Is eSIM Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It!

Global plastic waste is in the state of alarming, and thanks to eSIM, you will not need plastic SIM cards anymore. The biggest of all benefits of eSIM is that you dont need to swap SIM cards every time you switch carriers or land in another country. 

Thanks to eSIM, everything is now managed and updated with flexibility and comfort. But there is another angle that tech people understand easily about technologies is that they stop working due to issues. What if my eSIM is not working? What will I do?

Being traumatized is not the solution because we understand that eSIM not working is an important thing to get tension. In this blog, I will tell you about the eSIM not working scenarios and in what ways you can fix this problem.

Why is My eSIM Not Working?

Problems are sudden, but if you are aware of the intensity of the problem, you can tackle it. So, in the case of eSIM not working to handle any problem, you need to know it first. Before we learn how to troubleshoot eSIM not working problems, let’s get to know them:

• The most common problem would be device compatibility issues. It means your device is not eSIM compatible.
• You know that eSIM needs activation, and users often face problems like network issues when they are activating eSIM.
• Not all carrier companies support eSIM services, so carrier restrictions are another issue.
• Being the latest technology, eSIM works with stable Internet connections, so users often face issues of poor connection and APN issues.
• Other issues include no updated device software, glitches, carrier shutdown, and eSIM transfer issues.

Common Reasons Your eSIM Fails To Work and How to Fix This?

eSIM Not Activating After Purchase

There might be several reasons for this:

• There is a delay from your carrier. They may be facing any issues and halt the activation process.
• If you were entering details manually, you might enter details wrong.
• The QR code you received is not eligible or may timeout.

How do we fix these?

• Try Restarting your device. When you restart a device, a full refresh is performed with the device and mostly fixes eSIM activation issues.
• Your carrier account can tell you what the issue is. Log in and see your eSIM status there.
• Your camera might be sluggish. Clean it with a cloth, and try scanning your QR code again.
• Try manually entering the SM - DP Address code for eSIM activation. Make sure the code is entered correctly. 

eSIM Not Working on iPhone

Most eSIM users are iPhone users, and most issue arises with iPhone users, like:

• eSIM works with updated software versions. The issue arises when you dont have an up-to-date software version.
• When you activate eSIM, you need to make an eSIM profile. The issue arises when you dont install the eSIM profile properly.
• Carrier plays an important role in the activation of eSIM. Your carrier may have regional restrictions or does not support eSIM services.

How do we fix these?

• You need an up to date device software. Check for iPhone software updates and install them. Tap Settings> General> Software Updates.
• You may have entered the carrier settings wrong. Try to enter them correctly by Tapping Settings> General> About. Check for any carrier setting updates.
• Sometimes, enabling Airplane mode to ON and Off could fix the glitches.
• If none of the above works, you need to remove and reinstall your eSIM. Tap Settings> Cellular> Select eSIM> Remove eSIM and Add it again.

eSIM is not Working on Android

More and more Android smartphones are launching with the eSIM support feature, and the issue rate is going high, like:

• As the device launch is outnumbered, more eSIM-compatibility issues have been observed.
• Many users have reported Dual SIM conflicts. Due to dual SIM being active simultaneously, the eSIM workings are disturbed.
• When you activate eSIM, you need to enter the right carrier details or APN settings. You may not have entered them correctly.

How do we Fix these?

• Whenever you are purchasing an Android device for eSIM usage, confirm twice about the eSIM compatibility and carrier restrictions, if any. Tap Settings> About Phone> SIM Status to see if there is an eSIM option.
• Try adding the APN settings manually to avoid any activation issues. Tap Settings> Network & Internet> Mobile Network> Access Point Name. Match details with your carrier.
• For dual SIM conflicts, you can disable your Physical SIM card from the settings to avoid this issue. This will make your eSIM your primary SIM and work fine.
• If any of the above is not working for your eSIM, try reinstalling. Tap Settings> Mobile Networks> SIM Manager.

eSIM Showing No Service or No Signal

Now, the most frustrating issue you will face is everything went fine with the activation process, but your eSIM is still out of service, or you haven’t seen any signal yet:

• The carrier you are active on may have a down network.
• Your eSIM registration has not been confirmed or done correctly.
• Your carrier's APN settings might be entered incorrectly.

How do we Fix these?

• Whatever carrier you have chosen, confirm that it has coverage in your region.
• Try turning ON and OFF Airplane mode on your device. It often fixes glitches and solves issues.
• eSIM allows you to switch between networks. Try manually switching to other networks available.
• If the above doesn’t work, try resetting your device's Network Settings. Tap Settings> General> Reset> Reset Networks Settings.

eSIM Installation Errors

Users might face real-time installation errors, like:

• Unscannable QR code due to misprinting or it might be corrupt or time-out.
• If you have entered any details manually, there is something wrongly entered.

How do we Fix these?

• Scanning the QR code is only possible with your device camera, which might not be able to read the code correctly. Try Google Lens or any other device’s camera or QR code scanning app.
• You are allowed to enter eSIM codes manually. Try it.
• Most of the time, cache memories have some unknown register, clear it and restart your device. Tap Settings> Apps> Carrier Services> Clear Cache.

Preventing Future eSIM Issues

When you are aware of all the eSIM-related problems and know what the causes of eSIM not working, you can take preventive measures in the future to avoid these eSIM issues:

• Always check and update your device software from time to time.
• If you are traveling, first check carrier restrictions for eSIM users in that region.
• When you receive your QR code in your email, make a copy of that and save it.
• Always choose a carrier that has won your trust and offers you what you want.