Mobile data is the most convenient and secure way to connect your smartphone to the internet when you are outside your home, right? Hence, you can imagine the consequences when you notice that mobile data is on but not working.
All your connections over the internet will stop immediately. You won’t receive your work emails. Even you can miss out on important highlights or events. Before you give up or connect to a public Wi-Fi network, let’s check out why you can’t access mobile data.
Additionally, we have insights from professionals on how you can tweak your mobile data and be back to using it.
Reasons Mobile Data is Not Working
When you tap the mobile data icon on your smartphone, it immediately turns on. However, to your surprise, the mobile data is on but not working. What is triggering the mobile data not working? As per iPhone service experts, the following reasons can be the culprits.
Weak Network Coverage
No matter how reliable the internet service provider you choose, its poor network coverage can result in mobile data not working. In selected remote areas, the network coverage might be inconsistent. So, check if this happens to your phone while seeking undisturbed cellular data.
Network Outages
My data is not working—have you checked with your carrier? Reportedly, carriers can shut down mobile data connectivity when they go through technical issues, scheduled maintenance, natural disasters, etc., so you may experience intermittent or no service during an outage.
Network Congestion
Slow mobile data speeds or connection hiccups might occur when too many users try to access the network at the same time. Such congestion impacts the network’s capacity negatively.
Mobile Data Restrictions
Are you trying to use your traditional SIM when you are traveling? Then the mobile data is on but not working, which is an obvious thing. Now, check whether your SIM supports roaming.
Data Limits
Do you have a limited data plan on your smartphone? Then, chances are that you have exceeded the data limit. Now, no matter how many times you toggle on and off the mobile data option, you can’t surf the internet. That’s why expensive unlimited plans are better when it comes to reliability.
Software and Hardware Complications
If you find none of the above reasons to be true for your mobile data not working instance, then the issue might be with your phone. For example, outdated software, viruses or malware, and similar issues can be a restriction for your mobile data working.
On the other hand, SIM card damage can prevent you from connecting to mobile data.
7 Ways to Address Mobile Data Is On But Not Working
Whether your Android or iOS device fails to connect to the mobile data, it’s a menace. Luckily, DIY solutions are available to turn on mobile data back before you consider a mobile repair near me. Implement the following fixes and see if you are back to mobile data working.
1. Restart Your Phone and Mobile Data
Temporary glitches can throw your smartphone out of the game. However, a normal restart can restore the order. Hence, restart your Android phone. If it’s an iPhone, turn it off and power it on after a few seconds.
Once your device turns on back, navigate to the Mobile Data option under Settings or Control Center. Turn your mobile data on. Now, see if it works.
2. Tweak Airplane Mode On and Off
Mobile data is on but not working—we have another way to restart the feature. Locate the airplane mode on your smartphone’s Settings or easy-access menu. Tap on the airplane mode icon to turn it on for a while. Then, tap on it again to turn it off.
By now, your device’s network connectivity options should be reset. Check if you still encounter mobile data is on but not working.
3. Power Off Wi-Fi
Your mobile device won’t let you connect to the cellular data unless you turn off the Wi-Fi feature. Enabled Wi-Fi connection is a barrier between you and your mobile data. So, ensure you disable Wi-Fi before you turn on mobile data. Later, you can switch back to Wi-Fi when you are home. This way, you won’t be exceeding the data limit.
4. Address Connectivity Settings
My data is not working; verify whether you use the proper connectivity depending on your phone’s preferences. Check if your smartphone keeps switching between 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G settings. Now, 5G smartphones will perform the best on 5G networks.
Hence, you may notice a decline in performance if your 5G smartphone operates on any other network. You can access your mobile settings and manually set which network you want your device to be on. Also, you can set it to be automatic so your phone switches to the best alternatives at a given time or instance.
5. Download and Install the Software Update
Phone manufacturers often release updates to streamline the user experience and fix bugs. For security and performance reasons, you should download and install such updates. Indeed, they can improve your device’s ability to connect to mobile data.
On an Android, navigate to Settings and search for System Update. Whereas, on an iPhone, go to Settings → General → Software Update. Then, check for updates and download and install whatever is available.
6. Check with Your Carrier
Remember, a network outage can disrupt your mobile data connection. Indeed, you will see that your mobile data is on but working. Before you freak out further, make sure whether your carrier struggles with a network outage.
So, check out your internet service provider or carrier’s social media accounts to be sure of the active or outage status.
7. Pay Attention to Your SIM Card
Are you in a different country right now? Then, your local SIM might not work. And that’s why your mobile data is not working. Get a suitable SIM card or upgrade your roaming plans to access mobile data.
On top of that, a damaged SIM card is of no use. Hence, get your SIM card out of your mobile device and inspect it. Minor scratches are fine. However, you must replace your SIM card if it has severe damage or burn marks.
Should You Reset Your Phone?
Resetting your phone settings might restore the default configurations. So, you can attempt that. However, resetting your mobile device might risk losing all data. Hence, get a backup first, and then you can proceed with the method.
Otherwise, turn up at an iPhone service center. Or, search for a mobile repair shop near me to troubleshoot all such mobile data or connectivity issues.
