A “Not Registered on Network” error on a Samsung Galaxy phone can be frustrating, but it’s usually fixable. This error happens when your phone cannot connect or register with your mobile carrier’s network, which could be due to a minor software glitch, an incorrect setting, or a SIM card problem. Follow this tutorial step-by-step to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
Step 1: Perform Basic Troubleshooting
Start with the simplest solutions first, as they often resolve temporary issues.
- Restart Your Phone: This is the most common fix for a wide range of phone problems. To perform a soft reset, press and hold the power button and the volume down button simultaneously for about seven seconds. Your phone will restart, and this can clear any temporary glitches that are preventing it from connecting to the network.
- Check Airplane Mode: Ensure Airplane Mode is turned off. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel. Look for the airplane icon; if it’s highlighted, tap it to disable it. When Airplane Mode is on, it disables all wireless connections, including your cellular network.
Step 2: Adjust Network Settings
If a simple restart doesn’t work, the issue may be related to your phone’s network configuration.
- Enable Your SIM Card: Confirm that your SIM card is enabled. Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. Make sure your SIM card is toggled on. If it’s off, toggle it on to enable it.
- Disable Wi-Fi: Sometimes, a weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection can interfere with your phone’s ability to connect to the cellular network. Temporarily turn off Wi-Fi to see if your phone can register with the network using cellular data alone. You can do this by swiping down from the top of your screen and tapping the Wi-Fi icon.
- Change Network Mode: Your phone may be set to a network type (like 5G or LTE) that isn’t supported in your current area. To adjust this, navigate to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network mode. Try switching between different options, such as 5G/LTE/3G/2G (auto), LTE only, or another available setting to see if the connection is established.
- Manually Select Network Operator: Your phone might be having trouble automatically selecting the correct network. You can force it to connect to your carrier’s network. Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network operators. First, turn off “Select automatically”. Your phone will then search for all available networks. Once the list appears, select your carrier’s network from the list. This can help the phone register correctly.
Step 3: Try Advanced Troubleshooting
If the previous steps didn’t solve the problem, you may need to try more advanced solutions.
- Reset Network Settings: This step is a powerful fix that can resolve complex network issues. It will reset all your network-related settings, including your saved Wi-Fi passwords, paired Bluetooth devices, and mobile data settings. To do this, go to Settings > General management > Reset > Reset network settings. Enter your PIN or password to confirm the action. This essentially gives your network settings a clean slate.
- Reinsert Your SIM Card: A loose or dirty SIM card can be the source of the problem. Power off your phone completely, then use a SIM ejector tool to carefully remove the SIM card tray. Take out the SIM card and gently wipe its gold contacts with a clean, dry cloth. Reinsert the SIM card correctly into the tray and push the tray back into the phone. Power your phone back on to see if it now registers on the network.
- Update Phone Software: An outdated operating system can sometimes lead to network compatibility issues. Check for and install any available software updates. Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. Your phone will check for new updates and prompt you to install them. Make sure your phone is charged and connected to Wi-Fi before beginning the update.
Step 4: Contact Your Carrier and Get a New SIM
If you have tried all of the above steps and your phone still shows the “Not Registered on Network” error, the issue is likely with the SIM card itself or with your carrier’s service.
- Contact Your Carrier: Get in touch with your mobile carrier’s customer support. Explain all the steps you have already taken. They can check if there are any network outages in your area, if your account is active, or if there’s an issue with your SIM card. They can often run a diagnostic check on their end to see if your phone is even reaching their network.
- Try a New SIM Card: If your carrier suggests that the SIM card itself might be faulty, or if you have access to another SIM from the same carrier, try swapping it into your phone. If the new SIM card works, you know the problem was with your original SIM, and you will need to get a replacement from your carrier. If the new SIM card also fails to register, the issue may be with your phone’s internal hardware, which would require professional repair.
