It has been observed that almost every day some or the other users are facing many strange errors on their Android phones and one such error is “Not registered on network”.

So, to those who’ve recently encountered the “Not Registered on Network” error on their Android phone, let us tell you that luckily, there are a few solutions to this problem that you can implement and potentially fix the issue to get back on the network in no time. 

Wondering what they are? No more!  Here in this post, we will not just explain to you what this error means but also discuss all possible solutions to this error with their step-by-step instructions.

Having said that, let us begin:


What Does “Not Registered on Network” Mean?

Not Registered on Network Error on Android

The “Not Registered on Network” error is a standard Android problem that occurs on T-Mobile, Airtel, Vodafone, AT&T, Verizon and so on even after rooting.

So, if you wonder what this means, know that if you see the “Not registered on network” error on your device, it mainly indicates that your SIM card is not connected to your carrier’s network. When this happens, you probably won’t be able to make or receive calls or text messages.

What Causes “Not Registered on Network” Error on Android?

Since there is no definite reason behind the “Not registered on network” error, we have listed down all the possible reasons. They include—

  • Your device may have entered airplane mode and failed to connect with the cellular tower. 
  • Your phone’s firmware or operating system is out of date.
  • Your SIM card is disconnected due to incorrect insertion or damage.
  • Your phone is locked to a carrier.
  • Your device may be experiencing a hardware issue.
  • Your carrier is experiencing an outage.
  • Your carrier is not selected in your phone’s settings.

Now that you know what the “phone is not registered on network” error means and what are its possible causes; let’s follow along to look into practical fixes for this type of error.

How to Resolve “Not Registered on Network” Error?

If you want your phone to work properly then, you must try the solutions listed below (in the given order) till you succeed in resolving the “Not registered on network” error. 

Point to Consider: Since this “Not registered on network” error can occur on any Android phone, the solutions and steps to fix it are the same regardless of the device’s manufacturer or model.

Ways 1: Toggle On & Off the Airplane Mode

The first thing to do if you ever experience network related issues on your phone is to enable Airplane Mode and then disable it. Well because toggling Airplane Mode on and off will first disconnect you from all your networks and then reconnect you to establish a new connection.

So, it is supposed to be helpful when you are facing issues like “not registered on network”. Having said that, you need to simply follow these steps to turn on & turn off airplane mode—

  • Step 1: To begin, pull down from the top of your Android phone’s screen to open the “Information menu.”
  • Step 2: Then, tap the “Airplane mode” option to turn on the mode.
  • Step 3: After that, you’ve to “Wait for a minute” or so.
  • Step 4: Now, again, tap the “Airplane mode” option to turn off the mode.
Toggle On & Off Airplane Mode

Once you’re done enabling and disabling Airplane mode, your phone should connect to your network. So, check if this has fixed the issue on your Android device or not! In case if not, try the next lined up solution.

Ways 2: Restart/Reboot Your Android Phone

Whether you know it or not, if you perform a simple restart or reboot to your device, it will often clear up any temporary conflicts that may be preventing your phone from connecting to the network. 

So, follow these two simple steps to restart your Android phone which should reboot the operating system and fix the not registered on network” error—

  • Step 1: First, press and hold down the “Power button of your respective android phone.
  • Step 2: Then, select the “Restart/Reboot” option from the power menu that appears on the screen.
Reboot/Restart Your Android Phone

Now, your phone will run smoothly again. However, if restarting/rebooting does not fix the error, then move to the next solution.

Ways 3: Turn of Wi-Fi on Your Android

Next, if you use Wi-Fi networks on your Android, you may want to consider disabling Wi-Fi. After doing this, wait for 30 seconds and then, turn it back on. Well, because it resets your connection and can resolve temporary technical glitches that may be causing the “Not Registered on Network” error.

Ways 4: Take the SIM Card Out and Reinsert It 

Another effective ways to fix the “Not Registered on Network” error on your Android phone is to take out your SIM card and ensure that it’s not damaged. If it is not damaged, you need to put it back in place after a few seconds. 

While you do so, make sure the card is set properly in the tray with the metal pins in the right position.

  • Step 1: Firstly, make sure to “Switch off your phone.”
  • Step 2: Then, take out the “SIM tray” and remove the “SIM card” from it.
  • Step 3: After that, you’ve to ensure that it is not damaged, in good condition.
  • Step 4: Now, wait for a few minutes and again “re-insert the SIM card” properly.

Once done, switch on your phone and hopefully, removing your SIM card and re-inserting it properly will help you resolve the “Not Registered on Network” error you’re getting on your Android phone.

Tip: If you have a spare activated SIM card, you can also place that active SIM card in the tray and put the tray back into your phone because if your phone gets signals and connects to the network using another SIM, it means there’s an issue with your SIM card and you need to replace it. However, before you go and buy a new one, make sure you check the dedicated website to see which SIM cards are compatible with your respective android smartphone.

Ways 5: Update Your Android Phone’s Software

If still the error occurs, then your next option is to make sure your operating system and firmware are up-to-date. If not up-to-date, you will need to download the latest updates your phone needs as using an older version of the Android operating system on your phone may be the reason you have network issues on your phone. So, consider that here’s how you can update your phone—

  • Step 1: To begin, launch the “Settings app” on your phone.
  • Step 2: Then, you’ve to scroll down the settings menu to tap on “System.”
  • Step 3: After that, tap “Software update” on the next screen.
  • Step 4: Next, you need to select “Download updates manually.”
  • Step 5: Now, you need to wait for your phone to “Check for available updates.”
Update your android phone’s OS to latest version
  • Step 6: If there’s an update available, you can simply “Install” it on your phone.

Point to Consider: If you rooted your Android phone, you will need to unroot it before you can install updates.

Ways 6: Manually Select Your Carrier

While, your Android phone automatically finds and connects to the correct carrier. But, if your phone keeps on throwing the said network error, it’s worth changing the automatic mode to manual mode and see if that works.

However, in this case you need to ensure that the correct carrier is selected in your settings. Considering that in mind, here’s how you can manually find the carriers available in your area and choose the correct one—

  • Step 1: Open “Settings” of your phone.
  • Step 2: Inside settings, scroll down to go to “Connections.”
  • Step 3: From connections, navigate to “Mobile Networks.”
  • Step 4: After that, tap on “Network Operators
  • Step 5: Next, toggle the automatic option to turn off and followed by that tap “Search now.”
Manually Select Your Android Mobile's Network Operator
  • Step 6: Upon doing so, you’ve all the time to select your “Carrier’s Network” and see whether the error gets resolved now or not.

Ways 7: Change the Preferred Network Type/Mode

If the error continues, you might be in a low reception area that doesn’t support 5G or 4G.

Well, in that scenario, it is best suggested that you switch to 3G or 2G because such network errors oftentimes can be easily resolved by changing your current network mode to other modes that suit you best. works well.

To do that, follow the steps given below—

  • Step 1: First thing first, access the “Settings app” on your phone.
  • Step 2: Then, tap on “Wi-Fi & Network” from the settings menu.
  • Step 3: Next, you need to select “SIM & Network” option.
  • Step 4: After that, tap the “Preferred network type” option and select an appropriate option i.e., 3G/2G
Change your preferred Network mode to 3G/2G

Ways 8: Update APN Settings

In case you’ve recently changed service providers, you may need to update the Access Point Name (APN) settings. To do so—

Point to Consider: Here it is worth noting that this is an advanced fix, so you’ve to be careful. You can write down the default APN settings so you can change them back if something goes wrong.

  • Step 1: Navigate to your “Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Access Point Names.”
  • Step 2: Once you reach there, a list of the available “APN settings” will be displayed on your phone. 
  • Step 3: Now, what you’ve to do is tap on the “Three dots” located at the upper right corner.
  • Step 4: Following that, tap on the “Reset to default” option from the menu.
  • Step 5: In the end, when prompted, tap on “Reset”.
Reset APN Settings on your Android

Tip:  If you don’t already know your APN settings, you can call your carrier from another phone to find them out.

Ways 9: Reset the Network Settings

If you still encounter the error, then consider resetting the network settings (which help your phone to connect to various networks). Well because establishing a fresh connection to your carrier’s network can fix problems a reboot can’t. So, to do so—

Point to Consider: Resetting network settings will erase all Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth connections, so we recommend that you save this step as a last resort.

  • Step 1: Launch the “Settings app” on your phone.
  • Step 2: Then, tap on “System > General Management.”
  • Step 3: After that, select “Reset” option on the next screen.
  • Step 4: Now, choose the “Reset Network Settings” option from the options appeared.
  • Step 5: Following that, you need to select your “SIM card” from the dropdown menu.
  • Step 6: And, in the end, tap “Reset settings.”
Reset Network Settings on your Android

Once you reset the network settings on your phone in the following manner, you can check if this can fix the “Not registered on Network” error.

Ways 10: Contact Your Mobile Carrier

Last but not least, if nothing works, you can contact your mobile carrier. To do so, either go to a store, or use another phone and call your provider so they can help you resolve the issue. 

After making contact, if you find out that there is a network outage in your area, all you can do is wait. Additionally, if there’s a problem with your SIM card, your carrier can help you with that also by replacing it.

Conclusion

That’s all. Now you know what to do when your SIM card can’t connect to your carrier’s network. So, whenever you encounter “Not registered on network” error on your Android, refer to this guide and try your luck with the solutions discussed here to resolve it

FAQs

Ques: What Does “Not Registered on Network” Mean on T-Mobile?

Ans: “Not registered on network” on T-Mobile means that if you recently bought a phone or you’re switching to T-Mobile from another network, you’ll need to unlock your device with the old carrier. 

To do so;

  • Firstly, locate your phone’s IMEI number from “Settings > About Phone” on Android. Or, you’ve to locate your phone’s IMEI number from “Settings > General > About” on iOS.
  • Thereafter, you just need to contact “T-Mobile” to verify your account and it will help you unlock it.

Ques: Why Is My Phone Not Registered on the Network While Roaming?

Ans: While roaming your phone may not be registered on any network because there are no roaming agreements with other carriers in the particular area you are roaming and hence, they do not provide service there. However, to avoid traveling outside the service range, it’s worth mentioning here that you may need to “double-check roaming coverage” or view a “coverage map” on your carrier’s website before you leave.

Ques: How to Quickly Fix “Not Registered on Network” Error?

Ans: If you’ve encountered the “Not registered on network error, you can try these basic troubleshooting solutions:

  • First of all, make sure that you have an active and valid mobile data plan with your current carrier.
  • Next, check that you have a strong reception.
  • After that, see whether the Airplane mode is turned off or on as we sometimes enable this feature by mistake.
  • Other than this, you can try re-inserting your SIM card the right way and also you can check for any damage.
  • Last but not the least, restart your phone and hopefully the error will be resolved.

Ques: How Do I Register My Network?

Ans: To register your network, it is suggested that you can contact your carrier because your carrier may have updated their settings on their system, and you need to do something on your phone to get registered on the network.