Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Repair information and guides for the fifth generation of iPhone. Model: A1387

2191 Questions View all

Options

Replaced Screen Now get Searching...

Block Image

I just did a screen replacement on an Iphone 4S and have checked all connections they are all good, blue resistor is still there. Everything else works fine, WIFI signal is great etc.

Problem is that it doesn't recognize if I remove or insert the SIM card and all I get at the top of the screen is Searching...

I've tried the SIM in my unlocked personal phone and it works fine. I also get signal just fine on the same network using my personal Iphone 4 and SIM card, so I know it isn't a signal issue with my location.

Any sugg's?

Thanks,

Jeff

I'm trying to attach an image with a piece that my logic board doesnt have, its the black resistor looking thing beside the dock connector cable (Step 9 — Dock Connector Cable in the tutorial) , could this missing piece be my searching... issue

Update

I'll try both those and let you know. I told them to backup phone and restore using Itunes to see if that worked and haven't heard from them yet. (i'm at work)

I also ordered a new speaker/antenna this am in case that was the issue as well. Hopefully either of these sugg's fix the problem and I'll post what if any of these fixes work.

The only other thing I noticed was that in settings there was unknown for network and no carrier option in the menu, but believed that to be due to the phone being provider locked.

Thanks for all your suggs and hopefully this is just a bug and I dont need to replace the phone ; (

Update

None of those solutions worked for this phone. Ended up taking it back to Future Shop, they said it was related to IOS 6 and have been getting lots of them recently. Replaced the phone for free...

G'luck to everyone else

Jeff

PS-on a side note I noticed on my new Iphone5 that txt msg's go out as txt first time even if you're sending to someone with an Iphone (imessage)

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score -1
2 Comments

Hello everyone,

i have exactly the same problem with Jeff, after the replacement of screen in my I phone 4s. It doesn't recognize the SIM card and also it appears as Searching on the top. How can i fix it? Anybody knows?

by

Have you tried the sollutions in the two posts above yours?

by

Add a comment

21 Answers

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Most Helpful Answer

Options

Here is my solution to this problem. After changing three screens on iPhone 4S with iOS6. All three with this problem.

The solution I found: Insert the sim before you turn on the phone. Then connect the iPhone to the WiFi. Take the sim card out, and put if back in ;) Hopefully this will resolve the problem. Worked for me all three times :)

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 9

2 Comments:

I think the reason this might work is that it change the time and date to normal... :p

by

Thank youuuuu... It worked

by

Add a comment

Options

If you use iOS 6 try to set the correct time in settings and reboot before inserting SIM card. Let me know if this works please

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 2

1 Comment:

I tried the date/time-thing and it worked. Amazing!

by

Add a comment

Options

Yes of course i tried to restore it, but in the installation restore my i tunes find an error, the error <-1>, so i have a situation now...

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 1
Add a comment

Options

It seems to be a bug in iOS6 on 4S.

I've had the same problem and for me the sollution was to connect the phone to iTunes and when iTunes has found the phone you take out and insert the sim-card again. It might take a few tries.

Try that and report if it worked or not.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

1 Comment:

Connecting to iTunes worked for me.

by

Add a comment

Options

The "Searching" problem can be fixed by doing a restore. No big deal :)

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

2 Comments:

That was my orig thought too..However, in my circumstance this time restore didn't fix the problem and the phone was replaced with a new one.

by

Where did you go to have it replaced ? Does it work if you go to an apple store ?

by

Add a comment

Options

I saw a blog about this and they said to check that date and time correct and then restart the phone. i would be interested to find out if this is the cause of this problem.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

With the new update IOS6 yes there is a problem with the software. After i replaced a screen on a 4s that had this new update i too got the searching and after pulling the phone apart 4 more times i had no idea what eles to do.

So after the last time i put the phone together with the sim in and got the searching again I picked up my phone and called the mobile... Not sure why, but it worked and i then got reception.

I have repaired 5 phones since then with this IOS6 update and all of them had this searching and i just called the phone.

Hope this helps others.

Hope it make sence :)

Just call the mobile number on the phone that your fixing

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

just set time and date and the phone will do the rest...

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Try dfu mode

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Hi

This is the second time i have replaced my iphone screen. The first time i replaced it no problems worked straight away. I had an older firmware aswell.

The second time I had the exact same problems as everyone here... Just kept saying SEARCHING up on the top left of the screen, It didn't know if the sim card was in the phone or out. I took it all apart again and looked at every connection and they were all perfect.

I tried the date and time thing because i was desperate, and no surprise it didnt work either.

'''I updated to the latest firmware 6.0.1 (10a523) and the phone started and worked straight away.

'''

Hope this helps

Liam

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

did you all replace the ground clip connector when reinstalling your battery?

i didnt and lost it.

now my phone is completely bricked from trying to restore.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Unless you have physically damaged the phone, as in knocked the signal resistor or the blue coil off the board etc, I have found that if you turn the phone off, insert the SIM card, turn the phone on, go to settings and connect to wifi, return to the home screen, pop out the sim card, it should now recognise the SIM card by saying "no SIM card installed" put the card back in and it should pick up signal after a minute. It seems to be an iOS 6/6.0.1 glitch, or maybe something Apple put in to irritate independent repairers like myself. This works for me more often than not. Hope it helps Chase.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

1 Comment:

I had the same problem and did what Ross & a few others suggested. Worked like a charm! Took the SIM out, put it back in and all is well! Thanks!!

by

Add a comment

Options

thnkx soooooooooooooooooooooo mch its works for me iphone4s

Hello everyone, i have exactly the same problem with Jeff, after the replacement of screen in my I phone 4s. It doesn't recognize the SIM card and also it appears as Searching on the top. How can i fix it? Anybody knows,

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

hay guys my problem was the date and time after screen replacing set the date manually if you put it on wifi it updates time itself so both sides work reason if date is to late will not connect to the network

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

There is atiny black resistor next to the charging port flex cable. Right below the 7 gold dots. Very easy to know off. Underneath the resistor is 6 very small points. If that was to fall off upon removing the cable, it will not read a sim.

also if it is reading sim card, but still "searching" or "no service" (sometimes switches back and forth) the small blue resistor may have been been detached. Or the smaller resistor next to it. Both are located by the signal cable (which is connected to the loud speaker) may need a new motherboard.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Somebody opened up this rather old question :-) anyhow, now matter which OS and no matter what trick one tries, if the part is missing, it will not work. The missing piece pointed out by the OP is part of the BASEBAND circuitry. It is a 74AUP1G08 Low-power 2-input AND gate 74AUP1G08 (not a resistor or capacitors or anything else ;-). It is available at places like Mouser.com. Part number 771-AUP1G08GF132

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Hi,

I have the same problem as above, I have just changed my 4s screen and now it is always searching. However i am on IOS 7.03. Does anyone know of any ways to resolve this?

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

make sure you replace the grounding clip, the little part that fits in with the battery screw down. that will cause your phone to search and will eventually brick.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

I had same problem with bluegrass cellular (CMDA) phone that doesn't use a sim In the sim slot. I put at&t one in it and it said invalid sims and then I removed it and it searched a minute and finally found bluegrass towers and works fine now. CRAZY!!! But it worked.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

Hello everyone!

I have replaced a complete motherboard because my phone was damaged by falling off my jacket's pocket at 150 mph... , from the remaining 8 pieces the motherboard survived.., so bought another one with a not working one and put it in there.

The same no service and no sim card detection problem appeared on ios6.1 and for me the easiest solution was to go to:

Phone( where favourites, recents, contatcs,keypad, and voicemail are), and select the voicemail then it ll realise something is not okay, and ask for sim card unclocking :)

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Options

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlBN-JGP...

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

Add your answer

Jeff will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 0

All Time: 31,364