eSIM Not Working? Common Problems and Solutions

Your plane lands. You turn off airplane mode. You expect the signal bars to fill up.

Result: Nothing.

No data. No network. A tiny “No Service” warning staring at you while everyone else at the airport scrolls through their messages.

If your eSIM is not working, the situation can feel urgent. Modern travel relies entirely on connectivity: Maps, ride-sharing apps, boarding passes, hotel check-ins, two-factor authentication codes, and remote meetings. When mobile data fails, everything slows down.

The good news is that most eSIM issues aren't technical disasters; they are small configuration errors. In many cases, the solution takes less than two minutes. The trick is understanding where the connection usually breaks.

This guide examines the most common eSIM problems travelers face and explains how to fix them clearly and calmly. No panic. No guessing. Just practical steps that work.

First Step: Confirm That the eSIM Is Actually Installed

It sounds simple, but many problems start here. Sometimes users scan a QR code and assume the installation is complete. The download might have been interrupted due to weak WiFi. Or the profile might be saved but not activated.

• On iPhone: Go to Settings, then Cellular or Mobile Data. You should see the eSIM profile under "SIMs." If it doesn't appear, the installation was never finished.
• On Android: Go to Settings, then Network & Internet or Connections, and then SIM Manager. The eSIM should appear as an available SIM profile.

If the eSIM is not visible, reinstall it using a stable internet connection. If the QR code no longer works, contact your provider before trying anything else. Without a profile, there is no network.

eSIM Installed But No Signal

This is the most common complaint. The profile exists, the installation was successful, but you still see “No Service” or empty signal bars.

Start with simple steps. Turn on airplane mode. Wait ten seconds. Turn it off. Phones sometimes need a clean network refresh to register with a new operator. If nothing changes, restart the device completely. Not just locking and unlocking the screen; a full power off and on.

Still no result? Check if the eSIM is turned on. Phones allow multiple SIMs, and it’s possible the new one is installed but disabled.

• On iPhone: Tap the eSIM profile and confirm that “Turn On This Line” is active.
• On Android: Ensure the switch next to the eSIM is turned on.

An activation warning without a signal usually means the phone hasn't successfully registered with the partner network yet.

Signal Bars Are Visible But Mobile Data Is Not Working

You have signal strength, even calls might work, but mobile data refuses to load. This usually comes down to one setting: which SIM is assigned for data. Dual-SIM phones allow you to choose which line manages mobile data. If your primary SIM remains selected for data, your travel eSIM will stay idle.

Go to cellular settings and confirm the eSIM is selected as the data line. Next, check if data roaming is enabled for the eSIM. Many travel eSIMs require roaming to be turned on because they connect to partner networks in foreign countries.

• On iPhone: Open eSIM settings and turn on Data Roaming.
• On Android: Open eSIM mobile network settings and enable Roaming.

Roaming might sound expensive, but for travel eSIMs, this is the expected behavior. If data still doesn't load, check the APN settings.

APN Settings Are Incorrect or Missing

APN stands for Access Point Name. It tells your phone how to connect to the operator's data network. Most eSIMs configure the APN automatically. Sometimes, the phone fails to fill in the correct values. If the provider has given APN details, enter them manually.

• On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Select eSIM > Cellular Data Network. Enter the APN exactly as provided.
• On Android: Go to Mobile Network > Access Point Names and add a new APN if necessary.

Typos will break the connection. Double-check the spelling. Restart the phone after updating the APN. In most cases, this brings the data back instantly.

eSIM Says “Activating” For Too Long

An eSIM stuck in the “Activating” stage usually indicates a registration issue. First, confirm that you are physically in a country supported by the eSIM plan. Some plans only activate when they detect local networks within the coverage area. If you installed the eSIM before your trip, activation might wait until you arrive.

If you are already in the correct country, check your internet connection. Activation sometimes requires a brief online verification step. Try connecting to WiFi, then toggle airplane mode. If activation remains frozen for more than a few minutes, contact the provider before deleting the profile. Deleting too quickly can lock the activation attempt.

“SIM Not Supported” or “Carrier Lock” Message

This error usually has nothing to do with the eSIM itself. It generally means the phone is locked to a specific carrier. Many phones purchased on contract are restricted from using other networks. Even if the phone technically supports eSIM, the lock prevents activation. Contact your original carrier to ask if your device is unlocked. No third-party eSIM will work properly without the lock being removed.

eSIM Installed But Internet Is Very Slow

Slow speeds can feel like no connection at all. Before assuming the eSIM is faulty, consider your location. Airports, train stations, and tourist centers are often plagued by network congestion. Try switching network operators manually.

In mobile network settings, disable automatic network selection and select another available operator. Sometimes one partner network performs better than another in the same area. Also, check if 5G is on in an area with low coverage; forcing the phone to use LTE can increase stability. Speed issues are usually related to local infrastructure, not the eSIM configuration.

Cannot Scan the QR Code

If the camera refuses to scan the QR code, check the lighting and screen brightness. If the QR code is displayed on the screen of the phone you are trying to install the eSIM on, scanning obviously won't work. In this case, use manual activation. Manual installation usually requires entering an SM-DP+ address and an activation code. Follow instructions carefully; a single wrong character prevents the download.

You Accidentally Deleted the eSIM

This happens more often than people admit. If you have removed the eSIM profile, it is usually permanently deleted from your device. Whether it can be reinstalled depends on the provider's reuse policy. Some allow reactivation; others treat the QR code as single-use. Contact the provider before trying to reinstall to confirm if the profile can be reissued.

Calls Work But Data Does Not

If you can make calls but cannot access mobile data, the wrong SIM is likely assigned for data. Another possibility is that the plan is "data-only." Many travel eSIMs do not include traditional voice services. In this case, calls over the cellular network won't work, but apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime Audio will work over data. Check the plan details before assuming something is broken.

Data Works But You Cannot Receive SMS

Many travelers keep their home SIM cards active to receive SMS verification codes. If SMS isn't arriving, ensure your physical SIM card remains enabled. Some phones automatically disable the original SIM when activating a new eSIM. This can block messages coming to your home number. Also, check if you accidentally set the eSIM as the default line for messages.

eSIM Stops Working After a Few Days

If the eSIM worked initially but stopped later, consider data limits. Many travel plans include a fixed data quota. Once consumed, data may stop completely or slow down significantly. Check usage in your phone's cellular data settings. Resetting data statistics at the start of your trip helps you track consumption accurately. Another possibility is the plan duration expiring.

Device Compatibility Confusion

Not all phones support eSIM. Some only support it in specific regions. For example, certain dual-SIM phones sold in some countries might use two physical SIM slots and disable the eSIM feature entirely. Check the manufacturer's official specs using your model number, not just the phone name, to confirm eSIM support.

Issues at Border Crossings

Traveling between countries sometimes triggers network confusion. The phone drops one operator and searches for another. Signal may drop temporarily during this transition. Do not immediately try to reinstall the eSIM. Wait a few minutes. Toggle airplane mode if necessary. Cross-border network switching can take longer in rural areas.

VPN Conflicts

If you are using a VPN, disable it briefly to test the connection. Some VPN configurations interfere with new mobile connections or DNS resolution. If data works normally after turning off the VPN, adjust your VPN settings or change servers.

Corporate or Managed Devices

Work phones managed by company IT departments can restrict SIM changes. If your device is enrolled in Mobile Device Management (MDM), third-party eSIM installation might be blocked. Contact your IT team instead of troubleshooting forever; the restriction might be a policy, not a technical error.

Reset Network Settings as a Last Resort

If nothing works and all settings look correct, resetting network settings might help. This won't delete your phone's content but will remove saved WiFi passwords and cellular configurations. Use this step carefully and only after verifying simpler solutions.

Why Most eSIM Problems Are Configuration Based

eSIM technology itself is stable. The digital profile either installs correctly or it doesn't. The vast majority of problems stem from: choosing the wrong SIM for data, roaming being off, incorrect APN, carrier locks, weak internet during installation, or plan expiration. When you understand this pattern, troubleshooting becomes a systematic process rather than a stressful one.

A Calm Troubleshooting Order That Works

If your eSIM is not working, follow this mental checklist:

• Confirm installation
• Enable the eSIM
• Select eSIM for mobile data
• Enable roaming
• Restart the phone
• Check the APN
• Verify the coverage country
• Check plan validity

Following these steps methodically solves most problems quickly. This guide was brought to you by eSIMfo.

Final Thoughts

An eSIM that won't connect feels like an emergency, especially when traveling. But in reality, most issues are down to small settings rather than broken technology. Understanding how dual-SIM works, how roaming functions, and how network registration behaves in different locations gives you control. Next time the signal bars don't appear, you won't panic. You'll check the settings calmly, fix what needs fixing, and carry on with your journey.