Why is LTE/4G Not Working on iPhone? Try These Solutions in 2023!

By Saurabh On Nov 14, 2023

When your iPhone’s LTE/4G suddenly stops functioning, you find yourself suddenly cut off from the outside world. Not using FaceTime, iMessage, social media, or the internet! The main causes of an iPhone without LTE are poor coverage, an expired data plan, an issue with your cellular settings, or a transient bug.

But do not fret. We put 15 methods to the test in order to address your data issues on iPhone and cellular iPad.

How to Fix iPhone LTE/4G Not Working?

1. Verify Network Coverage

If you are not receiving 4G/LTE while traveling or visiting a new location, it can be because there isn’t any LTE coverage there (and data roaming – detailed below). The majority of cities these days have 4G, although some remote villages and the countryside might not. Check if your carrier has a 4G/LTE coverage map available by contacting them or going to their website.

In order to increase connectivity, you may also utilize an open-source program like Opensignal to locate towers and assess coverage.

2. Use the Carrier app to Check your Data Allowance

LTE was operating as expected, but now it seems to be broken. If this is the case, check to see if you have any remaining data allotment for the day, month, or payment period by opening the carrier’s app or giving them a call. Occasionally, we continue to watch YouTube or Netflix and inadvertently use more data than we have planned. Thus, ensure that your data balance is sufficient.

3. Ensure Cellular Data is Enabled

If you can see the words LTE or 4G at the top of your iPhone screen, it indicates that cellular data is enabled. If you do not see one of these words, open the Settings app or the iOS Control Center and activate cellular data.

Select Cellular from the Settings app on your iPhone. It is referred to as mobile data in some nations, such as the UK and India.

Turn on the cellular data switch.

4. Enable and Disable Airplane Mode

Every time I have trouble with my LTE, I do this simple workaround. And it achieves the objective in the majority of cases!

Launch the Control Center to place your iPhone in Airplane mode. Swipe down from the top right (where the battery icon is) on an iPhone with Face ID. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen on an iPhone with a front-facing Home button.

Press the icon of the airplane. It’s going to go yellow.

Tap the identical airplane icon after 15 seconds. Now it will become white.

You’ve successfully turned off and on the Airplane mode, which helps resolve issues related to 4G/LTE by forcing a new network search.

5. Enable Data Roaming

To maintain an LTE connection, you must activate data roaming whenever you travel to another nation or even just a new state inside your own. Here’s how to carry it out.

Select Cellular from the Settings app on your iPhone.

Select Data Roaming by tapping on Cellular Data Options.

6. Restart your iPhone

It is imperative that you restart your iPhone before moving on to some more complex options. Restarting is a simple and quick solution for a number of issues, including a broken network connection.

Press the right side button and one of the volume buttons simultaneously on an iPhone with Face ID. Press the power button located on the right side of an iPhone that has a home button. Slider: Move it to the right. Please let your iPhone a minute to cool off before turning it back on. Hopefully, LTE/4G is currently operational.

7. Clear Safari History if it does not work on LTE

Sometimes Safari won’t function on a mobile data connection, but other programs might. Try deleting all iPhone Safari data to see if it resolves the problem. By doing this, you will be logged out of all websites that you are logged into and your browsing history, cookies, and website data will be deleted.

Launch the Settings app, then select Safari by scrolling down.

Select Clear History and Data from the website by tapping on it.

After that, Safari on cellular data ought to function perfectly. If you experience the same issue with Safari on your Mac, please visit our dedicated tutorial, where we walk you through eight solutions to resolve this issue.

8. Disable VPN

On your iPhone, are you using a VPN? If so, this could lead to problems like some services and apps not functioning. It’s also possible that the VPN server is having issues, which is why your iPhone is not connecting to the internet and displays an LTE/4G error.

Open the VPN app and shut it off to resolve this.

A tip: You can also utilize VPN browsers on your iPhone, however, they might restrict VPN access to that particular browser only, not the whole device. For instance, I utilize the Aloha browser’s free edition. Its built-in VPN is exclusive to Aloha and does not function with any other iPhone apps.

9. Turn off Cellular Data Restrictions in Screen Time

With the iPhone and other Apple devices, Screen Time allows you to monitor your usage, establish limits, obstruct content, restrict apps, and discourage using the phone for yourself or your child.

Here’s how to resolve the problem if you unintentionally or purposely turn on cellular data limits in Screen Time, which keeps you from turning it on or off.

Click on Screen Time after opening the Settings app.

Note: It will prompt you to enable Screen Time if it is not already configured. That is not required of you. Proceed to the following solutions, ignoring this one.

Click or tap Content & Privacy Limitations.
Select Cellular Data Changes by swiping down.
Click Allow here. You are now authorized to modify cellular settings, including turning on and off cellular data.

10. Remove and Reinsert SIM Card

How recently did you remove the SIM card? likely a very long time ago. Correct? If your iPhone isn’t operating with LTE or 4G, you might want to remove the SIM card, give it a quick wipe with a soft cloth, and then put it back in. The SIM tray is located on the right edge of every current iPhone. Use a blunt pin or the SIM ejector tool that was included with your iPhone.

11. Update Carrier Settings

Were you aware that your carrier also pushes updates, the same to what happens with iOS? These are rare, however, you may get a popup requesting you to update carrier settings if you have recently restored your phone, changed SIM cards, or reset network settings. Click Update.

As an alternative, try opening Settings > General > About. Now, wait a short while and check to see whether a popup appears requesting that you upgrade to the most recent carrier settings.

12. Ensure Correct APN Settings

Access Point Name, or APN, is a configuration that establishes the connection and specifies the path for cellular data communication. I went into further detail about this in my piece on WhatsApp not functioning on iPhones.

To put it briefly, if your cellular data isn’t functioning properly, get in touch with your provider and request the necessary APN settings. Note that not every LTE provider allows you to access or update your APN settings. If your carrier does, though, you can change it from the Cellular menu in the iPhone Settings app.

13. Update your iPhone

Having the most recent version of iOS loaded is essential to guaranteeing that everything functions properly on your iPhone. Apple frequently releases over-the-air upgrades to give you access to the newest features, however, occasionally there are minor problems and bugs.

Open the Settings app, select General, then Software Upgrade to upgrade your iPhone. Click on Download and Install to see if there is a pending update.

14. Reset Network Settings

This is an additional patch for the LTE/4G not working problem. It functions even if you experience difficulties using Wi-Fi to access the internet.

Apps, music, videos, pictures, and other personal data won’t be deleted by a network reset. It will, however, reset your VPN, Wi-Fi, and cellular network settings.

Select General from the Settings app on your iPhone.
Select Reset by swiping down to the bottom.
To confirm, tap Reset Network Settings and enter the passcode for your iPhone.
After the network reset is finished, your 4G/LTE cellular data should work flawlessly.

15. Contact Your Carrier

Did none of the previously listed fixes work? Please contact the customer service department of your carrier in this situation. If they have a support account on Twitter, you can get in touch with them through that platform or the assigned service number.

Your service provider will assist you with specific issues, such as unpaid bills, incorrect addresses, or any other restrictions prohibiting you from utilizing mobile data, and has access to more detailed account information.