AT&T Phone Not Connecting To Network? – (Quick Fix)

Do you have an AT&T phone not connecting to network problem? 

The causes of this issue are a faulty SIM card or using the wrong settings on your phone.

You’ll see a No Service message on your phone when it’s not connecting to the AT&T network.

To get your AT&T phone to connect, Change your phone settings, such as manually selecting AT&T as the carrier. You also want to choose an available network type, like 4G or 3G.

Now, let’s go over every aspect!

AT&T Phone Not Connecting to Network – 10 Proven Solutions

If your AT&T phone is not connecting to a network, you won’t be able to make or receive texts and calls or use mobile data.

Luckily, we know a few effective solutions. 

1. Perform Basic Troubleshooting

Some basic troubleshooting helps fix minor glitches and errors that prevent your phone from connecting to your network.

Start by rebooting your phone, checking for software updates, and ensuring your WiFi and mobile data settings are configured correctly. 

Here are the steps for basic troubleshooting:

1. Reboot your phone to refresh your phone’s memory and clear temporary files. 
2. Check your signal strength and ensure you have at least two signal bars.
3. Toggle mobile data to reset your data connection and resolve any issues.
4. Update your phone software to fix bugs or compatibility issues.
5. Toggle Airplane mode to reset network settings and reconnect your phone to the network.

If basic troubleshooting methods don’t work, check your SIM card for dirt, dust, and any sign of damage. 

2. Remove and Clean Your SIM Card

Your SIM card is a small chip that stores information about your phone number, plan, and network settings.

If it is damaged, dirty, or not inserted properly, your AT&T phone won’t be able to connect to the network. To fix this, remove and clean your SIM card.

Here’s how to do this:

1. Take out your SIM by using a SIM ejector tool or paper clip.
2. Inspect the SIM card for signs of damage or corrosion.
3. Use a soft cloth or cotton swab to wipe the contacts.
4. Reinsert the SIM card into the tray.

If the dirt on your SIM card is stubborn, use a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution to clean and remove it.

Note: Make sure to align the SIM card correctly on the tray for it to work properly.

3. Verify AT&T Network Outages in Your Area

Sometimes, your phone does not connect to the network due to an outage or maintenance in your area.

This affects your phone’s ability to make or receive calls, send or receive text messages, or use mobile data.

To fix this, verify AT&T network outages in your area.

1. Go to AT&T’s outage map on another device with an internet connection. 
2. Enter your ZIP code or city and state in the search box.
3. Click Seach and check the map for any red or orange areas indicating an outage. 
4. Click on the affected area for more details, like the estimated resolution time. 

If there is no network outage or issue in your area, proceed to the next solution. 

4. Confirm Your Account is in Good Standing

If you still have a phone not connecting to AT&T network, confirm that your account is in good standing.

A suspended, canceled, or unpaid account affects your phone’s ability to connect to the network. 

Here are the steps to confirm your account:

1. Go to AT&T’s website on another device with an internet connection. 
2. Log in with your AT&T account and password.
3. Go to My Account.
4. Tap on Overview and check your account status and balance. 

If your account is suspended, canceled, or has an unpaid balance, resolve the issue with AT&T before using your phone’s network services again.  

5. Turn On Data Roaming on Your Phone

Data roaming allows your phone to use other carriers’ networks outside the AT&T coverage area. It helps you stay connected when traveling or in a remote location.

Turn on data roaming on your phone to solve the network connection issue. Here’s how to do this:

iPhone

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Cellular.
3. Tap Cellular Data Options.
4. Select Roaming. 
5. Turn on Voice Roaming and Data Roaming.
6. Tap OK to confirm. 

Android

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Network & Internet.
3. Tap Mobile Network.
4. Tap on Advanced.
5. Select Roaming and turn it on.
6. Tap OK to confirm. 

Note: Data roaming incurs extra charges depending on your plan and location. Check with AT&T before using data roaming to avoid any unwanted fees. 

6. Choose a Different Network Type Other Than 5G

5G is AT&T’s latest and fastest network technology that AT&T offers, but it isn’t available or compatible with all phones or locations.

If you have a 5G-enabled phone and plan but are outside a 5G coverage area, you will experience network issues. 

Here’s how to choose a different network type if you have a new AT&T phone not connecting to the network:

iPhone

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Cellular.
3. Tap Cellular Data Options.
4. Select Voice & Data.
5. Tap on 5G Auto.
6. Select LTE or 4G instead.

Android

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Network & Internet.
3. Tap Mobile Network.
4. Select Preferred Network Type.
5. Tap on 5G (preferred).
6. Select LTE/4G/3G (Auto Connect) instead.

Note: Choosing a network type other than 5G will affect your data speed and performance. Switch back to 5G in a 5G coverage area. 

7. Manually Select AT&T as Your Phone’s Preferred Network

There’s a good chance that you will be in an area with multiple networks available for your phone.

You want to ensure it only detects the AT&T network and attempts to connect.

You want to choose AT&T as your phone’s preferred network to do this. 

iPhone

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Cellular.
3. Select Network Selection.
4. Turn off Automatic and wait for the list of available networks to appear. 
5. Tap on AT&T and wait for your phone to register on the network. 

Android

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Network & Internet.
3. Tap Mobile Network.
4. Select Network Operators.
5. Tap on Search networks and wait for the list of available networks to appear. 
6. Tap on AT&T and wait for your phone to register on the network. 

Note: This will limit your coverage in areas where AT&T needs a stronger signal. Switch back to Automatic in places with good AT&T coverage. 

8. Update Your Phone’s Carrier Settings

Updating your phone’s carrier settings helps improve your network performance and compatibility.

If you have an AT&T phone not registered on network problem, check with the network for questions and concerns about the update.

Here’s how to update your phone’s carrier settings:

iPhone

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on General.
3. Select About and wait for a few seconds.
4. Tap Update if you see a pop-up message asking you to update your carrier settings. 

Android

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on System.
3. Tap Advanced.
4. Select System Update and check if there’s an available update.
5. If there is, download and install it.

Note: Updating your phone’s carrier settings will change some of your network preferences and features. 

9. Reset Your Phone’s Network Settings

Another way to solve the issue is to reset your phone’s network settings.

It helps fix corrupted or misconfigured network settings but erases all your saved WiFi passwords, Bluetooth connection, and VPN configurations.  

iPhone

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on General.
3. Select Reset.
4. Tap Reset Network Settings.
5. Enter your passcode if prompted. 
6. Tap Reset Network Settings again to confirm.

Android

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on System. 
3. Tap Advanced.
4. Tap on Reset Options.
5. Select Reset WiFi, Mobile & Bluetooth.
6. Tap Reset Settings and enter your PIN, pattern, or password.
7. Tap Reset Settings again to confirm. 

Note: After the reset, set up your WiFi passwords, Bluetooth connections, and VPN again. 

10. Update Your Phone’s APN Settings

Your phone’s APN settings allow it to connect to the internet using AT&T’s network.

If your APN settings are incorrect or outdated, you won’t be able to use mobile data or access some AT&T services on your phone.

To fix this, update your phone’s APN settings. Here are the steps to do this:

iPhone

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Cellular.
3. Tap Cellular Data Options.
4. Select Cellular Data Network.
5. Under Cellular Data, enter the following information:

6. Tap the back arrow in the upper left corner and restart your phone.

Android

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Network & Internet.
3. Tap Mobile Network.
4. Tap on Advanced.
5. Select Access Point Names.
6. Tap the (+) sign in the upper right corner to add a new APN.
7. Enter the following information:

8. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner.
9. Tap on Save.
10. Select the new APN you created and restart your phone. 

Quick Recap

An AT&T phone not connecting to network problem is often due to a faulty SIM card or incorrect phone settings.

Look out for a No Service message and resolve the issue by adjusting your phone settings, including selecting AT&T as the carrier and the appropriate network type. 

Uncover further insights about AT&T troubleshooting guides through our blog!