How To Fix Mobile Network Not Available On Android

By Technobezz Staff

Updated May, 02 2023, 10:53:08 AMReviewed By Chevaugn Powell

How to Fix Mobile Network Not Available on Android featured image

Mobile network issues can be frustrating, especially when you need to make an important call or access the internet. One common problem that Android users face is the "Mobile Network Not Available" error message. This error message can appear for a variety of reasons, including network outages, software glitches, and hardware issues.

Fortunately, there are several ways to fix the "Mobile Network Not Available" error on Android devices. Some of the most common solutions include resetting your network settings, turning off Airplane Mode, and removing and reinserting your SIM card. Additionally, you can try checking your network operator settings or disabling data roaming. By following these steps, you can usually resolve the issue and get back to using your mobile network as normal.

If you have a nulled IMEI number and need to fix the "not registered on a network" error, read: Restore Galaxy Null IMEI # and Fix Not Registered on Network

What is the Meaning of 'Mobile Network Not Available' on a Phone?

The following solutions were very effective for most users in fixing the "Mobile Network not Available" issue on their Android phones. The main reason for the problem can be a lack of reception within your area.

Please note that the mobile network will not be available on your Samsung Galaxy phone if one of the following is triggered:

Poor signal/reception
Low coverage in your area
Location (being far from a cell tower)
SIM exhaustion.

Quick Tips (Cellular network not available)

Ensure you have an active and valid mobile data plan with your current carrier and that your reception is strong.
Ensure that the Airplane mode is OFF. Sometimes, we accidentally enable this feature. Open Settings > Connections > Airplane mode. Toggle the switch button.
Reinsert your SIM card, check for damage, and ensure it is inserted correctly. If you have another phone around, place your SIM card on it and try to make a phone call.
Toggle Mobile Data
Call your Carrier; perhaps their system is down or is under maintenance.
Restart your phone.

Before you start troubleshooting the problem, if your phone shows a "No Service" Error, Read: Why does my phone say no service? If it Shows a "No Sim Card" Error, Read: No SIM card error on Android.

Basic Troubleshooting

Check if your phone is roaming

One of the reasons why mobile network not available error occurs on Android phones is because data roaming settings are not properly configured. If the phone is set to not allow data roaming, it may not connect to a network when outside the home area. Here are some steps to check and adjust data roaming settings

Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
Go to the Wireless & Networks section and select More.
Choose Mobile Networks and look for the Data Roaming option.
Make sure the Data Roaming option is enabled. If it is disabled, toggle it on.

It is important to note that enabling data roaming may result in additional charges from your carrier. Therefore, it is recommended to check with your carrier about any applicable fees before enabling data roaming.

In some Android phones, the Data Roaming option may be titled Global Data Roaming Access. If this is the case, simply remove the check mark to disable it or add a check mark to enable it.

If the Data Roaming option is already enabled, try disabling it and then enabling it again. This may help refresh the connection and fix the mobile network not available error.

Overall, checking and adjusting data roaming settings is a simple and effective way to fix mobile network not available error on Android phones.

Turn Off Airplane Mode

Check if your phone is in Airplane mode. Airplane mode disables all wireless connections on your device, including mobile data. To turn off Airplane mode, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Tap on the "Network & Internet" or "Connections" option.
Look for the "Airplane mode" option and toggle it off.

Restart your phone.

One of the simplest and most effective solutions to fix the "Mobile Network Not Available" issue on an Android device is to restart the phone. Restarting the phone can help clear any temporary glitches that may be causing the problem.

Press and hold the Power button or Power + Volume down buttons
When the menu shows up, tap Reboot or Restart

Check Your Reception

One of the most common causes of the "Mobile Network Not Available" error on Android is poor reception. This can happen when you are in an area with weak radio signals or when your device is unable to pick up signals from nearby cell towers. Here are some things you can do to check your reception:

Check Your Signal Strength

The first thing you should do when you experience network issues is to check your signal strength. You can do this by looking at the signal bars on your device. If you have low signal strength, it could be the reason why you are experiencing network issues.

Move to a Different Location

If you have low signal strength, try moving to a different location. This could help improve your reception and fix the "Mobile Network Not Available" error. You can also try going outside if you are indoors, or vice versa.

Check for Interference

Interference from other electronic devices can also affect your reception. Make sure you are not near any electronic devices that could be interfering with your signal. This could include microwaves, cordless phones, or other wireless devices.

How To Fix The “Mobile Network Not Available” Error

Network Operators

The mobile network mode determines how your phone connects to the cellular network. If it's set to the wrong mode, you may not be able to connect to the network. To check your mobile network mode:

Go to "Settings" on your Android device.
Tap "Network & Internet" or "Connections".
Select "Mobile network".
Look for "Preferred network type" or "Network mode" and tap on it.
Make sure the correct mode is selected. If you're not sure, contact your carrier to confirm the correct settings.

Check Wi-Fi Settings

If your Android device is showing the "Mobile Network Not Available" error, it's possible that it's trying to connect to a Wi-Fi network instead of your mobile network. Here are some steps you can take to check your Wi-Fi settings:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Tap on "Network & internet" or "Connections", depending on your device.
Check if Wi-Fi is turned on. If it is, tap on the Wi-Fi option and turn it off.
If you are still unable to connect to your mobile network, try forgetting any saved Wi-Fi networks. To do this, tap on the Wi-Fi option, then tap on the gear icon next to the network you want to forget, and select "Forget network".
If you are still having issues, try resetting your Wi-Fi, mobile, and Bluetooth settings. To do this, go to Settings > System/General management > Reset > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth/Reset network settings > Reset settings. Your phone will restart with network settings reset to default.

Turn Off The Radio

The problem might be with the radio signal. Do the following:

Dial *#*#4636#*#* in the dialer
You will be prompted with a testing menu
Click on Phone/Device Information
Run ping test
Select GSM Auto (PRL) from the drop-down list
Click Turn off the radio
Restart.

See here for more iPhone and Android codes.

Turn VPN Off (Or VPN APPS)

If you are using a third-party VPN app, kindly disconnect the VPN using the app.

From home, select Settings
Tap Connections.
Scroll down to More Connection Settings
Select VPN
Tap on the blue settings cog next to the VPN name.
Select the Delete VPN profile button

Update the Software

Updating your Android device is one of the most effective ways to fix the "Mobile Network Not Available" error. Updating your device's software can help resolve any bugs or glitches that may be causing the issue.

Navigate to Settings
Scroll down to the extreme bottom
Select Software Update
Please wait for it to reboot and complete the update

It's important to note that not all Android devices receive updates at the same time. If your device is not eligible for an update, you may need to consider upgrading to a newer device.

Reset Network Settings

If the mobile network is not available on an Android device, resetting the network settings can often solve the problem. This process will restore the device's network settings to their default values, which can resolve any configuration issues that might be causing the problem. From your phone's home screen, select settings :

Tap General Management.
Select Reset
Tap Reset Settings.
Select Reset network settings

After the device has reset the network settings, it may take a few moments for the device to reconnect to the mobile network. If the issue persists, try restarting the device or contacting the service provider.

It's important to note that resetting network settings will remove all saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth connections. Any custom network configurations will also be lost, so it's important to have any necessary passwords and configuration details available before resetting the network settings.

Overall, resetting network settings is a simple and effective way to troubleshoot mobile network issues on an Android device.

Inspect the Sim Card.

Try removing and reinserting the SIM card. Sometimes, the SIM card may not be properly inserted or may have been dislodged, leading to the "Mobile Network Not Available" issue. Here's how to remove and reinsert the SIM card:

Another possible cause of the issue is a damaged or incorrectly inserted SIM card. If this is the case, you may encounter a 'mobile not available' error. To address this, try ejecting the SIM tray and checking the condition of the card to ensure it's in good shape

Turn off your phone.
Locate the SIM card slot and gently remove the SIM card.
Check the SIM card for any visible damage or dirt and clean it if necessary.
Reinsert the SIM card into the slot, making sure it is properly aligned and secure.
Replace the back cover and turn on your phone.

After restarting your phone, check if the "Mobile Network Not Available" issue has been resolved. If not, try some of the other solutions listed in this article.

Update APN Settings

Access Point Name (APN) settings are used to connect your device to the cellular network. If your APN settings are incorrect or missing, you may not be able to connect to the network. To check your APN settings:

Update your APN Settings. Under Wireless, Networks or Connection

Navigate to Settings
Tap Connections.
Tap Mobile Networks
Select Access Point Names
Tap More (3 dots)
Tap Reset to Default.
Then enter the new APN Settings

View the Updated APN Settings For AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint ( +4 More)

The error message 'mobile network not available' has disappeared, but now a new error is appearing, which reads 'Not registered on the network?'

Please read how to fix the Not Registered On Network here.

3. Despite attempting all available methods, none of them proved effective ?.

Consider reading these guides :

Or Reset Network Operator.

Navigate to:

Settings
Select Connections
Mobile Networks
Network Operators
Select Either your network OR Select Automatically.

Check Your Service Provider

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps and your mobile network is still not available, it might be time to contact your service provider. They can help you determine if there is an outage in your area or if there is an issue with your account.

Before contacting your service provider, make sure to check the coverage in your area. You can do this by visiting their website or using their app. This will help you determine if the issue is with the network coverage or with your device.

If the coverage in your area is good, contact your service provider and provide them with the following information:

Your phone number
The model of your device
The error message you are receiving
The troubleshooting steps you have already taken

Your service provider will then be able to troubleshoot the issue with you and provide a resolution. They may also be able to reset your network settings or provide you with a new SIM card if needed.

It is important to note that service providers have different network operators, which can affect the quality of the network in certain areas. If you frequently experience issues with network coverage, it might be worth considering switching to a different service provider with better coverage in your area.

Factory Reset

If none of the previous methods have worked, it may be time to consider a factory reset. This will erase all data and settings on your phone, essentially returning it to its original state. Before doing this, it is important to back up any important data that you do not want to lose.

Tap General Management.
Select Reset
Tap Factory Data Reset.

Let the phone complete the process. Once it is done, follow the on-screen steps to set up your smartphone from scratch.

In some cases, a factory reset may not fix the issue of a mobile network not being available. If this is the case, it may be a hardware issue and the phone may need to be repaired or replaced.

Troubleshoot with Your Service Provider

If none of the previous methods work, it's time to contact your service provider. They can help you troubleshoot the issue and resolve it. Here are some steps you can follow when troubleshooting with your service provider:

Contact your service provider: Call your service provider's customer support line and explain the issue you are facing. They will ask you some questions to diagnose the problem and may suggest some solutions.
Check for network outages: Ask your service provider if there are any network outages in your area. They may be able to provide you with an estimated time for when the issue will be resolved.
Check your account: Make sure your account is up to date and in good standing. Your service provider may have suspended your service due to an outstanding balance or other issues.
Check your SIM card: Your SIM card may be damaged or not properly inserted. Ask your service provider to check if your SIM card is working properly.
Reset your network settings: Your service provider may ask you to reset your network settings. Follow the steps in the previous section to do so.
Get a replacement SIM card: If your SIM card is damaged, your service provider may suggest getting a replacement SIM card. They may also send you a new SIM card.
Get a new device: If your device is faulty, your service provider may suggest getting a new device. They may offer you a discounted price or a payment plan.

Remember to be patient and polite when troubleshooting with your service provider. They are there to help you and want to resolve the issue as much as you do.

Troubleshoot Bugs and Messages

When facing the "Mobile Network Not Available" error on an Android device, it is important to troubleshoot any bugs or messages that may be causing the issue. Here are some tips to help:

Check for Bugs

First, check for any bugs or glitches that may be interfering with your phone's network connectivity. Some common bugs that can cause this issue include:

Outdated software: Make sure your phone's software is up-to-date. Check for any available updates and install them if necessary.
App conflicts: Certain apps may conflict with your phone's network settings. Try uninstalling any recently installed apps to see if this resolves the issue.
Network settings: Sometimes, your phone's network settings may become corrupt or misconfigured. Resetting your network settings can help fix this issue.

Address Error Messages

If you are receiving any error messages when trying to connect to your mobile network, it is important to address them in order to fix the issue. Here are some common error messages and how to troubleshoot them:

"No Service": This message indicates that your phone is not able to connect to any mobile network. Try toggling airplane mode on and off, resetting your network settings, or contacting your carrier for assistance.
"SIM Card Not Detected": This message indicates that your phone is not able to detect your SIM card. Try removing and reinserting your SIM card, cleaning the SIM card slot, or contacting your carrier for assistance.
"Authentication Error": This message indicates that there is an issue with your login credentials. Try resetting your network settings, checking your login information, or contacting your carrier for assistance.

By troubleshooting any bugs or error messages that may be causing the "Mobile Network Not Available" issue, you can help restore your phone's network connectivity.

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