Reception Problems

Although we now use our phone for so much more than making and receiving calls, this is still an essential function. To be able to effectively communicate via phone calls, we need to have good reception or signal. 

When your phone starts experiencing issues with poor reception, it can be frustrating and can feel like there is little you can do if your network provides limited coverage. However, there are some things you can do to give your phone the best chance when it comes to receiving decent reception.

Reasons for Poor Signal 

Lack of reception and poor signal can be caused by a number of things. 

• Location – Rural areas may not have enough signal towers to effectively provide adequate reception. In these cases, there is little you can do apart from finding an area where reception is better. 
• Obstacles – A strong signal relies on the space between the phone masts and your phone being as unobstructed as possible. In densely built-up areas, reception can be poor because there are too many interfering obstacles. 
• Signal Traffic – The number of people using signal in your area can also affect reception strength. An influx of people connecting to the nearest phone mast can result in spotty signal. 
• Bad Weather – Extreme weather can cause interference.
• Being Inside – Trying to make a call from inside where the building’s walls are thick can sometimes cause issues. 
• Low Phone Battery – Phones can struggle to connect if they are not sufficiently charged.
• Blocked Antenna – Modern phones have an internal antenna, so depending on how you hold the phone, you may accidentally end up blocking it. 

How to Solve Issues with Bad Reception

As you can see above, any problems can often be out of the individual’s control, but there are a couple of fixes you can try yourself.

Locate a Stronger, Unobstructed Signal

If you do not receive reception in your house, experiment with different nearby locations. You may just need to move to a window or step outside to get a better signal. You will be able to see the signal strength represented by the bars in an upper corner of your screen. The more bars you have, the better the reception is. 

As mentioned above, blocking the internal antenna may also be part of the problem. Make sure you are not obstructing the top of your phone, where the antenna will be located inside. 

Invest in a Signal Booster 

Signal boosters can be really helpful in places with consistently poor reception. They receive the nearby weak signal and convert it into a stronger connection for your phone. This helps to reduce the likelihood of further reception problems. 

Charge Your Phone 

Fully charging your phone can also give you a better chance at solving potential reception issues. You can also try the go-to fix of turning your phone off and on again to see if this will jump-start your phone and return it to normal function. 

Check Mobile Coverage 

Most network providers will give you access to a coverage map that will show areas that are experiencing problems with reception and poor signal strength. If your location has a known problem reported, you can rest assured that your phone is probably not at fault, but it will be a case of waiting until coverage is restored again. 

Replace Your SIM Card 

If you are having trouble making and receiving calls and have ruled out everything else, you may need to remove and reinsert your SIM card. If you still experience issues upon taking out your card and reinserting it, you may need to try a brand new card.