my iphone 5 is showing the network and 3G logos but has no signal bars and I cannot make or receive calls or use the internet

Hi,


I recently bought my iPhone5 second hand off a friend. Having inserted my sim the O2 network logo and 3G symbols appear in the top left although there is no signal registered. I am also unable to make or receive calls as well as use the mobile internet.


The phone is registered to O2 so there is no network clash


THanks

iPhone 5, iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Jan 7, 2014 2:52 AM

Reply
23 replies

Jan 9, 2014 2:24 PM in response to denman1991

Hello denman1991,


It sounds like your phone is not connecting to the cellular provider network, and you are also unable to connect to the Wi-Fi network. I would recommend these troubleshooting steps from the article named:

iPhone: Troubleshooting issues making or receiving calls

https://support.apple.com/kb/TS3406

  1. Toggle airplane mode: Tap Settings > Enable Airplane Mode, wait five seconds, then turn off airplane mode.
  2. Check your phone settings:
  3. Ensure that your software is up to date:
    1. Check for a carrier settings update.
    2. Check for an iOS software update.
      Note:
      Some updates may require a Wi-Fi connection.
  4. If the iPhone has a SIM card, reseat the SIM card.
  5. If the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4s is on the Verizon network, dial *228 from the iPhone and select option 2 to update the Preferred Roaming List (PRL). The PRL determines the cellular towers the phone uses for cellular service, selecting those with the best signal strength.
  6. Reset the network settings: Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
  7. Try to make or receive calls in another location.
  8. Attempt to isolate to one network band:
    • If you're having the issue on LTE, disable LTE, if possible, and try again.
    • If you're having the issue on 3G/4G, disable 3G/4G, if possible, and try again.
  9. Contact the carrier to check the following:
    • Your account is properly configured to use the specific iPhone that has the issue.
    • There are no localized service outages.
    • Your account doesn't have a billing-related block.
    • Your calls don't have errors on the carrier system.
  10. Restore the phone as new.


Also, for your Wi-Fi network issues, I would recommend this article named:

iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1398


Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

All the very best,

Sterling

Jan 23, 2014 8:02 AM in response to denman1991

Same problem here. Carrier name is shown, i can use wifi, Lte and 3g but zero signal bars. Cant accept calls and texts.

Restored 4 times already.reset network settings etc. Will show signal for a few seconds then disappear. Same thing happens when i switch airplane mode on the off.


Problem just started today. Been using the phone for 5 days since i bought it.


Is it possible that my imei is blocked? Got my iphone 5s second hand. Very frustrated, should have sticked with the 5. Zero problems with that phone.


Solutions anyone? Return the phone maybe? Or will apple replace it?

Oct 7, 2014 1:34 PM in response to denman1991

Same problem im having here, got an iphone 5 has ios 8.0.2 with tesco, been using my phone fine for 1 year and as soon i updated my software i had problems with my signal bars, now nothing comes up, but my data works. ive done everything in the book restoring my phone to ios7 doesnt work. and this is just a pain because no one knows what to do. HELP!!!

Aug 22, 2015 11:05 AM in response to denman1991

@ everyone above did any of you sort this problem out? i have the same issue with iphone 5S apple can't fix it, community has no idea about and you keep hearing same saga of reset this and that which clearly doesn't work.


So its time to spill the beans do the 48 People above have iPhones as paper weights in their draws or did someone manage to fix this?


Please Reply thank you.

Sep 2, 2015 10:36 AM in response to denman1991

HI All,


i am also experiencing the exact same issues. In addition to resetting, restoring and re-everythinging I've also tried to fix the issue with an ios 9 beta install. Alas this did not solve anything. I've also tried to swap sim cards without success.


Using an iphone 5 (second hand). Checked the IMEi status with the carrier and the phone is not black listed. The carrier name is clearly show but zero signal for voice and txt.


Come on Apple, with a turmover greater than many countries' GDP surely you can solve this?!?

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my iphone 5 is showing the network and 3G logos but has no signal bars and I cannot make or receive calls or use the internet

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