Signal drops in smartphones and cellular tablets are often attributed to software glitches particularly network system errors. In earlier devices, most cases of signal drops are tied to wear-and-tear like a damaged network antenna or other relevant network components that are already depreciating. The same thing goes when physical or liquid damage is present on the device. Tackled in this post is a relevant issue on the iPad Pro tablet that keeps losing cellular signal. Read on to learn how to deal with this problem on your iPad Pro.
Troubleshooting iPad Pro that keeps losing cellular signal
Before you begin, make sure you’re using your iPad in an area that’s covered by your network. You might be in a place that’s way too far from your network’s coverage and therefore your device is acquiring weak signal. If the signal is weak, signal drop is more likely to occur. If network coverage area isn’t an issue, then you can proceed and try these subsequent solutions.
First solution: Reboot your iPad (soft reset)
A soft reset or restart is not only used to give a breather to your iPad but it’s also carried out to clear out random issues inflicted by minor firmware crashes and rogue apps. Minor network issues causing cellular signal drops will also be dealt with in the process. You don’t need to back up files beforehand because a soft reset does not affect internal data saved on the iPad storage. Here’s how a soft reset is done on your iPad Pro:
- Press and hold the Top button and either Volume button until the Power Off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to power off your device completely.
- After 30 seconds, press and hold the Top button again until the Apple logo appears.
Allow your iPad to finish the boot-up sequence and then that solves the problem.
ALSO READ: Fix an iPad Pro that’s not responding after installing iOS update
Second solution: Remove and reinstall the SIM card
Another simple workaround to deal with network-related errors is the so-called SIM card removal tweak. Symptoms like signal drops can also be due to a loose or dislodged SIM card on the device so you better rule that out too. And here’s what you need to do next:
- Turn your iPad Pro completely off.
- While the iPad is turned off, insert the SIM removal tool into the tiny hole on the SIM tray. The SIM tray is located on the lower right side of your iPad Pro.
- Gently push the SIM removal tool to eject the SIM tray.
- Then pull the SIM tray out to access the SIM card.
- Remove the SIM card and examine it for any visible signs of damage like scratches and liquid traces. If everything looks good, place the SIM card back into the slot in the same orientation before you removed it.
- Then re-insert the SIM tray and push gently until it clicks into place.
When the SIM tray is locked and secured, turn your iPad on and then wait for it to establish cellular network connection.
Third solution: Toggle Airplane Mode on and off
Performing the Airplane Mode tweak is also another potential solution to network-related problems including those affecting cellular services. It works by simultaneously disabling wireless radios and then enabling them back. Minor network glitches and associated symptoms are thereby cleared out. Here’s how it’s done:
- Go to Settings-> Airplane Mode menu.
- Toggle the switch to turn Airplane Mode on. Wireless radios and relevant functions are simultaneously disabled.
- While Airplane mode is enabled, reboot/soft reset your iPad Pro.
- When the boot-up sequence is complete, go back to Settings-> Airplane Mode menu.
- Then toggle the switch to turn Airplane Mode off again.
Wait for your device to re-establish network signal and then see if the problem is gone.
ALSO READ: How To Fix Apple iPad Pro Wont Play YouTube Videos, YouTube app Suddenly Crashes
Fourth solution: Update your iPad software, carrier settings
Updates may also contain network fixes to get rid of symptoms affecting wireless features including cellular services. If your iPad has stable Internet connection, ample of storage space, and battery life, try to check for new updates to download and install wirelessly. Just follow these steps:
- From the Home screen, tap Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Then tap the option to Download and Install if an update is available for your iPad Pro.
You can also use iTunes to update your iPad Pro manually. To do this, you will need to use a Mac or Windows computer that has the latest version of iTunes app in it. Then proceed to these steps whenever you’re all set to update your device:
- Connect your iPad to the computer using the original USB cable/Lightning cable.
- Open iTunes and wait for it to detect your iPad.
- When your iPad Pro appears in iTunes, click on its icon to select it.
- Navigate to the Summary section then click the button to Check for Update.
- If an update is available, click the button to Download and Install.
- Enter your passcode if prompted to continue.
Follow the remaining instructions to finish updating your iPad Pro in iTunes.
Fifth solution: Reset network settings on your iPad
Network errors that are a bit complex may not be rectified by the initial procedures and thus the transpiring symptoms will continue. At this point, performing a network reset is recommended. This will erase all your recent network configurations including saved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, server settings, APNs and other relevant information. Any associated errors will also be corrected. Here’s how it’s done:
- From the Home screen, tap Settings.
- Select General.
- Scroll down to and tap on Reset.
- Choose the option to Reset network settings.
- Enter your device passcode when asked to proceed.
- Then tap the option to confirm that you want to reset network settings on your iPad Pro.
Wait for your iPad to reboot and as soon as it boots up, head on to settings to set up and reconnect to Wi-Fi and cellular network.
Sixth solution: Reset all settings on your iPad
If the problem started after installing updates, then try to reset all settings. This will erase all customized options and auto-update overrides that might have caused conflicts to cellular network services on your device. There’s no need to back up files beforehand because this reset does not affect any saved information on the internal memory. If you wish to proceed, then you can refer to these steps whenever you’re ready:
- Tap Settings from your Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down and tap on Reset.
- Choose Reset all settings from the given options.
- Enter your passcode when asked to proceed.
- Finally, tap the option to confirm all settings reset.
This reset restores all original values and options so you’ll need to re-enable the features that are disabled by default so you can use them again on your iPad.
Last resort: Erase your iPad and restore factory defaults in iTunes
Performing a factory reset is among the last options to consider if none of the above procedure is able to solve the problem. The problem might be due to some tough network bugs inflicting network system data corruption. If you wish to continue, back up all your important files from your iPad storage. Then proceed to these steps whenever you’re all set to factory reset your iPad Pro through iTunes.
- On your computer, launch or open iTunes. Be sure to use the latest version of iTunes app on the computer to avoid system conflicts.
- Then connect your iPad to the computer using the original USB cable while pressing and holding down the Home button.
- Release the Home button when the Connect to iTunes screen appears.
- At this point, iTunes will prompt you with a message saying that it has detected your iPad in recovery mode and that you can restore your device. If you see this message, just click the Restore iPad button to instigate recovery mode restore through iTunes.
Just follow the rest of the onscreen commands to restore your iPad as new or from a previous iOS backup. If you wish to set up your device as new, just use the start-up wizard to use automatic settings and network configurations.
Still keep losing cellular signal on your iPad Pro
If none of the above solutions worked and your iPad Pro is still experiencing signal drops, then this is when you should escalate the problem to your network service provider/carrier. It’s possible that the problem isn’t on your device but rather due to some technical difficulties on your carrier’s end. Unexpected network problems and temporary outages can be the root cause of the problem. In that case, there’s not much can be done on your end but to wait until the outage is over and the network services are back up and running properly again.
You can also report the problem straight to Apple Support it if started after updating your iPad Pro to the latest iOS version. It is possible that the new update contained some stubborn bugs that spoiled cellular network services. In this case, a dedicated fix patch is needed. If it’s found and confirmed to be a hardware issue like a damaged SIM card, requesting for a new SIM card replacement will be the ultimate solution. Just talk to your carrier or network service provider for more information on how to replace your SIM card. Otherwise, take your iPad to the nearest Apple service center and have it scrutinized by an authorized technician and fix whatever damage is present.
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