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How to Know My eSIM Is Not Working | Signs and Solutions to Look For

Jony AhmedJony Ahmed
Nov 20th 2024 |

eSIM Guides

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Are you trying to connect to eSIM but unfortunately can’t? You are not alone in having encountered this issue.

As members of a vast eSIM user community, we know there have always been issues that can be fixed with the right approach. 

So, are you looking for solutions? Before that, you might ask how to know my eSIM is not working. Yes, once you know the possible signs, it will be easier to find the required solutions. 

Several factors contribute to eSIM malfunction. Therefore, in this blog, we’ll shed light on the signs, possible causes, and solutions if your eSIM is not working. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • If eSIM is active but can’t connect to the network, there’s likely an issue with the network.
  • If eSIM doesn’t work as expected, it could be due to a network issue, a problem with the device’s eSIM settings, or a temporary glitch that causes eSIM not to be detected.
  • Ensure your mobile device is eSIM compatible: If your mobile isn’t compatible, upgrade your phone.
  • Check if cellular data and eSIM are turned on: Turning off these functions will prevent eSIM from accessing your mobile device.
  • If poor network issues persist, reboot your Android or iPhone.
  • If your mobile device has expired or you still need to purchase a plan, choose a reputable eSIM provider.

How to Know My eSIM Is Not Working?

If eSIM is working on your mobile device, whether you are using an iPhone or an Android phone, you are supposed to access its features, right? Now, where does the confusion about eSIM malfunctions come in?

Isn’t it when you can access the features or when you find it hard to connect to the network? 

Or, there could be some other sign that eSIM on mobile devices is having issues. 

Here are some of the possible signs you pick up on when eSIM is not working; 

No Network 

If you have successfully activated your eSIM on your mobile, purchased a plan, and it is active but still can’t connect to the network, there is something wrong with your eSIM.

The eSIM should function properly when there is an active data plan. 

But what if you don’t activate eSIM on your iPhone or Android device? How will it work then? We’ll make you wait a bit as a detailed discussion is coming.

Since then, assume you have done all right but still struggle to have a network to operate eSIM.

No Calls 

It just makes too much sense that you can’t make a call if there is no network with your eSIM.

But sometimes, even if a network is needed to operate eSIM, you can’t still make a call. Not only that, you can’t even text or use mobile data.

Frequent Drops in Signal Strength

If eSIM works with your mobile device comprehensively, it is supposed to have strong signal strength. But if otherwise, chances are your eSIM will not work as expected.

This could be due to several reasons, such as a network issue, a problem with your device’s eSIM settings, or a temporary glitch that causes eSIM not detected. 

Why Is My eSIM Not Working? 

Whenever you discover that eSIM on your mobile is not working, the best thing to do is to look for the possible causes behind the problems.

The quicker you pinpoint the problem, the sooner you can fix it. We’ll guide you on that, anyway. 

Before diving deep into this section, we want to clarify what needs to be ensured in order for eSIM to work on your mobile device. 

  • Make sure your mobile device is eSIM compatible. So, the first part of eSIM installation is to check eSIM compatibility. If your mobile is not compatible (we hope it is), when we are sorry. Why not upgrade your phone, then? And you can’t expect eSIM to work on your mobile in these cases.
  • If your mobile is not unlocked, you won’t be able to use eSIM or other carriers. So, follow the right process to unlock your phone and access eSIM.
  • Having eSIM-compatible mobile devices is not enough. You need to activate eSIM to access it from home, as eSIM is not pre-installed. How can someone imagine eSIM working on their phone and having eSIM activation issues? No way.
  • Also, don’t feel shy about checking whether your cellular data and eSIM are turned on. Turning off these functions will prevent you from accessing eSIM from your mobile device.

So, we assume your mobile is compatible with eSIM and that you went through a proper activation process. Now, this discussion will make more sense. 

Poor Network Coverage 

No matter whether you use a physical SIM card or eSIM, powerful network strength is needed to make calls, send text messages, and browse the internet.

Therefore, poor network issues can be an acute reason eSIM on your mobile device is not working. 

Check the network signal on your mobile; we hope you know that. This will give you a clear idea of the network condition in your location. 

Solutions: 

To avoid this kind of issue, the best you can do is choose an eSIM with wider network coverage, regardless of your location.

Pirate Mobile is a reliable eSIM provider, and you will be pleased to know that we have super-fast connectivity in more than 190 countries. 

Turning off and on airplane mode on your mobile can also help you deal with poor network issues. If this doesn’t work, you can check one more thing, and that is to reboot your Android or iPhone

If this doesn’t solve the issue, don’t mind going with a network reset, as this is supposed to fix network-related issues. You will then be able to access eSIM from your mobile once again. 

To reset network settings on your iPhone, 

  • Go to ‘Settings’
  • Tap ‘General’
  • Tap ‘Transfer Reset iPhone.’
  • Select ‘Network Reset Settings’

If you are an Android user, follow these steps; 

  • Go to ‘Settings’
  • Tap on ‘System’
  • Tap on ‘General Management’
  • Select ‘Reset WiFi and Mobile Network Settings’

The process might change depending on your mobile’s model, but the basic idea will remain the same. 

Inappropriate Activation Process

Then again, if the eSIM activation process has glitches, it stops working. Users activating eSIM for the first time often need to correct some silly mistakes.

Unfortunately, even if they have eSIM-compatible mobile devices, eSIM can’t work on them. 

Solutions: 

Depending on the type of mobile device you use, the proper activation process is the only option. Only then will you be able to deny the eSIM activation issues. You can check our blog to activate eSIM on your mobile

Inactive Data Plans 

You need an active data plan to access eSIM on your phone. That’s why eSIM may not work on your phone if the data plan has expired or you haven’t purchased a plan yet. 

Solutions 

If you don’t have any active data plans, buy eSIM for international tourists and choose a reputed eSIM provider. Here at Pirate Mobile, you can have affordable data plans.

But if you have purchased a plan and still can’t make the eSIM work on your device, check whether the plan has expired. If yes, then you need to renew the plan.

Outdated Software 

It is vital to keep your mobile device up to date. This is equally true for Android and iPhone mobile devices.

Due to outdated mobile software, your eSIM may be hard to connect to the network. 

Solutions 

The solution is simple. You need to check whether your mobile device is updated. If not, then you have to update it to the latest version.

Hope this will solve eSIM issues, assuming you went through the other solutions mentioned. 

Deleted eSIM

If you delete your eSIM profile, you won’t be able to access eSIM from the same profile on your mobile.

When you delete eSIM from your mobile, the technology can’t connect to the network and your device as well. 

Solutions 

If you have deleted your eSIM, contact your carrier. The carrier will guide you through reinstalling eSIM on your mobile device.

You should follow almost the same procedures that are required to activate the eSIM. In some cases, you may need to request a replacement from your eSIM carrier. 

How Do I Know If My eSIM Is Active?

If eSIM is active on your mobile, you are supposed to be able to access it. Connecting to a cellular network will not be difficult, and voice calls, text messages, and internet browsing should not be an issue. 

It is also possible to determine whether your eSIM is working from the settings menu. If eSIM is active, you’ll find the status in the Mobile Network section—it’s that simple. 

Now, if you are using an iPhone, following these steps will help you with the process; 

  • Go to ‘Settings’ 
  • Tap on ‘Cellular’
  • Right under the section, you should see the eSIM status. 

As an Android user, these steps will help you check whether eSIM is connected to your mobile; 

  • Open ‘Settings’
  • Navigate to ‘Network/Internet or  Connection’
  • Tap on ‘SIM Card Manager or Mobile Network’
  • Check the eSIM status. 

Final Words

Now, you have a complete eSIM troubleshooting guide. So, without panicking when eSIM is not working on your phone, try to figure out the potential issue and resolve it.

Sometimes, more than one issue may take place. However, choosing a reliable eSIM provider will help you avoid unexpected matters.