Are You Getting Poor Signal on Your Phone? Read This Troubleshooting Guide

Poor signals on a smartphone can happen for a number of reasons, some of which can be fixable. It's important to make sure the phone is working all the time to avoid missed calls, dropped calls, missing texts, and more. However, when a phone does have an issue getting a solid signal, it can be hard to figure out why and what to do to fix it. Troubleshooting the phone by looking at everything can help figure out why the signal is poor and what is needed to fix it.

Get a Signal Booster

If the phone signal is constantly poor throughout the house, a cell phone signal booster can help. This is commonly used when multiple people are having issues with phone signals in the house, as that is a sign that the signal is not getting through the housing materials and into the home. Since there is a physical barrier to the signal, a booster can help the signal in the home be much stronger.

Go Outside or Try Somewhere Else

It may be a good idea to try going outside or somewhere else to make the phone call. If this is something that happens occasionally, it may just be that a specific location is not allowing the signal to reach the phone. Going outside of the building can help, as the phone will be able to get a much clearer signal. Some locations are in between towers and not able to have a good signal, so moving a little bit can help, too.

Try Removing the Phone Case

The phone case could be causing issues with the signal by blocking it from reaching the phone's antenna. The antenna on modern smartphones is located in the phone, so if it is blocked by something in the case, the phone won't get as good of a signal. By taking the case off, it's possible to make it easier for the signal to reach the antenna, improving the signal significantly. If the phone case is the issue, buying a new one can help keep the phone safe without interfering with the signal.

Check the Coverage Map

Phone providers release coverage maps that show where phones can get a signal. Depending on the location, it may not be within the reach of the phone provider. If this is the case, going somewhere else or switching to a new provider can help keep the phone connected. Check the coverage map carefully, as some locations may have dead zones where it's more difficult to get a signal, but moving a little bit further away can mean getting back to where there is a signal.

Check the Settings on the Phone

Don't forget to check the settings on the phone. Make sure the phone is not on airplane mode, as this will mean calls are not able to go through. Check the network settings to ensure they are set up properly according to the phone provider. If necessary, call to see what settings are recommended to get the best signal no matter where the person is and to see whether changing any settings can help boost the signal.

Try Restarting the Phone

Restarting the phone can help reset the signal, making it possible to make a phone call. Simply restarting will reset the network connection, which can be enough to get the phone to reconnect again. If this doesn't work, try putting the phone in airplane mode and taking it back out again. This can help reset the network connection, which should restore the phone and allow it to work properly again.

Test the SIM Card in Another Phone

If the issue is with a certain phone, it may be helpful to try the SIM card in another phone. Doing this can help determine if the phone is causing the issue or if it's the SIM card. Make sure the transfer is done properly to avoid losing or damaging the SIM card in the process. If it's possible to get a signal in another phone, it may be a damaged phone that is the problem. Buying a new one could solve the poor signal issue. If it's not possible to get a signal in another phone, it could be the SIM card that's a problem. Talk to the phone provider to get a new one.

Consider What Could be Blocking the Signal

Be sure to pay attention to what could be blocking the signal. Concrete and other building materials are often too thick for signals to easily pass through, so they can cause the signal to degrade inside the home. It may be a good idea to walk outside and see if the signal improves. If there are still issues with the signal, then it may not be reaching far enough instead of being blocked. If it is a blockage that's causing the problem, things like opening windows or standing closer to a window can help.

Try Alternative Options like Wi-Fi Calling

There are alternative options to try, such as wi-fi calling. When wi-fi calling is enabled, the phone will make the call using the wi-fi connection in the home instead of relying on the phone signal. This allows phone calls to be made in locations that have a strong wi-fi signal but may otherwise have a poor phone connection. This is great as a short-term solution to make phone calls or if a call needs to be made in an emergency, but other solutions may be needed to ensure the phone always works in case the wi-fi goes down.

If your smartphone doesn't have a strong signal, there are things you can try to see if it can be fixed or to boost the signal throughout your home. Think about where the signal starts to drop to determine why it's happening and what needs to be done. If you have a poor signal throughout your home, consider getting a signal booster to help it reach throughout the house so you don't have to worry about missing or dropping calls anymore.

Related Article:

How to cancel reverse phone lookup