All the Ways to Fix iPhone Stuck on Searching are Here!

“My iPhone is stuck on searching for over 15 minutes now and I can’t get any network on it. I have even updated my iPhone 7 Plus to the new iOS version, but my iPhone keeps saying searching!”

Getting an iPhone searching or no service screen is probably one of the worst nightmares for any smartphone user. Though, if there is a problem with your device or its network, then you might get the iPhone stuck on searching issue as well. The good news is that the issue is not that critical and is often resolved by some easy solutions. In this guide, I will teach you how to fix the iPhone not reading SIM card or searching problem with some tried and tested methods.

• Part 1: The Main Reasons for getting the iPhone Stuck on Searching Issue
• Part 2: Force Restart your iPhone
• Part 3: Fix All Kinds of iOS System Issues with dr.fone – Repair (iOS)
• Part 4: Verify the SIM Card and Check Network Settings
• Part 5: Update iPhone’s Carrier Settings
• Part 6: Boot your iPhone in the DFU Mode

Part 1: The Main Reasons for getting the iPhone Stuck on Searching Issue

Ideally, there can be all sorts of reasons for getting the iPhone searching or no service situation. Here are some of the common reasons for getting the iPhone search not working problem:

• You could have inserted the SIM to your iPhone in the wrong way.
• The SIM card might not be active anymore or you could be running a low account balance.
• You might be out of the coverage area of your network provider.
• There can be some wrong network settings on your iPhone.
• Your device could be updated to a beta or unstable iOS version.
• There might be some physical or water damage to your device.
• Any other firmware or software-related issue can also cause this problem.

Part 2: Force Restart your iPhone

To start with, let’s discuss one of the easiest ways to fix the iPhone searching no service problem. You can forcefully restart the iPhone to reset its present power cycle. This would perform a soft reset on the device while still retaining its content. Just be sure that you apply the correct key combinations for various iPhone models while starting them.

iPhone 8 and newer models

1. Go to its Home and quick-press the Volume Up button.
2. As soon as you release it, quick-press the Volume Down button.
3. In succession, press the Side key and keep holding it for another 10 seconds until the device restarts.

iPhone 7/7 Plus

1. Press the Power (wake/sleep) key and the Volume Down key.
2. Keep holding both the keys at the same time for another 10-15 seconds.
3. Release the keys when the Apple logo would appear on the screen.

iPhone 6s and older models

1. Hold the Power and the Home buttons at the same time.
2. Keep pressing them simultaneously for a while.
3. Release both the keys when your iPhone restarts.

Part 3: Fix All Kinds of iOS System Issues with dr.fone – Repair (iOS)

If you are not sure of what could have caused the iPhone stuck on searching issue, then use a reliable third-party tool. For instance, with the help of dr.fone – Repair (iOS), you can fix all sorts of iPhone system issues. Apart from network issues, it can also fix numerous firmware-related problems with your phone as well. The application fully supports all the latest iPhone models and will make sure that your data would remain intact in the end. Here’s how you can fix the iPhone search not working problem with dr.fone – Repair (iOS):

1. Install the dr.fone – Repair (iOS) application on your system (Windows or Mac) and select it from the home screen of dr.fone. Also, using a working cable, just connect your iPhone to your computer.



2. Now, go to the iOS Repair feature and pick between the standard or the advanced mode. Since the standard mode will retain the device’s data, it is recommended to choose it first.



3. As you would proceed, the application will automatically detect your device model and its stable firmware version. You can verify this and click on the “Start” button to initiate the process.



4. Sit back and wait for a while as the tool would download the firmware update and verify your device. Just maintain a stable connection and make sure your device stays connected to the system.



5. When the download is completed, the application will inform you as it can start fixing your phone. Click on the “Fix Now” button when you get the following screen.



6. The application will automatically update your phone to a stable firmware and would restart it in the normal mode.

That’s it! Now you can just disconnect the device and check if you still get the iPhone searching no service issue or not. Just be sure that you have connected an active SIM card to it properly.

Part 4: Verify the SIM Card and Check Network Settings

If your iPhone keeps saying searching even after these solutions, then you need to do a basic check. For instance, the SIM card should be inserted properly and the device should be in proper network area.

Is your Phone in the available network zone?

If you are in the underground, lift, or out in the woods, then you might not get enough coverage on your iPhone. This might make you believe that your iPhone is stuck on searching. Simply move to a nearby area where you have stable network coverage.

Inspect your SIM card

Make sure that you have a valid SIM card inserted on your iPhone. If you want, you can also use a SIM ejector tool to take it out. Wipe the SIM card, the tray, and the port from any dirt and debris. Later, attach the SIM card to your device again and check if it fixes the issue.

Reset Networking Settings

If you have recently changed some network settings on your device, then it can also cause the iPhone not reading SIM card or searching issue. To fix this, you can just reset all the saved network settings to their default value. Just go to your iPhone Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Tap on it, confirm your choice, and wait as your phone would be restarted with default network settings.

Part 5: Update iPhone’s Carrier Settings

Most of the network providers keep sending the updated carrier settings to keep the device’s network up to date. Since these are push settings, users mostly don’t notice them at first. Nevertheless, if your device has blocked them, then you can just go to its settings to download the new carrier info in the following way:

1. Unlock your iPhone and go to its Settings > General > About Phone.
2. If the new carrier settings would be found, then you would be notified. Alternatively, you can tap on the “Carrier” section as well to view the current version.
3. Once you get the pop-up for new carrier settings, just tap on the “Update” button. Wait for a few settings as your iPhone would download and install new carrier configuration settings.

Part 6: Boot your iPhone in the DFU Mode

Lastly, if nothing else seems to fix the iPhone stuck on searching problem, then it means there is a problem with your phone’s firmware. To fix this, you can just boot your iPhone in the Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode. It is a particular mode in iOS devices that is used to update (or downgrade) the device to a stable iOS version. Just get to know about the correct key combinations for your iPhone model to boot it in the DFU mode.

iPhone 8 and newer models

1. Turn off your iPhone and just connect it to your system.
2. Launch an updated iTunes version on it and press the Side and the Volume Down keys at the same time.
3. Press them for 10 seconds and then let go of the Side key only.
4. Keep pressing the Volume Down key for another 5 seconds.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus

1. Power off your phone and connect it to an updated iTunes application on your system.
2. Press and hold the Volume Down and the Power keys at the same time for 10 seconds.
3. Right after 10 seconds, release only the Power Key and hold the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds.

For iPhone 6s and older models

1. Turn off your phone and connect it to your computer (launch iTunes on it in advance).
2. Now, hold the Power (wake/sleep) and the Home buttons at the same time for 10 seconds.
3. After that, release the Power key and hold only the Home button for the next 5 seconds.

Ideally, your device should maintain a black screen in the end (and not the Apple or the iTunes logo). Once your iPhone would boot in the DFU mode, iTunes will detect it and inform you by displaying a prompt like this. From here, you can just restore your phone to factory settings or update its firmware.

There you go! After following this guide, you would be able to fix the iPhone stuck on searching issue pretty easily. From the discussed solutions, dr.fone – Repair (iOS) is a preferred choice as it can fix all kinds of issues with your iOS device. Not just iPhone search not working, it would be a one-stop destination for several firmware-related issues. Feel free to give it a try and share this guide with your friends as well if they are facing the iPhone searching no service problem.