While many people have found benefits from to iOS 11, others weren’t that lucky as they ended up having troubled with different issues that surfaced after the iOS update implementation. Addressed in this post is a post-update issue affecting the iPhone 7 Plus network functions. A number of iPhone users have encountered this problem in which they’re prompted with a No service error and their iOS device cannot connect to a cellular network, cannot make or receive phone calls, text messages, or connect to the Internet unless you are using Wi-Fi. Aside from faulty updates, a No Service error on the iPhone can also denote an issue with your account or network service provider.
Usually carriers would impose a soft disconnection to customer accounts with unsettled issues or balances. When this happens, outgoing services are temporarily disabled for that account. This means that you will not be able to send text messages, make calls or connect to the Internet.
If you are among those who are plagued with the same error on the same iPhone prior to or after updating to iOS 11, then this post might be able to help you out. Read on to learn how to deal with the No Service error on your iPhone 7 Plus using the standard workarounds and troubleshooting procedures.
But before anything else, if you have other concerns with your iPhone 7 Plus, make sure you drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most commonly reported issues with this new iPhone. If you need further assistance or if you can’t find what you’re looking for in that page, fill up our iPhone issues questionnaire and hit submit. Don’t worry, it’s a free consultation service so you don’t have to worry about anything. Just give us more information about the problem and we’ll do our best to help you fix it.
Troubleshooting iPhone 7 Plus with No Service Error
Before you start troubleshooting, make sure that you are using your device in an area within your cellular network coverage. It’s possible to get this error if your device is already out of your network tower range.
Also, check your account status and make sure that it is in good standing and that all your services are active. Verify and ensure that there are no ongoing outages that might have affected network-related services in your location. You may need to contact your network service provider on that matter. Ensure no damage to your iPhone 7 Plus. Physical or liquid damage on the iPhone can also result to this error especially if the physical network component is affected.
Once you’ve checked all the requisites and the problem persists, troubleshoot your iPhone and try the following workarounds.
Restart your iPhone 7 Plus
A simple reboot (soft reset) can do many good things when dealing with minor software issues on your iPhone. It doesn’t affect or erase any critical data stored on your iPhone’s internal memory, so it’s safe. In iOS 11, you can restart your device through the Settings menu.
To do so, head over to Settings-> General-> Shutdown. But if you prefer the usual standard restart, here’s how:
- Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds until the Slide to Power Off label appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone completely.
- After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button again until the Apple logo appears.
Wait until your iPhone boots up completely then see if the No service error is no longer showing up.
If the error persists after the first reboot, try restarting your iPhone again. Give it at least 3 reboot attempts and see what happens.
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Check your iPhone Settings
Verify and ensure that cellular data is enabled on your iPhone. Some people have neglected this simple step only to find out that it’s the root cause.
- To check on these settings, head over to Settings-> Cellular menu, then make sure the Cellular data switch is turned on. You can also try to toggle the cellular data switch off for a few seconds and then turn on again. Doing so can also refresh the cellular data functions.
Meanwhile, if you are getting a No Service error on your iPhone while travelling internationally, check and ensure that Data Roaming feature is enabled on your iPhone.
- To check on it, go to Settings-> Cellular-> Cellular Data Options-> Data Roaming. Make sure it’s turned on.
After making any changes to your cellular data settings, restart your iPhone then see if that fixes the problem.
Update carrier settings on your iPhone 7 Plus
Carrier settings updates are software enhancements rolled out by your carrier to update carrier network and related settings so as to improve cellular network connectivity and performance. You may contact your carrier for more details.
Usually you will be prompted to install a carrier settings update if it’s available. Some carrier updates are mandatory or automatically downloaded and installed on your device. To manually check for and install a carrier settings update, follow these steps:
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi. If you can’t connect to Wi-Fi, then you can use iTunes instead. iTunes also checks for carrier settings update automatically. If ever it asks, it means that an update is available.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap About.
- If an update is available, tap the option to Update and follow the onscreen instructions to update your carrier settings.
You can find the version of your carrier settings on your iPhone 7 Plus by going to Settings-> General-> About menu, then look next to Carrier.
Note:
- If you insert or use a new SIM card into your iPhone, you will need to download the carrier settings for your new SIM or carrier.
Remove and re-insert SIM card
No service error on an iPhone can also be triggered by a bad or dislodged SIM card. To rule this out from the possible causes, you can remove the SIM card from your iPhone 7 Plus for a few seconds, examine the SIM card and SIM tray for any signs of physical and liquid damage, and if found no damage, re-install the SIM card properly. Here’s how it’s done:
- Turn off your iPhone.
- When it’s completely powered off, locate the SIM card tray from the right edge of your device.
- Remove the SIM card tray using the SIM eject tool or paperclip. Insert the SIM eject tool into the tiny hole on the slot.
- When the SIM card tray pops out, gently remove the SIM card.
- Check for any signs of damage. If there’s none, place the SIM card back into the SIM tray. Be sure to position to gold contacts downwards.
- Insert the SIM card tray back into its original slot.
- Press in on the tray to lock it into place.
- When everything is properly secured, turn on your iPhone.
As much as possible, use only the SIM tray that came with your device. Other SIM trays may not fit in your iPhone 7 Plus.
Reset Network Settings
Performing a network settings reset will help eliminate the possibility of incorrect settings or options causing conflict and triggering the No Service error to show up when using your device. It is possible for software updates to override the current settings on the iPhone thus requiring you to reconfigure them after the update is installed. This reset however will reset your Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, VPN and APN settings that you have previously used. That being said, take note of your Wi-Fi network and passwords before you proceed with these steps:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll to and tap Reset.
- Select the option to Reset Network Settings.
- If prompted, enter your device passcode to continue.
Your iPhone will restart once the network settings reset is complete. If the error still shows up after the reset, then you’ll need to consider performing a system restore.
Restore your iPhone 7 Plus
There are three types of iOS restore you can try including the standard restore through iTunes, recovery mode restore, and the deepest type of iOS restore known as DFU mode restore. You can start from the standard restore and if that doesn’t work, follow it up with a recovery mode restore. Usually, a recovery mode restore can effectively deal with complex software issues but sometimes the problem is just too complex or tough to persists. As your last resort, you can try a DFU mode restore. Putting your iPhone in DFU mode allows your device to communicate with iTunes without loading the operating system or bootloader. You then can downgrade or upgrade your iPhone system through iTunes.
A step-by-step guide on how to restore an iPhone 7 Plus in iTunes, as well as on how to perform a recovery mode and DFU mode restore can be accessed through our Tutorials section. Feel free to visit the page if you need further assistance in the process.
Other suggestions to consider
- Install the latest iOS firmware. If you haven’t already, try to check if there’s a new firmware update available for your device. The latest iOS version for your iPhone 7 is iOS 11.2.
- Wait until Apple rolls out the much-anticipated iOS version 11.2.5, which is purportedly claimed to address all prior issues that emerged since the major update release of iOS 11.
- Take your iPhone to a Genius bar. If you want to have an Apple technician personally diagnosed your device, then you can set a date to visit the nearest Apple service center in your location.
- Contact Apple Support. If the problem is caused by the most recent iOS update released for your iPhone 7 Plus, then you can give Apple Support a call to escalate the matter and seek recommendations.
- Contact your carrier. If you suspect that the problem is triggered by a faulty SIM card, then contact your carrier to verify if your SIM card needs to be replaced.
Engage with us
If you have other issues with your Apple iPhone 7 Plus, we are always willing to help. Contact us through our iPhone issues questionnaire and provide us with all necessary information about your problem so we can find a solution to your issue.
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