Technician helping troubleshoot Motorola phone screen brightness not working

Steve H.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Network settings reset aftermath (no signal, no Wi-Fi, mobile data not working), carrier/APN and eSIM checks, VPN/Wi-Fi password recovery.

Reset network settings — why things break after, what to check first, and what not to change yet

Technician avatar Technician
Hi — I can help. A network reset can feel scary because it can suddenly change Wi-Fi, mobile data, VPN, and Bluetooth behavior.

Let’s start with the safest checks first. I don’t want you to tap random “reset” options again or erase anything by mistake.

When you say “reset network settings,” what happened right after:
A) No cellular signal / “No Service” / can’t make calls
B) Wi-Fi won’t connect (or asks for passwords again)
C) Mobile data works but apps say “No internet”
D) Bluetooth devices disappeared / won’t pair

Also: is this an iPhone or Android, and did anything change recently (new SIM/eSIM, traveling, a software update, new router)?
Customer
I’m on Android. I reset the network settings because my Wi-Fi was acting up. Now my phone says no service sometimes and my Wi-Fi password is gone. I’m worried I messed it up.
Technician avatar Technician
You didn’t ruin anything — that reaction is very common. A network reset usually removes saved Wi-Fi networks, clears some cellular settings, and disconnects Bluetooth devices. It can also turn off a few “helper” settings that were keeping things stable.

Trust moment: We’re going to avoid any step that could lock you out or wipe data. This will be gentle troubleshooting only.

Two quick, calm checks first:
1) Does “No Service” happen everywhere, or only in one location (like at home)?
2) Are you using a physical SIM card, or eSIM?
Customer
Mostly at home, but I noticed it once outside too. It’s a physical SIM card. I’m not sure what eSIM is.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s helpful. If it’s mostly at home, we should separate a phone issue from a home network issue.

Safe check #1 (no settings changes): Look at the top of the screen — do you see Airplane Mode on, or a “!” by the signal bars? Sometimes a reset is followed by an accidental toggle.

Safe check #2: Ask: can you make a normal phone call right now (even to voicemail), or does it fail immediately?
Customer
Airplane mode is off. I can make calls right now, but earlier it said “No Service” for a minute. Wi-Fi is the bigger problem because I don’t remember the password.
Technician avatar Technician
Understood — and you’re not alone on the password part. A network reset removes saved Wi-Fi networks, so the phone will ask again like it’s a new device.

Trust moment: I don’t want you guessing passwords over and over — it can trigger router lockouts on some setups.

Safest path is to get the Wi-Fi password from the router label, a paper from your internet provider, or another device that’s already connected (a family member’s phone, a laptop). Once you have it, you reconnect normally — no “reset” needed.
Customer
My tablet is still on Wi-Fi. The phone won’t auto-connect anymore. But why would mobile signal be weird after I did this?
Technician avatar Technician
Good question. On Android, a network reset can refresh items like preferred network type, carrier-related settings, and VPN/APN entries. Most of the time it settles quickly, but brief “No Service” moments can show up while it reconnects to the carrier.

Safe check #3: Open Settings and look for the section that shows your SIM and carrier name. We’re not changing anything — we’re just confirming the phone still “sees” the SIM and shows a carrier (not “Unknown”).

Also: did this happen after a recent Android update, or after switching carriers?
Customer
I did an update last week. Same carrier. It does show my carrier name. I also use a VPN sometimes for my work emails.
Technician avatar Technician
That combination explains a lot. After an update, the phone can be a little “fussy,” and a network reset can remove VPN profiles or change how the VPN reconnects. When a VPN is half-configured, it can look like “Wi-Fi connected but no internet.”

Trust moment: I don’t want you deleting VPN items if you need them for work. First we identify whether the VPN is part of the symptom.

Safe test: when Wi-Fi is connected, do websites load in a browser, or do they fail even though the Wi-Fi icon looks normal?
Customer
On mobile data, things load. On Wi-Fi it connects but some apps say “No internet.” The browser sometimes works, sometimes not.
Technician avatar Technician
That “half works” pattern often points to one of these (and we can check safely):
• Wrong Wi-Fi password entered (it connects briefly, then fails quietly)
• Router is fine, but the phone is using a private DNS/VPN setting that didn’t restore cleanly
• The phone is connected to a guest network that blocks certain apps

Since your tablet works on the same Wi-Fi, the router likely isn’t completely down.

Safe next check: on your phone, confirm you’re connecting to the exact same Wi-Fi name (SSID) as the tablet (not a similar “Guest” or “_5G” variant).
Customer
Oh… there are two networks. One says “Guest.” I may have picked that. Could that also affect my calls?
Technician avatar Technician
Guest networks can definitely block certain apps, and they can also interfere with Wi-Fi calling if your carrier uses that feature. That could make it feel like “signal is bad,” even when cellular is fine.

One more safe check (no changes): do you see “Wi-Fi Calling” anywhere in your phone’s network settings, and is it turned on? If it’s on and Wi-Fi is unstable, calls may bounce between Wi-Fi and cellular.

If you reconnect to the main network with the correct password and the problem calms down, that’s a strong sign the reset simply cleared your saved Wi-Fi and a few network preferences.
Customer
I think Wi-Fi calling is on. I’m still nervous — should I reset again or restart the phone?
Technician avatar Technician
I would avoid doing another reset right now. Repeating resets can make it harder to tell what changed, and it can remove useful configurations again (like VPN details).

A normal restart is usually safe, but only do it when you know your screen lock code (some phones ask for it after restarting).

The safest “what next” is: reconnect to the correct Wi-Fi name using the known password, confirm whether the VPN is currently connected, and then observe whether the brief “No Service” moments continue or disappear.
Customer
That makes sense. If it still says “No Service” later, what should I look for without making it worse?
Technician avatar Technician
Great question. If “No Service” returns, the safest observations are:

• Does it happen in one place (home) or everywhere (that’s a big clue)
• Does the phone still detect the SIM and show the carrier name
• Does toggling Airplane Mode off/on once restore signal (a quick reconnect test, not a reset)
• Did the problem begin right after an update or while traveling (coverage and roaming settings can be involved)

If it becomes frequent or you can’t make calls at all, pause on further resets and focus on those simple checks first so we don’t accidentally remove needed settings.
Customer
Okay. I’ll reconnect to the right Wi-Fi and check the VPN and Wi-Fi calling. I feel calmer now — I thought I broke the phone.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted first approach after a network settings reset: treat it like a “clean slate” for connections and confirm what changed before you touch more reset options.

What most often helps (safe steps):
• Reconnect to the correct Wi-Fi network name using a known password (avoid repeated guessing).
• Check whether VPN / private DNS is active, since apps can show “no internet” even when Wi-Fi looks connected.
• Confirm the phone still shows your carrier and detects the SIM/eSIM (information only).
• If signal drops briefly, use a single Airplane Mode toggle to force a reconnect (not another reset).
• Avoid repeating resets; make one small change at a time and watch what improves or gets worse.

Why a network reset can cause “no service” or “connected but no internet”

On iPhone, the battery percentage is an estimate based on battery measurements and recent usage. It can look “stuck” or jump after an iOS update, after a long period of topping up on the charger, or when a battery is aging and the readings are less stable. A new or unreliable charging cable/adapter can also make the percentage behave oddly while charging. The key is separating a reporting glitch from real battery symptoms like unexpected shutdowns or overheating. If the phone runs normally but the number looks wrong, the safest first step is careful checking rather than drastic actions.

What to check next: Wi-Fi password, SIM detection, VPN, and update-related changes

Start with the least risky checks: test the percentage on a different charger/cable, then look at Battery Health for warnings about capacity or performance. If this started right after an update, remember that iOS may be finishing background tasks and recalculating estimates. A single normal restart can help refresh battery reporting without changing your content. If the phone shuts down unexpectedly, heats up, or can’t hold a charge, that’s when hardware becomes more likely and you should proceed more cautiously.

Network reset done — gentle checks that won’t make it worse

Most post-reset problems are missing Wi-Fi passwords, VPN/DNS changes, or a carrier reconnect delay.

Best approach: compare behavior on a known-good charger, review Battery Health for any warning, and restart once at a calm time to refresh iOS reporting. If it began after an update, give the phone time to settle and avoid changing many settings at once. Take note of patterns (only while charging, only at certain percentages, or sudden drops) because that points to the real cause faster. If you ever see heat, swelling, or unexpected shutdowns, stop and follow manufacturer guidance before trying more steps.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. Avoid making multiple system changes at once. For device-specific steps, consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech or the manufacturer’s support before making decisions.

Additional troubleshooting options

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FAQ

Why did my phone lose Wi-Fi passwords after I reset network settings?

A network reset usually removes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, so the phone treats Wi-Fi like it’s new. You’ll need the correct password again. If another device is still connected, it can help you confirm the exact network name and password. Avoid repeated guessing if your router limits attempts.

Did this happen because of an Android/iOS update?

It can. Updates sometimes change how the phone reconnects to Wi-Fi, VPN, or the mobile network. A network reset done after an update can make those changes more noticeable because older saved settings are cleared. If problems started right after an update, make one small check at a time and observe what changes.

Is “No Service” after a network reset a settings problem or something else?

Often it’s temporary while the phone reconnects to the carrier, especially if Wi-Fi calling or VPN was involved. If the phone still shows the carrier name and detects the SIM/eSIM, that’s reassuring. If you cannot make calls anywhere, or the SIM is not detected, treat it as more serious. Avoid repeating resets while you’re trying to identify the cause.

Can I check this safely at home without making it worse?

Yes. Safe checks include confirming Airplane Mode is off, reconnecting to the correct Wi-Fi network with a known password, and verifying the phone sees the SIM and carrier. You can also note whether the issue happens only in one location or everywhere. If you rely on VPN for work, avoid deleting profiles until you know what changed.

Sources

Filed under: Internet, Wi-Fi & Mobile Data

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