I’m trying to set up an old iPhone 7 and it says that an update is required to activate the iPhone please help what do I do

Complain to who? The only people seeing your posts are other users like you in this user-to-user forum.

Go to Settings/General/About and look at Modem Firmware. Is the entry blank? If it is you need to reinstall it by restoring the phone to factory settings, then restoring a backup. Back up the phone first, of course:

1. How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
2. Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support
3. Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

If the modem firmware DOES have a value you may have a hardware problem. The first step is what I just posted, but after that you need to contact Apple support using the Get Support link at the top of this page.

Hello,

Start here:

If you can‘t activate your iPhone

Also see:

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Good luck.

Also:

Manually update your carrier settings on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Always this message unable to activate I am tired of this nonsense product of yours, I will definitely complain to you