eSIM troubleshooting
Why is my eSIM not working? The fixes that solve it fast
When an eSIM fails, it usually isn’t “broken.” It’s one wrong toggle, one missing roaming setting, or a device restriction you didn’t know you had. This guide is built for real-world troubleshooting: you start with the highest-probability fixes first, then move to deeper checks only if needed. Works for most travel eSIM setups, including Zetsim.
First: identify what “not working” means
Different symptoms point to different causes. Before you change settings, quickly classify the problem:
- eSIM won’t install: QR/manual install fails, “Cannot Add Cellular Plan,” or it never completes.
- eSIM installs but no service: the line exists, but shows “No Service,” “SOS,” or can’t register.
- Signal is present but no data: you see bars/5G/LTE but apps won’t load.
- It worked, then stopped: sudden drop after switching countries, updating OS, or reaching a data limit.
Most travel eSIM issues fall into the “signal present but no data” bucket. The fix is usually the data line selection + roaming toggle.
The 5-minute fix checklist (do this in order)
If you want the quickest path to a working eSIM, follow this sequence. Don’t skip steps. Each one rules out a common failure point.
- Turn airplane mode ON for 10 seconds, then OFF.
- Restart your phone (yes, even if you already toggled airplane mode).
- Confirm the eSIM line is enabled (the line can be installed but turned off).
- Select the eSIM as your Mobile Data/Cellular Data line (especially on Dual SIM phones).
- Enable Data Roaming on the eSIM line if your travel plan requires it (keep roaming off on your primary SIM if you want to avoid charges).
Quick checks to confirm you’re actually connected
- Open a browser and load a simple site.
- Open maps and load a new area (not cached).
- Send a message in a chat app that uses data.
Reason #1: you’re using the wrong data line (Dual SIM issue)
On iPhone and many Android devices, it’s very easy to install a travel eSIM and still be using your home SIM for data. Then you disable roaming (good), and suddenly “the eSIM doesn’t work” (not true). The phone is simply using the wrong line.
Fix on iPhone
- Settings → Cellular/Mobile Data → Cellular Data → select your eSIM
- Settings → Cellular → tap your eSIM line → ensure Turn On This Line is enabled
Fix on Android (general)
- Settings → Network & Internet/Connections → SIMs → select the eSIM for Mobile data
- Ensure the eSIM toggle is enabled and preferred for data
Label your eSIM (e.g., Zetsim Travel). “Primary” and “Secondary” are how mistakes happen.
Reason #2: Data roaming is off (on the eSIM line)
Many travel eSIMs use roaming agreements to connect you to partner networks. That can require Data Roaming to be enabled on the eSIM line. Travelers often turn roaming off everywhere to avoid fees, then wonder why the eSIM won’t connect.
The clean approach: enable roaming on the eSIM line if required; keep roaming off on your primary SIM if you don’t want your home carrier to roam.
Where to check
- iPhone: Settings → Cellular → eSIM line → Data Roaming
- Android: Settings → Connections/Network → Mobile networks → Data roaming
Reason #3: the eSIM never fully activated (installation vs activation)
Sometimes the profile installs but doesn’t register correctly. This usually happens when installation was done on unstable Wi‑Fi, the device was switching networks, or the phone didn’t refresh its registration after setup.
Fixes that help registration
- Restart the device after installation
- Toggle airplane mode
- On iPhone, check that the eSIM line shows as enabled and selected for data
- On Android, re-check that the eSIM is selected as the preferred data SIM
If you’re still at home, reinstalling can be easier than troubleshooting on the road. If you’re already traveling, start with network selection and roaming checks first.
Reason #4: network selection is stuck (Automatic vs manual)
Phones sometimes cling to a weak network or fail to reselect after you land in a new country. If you have signal but data doesn’t move, forcing a network refresh can help.
What to try
- Toggle airplane mode
- Restart the phone
- If your device supports it: turn Automatic Network Selection off, wait for networks to populate, pick one, then return to Automatic
This is especially relevant when you cross borders or move from a dense city area to a rural area.
Reason #5: APN or cellular data settings are incorrect (data but no internet)
If you have bars and the eSIM looks active, but nothing loads, the issue can be the data path (APN) or device-level restrictions like VPN, private DNS, or content filters.
Fixes to try
- Disable VPN temporarily and test again
- Disable Private DNS (Android) temporarily
- Reset network settings (more on this below) if nothing else works
VPNs are great until they break captive networks or block a roaming data route. Don’t uninstall—just test without it.
Reason #6: your phone is carrier-locked (the hard stop)
If the phone is locked to your home carrier, the eSIM may install but fail to register, or it may refuse to activate in the first place. This is common with phones purchased on installment plans.
What you can do: confirm unlock status with your carrier. There’s no magic in settings that bypasses a carrier lock.
Reason #7: you ran out of data, the plan expired, or a top-up is needed
Sometimes the eSIM “stops working” because the data allocation is finished or the validity period ended. This looks like a technical problem, but it’s just a plan status issue.
- If you have a way to check usage in your eSIM provider portal/app, verify remaining data.
- If you’re using Zetsim, review the plan details for duration and data amount at purchase time.
Tip: if you’re traveling with heavy map usage, hotspot, or video calls, you’ll burn through data much faster than expected.
Reset options (use carefully): what to reset and when
If you’ve tried the basics and your eSIM still won’t work, resets can help—but they’re a bigger step. Use them in this order:
1) Reset network settings (recommended reset)
This clears saved networks and cellular configuration quirks. You’ll need to reconnect to Wi‑Fi afterward.
2) Avoid deleting the eSIM unless you must
Deleting an eSIM can remove the profile. Re-adding may require the original QR code or activation details. If you’re already traveling and don’t have those handy, deleting is risky.
If you do delete the eSIM, make sure you can reinstall it (QR code accessible, stable Wi‑Fi available) before you tap “Remove.”
FAQ: eSIM not working
Why is my eSIM not working even though it’s installed?
Most often the wrong mobile data line is selected (Dual SIM issue) or data roaming is off for the eSIM line when the plan requires it. Restarting and toggling airplane mode also helps force network registration.
Why does my eSIM show signal but no internet?
This can happen if the device is using the wrong data line, data roaming is disabled on the eSIM line, a VPN/private DNS is interfering, or the network selection is stuck. Start by selecting the eSIM for mobile data and testing with VPN off.
My eSIM says “No Service” or “SOS.” What should I do?
Confirm the eSIM line is turned on, toggle airplane mode, restart the phone, and check network selection. If the phone is carrier-locked, it may not register on the travel eSIM at all.
Do I need to turn on data roaming for a travel eSIM?
Many travel eSIMs require data roaming on the eSIM line to connect to partner networks. Enable it only for the eSIM line if required, and keep roaming off on your primary SIM if you want to avoid home-carrier roaming charges.
Should I delete and reinstall my eSIM if it’s not working?
Only as a last resort. Deleting removes the profile and you may need the original QR code or activation details to reinstall. Try data line selection, roaming, airplane mode, restart, and network selection first.
Can a carrier lock stop an eSIM from working?
Yes. A carrier-locked phone can block eSIM activation or prevent registration. Unlocking through your carrier is the fix; settings changes typically won’t bypass a lock.
What if my eSIM worked yesterday and stopped today?
Common causes include crossing into a new area/country (needs network refresh), reaching a data limit, plan expiration, or a stuck network selection. Toggle airplane mode, restart, and verify plan status and remaining data.
Get your eSIM working (and keep it working)
If you remember only one thing: most eSIM failures are settings issues, not hardware failures. Pick the right data line, enable roaming on the right line if required, refresh network registration, and test without VPN. That solves the majority of cases.
External references: Apple Support · Google Support
