Two little-known reasons you’re getting patchy phone signal – and how you can fix them to enjoy full bars

TECHNOLOGY and smartphones have come a long way, and still, no one is wholly immune to dodgy phone signal.

Here’s two reasons your connection might be patchy – and how you can fix them if the well-known switching airplane mode on and off trick fails you.

Check your SIM

If your SIM card is physically damaged or not properly seated, then your iPhone or Android may have trouble connecting with your network.

It’s possible you have bumped your phone and dislodged the SIM.

If there’s a bit of dust or lint, or its simply not place properly, fixing this may address the issue.

Try removing the SIM card and giving it a wipe with a soft, dry towel, and then slot it back in.

You may need to find the ejector pin that came with your phone to access your SIM.

If you can’t find this, then you can use a paper clip or the back of an earring to eject the SIM.

Interfering objects

For all the same reasons Wi-Fi can be blocked by certain household objects, your phone signal can also be interfered with.

The signal waves simply cannot penetrate – or in some cases, bounce right off – certain materials, such as metal.

Objects and materials that could be blocking your Wi-Fi include:

• Trees
• Mountains
• Thick walls
• Steel beams

There is also the potential for other electronic devices to interfere with phone signal – although this is rare.

Mobile phone signals are essentially radio waves being transmitted at a certain range of frequencies.

Electromagnetic waves being emitted from household gadgets can sometimes occur at frequencies that interfere with your connection.

This confuses your phone, leaving it struggling to decide which signal to use to transmit data.

The same can happen with your Wi-Fi, which can cause snail-pace speeds.

If your home is cluttered with other internet-connected gadgets, moving them in to one or two rooms of your home may free up the airwaves in other areas of the house.