With the rapid advancement of technology, the rollout of 5G networks promises faster internet speeds, lower latency, and enhanced connectivity. However, you might not enjoy the promised high-speed internet if your Android device is having trouble connecting to 5G.
Wondering why your 5G not working? This article discusses why your 5G is not working and 12 methods to help you fix it.
Below we have discussed:
- Why is my 5G not working?
- How to fix the issue?
- Enable Airplane mode
- Restart your device
- Check 5G network coverage in your area
- Check device compatibility with the 5G network
- Ensure your Carrier provides 5G services
- Check your Mobile plan
- Change Network mode
- Disable low power or battery saver mode
- Update your device
- Re-insert the SIM
- Reset the Network Settings
- Contact your Carrier support
Also read: 5G UC not working: Quick Fix
Why is my 5G not working?
Various reasons might hinder your 5G network, and they are mentioned below:
- Temporary glitches.
- Network coverage issue in your area.
- Your phone does not support the 5G connection.
- Your carrier hasn’t rolled out 5G services in your area.
- Your mobile plan does not include 5G service.
- Wrong network mode selected in your device.
- Battery saver or low power mode is on.
How to fix the issue?
Here are various methods that might help you get through this issue:
Enable Airplane mode
Switch on Airplane mode, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it off. This will momentarily disconnect you from the cell tower and prompt your device to reconnect. Here’s how to enable Airplane mode:
On iPhone
- Go to the settings app and turn the toggle on beside the Airplane Mode.
- Alternatively, you can swipe up to open the control centre and tap on the Airplane mode icon to enable it.
On Android
- Go to the Settings on your phone and tap on Network & Internet.
- Turn the toggle on beside Aeroplane mode.
- Alternatively, you can turn it on through the Notification panel, slide down from the top to access the Notification panel and then tap on the Aeroplane mode icon.
Restart your device
Sometimes, temporary glitches in your device might cause network issues, restarting your device might resolve those temporary glitches and minor issues and also fix the network issues.
Check 5G network coverage in your area
Even if your mobile service provider claims to offer 5G nationwide, the reality might be different. It’s crucial to verify the actual 5G availability in your specific location by checking their coverage map. Popular carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others provide maps on their websites that display 5G availability in different areas. If your carrier doesn’t have a coverage map, you can keep tabs on the 5G rollout in your area by checking Ookla’s 5G Map.
Check device compatibility with the 5G network
The iPhone 12 was the first to come with 5G, and every iPhone model since then, including all the versions in the 12, 13, and 14 series, along with the iPhone SE 3 (2022), supports 5G. However, for Android phones, things are a bit more complex. To find out if your Android device supports 5G, you’ll need to do a brief specs check either online or offline.
Ensure your Carrier provides 5G services
Make sure to check if your mobile carrier has introduced 5G services in your area. If they haven’t, your Android won’t display 5G, regardless of your efforts. Confirm with your carrier to ensure they offer 5G support.
Check your Mobile plan
If your current mobile plan doesn’t include 5G services, you won’t be able to use them from your carrier. To confirm whether 5G is part of your plan, check your carrier’s app or get in touch with them. If it’s not included, you might need to upgrade your plan to enable 5G on your device.
Change Network mode
If you’re in an area with 5G coverage, but your device still shows LTE or 4G in the status, it’s possible that 5G is not enabled on your device. Here’s how to check and activate 5G. Here are the steps to change it:
On iPhone
- Go to your Settings app and tap on Cellular
- Tap on Cellular Data Options.
- Tap on the Voice & Data option.
- Make sure 5G On or 5G Auto is selected.
On Android
- Go to Settings and tap on Network & Internet.
- Tap on the Mobile Network option.
- If you have a dual sim it will show you two options otherwise you will directly see the next screen. Choose the sim.
- Scroll down a bit and tap on Preferred network type.
- Make sure 5G is selected.
Disable low power or battery saver mode
Certain devices, like the iPhone 12 series, may deactivate 5G when in Low Power or Power Saving mode. If you’re experiencing issues with 5G, consider turning off the battery-saving settings as a potential solution. Here is how to do it:
On iPhone
- Go to the Settings app and tap on Battery.
- Turn the toggle off beside Low Power Mode.
- Alternatively, you can swipe up to open the control centre and tap on the Low Power Mode icon to disable it.
On Android
- Go to the Settings and tap on Battery.
- Tap on the Battery Saver option.
- Turn the toggle off beside the Use Battery Saver.
- Alternatively, you can turn it off through the Notification panel, slide down from the top to access the Notification panel and then tap on the Battery Saver icon.
Update your device
Using an old version of OS might be the culprit. It’s a good practice to ensure your phone is running the latest software. If the problem persists and seems related to your Android operating system, installing the latest updates should likely resolve the issue. Here are the steps to do that:
On iPhone
- Go to the Settings app on your phone and tap on General.
- Tap on Software Update.
- If an update is available, install it and download the app again.
On Android
- Go to Settings and tap on the System updates option.
- Now, tap on Check for updates and install it, if any update is available.
Re-insert the SIM
To resolve potential issues preventing access to 5G, try clearing the SIM cache. Remove the SIM card from your device, restart your phone, and then reinsert the SIM card. This simple process aims to eliminate any bugs or settings causing the problem.
Reset the Network Settings
If your device still doesn’t display 5G, the only remaining option is to reset the network settings. Doing so will return all the network settings on your phone to their default values, effectively solving the problem. Here are the steps:
On iPhone
- Go to the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on General.
- Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Now, tap on Reset.
- Tap on Reset Network Settings.
- Enter the passcode and tap on Reset Network Settings to confirm your action.
On Android
- Go to Settings, scroll down and tap on System.
- Tap on Reset options.
- Tap on Reset Wi-Fi, mobile and Bluetooth option.
- Now, tap on the Reset settings button.
Contact your Carrier support
Sometimes, network issues may be specific to your mobile carrier. Check for any reported outages or service disruptions on your carrier’s website or contact their customer support for assistance.
Also read: How to fix ‘iTunes could not connect to iPhone error 0xE800000A’?
