Android mobile data not working is a common issue that many users face from time to time. It can be very annoying, especially when you need to access the internet on the go. You may see a message saying “Mobile data not available” or “No service” on your device, or you may not be able to browse the web, use apps or send messages.
There are many possible reasons why your Android mobile data is not working such as network issues, SIM card issues, device issues or settings issues.
Step 1: Restart Your Device
Sometimes, a simple reboot can fix many issues on your device, including Android mobile data not working problems. To restart your device press and hold the power button for a few seconds and then tap Restart. Wait for your device to boot up and then check if your mobile data is working.
Step 2: Check Your Network Coverage and Mode
Android mobile data not working may be caused by poor or no network coverage in your area. To check your network coverage, look at the signal bars on the top of your screen. If you see no bars or a cross, then you have no network coverage. If you see one or two bars, then you have weak network coverage. If you see three or more bars, then you have good network coverage.
To improve your network coverage, you can try to move to a different location such as near a window, outside or in a higher place. You can also try to switch to another network provider, if you have a dual SIM device or an unlocked data device.
![internet data device](https://mixiknow.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/internet-data-device-1024x599.webp)
Another thing to check is your network mode. Your network mode determines the type and speed of your mobile data connection such as 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G. To check your network mode, go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network > Preferred network type. You can choose from different options, such as:
- Automatic: This option lets your device choose the best network mode available, depending on your location and network provider. This is the recommended option for most users.
- 2G only: This option forces your device to use only 2G networks, which are the slowest and oldest networks. This option may save your battery life, but it may also limit your mobile data speed and functionality. This option is not recommended for most users.
- 3G only: This option forces your device to use only 3G networks, which are faster and more reliable than 2G networks. This option may improve your mobile data speed and functionality, but it may also drain your battery life faster. This option is suitable for some users who don’t need 4G or 5G networks.
- 4G (recommended) or 5G: These options force your device to use only 4G or 5G networks, which are the fastest and most advanced networks. These options may provide you with the best mobile data speed and functionality, but they may also consume more data and battery life. These options are suitable for most users who need high-speed internet on their devices.
To change your network mode, tap the option that you want to use and wait for your device to connect to the network. Then, check if your mobile data is working.
Step 3: Check your SIM card and APN Settings
Android mobile data not working may be caused by a faulty or incompatible SIM card or incorrect APN settings. APN stands for Access Point Name, which is a set of information that your device uses to connect to your network provider’s mobile data network. To check your SIM card and APN settings, follow these steps:
- Check your SIM card: Your SIM card is a small chip that you insert into your device to access your network provider’s services. Sometimes, your SIM card may be damaged, dirty, loose, or locked and cause your mobile data to not work. To check your SIM card, turn off your device and remove the SIM card from the SIM tray. Then, inspect the SIM card for any physical damage, such as cracks, scratches or bends. If you see any damage, you may need to replace your SIM card. You can also clean the SIM card with a soft cloth and make sure that it is properly inserted into the SIM tray. If you have a dual SIM device, you can also try to swap the SIM cards, or use only one SIM card at a time. Then, turn on your device, and check if your mobile data is working.
- Check your APN settings: Your APN settings are a set of information that your device uses to connect to your network provider’s mobile data network. Sometimes, your APN settings may be incorrect, outdated or missing and cause your mobile data to not work. To check your APN settings, go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network > Advanced > Access Point Names. You should see a list of APNs that are available for your network provider. You can choose from different options, such as:
- Default: This option lets your device use the default APN settings that are provided by your network provider. This is the recommended option for most users.
- Custom: This option lets you create or edit your own APN settings, based on the information that you get from your network provider. This option is suitable for some users who need to change their APN settings for some reason.
To change your APN settings, tap the option that you want to use, and fill in the required fields, such as name, APN, username and password. You can also tap the menu icon (three dots) on the top right corner and choose from different options, such as:
- Reset to default: This option lets you reset your APN settings to the default settings that are provided by your network provider. This option may fix your mobile data not working problems, if you have changed your APN settings before.
- New APN: This option lets you create a new APN setting, based on the information that you get from your network provider. This option may help you if you have a new SIM card, or if you have switched to another network provider.
- Delete APN: This option lets you delete an existing APN setting, that you don’t need or use anymore. This option may help you if you have multiple APN settings, or if you have an incorrect or outdated APN setting.
After changing your APN settings, tap Save and wait for your device to connect to the network. Then, check if your mobile data is working.
Step 4: Check Your Data Usage and Limit
Android mobile data not working may be caused by exceeding your data usage or limit. Your data usage is the amount of data that you have used on your device such as browsing the web, using apps or sending messages. Your data limit is the amount of data that you have set or allowed on your device, such as a monthly quota, a daily cap, or a warning threshold. To check your data usage and limit, go to Settings > Network & internet > Data usage. You should see a graph that shows your data usage over time and a number that shows your data limit. You can also see the data usage of individual apps and the data usage of different networks such as Wi-Fi or mobile data.
To manage your data usage and limit, you can do the following:
- Set a data limit: This option lets you set a maximum amount of data that you can use on your device, such as 1 GB, 5 GB or 10 GB. When you reach this limit, your mobile data will be turned off automatically and you will see a message saying “Data limit exceeded”. This option may help you avoid extra charges or save your data for later use. To set a data limit, go to Settings > Network & internet > Data usage > Billing cycle > Data limit. Then, turn on the toggle and enter the amount of data that you want to set as your limit. You can also choose the date when your billing cycle starts and when your data limit resets.
- Set a data warning: This option lets you set a warning amount of data that you can use on your device such as 500 MB, 2 GB or 8 GB. When you reach this amount, your mobile data will not be turned off but you will see a message saying “Data usage warning”. This option may help you monitor your data usage and adjust your data consumption accordingly. To set a data warning, go to Settings > Network & internet > Data usage > Billing cycle > Data warning. Then, turn on the toggle, and enter the amount of data that you want to set as your warning. You can also choose the date when your billing cycle starts, and when your data warning resets.
- Restrict background data: This option lets you limit the amount of data that your apps can use in the background, when you are not using them. Background data is the data that your apps use to perform tasks, such as syncing, updating or sending notifications. Sometimes, background data may consume a lot of your data and cause your mobile data to not work. To restrict background data, go to Settings > Network & internet > Data usage > App data usage. Then, tap the app that you want to restrict and turn off the toggle for Background data. You can also turn off the toggle for Unrestricted data usage, if you want to limit the data usage of the app even when you are using it.
After managing your data usage and limit, check if your mobile data is working.
Step 5: Check Your Device Software and Apps
Android mobile data not working may be caused by outdated or incompatible device software or apps. Your device software is the system software that runs your device, such as Android OS. Your apps are the applications that you install and use on your device such as games, social media or productivity apps. Sometimes, your device software or apps may have bugs or compatibility issues that affect your mobile data functionality. To check your device software and apps, follow these steps:
- Update your device software: Your device software updates itself automatically, but sometimes it may not do so due to various reasons. To check if you have the latest version of your device software, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. If you see a message saying “Your system is up to date”, then you have the latest version. If you see a message saying “Update available”, then tap Download and install to update your device software. Wait for the update to complete, and then check if your mobile data is working.
- Update your apps: Your apps update themselves automatically, but sometimes they may not do so due to various reasons. To check if you have the latest version of your apps, go to Google Play Store and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) or profile icon on the top left corner. Then, tap My apps & games > Updates. You should see a list of apps that have updates available. You can tap Update all to update all the apps at once or tap Update next to each app to update them individually. Wait for the updates to complete and then check if your mobile data is working.
- Uninstall or disable problematic apps: Sometimes, some apps may cause problems with your mobile data such as blocking, interfering or consuming your data. To uninstall or disable problematic apps, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps. Then, tap the app that you want to uninstall or disable, and choose from different options, such as:
- Uninstall: This option lets you remove the app completely from your device, along with its data and settings. This option may help you if you don’t need or use the app anymore, or if the app is malicious or harmful. To uninstall the app, tap Uninstall and confirm.
- Disable: This option lets you turn off the app temporarily from your device, without deleting its data and settings. This option may help you if you need or use the app occasionally, or if the app is causing problems with your mobile data. To disable the app, tap Disable and confirm. You can also enable the app again later, if you want to use it.
After checking your device software and apps, check if your mobile data is working.