Key takeaways
- "Not registered on network" means your phone detects your SIM, but your mobile network won't let it connect, so calls, texts, and mobile data usually stop working until it's fixed.
- Common causes of "not registered on network" include a temporary network issue, a loose or inactive SIM, or a phone software glitch. The quickest fixes are turning airplane mode on and off, restarting the phone and reinserting the SIM.
- If "not registered on network" is still showing after those steps, test your SIM in another phone to see whether the SIM, the phone or the network is at fault, then contact your provider.
Full battery, a few bars, a perfectly confident face. Then you try to make a call, and your phone tells you it's "not registered on network".
Annoying, yes. It's a common message and often fixable in a few minutes. Here's what it means, why it happens, and what to try, starting with the quickest fixes.
What does "not registered on network" mean?
"Not registered on network" means your phone can't connect to your mobile network, so calls, texts and mobile data usually stop working. Every time you switch your phone on, it asks your provider's network to let it in. "Registered" means the network said yes, and "not registered" means it didn't.
If your phone says "No SIM" because it can't read the card at all, that's a different problem. See our SIM card not working guide. Using an eSIM? Check our eSIM not working guide instead.
Why is my phone saying "not registered on network"?
Usually it's one of the causes below. The table shows what's behind it and what to try first.
| Cause | What you might notice | What to try first |
|---|---|---|
| A temporary network glitch | The message appears suddenly and the signal bars flicker | Turn airplane mode on and off, then restart the phone |
| A network problem or maintenance in your area | Other people on the same network nearby have no service either | Check your provider's network status page |
| A loose or dirty SIM | The message appears after the phone has been dropped or knocked | Switch off, take the SIM out, wipe it gently with a dry soft cloth and put it back |
| A new SIM that isn't active yet | The message appears just after you put in a new SIM or switched provider | Restart the phone and wait. Activation can take up to 24 hours |
| Out-of-date software or a settings glitch | The message appeared after an update, or the phone hasn't been updated for a while | Install any pending update, then restart |
| Your phone is stuck on the wrong network | The message appears after travelling or a patch of poor signal | Choose your own network by hand in settings |
| A SIM or account problem | Your SIM doesn't work in any phone, or the account was recently changed | Contact your provider |
| A phone locked to another provider, or one that doesn't fully support the network | Your SIM works in other phones but not in this one, often with a second-hand or imported phone | Check with the seller or your provider |
How to fix "not registered on network"
If you're seeing this message, here are 6 quick fixes to try:
- Turn airplane mode on and off. Switch it on, wait 30 seconds, then switch it off. This makes the phone look for your network again.
- Restart your phone. A normal restart clears a surprising number of small glitches.
- Check that the network isn't down. Look at your provider's network status page for problems in your area. If you're on SMARTY, our Network Status Checker does this for you.
- Reinsert your SIM. Switch the phone off, remove the SIM, wipe it gently with a dry, soft cloth, put it back in, and switch the phone back on.
- Choose your network by hand. On a Samsung, go to Settings, Connections, Mobile networks, then Network operators. Turn off automatic selection, pick your own network from the list, then switch automatic selection back on.
- Update your phone's software. Install any pending update from your software update settings, then restart.
Work out whether it's the SIM, the phone or the network
Still stuck? A quick swap test shows where the fault is. Borrow a phone or a SIM from someone, and try the combinations below.
| What happens | What it points to |
|---|---|
| Your SIM works in another phone, but not in your phone | The problem is your phone: its settings, software or compatibility with the network |
| A different working SIM works in your phone, but your SIM fails in another phone | The problem is your SIM: it may be damaged, inactive or not set up on the network |
| Other people on the same network nearby have no service either | The problem is the network: a local fault or maintenance |
If it's still not working
If the message is still there after the swap test, contact your provider. These details will save you both some time:
- That your phone says "not registered on network", and when it started
- Your phone's make and model
- Whether your SIM works in another phone
- What you've already tried
If you're on SMARTY, you can get in touch with our customer support online. They can check your SIM and account, and our Network Status Checker shows whether there's a problem in your area.
FAQs
Can I make calls if my phone says it's not registered on the network?
Usually not, because calls, texts and mobile data all need a network connection. Emergency calls to 999 can normally still connect through any available network, and apps like WhatsApp still work over WiFi.
Why does my phone say not registered on network after I put in a new SIM or phone?
A new SIM may not be activated yet, and activation can take a few hours or up to 24 hours. A new phone may also need a software update or a restart before the network accepts it. If there is still no service after a day, the provider can check the SIM.
How do I fix not registered on network on a Samsung phone?
On a Samsung phone, go to Settings, Connections, Mobile networks, then Network operators, and pick your network yourself. Turning airplane mode on and off, restarting the phone, and updating the software also help.
