(Credit: René Ramos; Getty Images/Israel Sebastian)
It's frustrating when your phone doesn't work—especially if you're in range of a signal. Luckily, we've spent many years reviewing cell phones, with a focus on networks and radio signals. So, we put together a few easy tips for when you find yourself in a dead zone.
If you're primarily interested in the quality of your phone calls rather than data or signal in general, take a look at our story on how to make your cell phone calls sound better.
1. Toggle Airplane Mode, Reboot, or Update Your Phone
Phones can be confused. Sometimes (especially if you're moving), they might hold onto an old idea of network availability. Your phone isn't constantly searching for the best signal (that would kill your battery), so you need to take action yourself.
(Credit: PCMag)The quickest way to fix this issue is to toggle Airplane mode on, wait about 10 seconds, and then turn it off again. Doing so causes your phone to recheck what networks are available. Airplane mode is generally available from your iPhone's Control Center or your Android phone’s Quick Settings panel (swipe down from the top of your screen to access either).
In a few cases, you might have to reboot your phone. That's necessary when you cross international borders, or sometimes when you enter or leave roaming carrier zones.
Occasionally, phone software updates can help resolve signal problems. Just keep an eye on the news to make sure that the same update won't cause other problems. We cover major version updates for both Android and iOS, as well as any widespread issues that they introduce.
2. Get a New SIM (Or Clean Yours)
If you've been with your carrier for a long time, your SIM card might not let you connect to the latest network bands. One culprit? Its contacts may be dirty or worn down, either of which can cause intermittent failures. You can start by popping your SIM out and cleaning its metal surface. Use a disinfectant wipe or a cotton swab with a little bit of rubbing alcohol.
(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)You can also ask your carrier's customer service reps for a fresh, latest-model SIM card. Use the carrier's website online chat—don't go to a store. Say you're having network problems and want to try a new SIM card. They should send you one for free.
Note that if you have an iPhone 14 or later, or any other device that uses an eSIM, you won't have to deal with any of the problems that come with a physical SIM card.
3. Change Your G
4G and 5G have different signal properties and, sometimes, come from different towers. I've seen instances in which a network demands that a phone try to grab a weaker signal that's farther away just so it can get a "5" in the status bar. This isn't just marketing; the newer a network your phone is on, the more efficiently it uses carrier resources. It's therefore worth it to the carriers to have as many devices on the newest networks as possible.
Unfortunately, that sometimes means individual devices get stuck with weak connections. It's worth toggling between different available network modes in case your carrier's logic is privileging newer systems over more usable ones. After all, a 4G connection can be faster than a 5G one depending on your location.
(Credit: PCMag)On an iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data. Here, you can choose between 5G On, 5G Auto, and LTE (4G).
On an Android phone, go to the Settings app to access a section called either Connections, Network & Internet, or similar. Choose Mobile Network, SIM & Network, or similar. You should see an option to toggle 5G service off, thereby limiting your connection to 4G.
4. Use Wi-Fi Instead of Cellular
Are you using Wi-Fi to your maximum benefit? The best network for your phone might be your home network, including for calls. Almost all modern phones support Wi-Fi calling, which you can generally activate in the cellular or calling settings on your phone. Improving your home Wi-Fi with a mesh system might be easier than trying to eke out a cellular signal where you live.
Our roundup of the best Wi-Fi mesh network systems can help you buy the right one for your needs. We can even help you set up your new Wi-Fi system.
5. Check Your Bands (And Maybe Get a New Phone)
Carriers add new frequencies to their networks every few years. If your phone is very old, it may not connect to the newest ones, even on 5G.
Here's how to cross-reference which bands you need at your location. Go to CellMapper.net, choose your carrier and location, and look for your nearest towers. Clicking on them should give you the frequency bands you're hitting. Then, you can go to FrequencyCheck.com and see which bands operate on your phone model. If those numbers don't match up, your phone can't use what the tower is broadcasting. Depending on the extent of your connectivity issues, it might be time for a new 5G phone.
6. Move Around
Any number of physical objects can prevent your phone from getting a signal, including bricks, concrete, glass, and metal. Since most buildings use those materials, you might experience connection issues in some indoor locations, including your home. If you do, try walking around to see if the signal is better in a different location. Although it might sound silly, an open window could be the difference between a strong and weak signal (especially if your phone is connecting to mmWave 5G).
Consider changing your mobile carrier if you have consistently poor service. A strong connection to a carrier that provides slow service doesn't do you much good.
For reference, a recent study conducted by Ookla Speedtest found that T-Mobile's median wireless download speed (188.96Mbps) was more than double that of Verizon’s (91.62Mbps) and AT&T’s (90.82Mbps). (Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company.)
7. Be Patient
Carriers might limit your device's access to the fastest parts of their networks for several reasons. First, they might slow things down on purpose depending on your plan's monthly data allowance. For example, your plan might only allow you to access 10GB or 25GB of high-speed service. Once you exceed that limit, your service might be slowed down for the remainder of the billing cycle, often to a 3G-like speed of 396Kbps.
More likely, though, you might be experiencing real-time network congestion. If you notice varying speeds in an area you know to have good service, throttling could be the culprit. Modern 5G networks can handle much more traffic than LTE 4G, so this shouldn't be an issue too often, but it does crop up when lots of people convene in a given area.
Either way, you may need to be patient and wait for your billing cycle to renew or for the local congestion to clear until you can get back to faster speeds.
8. Buy a Cellular Booster
Cellular boosters are the most expensive solution to poor network performance, but also the most effective. They collect weak signals using large antennas and then rebroadcast them within your house or car. They start at about $200 for a one-device, portable unit, and go up to $1,200 or more for whole-home systems. While pricey, they can make a huge difference, often turning a single, wobbly bar of signal into a full-strength, speedy connection.
(Credit: SureCall)See our roundup of the best cellular signal boosters to learn more about how they work and help you choose the right one for your needs.
Sascha Segan contributed to this story.