Is your BT mobile data not working after installation?
We have an easy solution!
Users report similar BT mobile data problems, most often shortly after installation. This issue could occur as a result of an inappropriate SIM card setup.
It’s also possible due to particular environmental circumstances that you haven’t been noticing.
Here’s the best way to fix this!
To fix when BT mobile data isn’t working, perform a Restart on your mobile device and toggle ON the Mobile Data. Next, reinsert the SIM card from the mobile and the SIM tray and disable all DND modes. If nothing worked, perform a Network Reset.
Let’s next take a look at possible issues related to BT Mobile Data!
Why Is The Mobile Data Not Working On BT?
To understand the BT mobile problem, you should first consider under what circumstances your internet has stopped.
If everything was working normally moments ago, then you must’ve done something that is preventing the mobile from connecting to the cellular.
Let’s summarise all possibilities to help you retrace your steps:
- An Airplane or DND mode has been enabled
- The Mobile Data feature has been disabled
- You’ve moved Out of Coverage
- The SIM card has been inserted improperly
- You have Pending Dues towards BT
In general, this is what could prevent your mobile from connecting to mobile data.
There are also other aspects involved, which will also be reviewed in the following solution guide!
Let’s next start eliminating each of these possibilities!
How to Fix When BT Mobile Data Not Working?
The only way to achieve the best troubleshooting efficiency and results is to follow the chronological order of our guide.
Pay exquisite attention to all of our notes, alerts and tips in order to understand how the troubleshooting is going for you!
Let’s jump straight in!
Solution #1 Restart Mobile Data Feature
The first thing you should do is Restart the Mobile Data!
If there has been a temporal problem with the wireless connection of your mobile, this is the best you could do as of right now.
Perhaps, restarting the feature will cause your SIM card to re-establish connection with a nearby cellular tower and get the 4G of your phone paired.
To restart the mobile data feature:
- Navigate to Settings on your mobile.
- Head to “Cellular” or “Mobile Data”.
- Press the Activation Slider once (it must be grey).
- Wait for 60 seconds, while the data is turned off.
- Hit the activation slider again to turn the feature on (it must turn green).
The slider should be coloured according to your interface’s. It’s important to make sure to enable cellular data and disable WiFi.
Then you can test whether it’s all working!
Tip: Reboot your BT mobile device as well.
Solution #2 Reinsert the SIM Card
If not only your mobile data is impacted, but the ability to make calls is also impacted, then probably there’s an issue with the BT SIM card.
A great way to fix SIM card issues is to have the chip reseat in your mobile device’s SIM tray.
You should also make sure that the SIM card tray is free of debris and that the SIM card makes great contact with your mobile.
How to reinsert a BT SIM card:
- Grab a SIM ejector tool.
- Insert it into the SIM pinhole.
- Pull out the SIM tray.
- Eject the SIM card out of the slot.
- Wait for 3 minutes while the SIM card is out of your device.
- Reposition the SIM back into the tray.
- Place the tray into your mobile device.
Pay attention to the signal indicator at the top right of your phone.
The more bars are filled, the more stable and reliable your cellular connection is. 3 bars is optimal signal strength.
Note: If you have one signal bar or it says “E”, it means that your phone’s signal is weak!
Solution #3 Redo the Setup Instructions
Once your mobile device detects the BT SIM card, you’ll be automatically sent an SMS including setup instructions.
BT themselves have admitted that not completing the instructions or executing them inappropriately, could result in mobile data issues.
- The instructions sent by BT will guide you through the SIM card’ setup process!
You should re-open the SMS on your mobile phone and re-do all sent instructions.
How to view BT setup instructions:
- On your mobile device, go to the “Messages” app.
- Scroll down and search for a BT contact.
- Press on the contact.
- Check out the instructions message.
- Begin re-applying with all instructions…
Make sure all of the included steps within this SMS are executed on your end. Any activation steps that remain on BT’s end will soon be fulfilled and you’ll get your mobile data.
Note: Instructions sent by BT will include going to the Activation Page on their website.
Solution #4 Switch 4G ON
The problem could be with your own mobile device, rather than the BT SIM or installation!
What you should do next, is make sure that the 4G is toggled on your device.
If you’ve subscribed for a standard BT plan that includes 4G mobile internet, you must enable the corresponding network requirement on your phone.
Let’s learn how to do this exactly:
Enabling 4G on Android phones:
- Open Settings.
- Go to More.
- Press Mobile Network.
- Choose your Preferred Network Type.
- Select 4G.
Enabling 4G on iPhones and iOS:
- Head to Settings.
- Press Cellular.
- Choose Cellular Data Options.
- Select “Mobile Data”.
- Press “Enable LTE”.
Specifically for iPhones, you must make sure that the LTE feature is NOT turned off. Otherwise, your iPhone will not be capable of connecting to a cellular tower.
Note: Once switching 4G on, look at the signal indicator. Connection Bars must appear.
Solution #5 Disable “DND” Modes
Certainly Do Not Disturb modes and of course, the Airplane Mode must not be active!
Otherwise, your device’s reception will be hidden away and all messages, texts and notifications will be temporarily disabled.
The DND modes will also affect your phone’s ability to hook up to a cellular tower temporarily and therefore the Mobile Data won’t be active.
- To turn off most DND modes, go to Settings > Airplane/DND > OFF.
On iPhones and some Android phones, the Airplane mode is the only DND mode and it could be accessed through the Quick Menu.
The quick menu on the other hand can be launched by pulling from the top to the bottom with your finger.
Note: Once any DND or Airplane modes are turned off, re-enable the Mobile Data.
Solution #6 Reset the Network Settings
If nothing worked so far, then you should perform a Network Settings Reset on your device.
This solution also greatly helps with issues with your phone’s Mobile Data and cellular issues.
Let’s learn how to perform a Network Reset!
What resetting the network settings do is have all Cellular, Bluetooth and WiFi data erased.
This means that all remembered connections that fall under the Bluetooth and WiFi section will be permanently erased.
How to network reset Android:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Head to General Management/System.
- Choose Reset or Reset Options.
- Select “Reset Network Settings”.
- Press the Reset button.
How to network reset an iPhone:
- Go to Settings.
- Enter the General tab.
- Choose Transfer or Reset.
- Press “Reset”.
- Select “Reset Network Settings”.
- Confirm the reset.
As a result of the reset, your mobile device will temporarily be out of service. After a minute or two, the cellular display should reappear and your mobile data should start working!
Alert: Interacting with your phone in any way during the reset, may cancel the process.
Quick Recap:
Hence, the solution to BT mobile data issues is to reboot your mobile device and restart the feature. Next, make sure all DND modes are disabled and toggle ON the 4G. Finally, re-do the setup instructions and perform a Network Reset on your BT mobile.
Wrapping Up:
In this guide, we’ve cleared up all about the BT mobile data not working problem.
We’ve reviewed the best solutions and also explained under what circumstances this problem could occur.
If the issue persists for you, contact BT’s Support Team for more information!
You should also keep an eye on our online technical blog, to learn more handy solutions!
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Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.