Why Is My eSIM Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide 2026

You've landed in a new country, installed your travel eSIM, and... nothing. No signal. No data. Just that frustrating "No Service" message staring back at you.

Don't panic. Most eSIM problems have simple solutions. This guide covers every issue you might encounter—from activation failures to mysterious connection drops—with step-by-step fixes for both iPhone and Android.

Quick Diagnosis: What's Your eSIM Doing?

Before diving into solutions, identify your specific symptom. Each points to different fixes:

The 60-Second Fix (Try This First)

Before anything else, try this quick sequence that resolves about 70% of eSIM connection issues:

1. Toggle Airplane Mode: Turn it ON, wait 10 seconds, turn it OFF
2. Check Data Roaming: Make sure it's enabled for your eSIM
3. Verify your eSIM is selected for data: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data → Select your eSIM

Still not working? Let's dig deeper.

Step 1: Verify Basic Settings

The most common eSIM problems come from simple settings being off. Check each of these:

On iPhone

1. Go to Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data)
2. Under Cellular Plans, tap your eSIM (it may be labeled "Travel," "Secondary," or "Personal")
3. Ensure "Turn On This Line" is enabled
4. Tap Data Roaming and make sure it's ON
5. Go back and tap Cellular Data at the top
6. Select your eSIM as the data source

On Android (Samsung)

1. Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Manager
2. Tap your eSIM and ensure it's enabled
3. Tap Mobile Data and select your eSIM
4. Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks
5. Enable Data Roaming

On Android (Google Pixel)

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs
2. Select your eSIM
3. Enable Mobile Data and Roaming

Why Data Roaming matters: Travel eSIMs connect to local carrier networks in foreign countries. Your phone considers this "roaming" even though you're using a local eSIM—so Data Roaming must be ON. This won't trigger charges from your home carrier since you're using the travel eSIM's data.

Step 2: Restart Your Device

The classic "turn it off and on again" fix works because it forces your phone to re-register with available networks. Do it properly:

1. Power off your phone completely (don't just sleep it)
2. Wait 30 seconds (this allows capacitors to fully discharge)
3. Power back on
4. Wait 1-2 minutes for network registration

If you're at your destination with verified settings and a restart doesn't help, move to the next step.

Step 3: Manually Select a Network

Your phone might be connecting to an incompatible network. Force it to choose correctly:

On iPhone

1. Go to Settings → Cellular
2. Tap your eSIM under Cellular Plans
3. Tap Network Selection
4. Turn off Automatic
5. Wait for available networks to appear
6. Try each network until one connects successfully
7. Once connected, you can turn Automatic back on

On Android

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks (or Network & Internet)
2. Tap Network Operators
3. Turn off Select Automatically
4. Choose a network from the list

Tip: If you're unsure which network to select, contact your eSIM provider. Simbye's 24/7 support team can tell you exactly which networks work with your plan.

Step 4: Check and Fix APN Settings

If you have signal bars but no internet access, your APN (Access Point Name) settings are likely incorrect. The APN tells your phone how to connect to the carrier's data network.

On iPhone

1. Go to Settings → Cellular
2. Tap your eSIM under Cellular Plans
3. Tap Cellular Data Network (or Mobile Data Network)
4. In the APN field, enter the value provided by your eSIM provider
5. Leave Username and Password blank unless specified

Note: If you don't see "Cellular Data Network" option, your eSIM provider uses auto-APN and this isn't your issue.

On Android

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Access Point Names
2. Tap the + icon to add new APN
3. Enter Name: (anything you want, like "Travel eSIM")
4. Enter APN: (the value from your provider, often "internet" or "mobile")
5. Leave other fields blank
6. Tap Save
7. Select your new APN from the list

Most modern eSIM providers, including Simbye, use Auto-APN—your phone configures settings automatically. But if you're having issues, manually entering the APN often resolves them.

Step 5: Disable VPN and Security Apps

VPNs can interfere with eSIM activation and data connections. Temporarily disable them:

On iPhone

1. Go to Settings → VPN
2. Toggle the switch to OFF
3. Also check Settings → General → VPN & Device Management for any profiles

On Android

1. Open your VPN app and disconnect
2. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → VPN
3. Disable any active VPN connections

Once your eSIM is working, you can re-enable your VPN.

Common Error Messages and How to Fix Them

"Unable to Activate eSIM"

This message appears when your iPhone tries to connect to a network during installation but can't complete the process.

Common causes:

• You're not yet at your destination (travel eSIMs only work in their coverage area)
• Weak Wi-Fi during installation
• The eSIM is actually already installed

What to do:

1. Check if the eSIM appears in Settings → Cellular → Cellular Plans
2. If it's there, you're fine—the activation will complete when you arrive at your destination
3. If not there, ensure strong Wi-Fi and try scanning the QR code again

"This Code Is No Longer Valid"

Each eSIM QR code can only be used once. This error means the code has already been scanned—even if you cancelled the installation midway.

What to do:

1. First, check if the eSIM is already in your phone (Settings → Cellular → Cellular Plans)
2. If not there, contact your eSIM provider for a new activation code
3. With Simbye, our support team can issue replacement codes immediately via WhatsApp or live chat

"Cellular Plan Cannot Be Added" or "Unsupported eSIM"

This usually means your phone is carrier-locked.

How to check if your phone is locked:

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → General → About
2. Scroll to Carrier Lock or Network Provider Lock
3. If it says "No SIM restrictions," your phone is unlocked
4. If it shows a carrier name, your phone is locked to that carrier

On Android:

1. Insert a SIM from a different carrier
2. If it asks for an unlock code, your phone is locked
3. Contact your carrier to request an unlock

"Activating..." That Never Completes

This is actually normal behavior in many cases. Your eSIM shows "Activating..." because it's trying to connect to a network that isn't available in your current location.

If you're NOT at your destination yet: This is expected. The eSIM will activate automatically when you land and connect to a local network.

If you ARE at your destination:

1. Toggle Airplane Mode on/off
2. Ensure Data Roaming is enabled
3. Try manually selecting a network
4. Restart your phone

"No Service" Despite Correct Settings

If all settings are correct but you still see "No Service":

1. Confirm you're in coverage area: Check your eSIM plan's covered countries/regions
2. Check for carrier outages: Local networks occasionally have issues
3. Wait 15-30 minutes: Some eSIMs need time to authenticate with the network
4. Try a different location: Move outdoors or to a different area with better signal

Advanced Troubleshooting

Reset Network Settings

This clears all saved network configurations and often fixes stubborn connection issues. Warning: This will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone
2. Tap Reset
3. Tap Reset Network Settings
4. Enter your passcode to confirm

On Android:

1. Go to Settings → General Management → Reset
2. Tap Reset Network Settings
3. Confirm the reset

Important: This will NOT delete your eSIM. It only resets network configurations.

Update Your Phone's Software

Outdated software can cause eSIM compatibility issues. Apple and Google frequently release updates that fix eSIM bugs.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → General → Software Update
2. Download and install any available updates

On Android:

1. Go to Settings → Software Update (or System → System Update)
2. Check for and install updates

Check Carrier Settings (iPhone Only)

Carrier settings updates contain important network configuration changes:

1. Go to Settings → General → About
2. Scroll down to the carrier section
3. If an update is available, you'll see a prompt—tap Update

Delete and Reinstall eSIM (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, removing and reinstalling the eSIM profile often resolves deep corruption issues.

Before you do this: Contact your eSIM provider. Some providers only issue one-time QR codes and cannot reissue them. Simbye can provide replacement activation codes if needed.

To remove eSIM on iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Cellular
2. Tap your eSIM under Cellular Plans
3. Scroll down and tap Delete eSIM
4. Confirm deletion

To remove eSIM on Android:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Manager
2. Tap your eSIM
3. Tap Remove or Delete

Then reinstall using your provider's QR code or manual installation details.

Prevention: Avoid eSIM Problems Before They Start

Follow these best practices to minimize connection issues:

• Install before you travel: Set up your eSIM at home with reliable Wi-Fi—it will activate when you arrive
• Don't activate until needed: Some plans start their validity period upon activation, not installation
• Save your activation details: Screenshot the QR code and manual codes in case you need to reinstall
• Update your phone first: Install any pending software updates before traveling
• Verify device compatibility: Check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked
• Disable VPN during setup: Turn off VPNs until your eSIM is working properly

Why Choose a Provider with Real Support

When eSIM problems strike, fast support makes all the difference. Here's how major providers compare:

With Simbye, you're never alone when troubleshooting. Our 15 support agents respond in seconds—not hours—via WhatsApp, Telegram, or live chat. No chatbots, no ticket queues, just real humans who speak your language and know how to fix your problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my eSIM show "Activating" but never connect?

If you're not yet at your destination, this is normal—travel eSIMs only activate in their coverage area. If you are at your destination, try toggling Airplane Mode, enabling Data Roaming, manually selecting a network, and restarting your phone.

Can I use my eSIM and physical SIM at the same time?

Yes! Most modern phones support dual SIM functionality. Keep your physical SIM for calls/texts and use your eSIM for data. Just make sure to select the eSIM for "Cellular Data" in your settings.

Will resetting network settings delete my eSIM?

No. Resetting network settings on both iPhone and Android removes saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings, but your eSIM profiles remain intact.

My eSIM worked yesterday but stopped today. Why?

Common causes include: data plan expiration, leaving the coverage area, a software update that changed settings, or temporary network issues. Check your remaining data balance, verify you're still in a covered region, and ensure Data Roaming is still enabled.

Can a VPN cause eSIM problems?

Yes. VPNs can interfere with both eSIM activation and ongoing data connections. Disable VPNs during setup and when troubleshooting connection issues.

What if none of these solutions work?

Contact your eSIM provider. They can check your account status, verify network coverage, update your eSIM profile remotely, or issue a replacement code. With Simbye, support is available 24/7 via WhatsApp, Telegram, or live chat.

Get Back Online with Simbye

Most eSIM problems resolve with the basic fixes in this guide—checking settings, toggling Airplane Mode, and ensuring Data Roaming is on. For trickier issues, manually selecting networks and checking APN settings usually do the trick.

But when you need help fast, provider support matters. Simbye offers 24/7 human support in 12 languages, with response times measured in seconds, not hours. Our team can walk you through troubleshooting steps, verify your coverage, or issue replacement codes instantly.

Ready to experience worry-free travel connectivity? Start with our free 100MB trial—no credit card required—and see why travelers trust Simbye.

Get Your Free eSIM Trial →

Download the Simbye app for easy installation, data tracking, and one-tap support:

• Download for iPhone
• Download for Android