouble connecting to a network over LTE, then try to switch to other network bands available such as 3G or 4G. Other iPhone users who have had similar issues were able to fix it by switching network bands other than the default.

Step 4. Update your iPhone 6s Plus iOS to the latest version available.

You should consider installing the latest iOS version available for your device so as to ensure your iPhone system is optimized. Updates also contain bug fixes so if by any chance the network problem or error you are currently dealing with is triggered by a bug, then it will likely get fixed by the update.

• To check if an update is available on your iPhone 6s Plus, go to Settings-> General-> About-> Software Update.

If an update is available, follow the onscreen instructions to proceed with the update download and installation process. But before you do, you might as well consider backing up your device first.

Step 5. Re-install SIM card.

SIM-card issues can usually be resolved by re-installing the SIM card or removing and re-inserting the SIM card on your iPhone. Sometimes, the SIM card might have been loose or worst, damaged. For damaged SIM card, please contact your network carrier for recommendations on SIM card replacement. But before you do so, try to re-install the SIM card and see what happens afterwards. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Power off your iPhone completely. It is highly recommended to power off your device completely before removing the SIM card to avoid any damage.
2. Use a small paper clip or SIM eject tool to open the SIM card tray.
3. Remove the SIM card from the SIM card tray.
4. Check the SIM card for any signs of damage like scratches or dents.
5. If there’s none, re-insert the SIM card.
6. Make sure the SIM card is properly placed and then close the SIM card tray.
7. Once the SIM card tray is properly secured, turn on your iPhone.

Now observe your device and see if you’re still getting an error. If so, then you should contact your carrier this time for other options.

Step 6. Factory reset (hard reset) your iPhone 6s Plus.

If you’ve done all the suggested methods and workarounds only to end up having the same network connectivity issues on your iPhone, then you may now consider performing a factory reset. Again, this should only be considered a last resort since every information stored in your device will be erased. So any problem that lies within the iPhone system, including minor and major software glitches are might as well be eliminated. After the reset, your iPhone will be restored to its factory defaults.  

• To factory reset or hard reset your iPhone 6s Plus, go to Settings-> General-> Reset-> Erase All Content and Settings.

Wait until the factory reset is finished and your iPhone will then reboot. After it reboots, you may go ahead and set up your device again.

Contact Apple Support for further assistance 

If the problem or network error persists after performing all the above-indicated procedures, then I suggest contacting Apple Support now to escalate the problem and request for further assistance. Or if you suspect that the problem is somehow associated with a hardware issue, then you may take your iPhone to an authorized service center instead, and have it diagnosed by a technician for possible hardware damage.