Mobile data not working on your Android phone can be extremely frustrating, especially when you are outside, need navigation, messaging apps, or want to quickly check something online. The good news is that in most cases, the problem is caused by simple settings, temporary glitches, or network issues that you can fix yourself.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll go through all the common causes and practical solutions to fix mobile data that’s not working on Android, even if Wi-Fi works fine.
Common Signs That Mobile Data Is Not Working
You may notice one or more of these symptoms:
- Websites don’t load when Wi-Fi is off
- Apps show “No internet connection” on mobile data
- The mobile data icon (4G, LTE, H+, 5G) is missing
- Only calls and SMS work, but no internet
- Mobile data works on Wi-Fi but stops when Wi-Fi is turned off
Let’s go through the fixes from the simplest to more advanced. Follow them in order.
Fix 1: Make Sure Mobile Data Is Actually Enabled
This sounds basic, but it’s the first thing to confirm.
How to check:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings
- Look for Mobile Data or Data icon
- Make sure it is turned ON
If it was off, turn it on and wait a few seconds to see if the internet starts working.
Fix 2: Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off
Airplane mode quickly resets your phone’s connection to the mobile network. Sometimes this alone can fix mobile data issues.
Steps:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen
- Tap Airplane Mode to turn it ON
- Wait 10–15 seconds
- Tap it again to turn it OFF
Once signal bars return, wait a few seconds and try using mobile data again.
Fix 3: Restart Your Phone
A simple restart clears temporary bugs and reloads network components.
How to restart:
- Hold the Power button
- Tap Restart (or Power Off → turn it on again)
After rebooting, turn off Wi-Fi and test mobile data in a browser or app.
Fix 4: Check Your Signal Strength
If you have weak or no signal, mobile data may not work at all.
Check for:
- Number of signal bars at the top of the screen
- Whether it says No Service, Emergency Calls Only, or Roaming
If you are in a basement, elevator, rural area, or underground place, try moving closer to a window or going outside.
Fix 5: Make Sure You Have an Active Data Plan
Sometimes the issue is not the phone but your mobile plan.
Check:
- Have you used all your data for this month?
- Did your plan expire?
- Is your SIM blocked due to unpaid bills?
What to do:
- Send your carrier’s balance or data code (like *100# or similar)
- Open your carrier’s official app and check data usage
- Contact customer support and ask if your data is active
Fix 6: Check Data Limit and Data Saver Settings
Android has built-in settings that can limit or block mobile data when a certain limit is reached.
To check data limit:
- Go to Settings → Connections → Data Usage (or similar)
- Look for Data limit or Billing cycle
- Turn off any Data limit options or increase the limit
To check Data Saver:
- Go to Settings → Network & Internet
- Tap Data Saver
- Make sure it is OFF for now
Fix 7: Check Network Mode (3G / 4G / 5G Settings)
If your phone is set to a network mode that your carrier doesn’t fully support in your area, mobile data might not work properly.
To change network mode:
- Go to Settings → Mobile Network
- Tap Preferred Network Type or Network Mode
- Select 4G/3G/2G (Auto) or LTE/3G/2G (Auto)
Wait a few seconds for the network to reconnect, then test your data.
Fix 8: Check APN Settings (Very Important)
APN (Access Point Name) settings tell your phone how to connect to your carrier’s mobile internet. If APN settings are missing, wrong, or corrupted, your phone won’t be able to use mobile data.
How to check or reset APN:
- Go to Settings → Mobile Network
- Tap Access Point Names (APN)
- See if your carrier name appears in the list
If APN looks wrong or empty, try this:
- Tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner
- Tap Reset to default
If no APN appears, search your carrier’s official website for APN settings and enter them manually (Name, APN, MMSC, MCC, MNC, etc.).
Fix 9: Reinsert the SIM Card
A loose or poorly seated SIM card can cause data problems, even if calls still work.
Steps:
- Turn off your phone
- Remove the SIM tray using a SIM ejector tool or paperclip
- Take out the SIM card and gently wipe it with a dry cloth
- Reinsert it carefully and push the tray back in
- Turn the phone back on
After reboot, check if the network icon appears and test mobile data again.
Fix 10: Set the Correct SIM for Mobile Data (Dual SIM Phones)
If you use a dual SIM phone, mobile data may be assigned to the wrong SIM.
To select data SIM:
- Go to Settings → SIM cards & Mobile Data (or similar)
- Find Mobile Data option
- Select the correct SIM card that has an active data plan
Make sure the data SIM is enabled and has signal.
Fix 11: Disable VPN, Firewall, or Security Apps
VPN apps, firewalls, or some security apps can interfere with mobile data, especially if misconfigured.
Try this:
- Disable any active VPN
- Temporarily disable firewall or security apps related to network control
- Restart the phone and test again
Fix 12: Reset Network Settings
If none of the above fixes worked, there may be a deeper system issue with your network configuration.
Resetting network settings will:
- Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth settings
- Remove saved Wi-Fi networks
- Reset APN and network preferences
How to do it:
- Go to Settings → System (or General Management on some phones)
- Tap Reset or Reset Options
- Select Reset Network Settings
- Confirm the action
After the reset, restart your phone and test mobile data. You may need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and APN settings.
Fix 13: Update Your Android System
Sometimes mobile data issues come from software bugs that are fixed in newer updates.
To check for updates:
- Go to Settings → Software Update
- Tap Download and Install or Check for Updates
- Install any available update and restart the phone
Fix 14: Try the SIM Card in Another Phone
This helps you understand if the issue is with your phone or the SIM itself.
- Remove your SIM card
- Insert it into another phone (if possible)
- Turn mobile data on and test internet
If mobile data works on the other phone, the problem is with your original device. If it doesn’t work on both, the issue is likely with the SIM or your carrier.
Fix 15: Contact Your Mobile Network Carrier
If nothing has worked so far, there might be a network issue from your provider’s side, or your SIM may need replacement.
Ask them:
- If there is an outage in your area
- If your SIM card or account has any restrictions
- If your APN settings are correct
- If your plan supports mobile data on your device
Fix 16: When to Visit a Service Center
In rare cases, mobile data not working can be caused by hardware problems such as:
- Damaged SIM tray
- Defective network antenna
- Serious system corruption
If you’ve tried all software fixes and the carrier confirms your SIM and account are fine, it may be time to visit an authorized service center for a hardware diagnosis.
Conclusion
Mobile data not working on Android is usually caused by simple issues like disabled settings, wrong APN configuration, temporary network glitches, or SIM problems. By following this step-by-step guide, you should be able to identify the cause and restore your mobile internet connection without needing technical knowledge.
If your mobile data still doesn’t work after trying all the solutions above, consider contacting your carrier or visiting a repair technician for a deeper check.
For more network, Wi-Fi, and SIM troubleshooting tutorials, explore our Network, Wi-Fi & SIM Issues category on the site.