iPhone SE “searching” even without a sim card

[Giddy0SE]

Hi Guys
Im new here so please understand if my problem sounds easy
i recently bought an Iphone SE ,spcae grey, with 32gb storage cap. after a few months of usage i completely lost reception and the bars went to searching. After turning the phone off over night it came back on but this occasionally happens. especially when i restart the phone.
Even when i pull out the sim while the phone is properly working (and it tells me no sim card) and restart the phone, the reception bars up there just tells me searching instead of "no sim card installed".
please help me out

 

[chscag]

Was the SE new or did you purchase it used? You can try resetting the phone thru iTunes after making a backup. If that doesn't help, try getting a new SIM card from your carrier.

 

[Giddy0SE]

Was the SE new or did you purchase it used? You can try resetting the phone thru iTunes after making a backup. If that doesn't help, try getting a new SIM card from your carrier.

tried both. none worked
the phone was used for 3 months

i will also like to ask...
is it possible that there is something wrong with the sim reader?

 

[chscag]

If your SE is covered by any kind of warranty, it might be a good idea to have it looked at. It is possible there may be something wrong with the SIM reader or another defect. You say the phone was used for 3 months. Is it possible the phone may have gotten wet or had that defect before it was sold to you?

 

[Giddy0SE]

If your SE is covered by any kind of warranty, it might be a good idea to have it looked at. It is possible there may be something wrong with the SIM reader or another defect. You say the phone was used for 3 months. Is it possible the phone may have gotten wet or had that defect before it was sold to you?

Will get it to an apple shop soon
was really hoping its something i can fix on my own