consumer cellular data not working

Is your consumer cellular data not working? If you can’t access the Internet on your iPhone and Android device, we have some troubleshooting steps for you.

When your mobile data stops working, you may have reached your mobile data limit.

However, if you have an unlimited data plan, the main culprit may be setting errors. Either you are on Airplane Mode or not using the right mobile network.

Reset your phone’s network settings to fix consumer cellular data not working on iPhone and Android. Then, enable the right network mode. Simply go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network. Select your preferred network type and switch to one that suits your phone.

Before we proceed to the solutions, let us first discuss why your Consumer Cellular data is not working.

Why Consumer Cellular Mobile Data Not Working

If you can’t access the Internet with your mobile data, it could be because you have reached your data limit. To check, go to your phone’s Settings and tap Data Usage.

There are also instances when your phone is loaded with the wrong settings, and you’ll have to fix that.

Here are other possible causes your Consumer Cellular data is not working:

1. No Service Coverage

Mobile data needs a carrier’s network service to work. If your phone has no signal, you won’t be able to connect to the Internet using your mobile data. 

2. Wrong Network Settings

Phone models have different internet connection requirements. Some are 4G capable, and others have a 5G network option. If you use the incorrect network settings, it may not translate well.

3. Corrupted Network Settings

There may be problems with your settings or operating system. Sometimes, mobile data issues are also brought about by hardware problems.

4. WiFi is Turned On

When Wi-Fi and mobile data are simultaneously on, only Wi-Fi will work. If your mobile data is not working and your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, this may be the culprit.

Now that we’ve established some of the reasons your Consumer Cellular data is not working, it’s time to move on to the solutions.  

How to Fix Consumer Cellular Data Not Working

fix consumer cellular data not working

Before we go deep into advanced troubleshooting steps, reboot your device and see if it solves the problem.

Restarting any gadget is a cliche, but it actually works most of the time. Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons for 10 seconds to restart an Android device.

If you have an iOS phone, press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the Apple Logo appears.

If rebooting does not work, you can try the solutions below.

Solution #1: Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

While rebooting your phone is usually the first port of call when trying to fix mobile data issues, some people do not like this idea.

turn airplane mode on off

Luckily, there is another option. Turning ON and OFF Airplane Mode is a little trick you can do.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Swipe down to see Quick Settings for Android.
  2. Swipe down to open Control Center for iOS.
  3. Toggle the Airplane icon ON.
  4. You will also see a tiny airplane on the Notification Bar.
  5. Wait for 30 seconds, then turn Airplane Mode OFF. 
Note: Airplane mode is ON if the icon turns to your theme’s color. It is OFF when it returns to default grey.

Solution #2: Ensure Your WiFi is Turned OFF and Mobile Data is ON

Mobile data does not work if your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network. So, make sure your Wi-Fi is turned OFF, and your mobile data is ON.

Here’s how:

  1. Swipe down to see Quick Settings for Android.
  2. Also swipe down to open your iPhone’s Control Center.
  3. Toggle the Wi-Fi icon OFF.
  4. Toggle the Mobile Data icon ON.

Android has a built-in feature that automatically disables mobile data on Wi-Fi. Under Developer options, turn off Mobile Data Always Active.

This will turn off your device’s mobile data when connected to Wi-Fi and turn it back on when you lose connectivity to a Wi-Fi network.

Solution #3: Reset Your Phone’s APN Settings

reset apn settings

Carriers communicate to mobile devices through Access Point Names or APNs.

These include the IP address and gateway settings needed to connect to the Internet. If you encounter cellular data issues, reset your APN settings and see if it fixes them.

On iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular.
  2. Tap Cellular Data Network and select Reset Settings.
  3. If you have a configuration profile, its default information will be used instead.

On Android:

  1. Tap Settings > Mobile Networks.
  2. Tap Access Point Names > Menu.
  3. Choose Reset to Default.
  4. You will see Restoring Default APN Settings on the screen.
Note: If resetting your phone’s APN settings does not work, you may have to do it manually. Start by going to Settings and tapping +. Then, select New APN.

Solution #4: Change Your APN Settings on Your Phone

change apn settings

There are cases when your automatic and manual APN reset procedures will not work. If this is your experience, you will need to change your APN protocol.

Unfortunately, not all devices come with this option. If your phone model lets you change your APN settings, change the field to IPv4/IPv6.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go to Settings > Connections.
  2. Choose Mobile Networks > Access Point Names.
  3. Select your mobile network operator.
  4. Scroll down to APN protocol.
  5. To disable IPv4, choose IPV6 and vice versa.
Note: Apple does not allow you to change APN protocol on your phone. However, you can do it through your router.

Solution #5: Reset Your Phone’s Network Settings

To fix connection issues and speed up your internet, you can reset your phone’s network settings.

reset phone network

This won’t delete any of your apps or personal data. However, it will erase all your Bluetooth connections and saved Wi-Fi passwords.

How to reset network settings on an Android device:

  1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
  2. Scroll and tap General management or System.
  3. Tap Reset or Reset options.
  4. Select Reset Network Settings.
  5. Confirm that you want to reset your phone’s network settings.

How to reset network settings on an iOS device:

  1. Open the Settings app and tap General.
  2. Scroll down and tap Reset.
  3. Select Reset Network Settings and enter your passcode.
  4. Tap Reset Network Settings again to confirm your choice.

Note: When you reset your phone’s network settings, your files and media, web browser data, and mobile carrier information are preserved.

Tip: This troubleshooting method should be your last resort.

Consumer Cellular Data Still Not Working?

If you are having difficulty using your mobile data to connect to the Internet, make sure that mobile data is turned on and you have a data connection.

In case the cause of your trouble is poor signal, move to a different location or go outside. You may be in an area without coverage.

On the other hand, you may need to contact your mobile service provider if you encounter this connection problem all the time.

Read Next: How to Fix Consumer Cellular Phone Not Charging?

Bottom Line

Now that you know what’s causing your Consumer Cellular data not working, you can take the necessary actions to solve your connection problem. Our troubleshooting methods are simple.

You don’t need expert knowledge and skills to perform them.

If the cause of the issue is poor signal, it is best to contact your mobile service provider, especially if this happens a lot.