iPhone Says “No Service”? Here’s How to Fix It

by

If your iPhone keeps showing “No Service,” you won’t be able to make calls, send texts, or use cellular data. It’s annoying, especially when you’re expecting an important call or trying to get online. Don’t panic—this issue is often software-related and can be fixed with a few simple steps. Here’s how to get your signal back.

Make Sure Your Time, Date, and Account Are Correct

Before troubleshooting, check two quick things:

  • Set date and time to automatic:
    Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically.
  • Check with your carrier:
    Make sure your account is active and in good standing. Service can be cut off due to billing or network issues.

1. Restart Your iPhone

A soft reset can fix temporary glitches, including signal dropouts.

For iPhone X, XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, or later:

  • Press and hold the Side button and Volume Up/Down until the slider appears.
  • Drag to turn off. Wait 30 seconds, then press the Side button again to restart.

For iPhone 8 or earlier:

  • Press and hold the Top/Side button until the slider appears.
  • Slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.

Check your signal again after the reboot.

2. Remove and Reinsert the SIM Card

Sometimes, your iPhone just isn’t reading the SIM correctly.

  1. Turn off your iPhone.
  2. Use a SIM ejector or paperclip to remove the SIM tray.
  3. Take out the SIM card and check for damage or dirt.
  4. Reinsert the SIM card properly and slide the tray back in.
  5. Power your phone back on.

3. Toggle Airplane Mode

This refreshes your phone’s connection to the network.

  1. Go to Settings > Airplane Mode.
  2. Turn it ON.
  3. Wait a few seconds, then restart your iPhone.
  4. After restarting, go back and turn Airplane Mode OFF.

This can re-establish a clean connection to the nearest cell tower.

4. Update Carrier Settings and iOS

An outdated system or carrier config can cause service issues.

Update carrier settings:

  • Go to Settings > General > About.
  • If an update is available, you’ll get a prompt to install it.

Update iOS:

  • Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
  • Install any available updates and reboot afterward.

5. Reset Network Settings

This clears out saved networks and resets your network stack—often fixing persistent “No Service” issues.

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  2. Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings.
  3. Enter your passcode and confirm.

Your iPhone will restart. Reconnect to Wi-Fi and check if your cellular signal returns.

6. Reset All Settings

If a recent tweak or update corrupted something behind the scenes:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  2. Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
  3. Enter your passcode and confirm.

This resets preferences and system settings (but keeps your data intact).

7. Factory Reset as a Last Resort

Back up your iPhone first using iCloud or a computer, then:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
  3. Follow the prompts to reset and set up your iPhone as new.

You can also use iTunes or Finder on a computer to restore the device.

Leave a Comment