For all the years you’ve been with the company, you have for sure asked at least once, why is my Verizon service not working?
And if you’re in a constant dilemma of how you can get the needed cell service, this guide is perfect for you!
In this tutorial, we’ll not just enumerate the reasons why your Verizon cell service isn’t working, but we will also unravel the best, the most effective, and the most efficient troubleshooting steps you can do to resolve it!
If your Verizon mobile phone service isn’t working, first check if there’s an ongoing outage or system maintenance in your area. After that, toggle airplane mode ON/OFF and then select network operators manually. Check and modify the APN settings, and lastly, perform a network reset on your phone.
Before going to the direct resolution of this dilemma, it’s important to understand what the common and usual causes are on why your Verizon’s cell service isn’t working or functioning properly.
Why is My Verizon Cell Service Not Working?
There are quite a few instances and situations that hinder you from using your Verizon cell phone service.
But, as per the report of most Verizon’s customers, the common problems and culprits of this unpleasant occurrence are due to:
- Verizon network outage or system maintenance
- SIM card problems/hardware problems
- Inaccurate APN settings
- Processes that could be interfering with the network
By knowing these things, we’ll be able to approach the dilemma or the problem in a better and much more accurate manner.
So, what can you do to fix it? What is the process on how to fix the Verizon no service error or prompt that you see on your phone?
How to Fix Verizon Service Not Working? Complete Fix Steps
You might think that this problem isn’t fixable or resolvable by regular folks, especially those that aren’t tech-savvy. But, think again!
In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the comprehensive set of actions you need to take in order to weed the problems out from their root causes as simply and as easily as possible!
Step #1: Check if There’s an Outage
The first thing you want to consider is if there is an ongoing outage or system maintenance being held that could be disrupting the entire network.
To know if the problem is due to an outage, you can do multiple things:
- Log into My Verizon and go to Outages.
- Initiate a chat with one of Verizon’s officers and ask if there’s an outage.
- Call Verizon’s hotline and ask for any system maintenance or update.
Step #2: Check For SIM Card Damages
After ensuring that you aren’t in an outage-stricken area, the next thing to do is to check if the current SIM card you have is damaged.
Look for cuts, scratches, or even chipped parts of the SIM’s contact area as this is the one being detected by the device.
If you’ve owned the SIM card for more than three (3) years, chances are, it’s the one at fault. So, be sure to check this one, too.
Step #3: Toggle Your Phone’s Airplane Mode
The next step is to toggle airplane mode on your device. Activating or turning airplane mode on is like disabling your mobile network.
It’s a common troubleshooting step that people do to refresh their connection. To do this, you simply have to go to Settings > Network/Connections or Airplane Mode, and then turn it on.
Leave it on for about 30 seconds, and then turn it back off again.
NOTE: You can also do this via the quick access menu of your device.
Step #4: Select Network Operators Manually
After that, the next troubleshooting step that could help you with your dilemma is by selecting the network operator you’re using manually.
Here’s how you can select your network operator manually:
Selecting Network Operator on an Android
- Go to Settings > Connections.
- From there, navigate to Mobile Networks > Select Manually.
- Choose Verizon from the list.
Selecting Network Operator on an iPhone
- Go to Settings > Cellular.
- From there, tap on Network Selection and untick it.
- Select Verizon from the list.
Step #5: Check and Toggle Your Phone’s APN Settings
While APN or Access Point Names usually relate to mobile data, it’s also an imperative procedure in making sure that your network is toggled properly.
Your APN settings could incorrectly be set, and therefore, you need to change/modify them.
To do this, head over to Settings > Connections > Access Point Names on an Android, and on an iPhone, Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network.
Enter the following information on the blank fields:
- Name: Verizon
- MCC: 310
- APN Type: internet + mms
- APN: vzwinternet
- MNC: 12
- MMSC: mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms
- MMS Port: 80
Save these settings and exit out of settings.
Step #6: Reset Network Settings
Should this 5-step process be insufficient in solving the problem, the final and ultimate process is to do a network reset of your device.
It’s like an airplane mode, but comprehensive to the extent that everything on the network settings will be reset and defaulted back.
To perform reset network settings on an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
To perform it on an Android, go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Once you’re finished doing these steps, your Verizon service should be back up and working again!
As easy as these, your problem of seeing “no service” on your Verizon-enabled device should be gone!
But, what if your Verizon service is still malfunctioning even after you did the troubleshooting steps we outlined above?
Get Help and Assistance!
In the event that the problem is still persistent after performing these troubleshooting steps, the next thing to do is to try contacting Verizon’s customer support team.
Let them know about your inability to use your mobile device because you don’t have any service.
Moreover, tell them about the troubleshooting steps you’ve already done so you won’t have to repeat these steps again.
Do You Need a New Phone?
Getting the no service error under the Verizon network doesn’t necessarily mean that your device is at fault.
However, if Verizon experts and representatives deem that the problem is rooting from your phone, that’s the time they’ll recommend replacing the current handset you own.
If your Verizon service isn’t working and you’re not sure what the problem is, first check for an outage. Then, examine and inspect the SIM card for any damages. Toggle airplane mode, as well as the APN settings of your device. Perform a network reset to finalize the process.
Read Next: How to Fix Verizon Mobile Data Not Working?
Conclusion
Just like you, a lot of people are looking for a permanent solution to their dilemma of not getting any cell service on their devices.
But, with our guide here, you wouldn’t have to go through all the hassle of not being able to find the resolution for it!
The next time you think about searching why is my Verizon service not working, go back to this guide and solve it all by yourself!
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.