This article explains why your mobile data isn’t working and what you need to do to get online again.

How to Fix No Data Connection Errors

These solutions for restoring your cellular data connection have been effective on most iPhone and Android smartphones. They might also work on devices from other mobile manufacturers.

1. Turn Airplane Mode on, wait a few seconds, and then turn it off. Cycling in and out of this mode can sometimes fix mobile connections.

   Airplane Mode might already be on, which could be why you can’t use mobile data. If that’s the case, make sure to turn it off.

2. Restart your iPhone or restart your Android. This simple solution can often fix various tech glitches and bugs.

3. Turn on your mobile data. This is on by default, but it’s not that hard to accidentally switch off, especially if someone else has been using your phone. It’s an easy fix; just flip the toggle back on and you should establish a mobile data connection in a few moments.

   It’s possible that your phone is configured correctly but you’ve simply run out of data. Contact your carrier and ask about your data plan usage.

4. Disable Wi-Fi. This can fix issues with no data if you’re not getting a strong enough Wi-Fi signal but are still connected.

   For example, you might be in your yard or just out of range of the router, but not far enough to totally lose the connection and switch to mobile data. You can end up without a connection in this in-between area.

   Don’t forget to turn your Wi-Fi back on when it makes sense. You don’t want to reach your monthly data cap.

5. Disable Bluetooth. Similar to the Wi-Fi problem, having Bluetooth enabled has also been known to affect cellular connections on Android and iPhone smartphones.

   If Bluetooth continues to interfere with your phone’s cellular data, consider disabling it permanently and connecting Bluetooth devices to your tablet or laptop instead.

6. Turn your Android off or turn your iPhone off. This is different from a restart or simply turning off the screen before putting it away. A complete shutdown can help if a restart doesn’t work, as it forces reconnection to your mobile network.

   After a few minutes, feel free to power it back up and check if your mobile data works.

7. Check your network provider. If you’re getting a “mobile network not available” error message, the cause of the problem may actually be a network outage. The easiest way to check if this is the case is to look at your provider’s official X (formerly Twitter) account. Many companies use this social network to keep users informed of network status and updates.

   Always ensure the mobile carrier X accounts you follow have a blue checkmark or are linked to the company’s official website. Never share your account or billing information in public tweets.

8. Install the latest system update. Updating to the newest version of iOS or Android OS can often fix bugs associated with mobile data issues. Some carriers even require the latest operating system to function correctly.

9. Check your SIM card. If you’ve traveled abroad, you might have forgotten to insert your other SIM card into your smartphone, which is necessary for mobile data to work. This could be why you can’t activate your cellular data on a new phone.

   It can also be a good idea to see if the SIM card is damaged. Small scratches are usually okay, but it may need to be replaced if it has burn marks.

10. Unlock your phone. If your phone is locked to its initial carrier, it may not work with a SIM card from a different company. In this case, you’ll need to unlock it to get it to use cellular data properly.

11. Reset your network settings. This removes all stored network data and lets you start with a fresh connection. This method has fixed many data issues, especially when activating an old phone with an existing SIM card.

12. Reset your phone to its factory default settings. You can reset an iPhone or reset an Android. This process is highly effective at fixing software-related issues because it wipes the device and makes it feel and act brand new.

    A full reset deletes all your apps, contacts, and any other items stored on your phone. It’s best to reserve this step as your last attempt to fix mobile data problems before you decide to buy a new phone.

Causes of Mobile Data Not Working

A no-data connection error can result from a basic software glitch, damaged hardware, or even a network-wide outage that renders the entire mobile network unavailable.