Q: iPhone 5c stuck on searching

I recently reset my iPhone and its needs to be activated. the iPhone wont activate cause the phone keeps saying searching on the top corner with or without a sim car. I've tried resetting the phone and rebooting it but nothing works. the iPhone is stuck and i can't get it out of activation mode. does anyone know how to activate it without a sim and with it saying searching as i can end up using it as an iPod if anything. its also out of warranty now.