New to iphone, no signal

[Overkill2009]

Hi all,

I've just bought a second-hand iphone 5 which has a problem.

I was told that it was originally on O2 contact (I don't know how to check that) but it came with a GiffGaff pay as you go (I think) SIM. It says at the top "O2-UK" and I've seen "3G" come up next to it, but I don't get any signal bars.

I've checked to see if the IMIE was blocked and it's not, plus I believe if it was blocked it would just say "NO SERVICE".

I've seen one bar appear on the signal bar, which would maybe make you think it was an antenna problem, but where I live the reception is really poor and it still comes up O2-UK, so the antenna must be good. I should add that I have try the phone in a strong signal area and it still has no signal.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[enoC]

Tried restoring and setting it up as new in iTunes? Are you sure that the current sim Card you are using is active? Maybe test it in another phone.

 

[Overkill2009]

Tried restoring and setting it up as new in iTunes? Are you sure that the current sim Card you are using is active? Maybe test it in another phone.

Thanks for the reply, I did a complete reset and yes, the sim card is activated. I've just ordered a sim convertor, so I can test it in my android phone.

 

[Overkill2009]

An update and recap:

1. GiffGaff SIM works fine in android phone
2. Still get O2-UK service but no signal when in iPhone 5

Any ideas?

 

[Ste Nova]

try an o2 sim

 

[Overkill2009]

OK thanks, I've just ordered a O2 SIM

 

[Overkill2009]

The O2 SIM is the same, I get the O2-UK service but no signal bars.

I've just done a full reset via iTunes but it's made no difference.

I will try it in a strong signal area.

 

[dictoresno]

it sounds like you are in a poor signal area or something is wrong with the phones antenna.

 

[Overkill2009]

it sounds like you are in a poor signal area or something is wrong with the phones antenna.

I am in a poor signal area but I think the antenna must be OK because I do get the service come up.

I had already tried it in a strong signal area, but I've since swapped the SIM and reset the phone, so I will try it again.

 

[jonasdamn]

take your iphone to apple store for exchange. I had got a replacement because of light leakage and that replacement gave me always No service. I took back to apple store and they gave me again replacement and within i have 5 signal bars from 5 and using same sim card. Seems that antenna is broken of your iphone

 

[Overkill2009]

take your iphone to apple store for exchange. I had got a replacement because of light leakage and that replacement gave me always No service. I took back to apple store and they gave me again replacement and within i have 5 signal bars from 5 and using same sim card. Seems that antenna is broken of your iphone

I bought the phone second-hand, it has no warranty.

 

[macgrl]

Can you get replacements on second hand phones? Do you need original receipts etc?

 

[jonasdamn]

I bought the phone second-hand, it has no warranty.

Have you checked warranty of your iphone by serial code at apple website? You dont need any purchase documents, they check by serial.
Because if your sim card works with other phones and you have made restore firmware and didnt help then it is hardware issue

 

[dictoresno]

the iphone 5 regardless of how many owners its been though, is still under its 1 year manufactures warranty. take it to apple and have them look at it.

 

[Overkill2009]

Thanks, I will try that, the nearest Apple store is 40 miles away, so it will have to wait awhile.