Why Does My Phone Say No Service? 7 Ways to Fix

Have you ever gone to make a call, send a text only to be met with a “no service” sign where your network bars should be? You’re not alone. This happens to all of us at one point or another. Fortunately, there are a number of tactics you can take in order to resolve it. 

These include: 

• Turning your phone off and on
• Turning Airplane Mode off and on
• Checking your SIM card
• Resetting your phone to factory settings
• Checking for physical damage to your phone
• Contacting your cell phone carrier

In this article, we’ll detail each of these troubleshooting methods so you can rid yourself of the “no service” message and get back to using your smartphone as you normally would. First though, a little information on what the root cause might be.

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What Does “No Service” Mean?

When your phone displays a “No Service” message, it means it can’t connect to your carrier’s cellular network. This isn’t tied to just one specific issue—it can stem from many possible causes. Anything from weak signal at your location to software bugs, SIM card issues, misconfigured settings, or hardware failures in the device might be to blame.

Common Culprits for “No Service” 

“No service” issues aren’t typically indicative of anything majorly wrong with your phone, but rather something temporary. That said, you need to go about getting to the source of the problem before you go about fixing it. Here are some common culprits.

You Are in a Network Dead Zone

One (fairly obvious) reason your phone might say “no service” is simply that you’re in a cellular network dead zone. While this can include large swaths of land—say, vast wilderness areas—it also extends to spots where building, walls, or other geographic features block the signal from reaching you. 

To that end, simply moving to a different spot—even if it's just a few yards away—can be enough to resolve your signal issues. 

SIM Card Malfunction

Your SIM card stores your personal information, such as your mobile phone number, and allows you to connect with the mobile network (whether it’s Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another network) you are paying for. While newer forms uniformly have eSIM cards you can’t handle or touch, older ones always have a physical card. 

Regardless of whether you have a physical or virtual SIM card, occasionally things can go awry with them. 

Your Battery Is Low

When you let your phone battery drain too low, all sorts of problems can occur. You might find your phone slowing down or even losing connection to the internet entirely. Modern smartphones allocate energy as best they can to the components that need it, and if energy is low, it is not uncommon for your network connection to be an early casualty. 

Software Glitch

Sometimes, at the end of the day, it is just a glitch in your system that is causing your phone’s connection problems. Multiple glitches in both Android and Apple phones can cause your phone to go offline entirely.

These glitches sometimes can come as a result of new software updates or changes. Alternatively, a hardware issue could conflict with the software you are running. Regardless of the problem, simple glitches in your system are common reasons for your phone to lose service and cause network connection issues.

How Do I Fix My “No Service” Issue?

The troubleshooting tactics for “no service” issues are typically pretty routine. Often, you can fix your network connection with a few simple steps and a little bit of patience. 

1. Turn the Phone Off and On

As with many other forms of technology, sometimes the best thing to do is just turn the device off and on again. 

We have our phones undergo a lot of complex processes, often simultaneously. As a result, phones need to keep up with a lot of temporarily stored data. The longer we keep our phone on without resetting it, the more this data piles up. So, hitting the power button for a quick reboot can do the trick. 

2. Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

This serves the same purpose as just pushing the power button, but specifically resets your network connection. The purpose of airplane mode is to prevent outside signals from reaching your phone and thus cut off your phone from sending any signals as well.

When you turn on airplane mode, it turns off your network and mobile data capabilities, allowing it to reset fully. Sometimes your phone’s network and cellular settings just need the opportunity to restart their connections in order to start working again. 

3. Check Your SIM Card

If your phone is experiencing a SIM card malfunction—and your device has a physical SIM card—you can remove the SIM card and reinsert it to make sure it is properly installed.

If your phone has an eSIM card that cannot be removed, sometimes you can manually select your carrier via your SIM card virtually. Smartphones often have a settings tab where you can select your carrier. If you have data roaming on, this will usually be set to auto-select. You can try resetting this by having your SIM card specifically access your carrier. 

4. Reset to Factory Settings

Sometimes the only way to fix no-service issues is to reset your cell phone to factory settings altogether. This completely wipes your phone of all personal data, including photos, passwords, and apps. It will also remove any software glitches that came up while you had the phone. Essentially, it’s a fresh start for your iPhone or Android device.

Before you do this, it is important to back up your data. Most phones and carriers have cloud storage options that let you instantly restore the mobile data on your phone after you do the reset.

This is usually a last resort, as it can take hours for the process to be completed depending on your phone and how much data you had to begin with. 

All phones will work differently, but they all have the option to do a factory reset in the phone’s settings tab. The phone will usually confirm that you are ready to erase everything on your phone to make sure you do not accidentally select this option.

5. Water Damage or Physical Damage

Could the problem be water damage from exposure during a recent rainstorm or from streaming music while you shower? Have you dropped your phone one too many times? These are just a few examples of how your phone might have incurred water damage or physical damage that can lead to service problems. The best way to assess this situation is with the help of your carrier or manufacturer.

6. Get in Touch with Your Carrier or Manufacturer

If you’ve tried some of the easier steps above without success, it makes sense to reach out to customer support for your carrier or manufacturer, such as Apple support. Asking for help from a representative can help you figure out the best course of action and streamline the troubleshooting for you. They’ve probably seen their share of network connection problems, so they’re likely to point you in the right direction. 

7. Take the Phone in for Repairs

If all else fails, you may have to take or send your phone in for a repair. Your carrier will usually have local stores that you can go to put in a repair order, or you can call or go online to find instructions on how to initiate a repair with your wireless carrier by mail. Alternatively, you may be eligible for a repair from the phone’s manufacturer—it may even be under warranty depending on the age of your device and whether you added a protection plan at the time of your purchase.

The Bottom Line

Almost anyone who owns a smartphone will experience a no-service issue at one time or another. Moving to a more active area, turning your device off and on again, or doing a full factory reset can restore your network connection.

If troubleshooting suggests it’s time for a new phone, Navi’s Phone Deal Finder can help you find the best phone deals available from your current carrier and other carriers. If coverage is the source of the problem, our Plan Finder below can help you compare cell phone plans from top providers to find the right fit in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix my phone if it says no service?

If your phone says "No Service," there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue. First, ensure that you're in a location with cellular coverage. If you're in an area with poor signal, that might be the cause. Restarting your phone can often help reset the connection to your network.

Check that Airplane Mode is turned off; if it's on, disable it. You can also try toggling cellular data off and on in your phone's settings. If the issue persists, check for any carrier settings updates under Settings > General > About.

If you're still facing problems, consider removing and reinserting your SIM card to ensure it's seated correctly. As a last resort, you can reset your network settings, but this will erase saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords. 

Why does my iPhone keep saying no service?

Your iPhone may keep saying "No Service" due to weak cellular signal, issues with the SIM card, software glitches, or problems with your carrier's network. Checking your location for network coverage, ensuring the SIM card is properly seated, and updating your iOS can often resolve the issue. If problems persist, contacting your carrier for assistance might be necessary​.

What does 🚫 mean on my phone?

The 🚫 symbol on your phone generally indicates a restriction or prohibition. Its specific meaning can vary based on context. If you see this symbol on an Android phone, it may indicate that your have Interruption mode turned on.