Network issues like “No Service,” stuck on “Searching,” or Wi-Fi not working are incredibly frustrating — especially on a powerful phone like the iPhone 7 Plus. If your calls drop, messages won’t send, or you can’t connect to the internet, this guide will walk you through all the possible fixes, from simple tweaks to deeper resets.
Check These Things First
Before you dive into troubleshooting, eliminate the basic stuff:
- Check your account status with your carrier. If your account is suspended or you have an unpaid bill, services may be restricted.
- Ask your carrier if there’s a network outage or maintenance happening in your area.
If all is good on your carrier’s end, move on to the solutions below.
1. Restart Your iPhone (Soft Reset or Force Restart)
A quick reboot can clear out temporary glitches that mess with your network connection.
Soft reset:
- Hold the Power (Side) button until the slider appears.
- Slide to power off.
- Wait 30 seconds, then turn the phone back on.
Force restart:
- Hold both the Power and Volume Down buttons.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
2. Turn Off Airplane Mode and Check Network Settings
Sometimes, it’s as simple as Airplane Mode being turned on.
- Swipe down from the top-right (or up from the bottom) to open Control Center.
- If the airplane icon is orange, tap it to turn it off.
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and reconnect if needed.
If your Wi-Fi button is greyed out, skip ahead to the reset instructions below.
3. Reset Network Settings
This wipes saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPNs, and cellular settings — great for fixing weird glitches.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
Let your iPhone reboot and reconnect to your network.
4. Toggle LTE or Switch to 3G
If LTE is acting up, switching networks can help.
- Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options.
- Tap Voice & Data.
- Switch from LTE to 3G or 4G.
- Restart your phone and test the connection.
5. Update iOS
Some network bugs get squashed in iOS updates.
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
6. Reinsert the SIM Card
A loose or damaged SIM card can cause service issues.
- Power off your iPhone.
- Use a SIM ejector tool or paperclip to remove the SIM tray.
- Take out the SIM, wipe it gently, and reinsert it securely.
- Turn your phone back on and see if the signal returns.
7. Power Cycle Your Router (If Wi-Fi Is the Problem)
If your iPhone won’t stay connected to Wi-Fi:
- Turn off your router and unplug it from the wall.
- Wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
- Wait for the lights to stabilize.
- Reconnect your iPhone and test the connection.
Check for damaged Ethernet cables or loose connections while you’re at it.
8. Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If nothing else works and you’re confident it’s not a hardware issue:
⚠️ Back up your data first!
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Confirm and wait for the reset to complete.
- Set up your iPhone as new (don’t restore from backup yet — test the network first).
Still Having Issues?
If you’ve done all of the above and you’re still getting no service, stuck on searching, or can’t connect to Wi-Fi or LTE, it’s time to contact Apple Support. A faulty antenna, water damage, or other internal hardware problems could be the root cause — and those can’t be fixed with settings alone.