When you encounter a US Cellular no service problem, find out what’s causing it.
Once you know the reason, you can use any of our surefire solutions to solve the issue successfully.
No service complaints are pretty common among US Cellular users.
In the majority of cases, their 4G data doesn't work because they have mistakenly switched off their mobile data or toggled the Airplane Mode.
If you happen to face the same problem, we have troubleshooting methods to help you.
To fix your US Cellular no service problem, check your mobile data and turn it on if it’s off. Next, toggle the Airplane Mode to refresh your mobile data signals. If these don’t work, restart your device.
Why Does My US Cellular Phone Say No Service
Before we move on to the solutions, let us discuss the possible reasons your US Cellular phone is saying no service.
When your US Cellular phone says no service, you can’t connect to your mobile data or mobile network.
First, make sure your mobile data is on, so you can tap into the data you pay for.
1. Service Outage
You are in an area with no network coverage. If you’re not in the range of your network, you will not get service.
2. Connectivity Problems
Your SIM card can’t connect to your phone anymore. There may be dust or particles that prevent its metal chip from properly connecting with your phone’s metallic terminals.
3. Outdated Carrier Settings
Your phone’s settings might change during software updates and could introduce new bugs. It could be that your carrier settings are not up to date.
4. Software Issues
Viruses might corrupt your phone’s software. A temporary software bug or glitch can cause the ‘No Service’ problem.
These are some of the reasons your US Cellular is saying no service. Now that you know them let’s proceed to the troubleshooting steps.
How to Fix US Cellular No Service Error
The first thing you should always do when you encounter a problem is to restart your device. It refreshes all processes in your phone, eliminating bugs and glitches.
When faced with a US Cellular no service iPhone issue, restart your device.
If restarting your phone doesn’t work, check for service outages and maintenance activities in your area.
Move on to the solutions below if there are no service outages and maintenance activities scheduled for today.
Solution #1: Toggle Airplane Mode to Refresh the Connection
Toggling the Airplane Mode refreshes the signal from your carrier.
It might seem like an unassuming feature, but it’s a way to disconnect your phone from different networks, including your carrier.
The magic happens when it’s time to reacquire that signal since it acts like a reboot, but only for your connection to the tower.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Tap Network & Internet.
- Toggle the Airplane Mode switch to on.
- Wait for a few seconds.
- Turn the switch off.
Note: You can also quickly toggle the mode through the Control Center. Simply hit the airplane icon to toggle the Airplane Mode.
Solution #2: Take Out Your SIM Card from Your Phone
Incorrect SIM card and placement can also cause the ‘No Service’ error. When this happens, take out your SIM from your phone and install it in the right place.
This can be difficult to spot since your SIM is hidden inside your phone. That’s why we recommend that you check on this early, so you’ve already dealt with it.
Here’s how to do this:
- Insert a paper clip or ejector tool into the hole beside the SIM tray.
- Push in gently until the tray pops out.
- Remove your SIM for a few seconds.
- Re-seat your SIM properly.
- Push back the SIM tray.
Note: If you are using dual-SIM smartphones, only one SIM slot will support 4G mobile data. Make sure you install the right SIM in the correct slot.
Solution #3: Reset Your Phone’s Network Settings
If simple troubleshooting methods do not fix the US Cellular service issue, you can try resetting your phone’s network settings.
It won’t delete any of your data and apps but will erase saved WiFi passwords and Bluetooth connections.
- Go to Settings > General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset [Device].
- Hit Reset, then Reset Network Settings.
Note: You might need to enter your PIN to reset your network settings.
Solution #4: Check for a Carrier Settings Update
Apart from the network settings, your phone’s carrier settings can also cause problems. Carriers like US Cellular can update their network with new APNs.
If your phone has not received the update notification, it will not be able to download the latest settings.
You’ll need to check on it manually so your phone can connect to your carrier once again.
Tip: Make sure your device is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
- Tap Settings.
- Select General.
- Hit About.
If an update is available, you’ll see an option to update your carrier settings.
To see the version of carrier settings on your device, follow these steps:
- Tap Settings.
- Select General.
- Hit About.
- Look next to Carrier.
Note: When using a new SIM card in your phone, you’re going to need to get the latest network settings from your carrier.
Solution #5: Update Your Device
If none of the solutions above work, your phone’s software may be outdated.
Your phone should have periodic updates, but since you can pause or stop it, you may have forgotten about it.
If you have not done an update for a while, now is the time to check if your iPhone is due for an update so you can download and install it.
Here’s how:
- Plug your device into a power source and connect to a WiFi network.
- Go to Settings, then General.
- Tap Software Update.
- If you see an available update, tap Install Now.
Note: If you see two update options, choose the one you want to install and hit Install Now.
Solution #6: Verify Your Account is Active
If your phone is up to date, but you still have no service issues, check your account status. You may have forgotten to pay, or your payment was posted late.
The good thing about having an account with US Cellular is that you’ll be able to check your billing and payment details using your account.
You can also contact them at 800-766-9811 to ask for more details about why your account is suffering from the ‘No Service’ error.
Here is another way to verify that your account is active:
- Log in to your US Cellular My Account app.
- Under the Welcome greeting, you will see your account status.
- Check if you still have an Amount Due.
Note: There should be no outstanding balance to keep your account active.
If you have tried all the steps above and weren’t able to sort the problem, it may be time to take your phone to a professional repair facility.
They’ll be able to diagnose and fix the US Cellular no service issue.
Read Next: US Cellular Voicemail Setup Error? – Fixed!
Bottom Line
Now you know the causes of US Cellular no service error and the steps you can take to troubleshoot it.
We recommend you restart your device first, then check for service outages in your area. If this doesn’t work, choose from our surefire solutions.
If the issue persists, take your device to the nearest repair facility for further assistance.
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.