iPhone does not reconnect to Cell Network after losing signal

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Level 1

5 points

iPhone does not reconnect to Cell Network after losing signal

Hey everyone!

So I seem to have a really strange issue, and it just recently started happening with my iPhone 3G

If I'm in an area where I don't have cell coverage for a while (ie: a basement, or subway) once I get above ground, the phone won't reconnect to the cell network.

The cell signal indicator will say "Searching..." for a while but will either change to "No Service" or stay on "Searching..." even though I'm in an area that I know has coverage.

The only way to get the phone to reconnect to either Reboot, Power Off/On, or Turn Airplane Mode On then Off.

This is really starting to get frustrating since I have to do one of the above or my phone just won't connect and stay that way until I do something.

I first noticed this with iPhone OS 3.0.1, but just recently did a fresh restore to 3.1.2.

Has anyone else experienced this?? Any idea what causes this, and is there a solution?

Thanks!!

Also.. if I happen to lose 3G, the phone seems to stay on Edge forever even if I'm in an area with clear 3G coverage.

iPhone 3G, iPhone OS 3.1.2

Posted on Jan 4, 2010 4:31 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Lawrence Finch

Level 10

229,540 points

Jan 7, 2010 3:42 PM in response to SaturnX

When you lose signal any phone will try to reconnect for a few minutes, but if it continues to fail the intervals between tries gets longer and longer. This is intentional, to preserve battery life, because searching for signal uses a lot of power. If you turn on airplane mode for about 15 seconds that forces a new search and it will reconnect.

For the EDGE problem, if it is on a strong EDGE signal and detects a weak 3G it probably won't switch; likewise, it will only check occasionally for 3G. But cycling airplane mode will force it to search for 3G first.

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Answer 2

Feb 2, 2010 1:55 PM in response to SaturnX

Two observations from my experience with this problem:

1) If you disable 3G (Settings / General / Network / Enable 3G set to Off) you may find it reconnects much quicker. Not ideal, but one solution.
2) This appears to be more a network issue than a problem with the iPhone. Your service provider will probably disagree, and I'm afraid therefore it does not really help other than to reassure you that your iPhone is not faulty as such. It isn't usually anything to do with the SIM card.

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Answer 3

aseyford

Level 1

0 points

Apr 9, 2010 1:59 PM in response to SaturnX

Basically you are screwed.

I have a 3g with AT&T. I had zero problems till the 3.1.1 update then everything you described happened. I changed sim cards multiple times and went to the genius bar with no avail. The genius bar was not so genius.

I got a replacement and have had no problems since. It ***** cause I had ZERO problems til the upgrade.

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Answer 4

Jan 5, 2010 6:29 AM in response to SaturnX

Have you tried reseting the phone? (Holding the home button and power button until the apple logo appears)
If same behavior, try reseting network settings. Settings>General>Reset>Reset Network Settings.
If same behavior, try restoring it and setting up as a new phone. (if you restore from backup you might basically restore the problem)

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Answer 5

Somatik

Level 1

0 points

Mar 1, 2010 6:21 PM in response to Somatik

Rogers have "solution" for situation like this. Need to go to settings and general. Then go to Network. Disable 3G. Go back to Settings Carriers and Put check mark on rogers. Than enable 3G back. works with my phone so far. Point is Apple have to many bags in soft. why it do not want to go to rogers automatically? Why it sticks to another tower and do not want to let it go?

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Answer 6

Feb 8, 2010 3:42 PM in response to gordiasUK

Same problem here in Toronto. Whenever I get on the subway I lose my rogers connection, then when I get off the iPhone is stuck "searching" for the rogers signal forever. The only way to fix it is to turn the iPhone off and on, then it re-connects to the rogers network. Annoying if you take the subway to work everyday.

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Answer 7

Feb 4, 2010 2:45 PM in response to BarbyCar

If it's any consolation I believe the problem is limited to specific cells or local switches (supporting a number of local cells). My problem was resolved by O2 unlocking my iPhone and I was able to switch to a local SIM on a different network instead of roaming. The problem is NOT linked to roaming.

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Answer 8

Feb 8, 2010 6:40 PM in response to SaturnX

On the Fido network in Toronto and am having the same issues. It seemed to start with the 3.0 software upgrade. Have an aunt in the US on AT&T network who is having the same problem. I don't think it is a carrier issues as it seems to be happening all over with different carriers in different countries.

The staff at the Apple store tried everything they could thing of to fix it and it still doing the same thing. They kind of left me hanging with a phone that really isn't work. It is getting a little frustrating at this point. Have actually started just leaving my iPhone at home and using my work blackberry as my main phone.

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Answer 9

Axis-5

Level 1

8 points

Feb 9, 2010 7:12 AM in response to SaturnX

I'm having the same problem here in Belgium with Mobistar - it started after update 3.0.1 and has gotten noticeably worse with the last two updates. Also, when roaming and switching from one carrier / country to another - the iPhone used to do this flawlessly - but now - I will get a "network dropped" msg and will have to manually search for and choose a carrier. And yes, my phone is set to choose a carrier automatically. Since this is happening not only with my carrier - I am thinking this might be a software issue - rather than a carrier or hardware issue.

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Answer 10

SaturnX Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 5, 2010 8:56 PM in response to Pro Truco

I was on OS 3.0.1 when this all started,

1. I tried resetting (Home / Power until Apple logo) this DID NOT change anything, had the same issues.

2. Tried Reseting Network Settings, this also DID NOT change anything, had the same issues.

3. I actually just restored last night to 3.1.2 and set up as a new phone. So as of right now I've got a fresh phone. I haven't loaded any apps that I had previously.

So far I haven't lost complete service like before, but rather while walking through a tunnel where I can't lock on to 3G, the phone will connect to EDGE, but when I get back above ground in a clear 3G coverage area the phone stays in EDGE pretty much indefinitely.

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Answer 11

flashgo

Level 1

5 points

Mar 18, 2010 3:08 PM in response to SaturnX

I have a 3GS with the same problem on AT&T in the US. Service in my office oscillates from 4 bars to NO SERVICE. At some point, the phone can get locked into zero bars, but not NO SERVICE. Then when I leave and go out into easily accessible service, the phone will continue to display zero bars even though it's not actually connected and should really say NO SERVICE. The phone won't reconnect to service until I reboot. This is particularly annoying because I'll think that I'm on the grid (because it still shows "AT&T"), but I'm not.

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Answer 12

Mar 30, 2010 3:47 AM in response to ldodman

Yes I have same problem.

First the iPhone 3GS does not have such a sensitive receive as some phones which means it loses signal much easier.

Second, onc eit loses signal it seems to struggle to regain signal once a signal is again present.

And before someone says "its the networks fault", its not because I carry two phones and the other phone has no problem regaining signal once its available, whereas it seems the iPhone will sit there for hours unless you switch off or toggle airplane mode.

Bottom line, great device, but not a great phone. Am ditching mine for a Blackberry and will get an iPod instead.

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Answer 13

chaime

Level 1

8 points

Jul 28, 2010 11:43 PM in response to wedgeoli

Same problem. Kolbi3G / Costa Rica

This kills me because this is not a new problem. I've also had the problem on AT&T in the states. (Yeah, same phone, ** Apple and their monopolistic partnerships.)

This has been happening since at least the 2G days, the darn things seem to want to select a (sometimes nonexistent) EDGE connection when there's a perfectly good 3G connection available.

I'm hoping the upcoming "service bars" update will begin to address this issue.

Until then, toggling Airplane Mode or Activate 3G are the only options I've figured out as well.

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Answer 14

Jan 6, 2010 12:18 AM in response to SaturnX

Hm that seems weird. This might be a issue with the SIM card.

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Answer 15

Jan 7, 2010 3:36 PM in response to SaturnX

I have the same problem when getting off the subway. Sometimes it reconnects, but more recently I have the same issue you do. Haven't tried the airplane mode on/off to fix, but I'll do that next time (unless a permanent solution gets posted).

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