When your phone doesn’t function, it can be really annoying, especially if you’re within signal range. Fortunately, we have reviewed cell phones for many years, concentrating on radio signals and networks. So, we’ve compiled a list of simple strategies for when you’re stuck.Check out our story on how to improve the sound quality of your cell phone conversations if you’re more concerned with call quality than with data or signal in general.

1. Switch Airplane Mode, Update Your Phone, or Reboot It

People can get confused by phones. They may occasionally cling to outdated notions of network availability, particularly if you’re moving. You must do it yourself because your phone isn’t always looking for the best signal—that would drain your battery.Switching Airplane mode on, waiting ten seconds, and then turning it off again is the fastest approach to resolve this problem. When you do this, your phone rechecks the available networks. Generally speaking, you can activate airplane mode by swiping down from the top of your screen to the Quick Settings panel on your Android phone or the Control Center on your iPhone.You may need to restart your phone in certain situations. Crossing international borders and occasionally entering or exiting roaming carrier zones require that.Updates to the phone’s firmware can sometimes help fix signal issues. To ensure that the same upgrade won’t lead to more issues, simply keep an eye on the news. We discuss significant version updates for iOS and Android, along with any common problems they may cause.

2. Clean your SIM or get a new one.

You may not be able to connect to the newest network bands with your SIM card if you have been with your carrier for a long period. A single offender? Intermittent failures can be caused by either worn-out or unclean contacts. To begin, remove your SIM card and wipe down the metal surface. Use a cotton swab soaked in a small amount of rubbing alcohol or a disinfectant wipe.
Another option is to request a new, up-to-date SIM card from your carrier’s customer support representatives. Instead than going to a store, use the online chat feature on the carrier’s website. Let’s say you wish to try a fresh SIM card since you’re experiencing network issues. They ought to send you one at no cost.You won’t have to deal with any of the issues that come with a physical SIM card if you have an iPhone 14 or later, or any other device that employs an eSIM.

3. Modify Your G

Signal characteristics fluctuate between 4G and 5G, and they may originate from separate towers. I have witnessed situations when a network requires a phone to attempt to pick up a weaker signal that is farther away in order to display a “5” in the status bar. This isn’t just marketing; your phone uses carrier resources more effectively on networks that are more recent. Therefore, having as many devices on the newest networks as feasible is worthwhile for the carriers.Regretfully, this might occasionally result in individual devices becoming stuck due to poor connections. In the event that your carrier’s logic favors more recent systems over more functional ones, it is worthwhile to switch between the many possible network modes. After all, depending on where you are, a 4G connection may be faster than a 5G one.To access Voice & Data on an iPhone, navigate to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. Here, 5G On, 5G Auto, and LTE (4G) are your options.To find the Connections, Network & Internet, or a similar area on an Android phone, open the Settings app. Select SIM & Network, Mobile Network, or a comparable option. You ought to be able to turn off 5G service, which would restrict your connection to 4G.

4. Switch from Cellular to Wi-Fi

Are you getting the most out of Wi-Fi? Your home network may be the best network for your phone, even when making calls. You can usually turn on Wi-Fi calling in your phone’s cellular or calling settings. Wi-Fi calling is supported by almost all current phones. It may be simpler to upgrade your home Wi-Fi with a mesh system than to try to get a cellular connection where you reside.

5. Examine Your Bands (and Consider Purchasing a New Phone)

Every few years, carriers expand their networks with new frequencies. Even with 5G, your extremely old phone might not be able to connect to the newest models.Here’s how to compare the bands that are required at your location. Locate the towers that are closest to you by selecting your carrier and location on CellMapper.net. You should be able to see the frequency bands you’re hitting by clicking on them. The bands that work with your phone model can then be found at FrequencyCheck.com. Your phone cannot use what the tower is broadcasting if those numbers don’t match. It may be time for a new 5G phone, depending on how bad your connectivity is.

6. Get Up and Go

Bricks, concrete, glass, and metal are just a few of the actual materials that can block your phone’s signal. Since those materials are used in most structures, you may have connectivity problems in your house and other interior settings. If you do, experiment with moving around to see if a different spot has a stronger signal. It may seem absurd, but if your phone is connected to mmWave 5G, an open window may make the difference between a strong and weak signal.T-Mobile’s median cellular download speed (188.96 Mbps) was more than twice as fast as Verizon’s (91.62 Mbps) and AT&T’s (90.82 Mbps), according to a recent research by Ookla Speedtest. (Note: Ziff Davis, the parent company of PCMag.com, owns Ookla.)

7. Have patience

For a variety of reasons, carriers may restrict your device’s access to the fastest areas of their networks. First, depending on the monthly data allotment in your plan, they may intentionally slow things down. For instance, you could only be able to use 10GB or 25GB of high-speed service with your package. Your service may be slowed down for the rest of the billing period, usually to a 3G-like speed of 396Kbps, if you surpass that limit.However, it’s more likely that you’re dealing with network congestion in real time. Throttling may be the cause if you observe different speeds in a location you know has good service. This shouldn’t be a problem very often because modern 5G networks can manage a lot more traffic than LTE 4G, but it does arise when a large number of people congregate in one place.In either case, you might have to wait patiently for your billing cycle to renew or for local traffic to subside before you can resume quicker speeds.

8. Invest in a cellular enhancer

The most costly, yet most successful, remedy for subpar network performance is cellular boosters. They employ big antennas to gather weak signals, which they then rebroadcast inside your home or vehicle. A portable, one-device unit costs around $200, but whole-home systems can cost up to $1,200 or more. Despite being expensive, they can have a significant impact, frequently transforming a single, shaky bar of signal into a strong, quick connection.

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only. Mobile network performance may vary depending on your device, carrier, location, and network conditions. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any telecom company mentioned in this article. All trademarks and brand names belong to their respective owners. Please contact your network provider for official support and services.