iOS 17 Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version is usually straightforward. But sometimes, bugs in the new iOS can cause issues, like the dreaded “No Service” problem some users experience after upgrading their iPhones to iOS 17.
Don’t worry – in most cases, the “No Service” issue can be easily fixed with a few troubleshooting steps. This article will walk you through the top recommended fixes to try when dealing with no cell service after installing iOS 17 Update.
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What Causes the “No Service” Issue on iPhones?
Before jumping into the fixes, it helps to understand what’s behind the “No Service” problem in the first place. There are a few potential culprits:
- iOS bugs – New iOS versions can sometimes have bugs that affect cellular connectivity and service. Apple typically addresses these bugs in later software updates.
- Network incompatibility – In rare cases, changes in the new iOS version may cause incompatibility with your cellular network provider. Updating the carrier settings or configuring the network again often remedies this.
- SIM card issues – Problems with the SIM card like corruption or improper installation can lead to cellular connectivity failures. Resetting the SIM card usually helps in these cases.
- Outdated carrier settings – Carrier settings help your iPhone connect to your cellular network. If these settings are outdated after an iOS update, it can interrupt service. Updating the carrier settings fixes this.
- Cellular antenna failure – Very rarely, a failed cellular antenna component could be the culprit behind no service. This requires hardware repair or replacement.
Knowing the potential reasons helps inform the troubleshooting steps described next. Nine times out of ten, the “No Service” issue arises from a simple software glitch or compatibility problem that can be easily remedied through one of the following fixes.
1. Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off
The quick fix that often works is cycling the phone’s Airplane Mode on and off. Here’s how to do it:
Step#1.Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step#2.Tap on Airplane Mode to toggle it On.
Step#3.Wait for about 30 seconds with Airplane Mode enabled.
Step#4.Now toggle Airplane Mode Off again.
Step#5.Check if cellular service is restored on your iPhone.
Toggleing Airplane Mode essentially cuts off all wireless connections briefly and forces the phone to re-establish them when you turn it off. This refreshes the cellular connection and clears out any temporary glitches that may be causing the no service problem.
2. How to Restart Your iPhone
An easy but effective fix is to simply restart your iPhone. Restarting clears out any corrupt temporary data and resets all components, essentially giving your phone a fresh start.
Follow these steps to restart your iPhone:
Step#1.Hold down the Side/Power button on the right side of your iPhone until the “Slide to Power Off” prompt appears.
Step#2.Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone completely.
Step#3.After 30 seconds, hold down the Side/Power button again until you see the Apple logo to turn your iPhone back on.
Step#4.Once the phone boots back up, check if cell service is restored.
Make sure to wait patiently as the phone shuts down and restarts. Restarting often resolves many temporary glitches, including the lack of cellular service issue.
3. How to Remove and Reinsert the SIM Card
Removing and reinserting the SIM card essentially achieves the same effect as a restart. It forces the iPhone to redetect and reconnect to the cellular network. Follow these simple steps:
Step#1.Locate the SIM card tray – it is on the right side of the iPhone above the Side/Power button.
Step#2.Insert the SIM eject tool (or a paperclip) into the tiny hole next to the SIM tray.
Step#3.Press firmly and pull the SIM tray out.
Step#4.Remove the SIM card from the tray.
Step#5.Carefully reinsert the SIM card into the tray, making sure it is properly seated. Inserting it upside down can damage it.
Step#6.Slide the SIM tray back into the SIM card slot.
Step#7.Check if cellular service is restored on your iPhone.
If reinserting the SIM doesn’t work, try testing with another known good SIM card if you have one available. If the other SIM works fine, your original SIM may be faulty or damaged. Contact your carrier for a replacement.
4. How to Reset Network Settings
Resetting the network settings clears out all saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and cellular settings on your device. It erases any issues in the saved network profiles and allows the phone to freshly re-establish connections.
Here’s how to reset network settings:
Step#1.Go to Settings > General > Reset.
Step#2.Tap on Reset Network Settings.
Step#3.Enter your passcode if prompted.
Step#4.Confirm on the popup to reset network settings.
Step#5.Wait for the reset to complete. The phone will reboot.
Step#6.After rebooting, enable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth if you use them, and check if cellular service is restored.
Resetting network settings is an effective solution for iOS cellular connectivity problems. Be prepared to rejoin Wi-Fi networks and pair Bluetooth devices again after the reset.
5. How to Update Carrier Settings
Outdated carrier settings can sometimes cause cellular network incompatibilities after an iOS update. Refreshing the carrier settings often remedies this.
To update carrier settings manually:
Step#1.Go to Settings > General > About.
Step#2.If a carrier update is available, you’ll see an option to Update Carrier Settings. Tap it.
Step#3.Wait for the update to complete. It will say “Carrier Settings Updated” when done.
Step#4.Check if cellular service is restored on your iPhone.
Alternatively, you can let the carrier settings update automatically in the background as updates become available from your carrier. Enable this by toggling on Automatic Updates in Settings > General > About.
Updating carrier settings refreshes the network connection protocols for optimal compatibility with any iOS changes. It’s a worthwhile troubleshooting step for the no service problem.
6. How to Turn Off 5G and Enable LTE/4G
With iOS 17 now supporting next-gen 5G networks, switching the cellular connection from 5G to LTE/4G could help. Here’s how:
Step#1.Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options.
Step#2.Turn off 5G by tapping the 5G On/Off toggle.
Step#3.Enable LTE by tapping the LTE On/Off toggle below it.
Step#4.Check if service is restored on LTE 4G.
There could be a bug or incompatibility with your carrier’s 5G that is causing the no service issue. Switching to a more stable LTE 4G connection may circumvent the problem as a workaround until it is fixed.
7. How to Turn Off VoLTE
Problems with Voice over LTE (VoLTE) connectivity on iOS 17 is another potential culprit to check. Follow these steps to disable VoLTE:
Step#1.Go to Settings > Cellular.
Step#2.Turn off Voice & Data by tapping the toggle.
Step#3.Turn off VoLTE by tapping the VoLTE On/Off toggle below it.
Step#4.Check if standard cellular voice and data service is restored.
Turning off VoLTE forces the device to use regular cellular connectivity for calling instead. Like the 5G suggestion above, this can act as a temporary workaround.
8. How to Reset Your Network Statistics
Resetting the network statistics on your iPhone erases any problematic data like failed connection logs that may be causing issues.
Here’s how to reset network statistics:
Step#1.Dial 3001#12345# on your iPhone keypad to open the Field Test app.
Step#2.Tap Reset Statistics at the bottom left.
Step#3.Tap Reset at the popup to confirm.
Step#4.Exit the Field Test app.
Step#5.Check if the reset helped restore cellular service on your device.
This trick essentially gives your iPhone a clean slate for reconnecting to the cellular network instead of getting stuck trying to use corrupted data.
9. How to Erase and Restore iPhone
If all else fails, the nuclear option to resolve stubborn iOS issues is an erase and restore of your iPhone. This wipes your device completely clean and installs a fresh copy of iOS.
Before erasing, make sure to back up your iPhone either to iCloud or iTunes.
To erase and restore with iTunes:
Step#1.Connect your iPhone to a computer with the latest iTunes version installed.
Step#2.In iTunes, with your phone connected, click on the iPhone icon.
Step#3.Go to the Summary tab. Click Restore iPhone below your device name.
Step#4.In the popup, click Restore again to confirm. iTunes will download a fresh iOS copy and install it.
Step#5.Set up the phone again through the setup assistant once the restore completes.
Step#6.Check if cellular service is restored on the freshly set up device.
Erasing the iPhone removes any corrupted software or settings that may be interfering with cellular connectivity and starts it with a completely clean slate.
As a last resort, a full erase and restore often resolves even the trickiest iPhone issues that standard troubleshooting cannot fix.
How to Contact Apple Support
If none of the above steps resolve your iPhone’s lack of service after upgrading to iOS 17, contact Apple Support for further assistance.
You can contact them by:
- Booking an appointment at an Apple Store Genius Bar
- Calling Apple Support and talking to an advisor
- Initiating a chat or phone support session on https://support.apple.com
Apple Support can run diagnostics, check for any issues specific to your device, and potentially arrange further solutions or a replacement if needed.
Provide them with detailed information about your troubleshooting attempts to help them identify the issue.
Summary and Conclusion
Losing cellular service after updating your iPhone is annoying but solvable. In most cases, it arises from minor software incompatibilities or glitches that can be fixed with a few troubleshooting steps. Toggling Airplane Mode, restarting your device, reseating the SIM card, resetting network settings, updating carrier settings, disabling 5G/VoLTE, and erasing/restoring iPhone are the top remedies to try.
With some patience and working through the solutions, you should be able to get your iPhone handset working normally again after iOS 17 Update. If the problem persists, seek further assistance from Apple Support to identify any underlying hardware or account issues on your specific device.
Following best practices around updating, like doing it over Wi-Fi and delaying x.0 updates, can help minimize upgrade issues in the first place. But should the “No Service” problem strike, use the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide to get connected again.
Table: Summary of Fixes for “No Service” After iOS Update
Fix | How To | Things to Note |
Toggle Airplane Mode | Turn on and off Airplane Mode in Settings | Quick and easy, fixes temporary glitches |
Restart iPhone | Hold power button, slide to power off. Wait 30 secs, power back on | Reboots the device and clears corrupt data |
Reinsert SIM | Use SIM tool or paperclip to eject SIM tray. Remove and reinsert SIM | Forces redetection of cellular network |
Reset Network Settings | Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings | Erases all network profiles and resets them |
Update Carrier Settings | Settings > About > Update Carrier Settings | Refreshes network protocols for better compatibility |
Switch to LTE 4G | Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > LTE On/Off | Circumvents 5G bugs by switching to 4G |
Turn Off VoLTE | Settings > Cellular > Turn Off VoLTE | Disables VoLTE if issues with it on new iOS |
Reset Network Stats | Dial 3001#12345# > Reset Statistics | Clears any failed connection logs |
Erase All Content | Backup iPhone, then erase in iTunes or Settings and restore | Clean install fixes stubborn software issues |