Have you ever encountered a ‘no location found’ error while searching a location or following a GPS track? This is a very common error we all see during location tracking. No worries if you don’t understand what it means. We are here to tell you.
This confusion gets pumped up when you see the ‘location not available’ error. Though these errors sound the same, they have very different meanings, error causes, and solutions.
This advanced GPS tracking feature has undoubtedly made our lives much easier and has reduced the hassle of finding new locations.
Still, confusion has also occurred while understanding the meaning of ‘location not available’ and ‘no location found.’ Let’s get answers for everything. No Location Found Meaning
Location Not Available Meaning
Simply put, ‘location not available’ means that the person sharing the location has turned it off or you are in a deserted area. People think this occurs due to some internet issue or connection loss. But that’s an entirely different scenario.
‘No Location Found’ Meaning
However, the ‘no location found’ error is the sum of various factors contributing to the location not being found. These can be bad internet connections, low battery, or some other kind of technical issue in sharing location.
Factors That Cause No Location Found
These are some of the factors that cause the ‘no location found’ error. Let’s look at them one by one.
Connection with GPS Satellites
The most important thing for locating someplace is GPS. Your device needs to have a very strong connection with GPS satellites. If they are connected weakly, there is a 90% chance you will face no location found issue.
This problem usually occurs where signals are weak, such as in basements, indoor areas, dense jungles, remote areas, etc.
Disabling Location Services
Sometimes, no location found is caused due to human error. People sometimes keep their location services disabled. This can be due to several reasons, including battery saving or ignorance.
So, the locating app cannot connect to GPS or other location-related information. To stay connected, make sure that location services are enabled.
Permission Before Using an App
When you download any app, it asks permission to access your location. If you have not granted it, there is a high chance you will face a no location found error.
Battery Saving Mode
No location found error can occur when the user has switched their phone into battery saving mode. Battery saving mode turns off the location-sharing feature along with other background activities.
Internet Issue
GPS feature works in the presence of Wi-Fi or mobile networks. Your device should have a strong internet connection, or you will face the no location found error.
Old Software
An outdated operating system can cause no location found error. Sometimes, a bug in an app can cause this issue, too. Keep your software updated to avoid any inconvenience.
GPS Module
The GPS module or some other hardware component may cause no location found issue. In this case, the only option is to repair your module by a professional or get a new one.
Privacy
In some devices, limiting location tracking is available to ensure security. You must turn off that particular option so your device can automatically connect to a GPS.
Flight Mode
When your device is in airplane mode, also called flight mode, it turns off all wireless communications, including GPS. So, before using the location feature, turn your device back to normal mode.
Random Glitches
No location found error does not always occur due to some technical issue. Sometimes, it is just a temporary glitch, which is quite normal in devices. To solve this issue, just restart your device.
Restricted Area
Certain areas are restricted for ordinary people to go to for various reasons. The availability of location data is restricted due to the legal system in such areas. Therefore, your GPS won’t connect, and you might get an error while finding the location.
How to Fix the No Location Found Error?
Just like several causes for this error, there are a lot of fixes you can try to resolve. Here are some of them:
1. Restart Your Device
Do not start panicking if you face this issue. Before concluding, try restarting your phone. Usually, it fixes the glitch that caused this issue.
2. Allow Location Services
Whether using a phone or a tablet, keep your location services enabled. Some apps require you to visit your settings and grant permission to allow services.
3. Have a Strong Internet or Network Connection
Your phone must be connected to strong Wi-Fi or have an excellent network connection to avoid such errors.
4. Update Your Software
Keep updating your software. It prevents you from issues as it fixes or improves bugs that might be causing the problem.
5. Disable Power Saving Mode
Do not use power saving mode when using location services, as power saving mode restricts this feature.
6. Use Different Location Methods
Some apps allow you to access your location through Wi-Fi, mobile data, or IP address. If GPS is not working, you can try other methods to know the location.
7. Get the Help of Professional
After trying all the fixes mentioned earlier, if you still get the error, you must consult a professional who can check your device.
Factors That Cause Location Not Available
Unavailable location is usually linked to the type of area you are present in. Now that we know the no location found meaning and the factors contributing to this problem, let’s discuss some factors that cause the location’s unavailable popup on your screens.
Remote Areas
A huge factor that causes the location to become unavailable is the device’s presence in a remote area like a forest, mountain range, desert, or some faraway island. GPS usually contains outdated or no data related to these areas since they are not in demand.
Underground Areas
Underground areas or basements usually do not catch good signals. So, the GPS location becomes unavailable due to a lack of network.
Newly Developed Areas
With the ongoing and rapid development, it takes time for the GPS to track new locations since the information is not fed into the database.
Restricted Areas
Some areas under the government or military can also not be tracked using GPS because they are restricted. Therefore, if your GPS starts showing the unavailable location error, you might be in a place you are not supposed to be.
How to Avoid Facing the Unavailable Location Problem?
To save your time from being wasted facing the unavailable location problem, it is always better to do the following things,
1. Pre-Plan Routes
Before setting out to travel, pre-plan your routes and ensure you know some famous landmarks in the area. This way, you can easily travel to places you are not familiar with.
2. Take Help from Locals
Locals know the place better than anyone. If you need help, feel free to ask the locals for help and guidance.
3. Use Other Navigation Tools
If traveling to an area inaccessible on GPS, carry other navigating tools like compasses or physical maps.
4. Make Use of Wayfinding Apps
When your traditional GPS stops working and cannot identify certain locations, you can use Wayfinding Apps. They work on crowd-sourced data and often come in handy in tracking remote areas.
Conclusion
Technology cannot always be reliable. So, it’s better to stay ahead of it and pre-plan routes while traveling. Now you know the no location found meaning and understand how it differs from unavailable locations. Several factors contribute to these.
After reading this blog post, you must understand how to cope with both problems. So, if you depend highly on GPS tracking and maps, you must keep the factors at your fingertips.
Next time your phone gives you the ‘No Location Found’ or ‘Location Not Available’ error on your screen, you will know how to overcome it and get to your desired location without getting lost midway!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does Someone’s Location Say No Location Found?
This typically means that the system or application trying to retrieve the location information couldn’t obtain any data, either because the device’s location services are off, there is no GPS signal, or the application does not have the necessary permissions.
What if it says No Location Found on the iPhone?
On an iPhone, “no location found” usually indicates that Location Services are turned off, the app doesn’t have permission to access location data, or there’s an issue with the device’s GPS.
Check-in “Settings” under “Privacy” and then “Location Services” to ensure they are enabled and the specific app has permission.
How do you Know if Someone Turned off Their Location?
If you’re trying to locate someone using an app or service that continuously says “no location found” or “location not available,” it’s a sign they might have turned off their location services or denied the app the required permissions.
However, it can also be due to poor network connectivity or other technical reasons.
How do I fix my Location not Showing?
To fix a Location not Showing:
- Ensure Location Services are turned on in your device settings.
- Verify that the specific app you’re using has permission to access your location.
- Restart your device to refresh your GPS.
- Check for any software updates for your device.
- If indoors, try moving to a more open space to get a better GPS signal.
Can the two Phrases mean Different Things?
Yes. “No location found” typically implies that the system did not retrieve any location data. “Location not available” might mean that the system knows the location but can’t display or access it due to certain constraints or permissions.
However, context is key; in many instances, they can be used interchangeably.
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