When you have an iPhone No service error, it’s telling you that it’s not acquiring network signal and thus network services aren’t available. As a result, you won’t be able to use the basic yet key functions like making and receiving phone calls and text messages. There are many reasons as to why network errors like this transpire. Among the common causes are network outages, technical difficulties on the network service provider, account-related issues, incorrect settings on the device, network system bugs as well as post-update errors. To eliminate software-related factors that might have triggered the no service error or no reception to occur on your iPhone 5s, I’ve lined up a few suggested solutions for you to try on. Read on for more information.
Troubleshooting No service error on your iPhone 5s
When network errors like no service, no network coverage and other relevant errors occur, you wouldn’t be able to use your phone’s basic functions. If you couldn’t afford to miss important phone calls and text messages, then you must try some means to resolve the problem on your end right now. Consider the following methods as additional input whenever you’re all set to troubleshoot signal issues on your iPhone 5s.
First solution: Restart your iPhone (soft reset)
For errors that suddenly occur without changing or doing anything on your device, chances are that random software glitches are the main trigger. To fix the problem, soft reset or restart your iPhone as you normally do. Doing so will clear out rogue apps and corrupted cached files that might have caused conflicts to the cellular network system and triggers the error. If you haven’t already, then follow these steps to soft reset your iPhone 5s:
- Press and hold the Power (Sleep/Wake) button on the top of the phone for a few seconds.
- Release the button when the Power Off slider appears. The iPhone will then shut down.
- After a few seconds, press and hold the Power (Sleep/Wake) button until the Apple logo appears and then release the button.
Allow your phone to finish its boot sequence and acquires network signal again. If the no service error still shows up after the restart, continue to troubleshoot your device and eliminate other possible triggers.
Second solution: Toggle Airplane Mode on and off
No service error is also tagged among other wireless network issues on an iPhone. With that said, performing the Airplane mode trick may also do some wonders in rectifying the error on your phone. If you wish to give it a try, then simply follow these steps to carry out the Airplane mode trick on your iPhone 5s:
- From the Home screen, tap Settings.
- Select Airplane Mode.
- Toggle the switch to turn Airplane Mode on. Wireless radios and relevant functions are simultaneously disabled.
- While Airplane mode is enabled, reboot/soft reset your iPhone.
- When the boot-up sequence is complete, go back to Settings-> Airplane Mode menu.
- Then toggle the switch to turn Airplane Mode off again.
Wait for your iPhone to re-establish wireless signal and then see if the no service error is gone already. Otherwise, continue to the next solution.
Third solution: Update carrier settings to fix No service error
Carriers usually pushed updates to get rid of widespread network problems in iOS devices. Like iOS updates, carrier settings updates also contain fix patches that are specifically aimed at eliminating network flaws that caused relevant problems to occur on your device. Some carrier updates are mandatory while others require manual installation. Just follow these steps to manually check for and install new carrier updates for your iPhone 5s:
- From the Home screen, tap Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap About.
If a carrier settings update is available, you will see information regarding the update on the carrier section. To update carrier settings on your iPhone, simply follow the onscreen instructions.
Fourth solution: Install iOS update, if available
Updating your iPhone software to the latest version is highly recommended to ensure optimum device performance and bug-free system. Some iOS updates also embed network fixes to address widespread problems affecting network services. To check for and install new iOS update for your iPhone 5s, simply follow these steps:
- Tap Settings from your Home screen.
- Scroll to and tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
A notification will show up if a new iOS version is available for your iPhone. Read and review the information and then follow the onscreen commands to download and install the update on your phone.
Fifth solution: Reset network settings on your iPhone
Performing a network settings reset on the phone is also important to get rid of network-related errors that caused the network system to stop working. If your iPhone started to prompt a no service error on its status bar after installing an update or making some changes to your network settings, there’s a tendency that some incorrect settings or update overrides caused the no service error to occur on your device. To clear this out, follow these steps to reset network settings on your iPhone 5s:
- From the Home screen, tap Settings.
- Scroll to and tap General.
- Tap on Reset.
- Select the option to Reset network settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Tap to confirm that you want to reset network settings on your phone.
Your phone should restart on its own when the reset is finished. By then you can start setting up network connections and then see if the no service error already banished.
Sixth solution: Reinstall the SIM card
SIM card issues are also among the underlying causes and therefore must be ruled out next. To do so, follow these steps to remove and reinstall the SIM card to fix no service error on your iPhone 5s:
- Turn off your iPhone completely.
- Insert the SIM ejector tool into the small hole on the SIM tray found on the side of your iPhone.
- Gently push the ejector tool until the tray pops out.
- Remove the SIM card from the tray then examine the card for any visible signs of damage like scratches and liquid traces.
- If everything looks good, place the SIM card back into the tray in the same orientation before you removed it.
- When the SIM card is secured in place, gently push the SIM tray back into the phone until it locks.
Make sure that the SIM card tray is locked in place and it’s secured, turn your iPhone back on and see if the no service error is gone.
ALSO READ: How to fix an iPhone 5s that keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi network
Still getting a No service error on your iPhone 5s
If none of the above procedures is able to solve the problem and the No service error continues to show up on the status bar of your phone, you may opt to troubleshoot further and resort to a factory reset or iOS restore. This can be the key to rectifying the no service error, especially if complex system errors or corrupted network system are at fault. Just be sure to back up all important files from your iPhone beforehand, so you’d still be able to recover them afterwards. Once you’re ready, you can start with a factory reset either through settings or through iTunes. If you prefer the latter, you’ll need a computer either Windows or Mac that has the latest version of iTunes app installed and has a stable internet connection. If a factory reset still failed to fix the problem and the No service error continues, that’s when you consider performing an iOS restore via iTunes.
Ruling out hardware damage is also among the last options. The fact that none of the previous methods is able to resolve the issue makes it very likely that hardware damage is present on the phone. There might be some damaged network components like a broken network antenna that needed some repair. In that case, you can take your iPhone to the nearest Apple genius bar in your area so that an authorized technician can inspect it for any signs of physical or liquid damage.
If you suspect that a damaged SIM card is to blame, contact your service provider/carrier and request for a new SIM card replacement, if possible. Also care to check the current status of your account. In some cases, a No service error could also occur if something’s wrong with your account. Talk to your carrier to settle any account matters like unpaid bills as they can also cause network service disruption.
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