How to fix an iPhone X that keeps showing No Service error [Troubleshooting Guide]

by Grace updated   

When your iPhone X is showing No service, network services such as calling and texting aren’t available. This means you can’t make or receive phone calls and text messages. You can’t also connect to the Internet through cellular data. Several factors can trigger this error to occur and that include account problems, carrier issues, network connectivity issues, misconfigured cellular settings, and a faulty SIM card. In worst cases, a No service error can also be attributed to a liquid damage on the phone.

Unfortunately if it’s hardware-related, the only way to fix the error is through the help of an Apple technician. This means the need to take a trip to service center. But before you do so, you can try some workarounds to rule out software problems as the underlying cause. Read on to find out how to deal with a No service error on your iPhone X.

Before going further, if you found this post because you were trying to find a solution to your problem, then try to visit our troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed most of the commonly reported issues with the phone. We’ve already provided solutions to some of the problems reported by our readers so try to find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work for you and if you need further assistance, fill up our iPhone issues questionnaire and hit submit.

How to fix iPhone X with No Service error

Before you start troubleshooting, verify and ensure that Airplane mode is disabled on your iPhone X. Wireless features are automatically disabled when Airplane mode is on, so make sure it’s off. You can view and configure the Airplane mode status through the settings menu or from the Control Center.

First solution: Reboot/soft reset your iPhone X.

A soft reset or reboot on the phone may be all that’s need to get rid of the error if it’s just transpiring among other random software glitches. If this is only the first time you encounter a No service error on your iPhone X, then try to reboot or soft reset your phone with these steps:

  1. Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume button for a few seconds.
  2. When you see the Slide to Power off command, release the buttons.
  3. Then, drag the Power off slider to the right. Allow your device to shutdown completely.
  4. After about 30 seconds, press and hold the Side/Power button again until the Apple logo appears, then release.

Second solution: Update phone software and carrier settings to the latest version available.

Installing new software update can potentially solve the problem if it’s inflicted by software bugs because updates also contain bug fixes. A strong and stable Wi-Fi internet connection is required to view, download, and install OTA updates on your iPhone so make sure it’s connected. Then follow these steps to check for any available iOS update to download and install:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap Software Update. Your device will then start scanning for new iOS version then prompts you with a notification if an update is available.
  4. Tap the option to Download and Install.
  5. Then follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to complete the iOS update download and installation.

If you cannot update your iPhone X wirelessly, then try to update manually through iTunes. To update your iPhone X using iTunes, you will need to use a computer either a Windows PC or Mac. Once you have the computer ready, connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB connector or Lightning cable. Open iTunes on your computer then wait until it recognizes your iPhone X. Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to download and install new iOS update for your device.

Aside from iOS update, installing a new carrier settings update may also be the key to rectifying the error. Carrier settings updates are comprised of updates for network and related settings to enhance cellular network connectivity and performances. These updates are pushed by your carrier. Usually, you will be prompted to install a carrier settings update if it’s available. For mandatory update released by your carrier, you’ll be prompted with an update notification with an OK button instead of Update button. This means that the update was already downloaded and installed. To manually check for and install a carrier settings update on your iPhone X, follow these steps:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap About.

If you see an option to Update your carrier settings, it means that an update is available.

Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to complete the update download and installation.

Third solution: Reset all settings on your iPhone.

This reset won’t affect your iPhone data as it only clears and restores the system settings on your device. After the reset, your iPhone X settings are restored to their original or default values, which means that you can configure individual options accordingly. This is often the key to resolving the error if it occurs after installing a new update. It’s possible that the new update had automatically altered some system settings or options and eventually resulted to this error. Here’s how to reset all settings on your iPhone X:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll to and tap Reset.
  4. Select Reset all settings from the given options.
  5. If prompted, enter your device passcode to continue.
  6. Then tap to confirm settings reset.

Allow your device to finish the reset and then reboot when done. You can continue to configure options and enable necessary features on your iPhone by then.

Fourth solution: Factory reset/master reset your iPhone.

A factory reset is usually needed to deal with more intricate system errors on the phone that could not be remedied by prior solutions. Doing so will wipe everything from your device including any tough bugs and malware that might have triggered the error to occur. Should you wish to continue with this reset, be sure to back up all your important data for safekeeping. Then follow these steps to factory reset your iPhone X through settings:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll to and tap Reset.
  4. Select Erase all content and settings from the given options.
  5. If prompted, enter your device passcode to continue.
  6. Then tap to confirm settings reset.

Wait until the reset is finished and your iPhone reboots. As soon as it’s finished rebooting, you can continue with the initial device setup process and make your device ready for use.

Fifth solution: Remove and reinstall your SIM card.

The No service error may also occur when the SIM card is dislodged or not properly seated in the tray. To clear this out, try to remove and reseat the SIM card on your iPhone X with these steps:

  1. Turn off your phone completely.
  2. Insert the SIM eject tool or paperclip into the provided slot on the right edge of the device, to eject the SIM card tray.
  3. Gently pull out the SIM card tray from the slot.
  4. Remove the SIM card from the card tray.
  5. Examine the SIM card for any visible signs of damage like scratches or dents. If everything looks good, place it back into the SIM card tray with the gold contacts facing down.
  6. Insert the SIM card tray into the slot.
  7. Press in on the SIM card tray to lock it into place.

When the tray is locked and secured in place, turn on your phone and then see if the No Service error is gone already.

Seek more help

Contact your network service provider or carrier if the No service error persists after performing all applicable workarounds on your end. There could be some more complicated issues that need to be dealt with on your account’s network services. If you get a No service error after replacing your SIM card with a new one, you will need to download the carrier settings for your new carrier.

If the error started after installing a new iOS update on your iPhone X and that it persisted, you can escalate the issue to Apple Support instead.

Connect with us

If you need more help with the use of certain functions and features of the Apple iPhone X smartphone, feel free to visit our Tutorial Page. There you can find a list of how-to contents, step-by-step tutorials, as well as answers to FAQs regarding iPhone X. If you have other concerns or encountered some troubles while using the phone, you can reach us through this form. Just be sure to tell us more details of the problem or device issue(s) you may have and we will be more than happy to assist you further.

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