How to fix a 'Not Registered on Network' message on Android

⚡ Fast fix

• Toggle Airplane Mode. Turn it on for 10 seconds, then off to refresh your connection.
• Restart your phone. A reboot can force it to reconnect to your carrier.
• Reseat the SIM card. Power off, remove the SIM, then insert it firmly again.
• Update carrier settings. Go to Settings > Software update and install any available updates.

If your Samsung Galaxy® or other Android™ device displays a “Not Registered on Network” error message, you can’t make phone calls, text, or use your favorite apps. You’ll need to fix that fast and we’ll show you how.

At Asurion, we help people with all their tech care needs. Whether you see a “No service” signal on your Android phone or your Samsung Galaxy tablet won’t connect to Wi-Fi. Here’s our guide on how to register an Android phone on your network. 

What does 'Not Registered on Network' mean?

If your device shows a “Not Registered on Network” message, it means your Subscriber Identity Module, or SIM Card, isn’t connecting to your mobile provider’s network. You can’t make or receive calls or send and receive text messages until you fix the problem. 

How to register your Android phone on Network 

Try these troubleshooting steps to get rid of the “Not Registered on Network” error message and reconnect your Android device.

Restart your device 

A simple restart may fix your issue. 

Samsung phones: Press and hold the Power button until the Power off prompt appears. Tap Restart, then tap Restart again to confirm. 

Other Android phones: Press and hold the Power button until you see the Options menu. Tap Restart.

Turn Airplane Mode on and off 

Try to manually connect to your service provider by turning Airplane mode on and then back off to re-establish a connection. This resets your Android device in case it lost connection to a cell tower. Here’s what to do:

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen (you may need to swipe twice to see the full menu).
2. Tap the Airplane mode icon. Your cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals will disconnect.
3. Wait about 10 seconds, then tap the Airplane mode again to reconnect. Your phone will now search for the strongest available signal.

Reset the Network Settings

Still having trouble? Try resetting your network connection settings to clear your Wi-Fi passwords and saved networks. This won’t delete your apps, photos, contacts, or other data, but it may fix your network issues. Here’s what to do: 

On Samsung phone:

1. Open Settings > General management > Reset.
2. Then, choose Reset mobile network settings.
3. Tap Reset settings and enter your device passcode or password.
4. Tap Reset to confirm.

On other Android devices:

1. Open Settings and tap System > Reset options.
2. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.

Manually select your network providers

It’s possible your Android phone is having trouble finding your network, and you need to select it manually. Here’s what to do. 

For Samsung phones:

1. Open Settings > Connections > Mobile networks.
2. Tap Network operators.
3. Turn off the switch next to Select automatically.
4. Wait for the list of available networks to appear, then tap your provider’s name.

For Pixel and other Android phones:

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.
2. Tap the name of your active SIM.
3. Scroll down to the Network section and turn off Automatically select network.
4. Once the scan completes, select your carrier from the list.

Check your SIM Card 

If your Android “Not Registered on Network” error is still showing on your device, check your SIM card to see if it’s damaged or out of place. Follow these steps:

1. Turn off your phone.
2. Remove the SIM card from the card tray using an ejector tool or paper clip, and clean up any dust particles that could be interfering with the card. For help, check out our guide on how to safely remove your SIM card from your phone. 
3. Reinsert your SIM so it fits properly. 
4. Turn your device back on. 

Update your software

Make sure your operating system is up to date to get the latest security fixes and to prevent software bugs, including an Android “Not Registered on Network” message. Check out our guide on how to update your Android phone.  

Contact your mobile carrier

You’ll need to borrow another phone or visit a store in person to get help from your mobile carrier, but it may fix the issue. If there’s a network outage in your area, you’ll simply need to wait to reconnect. Or, if you need a new SIM card, your carrier can replace it for you.