T-Mobile Not Working (Why It’s Happening, How To Fix + Other FAQs)

Do you have T-Mobile and have found that it’s not working and asked, “why is T-Mobile not working?”

If so, keep reading as we’ll get into why this is happening and how to fix T-Mobile when it’s not working!

T-Mobile Not Working In [currentyear]

If you’ve noticed T-Mobile not working, it could be due to a network outage affecting customers, such as equipment or software failure in [currentyear]. Additionally, T-Mobile may not be working because your SIM card is damaged or loose; you need to reset your network connection or go outside of the coverage area.

Are you looking for more potential fixes for T-Mobile not working or have other related questions? Well, we have even more to share with you below, so keep reading to find out more!

1. Check Down Detector For Network Outages

If you’ve found T-Mobile not working, you should first check Down Detector because the issue could be a network outage affecting T-Mobile customers.

Furthermore, the network outage could be caused by software failure, hardware failure, equipment failure, power outage, or other similar issues.

However, when this happens, there is nothing you can do except wait until T-Mobile fixes the problem and gets the network back up and running.

2. You’re Outside Of The Coverage Area & Need To Move

When you find T-Mobile not working, you may simply be outside of the coverage area, so you should check your device to see if you have a signal or how many bars you have.

Also, even if you have a signal, if it’s less than two bars, it likely will be too weak to send texts, make or receive calls, or browse the Internet, so try to move locations to see if that helps.

3. You Need To Restart Your Device

One way you can fix T-Mobile not working is to restart your device because many tech issues can be fixed just by restarting your device.

For example, restarting your device can clear memory, clear app cache, and fix general errors causing your device to run poorly, so just restart your device, and it can solve your problems.

4. Check Your SIM Card For Damage Or Lost Connection

There are times when the SIM card may become dislodged, causing a lost connection to the T-Mobile network, or your SIM card could be damaged, causing the issue.

Therefore, take your SIM card out and check it for scratches, smudges, and cracks, and carefully reinsert your SIM card, ensuring the notches line up on the phone and SIM card.

5. Your Phone Case Is Causing Interference & Needs To Be Removed

5. Your Phone Case Is Causing Interference & Needs To Be Removed T-Mobile

A phone case can cause interference, which could lead to T-Mobile not working properly on your device, especially if you have a case with magnets.

In addition, a phone case can block signals, so if your signal was already weak because of coverage, it could prevent you from having enough of a signal to make or receive calls.

For that reason, an easy potential fix would be to remove your phone case and see if your signal gets stronger by checking the top to see how many bars you have.

6. Your Network Connection Needs Reset

Sometimes your network connection may need to be reset if T-Mobile is not working on your device, but the specific steps to reset the network connection vary by Android device.

For example, with some Android devices, you can reset the network connection easily by following these steps:

  • Go into “Settings”
  • Select “System”
  • Select “Reset” or “Reset Options”
  • Select “Reset Network Settings”
  • Confirm by selecting “Reset Settings”

Also, if you have an iOS device, the process will require that you follow these steps:

  • Select “Settings”
  • Select “General”
  • Click on “Reset”
  • Select “Reset Network Settings”

7. Toggle Airplane Mode On & Off

If you’ve found T-Mobile not working, you can try to toggle or turn Airplane mode on and off a few times to see if that fixes the issue.

However, you should wait a few seconds between each on and off switch, then look to see if the T-Mobile network connection has been re-established.

8. Check For Carrier Settings Updates

You can manually check to see if there is an update to your carrier settings, which can update the T-Mobile network and get it back up and running.

For example, if you want to manually check for a carrier settings update, just follow the easy steps below:

  • Go into “Settings”
  • Select “General”
  • Click on “About”
  • Find the “Carrier Settings Update” option
  • An update, if available, will be under the heading of that option
  • Select it to install the files

9. You Need To Update Your System

An easy fix for T-Mobile not working would be to update your system to the newest update, which can patch bugs, fix security vulnerabilities, and offer improvements to your device.

Furthermore, it’s easy to update the system on your device since you just go into “Settings,” select “System,” and then click on “System Update.”

If there is an update available, it will tell you, and from there, your device will install the update and restart, which could fix the problems you’re dealing with!

10. Force-Close Background Apps

You can also try to force-close background apps, which could be causing interference with T-Mobile, and you can do this by going into your “Settings” and selecting “Apps.”

From there, you’ll need to look at the apps list, select the ones running that you want to force close, and then select the “Force Stop” button for that app.

Why Does My Phone Keep Saying T-Mobile Network Not Available?

If you see “T-Mobile network not available,” your network settings were changed, which could lead to your device being unable to connect to the T-Mobile network.

Therefore, you want to reset your network settings, which you can do by going into “Settings” and then selecting “Connections” and choosing “Mobile Network Operators.”

However, the process for resetting your network settings will vary by device, but it’ll be within the “Settings” on both iOS and Android.

To learn more, you can also see our posts on why is T-Mobile down, T-Mobile phone not receiving calls, and T-Mobile Jump.

Conclusion

If T-Mobile is not working, it could be due to issues such as a network outage caused by power failure, software failure, hardware failure, or even cell tower damage in your area.

However, T-Mobile not working could be due to other issues such as a damaged SIM card or loose SIM card connection, issues with your network settings, or interference from a case.

Therefore, you can restart your device, reset your network settings, remove your phone case, force-close background apps, and reinsert your SIM card to see if that fixes the issue.

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Cara Suppa

Cara Suppa has been freelance writing for over a decade and holds a BA in English and an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications. Outside of work, she is an avid cook, gardener, and discount shopper.

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