- Shop
- MyATT
- Support
-
Wireless
Phones & Devices
Popular Topics
-
Digital TV
Popular U-verse Topics
More TV Services
-
Internet
U-verse Internet
Troubleshoot & Resolve
-
Home Phone
-
Billing & Account
- Additional Services
-
Orders & Repairs
Orders & Shipments
Installation Appointments
Repair Appointments
I want to...
-
Communities
Customer Communities
-
Contact Us
We're Here To Help
-
Wireless
Wireless
Browse Support Topics
Troubleshoot Poor Call Quality Issues (No Coverage, No Signal or Service, Weak Signal, Dropped Calls, One Way Audio, Inaudible or Garbled Speech, etc.)
Instructions:
Overview
Weak signal strength may make it difficult to place or receive calls as well as connect to the internet through the wireless phone. Signal strength varies based on physical location, and the phone needs adequate signal strength to properly connect to the internet and place or receive calls.
Troubleshooting
If unable to receive signal on the handset, resulting in any of the above symptoms (i.e., fast busies or NO SERVICE) perform the following:
- Verify the SIM card is inserted properly.
- Verify the device is powered on.
- Verify coverage in your area.
- Check the signal strength. The signal strength meter is a visual indicator of how well the phone is picking up the AT&T wireless network, which is directly related to your location within the coverage area. At least two bars need to be displayed on the signal strength meter to properly connect to the Internet and place or receive calls.
- Based on displayed signal strength:
- If indoors and there are no signal bars are displayed, attempt to step outside and see if the signal improves. If so, then indoor coverage is not available at the current location. Move to open areas that are less likely to block the signal to increase the phone's signal strength. Confined areas such as tunnels, mirrored buildings, and elevators are known for blocking wireless signals.
- If outdoors and there are no signal bars are displayed, if possible, relocate to another location approximately 5 miles away. If on the fringe of the coverage area, you may need to return to one of many roaming partners' coverage areas to increase your phone's signal strength. Additionally, if you happen to be a fringe coverage area, be sure to charge your battery, as low battery in fringe areas can further decrease your phone's ability to pick up a signal.
- If there are 2 or more signal bars, place an outbound call. If an error message is returned, attempt to troubleshoot that error recording first.
Solution Feedback
Need more help?
Get in touch with AT&T for additional support.
Ask CharlieSM, AT&T's Virtual Expert
* Not available to GoPhone® customers






Text size: