Is your AT&T mobile data not working? Let’s work on a solution.
It’s very frustrating when you’re in the middle of an important call or browsing the web, and your mobile data stops working.
The error typically indicates a problem with your AT&T mobile connection.
To get your AT&T mobile data working again, refresh your phone’s connection with your carrier using Airplane Mode. Change your phone’s settings, especially the network mode and type.
Alright, let’s go through all the solutions.
8 Proven Solutions to Fix AT&T Mobile Data Not Working
Some easy and effective solutions exist to fix your AT&T mobile data problem.
We arranged them from simplest to most complex to help you get back online quickly.
Perform Some Basic Troubleshooting Steps
Before attempting any solutions below, start with basic troubleshooting steps to fix the issue.
You don’t need technical skills or special tools to perform the following:
- Restart your phone
- Reinsert your sim
- Turn on mobile data
- Update your phone’s software
If these don’t work, proceed to the following solutions.
1. Refresh Your Phone’s Connection with Airplane Mode
One of the easiest ways to fix your AT&T mobile data problem is refreshing your phone’s connection.
To do this, enable Airplane mode to turn off all wireless functions on your phone.
This will prompt your device to reconnect to the network, potentially resolving connection issues.
To refresh your phone’s connection through Airplane mode, follow these steps:
iPhone
- Open the Control Center by swiping down from the upper right corner of your screen.
- Tap the Plane icon to switch on Airplane mode.
- Wait a few seconds, then tap the icon again to turn it off.
Android
- Open the Quick Settings by swiping down from the top of your screen.
- Tap the Plane icon to turn on Airplane mode.
- Wait a few seconds, then select the icon again to turn it off.
Enabling Airplane mode will temporarily disconnect your phone from all wireless communications, including WiFi, cellular, and Bluetooth.
You won’t be able to make or receive calls.
2. Make Sure Your WiFi is Turned Off
Sometimes, your device automatically connects to a nearby WiFi network, even if the signal is weak or unstable.
This often leads to interference with your mobile data, causing it to stop working. To fix this, ensure the WiFi on your phone is turned off.
Here’s how to turn off your WiFi:
iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on WiFi.
- Toggle the WiFi switch to the OFF position.
Android
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Network & Internet or Connections.
- Locate the WiFi option.
- Toggle the WiFi switch to the OFF position.
Alternative: Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the Control Center or Quick Settings menu. Tap the WiFi icon to turn it off.
3. Turn On Data Roaming on Your Phone
If you’re in an area with questionable coverage, you must activate data roaming on your mobile device to access AT&T’s mobile data services.
Data roaming enables you to access the data services from other carriers when AT&T’s coverage isn’t available. To turn on data roaming on your phone, follow these steps:
iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Cellular.
- Select Cellular Data Options.
- Toggle on Data Roaming.
Android
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Network & Internet.
- Select Mobile Network.
- Tap Advanced.
- Toggle on Data Roaming.
Note: Data roaming fees may apply depending on your plan and location.
4. Select a Different Network and Switch it Back to AT&T
Another possible solution to why is my AT&T mobile data not working is manually selecting a different network and then switching it back to AT&T.
By doing this, your network settings will be reset, and you resolve any connectivity-related issues.
Here’s how to select a different network:
iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Cellular.
- Select Carrier Selection.
- Tap Search for Networks.
- Wait for your phone to scan for available networks.
- Tap on a different network you want to connect to.
- Wait for 10 seconds.
- Select AT&T to reconnect.
Android
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Network & Internet.
- Select Mobile Network.
- Choose Network Operators.
- Tap Search for Networks.
- Tap on a different network you want to connect to.
- Wait for 10 seconds.
- Go back to the network selection screen and choose AT&T.
5. Set Your Network Mode to 4G, LTE, or 5G
Your network mode options vary depending on your device and location.
These include 4G, LTE, or 5G, which are different standards for mobile data transmission.
Set your network mode to the highest available network to enhance your mobile data connection and address the AT&T problem you have.
To set your network mode to 4G, LTE, or 5G, follow these steps:
iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Cellular.
- Select Cellular Data Options.
- Choose Voice & Data.
- Select the network mode you want to use.
Android
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Network & Internet.
- Select Mobile Network.
- Choose Network Mode.
- Select the network mode you want to use.
Note: Not all devices support all network modes, so if you’re unable to see them, you’re phone is incompatible.
6. Update Your Carrier Settings
The carrier settings contain information about your carrier’s network, such as APN, MMS, and VoLTE.
If you suspect outdated or corrupted carrier settings cause the AT&T prepaid data not working, update them to the latest version.
Important: Ensure your iPhone is connected to WiFi or a cellular data network.
iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on General.
- Select About.
- If an update is available, you’ll see a pop-up message to install it.
- Tap Update.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
Android
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on System.
- Select Advanced.
- Choose System Update.
- If an update is available, you’ll see a prompt to install it.
- Tap Install.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
Tip: If you don’t see a carrier settings update available first, restart your phone.
7. Reset Your Phone’s Network Settings
If the previous solutions do not resolve the issue, reset your phone’s network settings to their default values.
This eliminates any network-related errors or conflicts that cause the AT&T mobile data to malfunction.
Note that all saved WiFi networks, Bluetooth connections, and VPN settings will be deleted, so you must set them up again later.
To reset your device’s network settings, follow these steps:
iPhone
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Select Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Confirm you want to reset your phone’s network settings.
Android
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on System.
- Select Advanced.
- Choose Reset Options.
- Tap Reset WiFi, Mobile, & Bluetooth.
- Tap on Reset Settings.
- Confirm you want to reset your phone’s network settings.
Pro Tip: As a precaution, back up your important data before significantly changing your device’s network settings.
8. Update Your APN Settings
Your phone’s connection to your carrier’s network depends on your APN settings.
The Access Point Name contains vital information, such as the username, password, proxy, port, and more.
You’ll encounter problems with your mobile data if these details are incorrect or missing. To fix this, update your APN settings to match those of AT&T.
Here are the steps to do this:
iPhone
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Cellular.
- Tap Cellular Data Options.
- Select Cellular Network.
- Enter the following information:
- APN: ENHANCEDPHONE
- Username: not set
- Password: not set
- Tap on the back button to exit Settings.
Android
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Network & Internet.
- Select Mobile Network.
- Tap Advanced.
- Choose Access Point Names.
- Tap the + icon to add a new APN.
- Enter the following information:
- Name: ENHANCEDPHONE
- APN: ENHANCEDPHONE
- Proxy: Not set
- Port: Not set
- Username: Not set
- Password: Not set
- Server: Not set
- MMSC: http://mmsc.mobile.att.net
- MMS proxy: proxy.mobile.att.net
- MMS port: 80
- MCC: 310
- MNC: 410
- Authentication type: None
- APN type: default,mms,supl
- APN protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- APN roaming protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- Bearer: Unspecified
- Tap the three-dot icon in the upper right corner.
- Tap on Save.
- Select the new APN you created and ensure it has a blue check mark next to it.
If you continue to experience issues with your mobile data connection, contact AT&T customer support for assistance.
Quick Recap
It’s incredibly frustrating when you have AT&T mobile data not working, especially during important calls and web browsing.
The problem is often related to a lack of internet connection or slow speeds. To fix this, refresh your phone’s connection and ensure your WiFi is on.
Discover more AT&T troubleshooting solutions in our blog.
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.