Skip to main content

searching for signal

Searching for signal is a state in which a wireless communication device is trying to detect an available network signal in order to begin connecting to the network.

In plain English

This means the device is actively looking for a network signal it can detect. It has not yet moved on to starting a connection, because it is still trying to find a signal to use.

In context

Here, it reports that the device is currently trying to detect the incoming service signal so it can begin connecting to the network.

Situation
Installing broadband, activating service, using routers, and reading connection status
What it communicates
reports that the device is trying to find the incoming service signal.

Meaning limits

By itself, this status does not say whether a usable network signal will be found or whether a connection will succeed afterward.

Examples

“In the basement, the handset was still searching for signal rather than starting to connect.”

Core meaning

“For nearly a minute after it was switched on, the radio was searching for signal.”

In context