Vipin PG 
If you open your phone’s SIM status and see Mobile Network State: Disconnected, it means your Android device has a SIM inserted but cannot communicate with your carrier’s mobile network. You might notice no signal bars, no mobile data, or calls that just won’t go through. The good news — this is almost always a software or configuration issue, not a hardware failure, and it can be fixed in minutes with the steps below.
Step 1: Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off
This is the fastest first fix. Turning on Airplane Mode cuts all wireless connections, and turning it back off forces your phone to re-register with the network from scratch.
- Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
- Tap the Airplane Mode icon to turn it ON. Wait 10 seconds.
- Tap it again to turn it OFF.
- Wait 20–30 seconds and check if the network state changes.
Step 2: Reseat the SIM Card
A loose or dusty SIM card can cause a disconnected network state. Taking it out and putting it back properly re-establishes the physical connection.
- Power off your phone completely.
- Use the SIM ejector tool (or a small pin) to open the SIM tray.
- Remove the SIM card and inspect it for dust, scratches, or damage.
- Gently clean the gold contacts with a dry cloth.
- Reinsert the SIM firmly into the tray and push it back into the phone.
- Power on and check network status.
Step 3: Select the Network Operator Manually
Sometimes Android gets stuck trying to auto-connect to a network that isn’t working. Manually selecting your carrier forces a fresh connection.
- Go to Settings → Mobile Network (or Connections → Mobile Networks).
- Tap Network Operators or Carrier.
- Tap Search Networks — your phone will scan available carriers.
- Select your carrier from the list.
- If asked, confirm and wait for the connection to establish.
- Once connected, you can switch back to Select Automatically.
Step 4: Change the Preferred Network Type
If your phone is set to 5G or LTE only but the signal in your area is weak, it might fail to connect. Switching to a lower network mode (3G or Auto) can restore connectivity.
- Go to Settings → Mobile Network → Preferred Network Type.
- Change it from 5G/LTE only to LTE/3G/2G (Auto).
- Save and wait a few seconds for the phone to reconnect.
- Once the network is back, you can switch back to your preferred mode.
Step 5: Reset APN Settings
APN (Access Point Name) settings control how your phone connects to mobile data. Incorrect or corrupted APN settings are a very common cause of the disconnected state.
- Go to Settings → Mobile Network → Access Point Names (APN).
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right corner.
- Select Reset to Default or Restore Default APN.
- Confirm the reset.
- Restart your phone and check if the network state is now connected.
Step 6: Reset Network Settings
This resets all network-related settings — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data — back to factory defaults. It won’t delete your personal data or apps, but you’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks afterward.
- Go to Settings → General Management (or System → Reset).
- Tap Reset and then select Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your PIN or password if prompted.
- Confirm the reset and wait for the phone to restart.
- After restart, check the SIM status — it should now show Connected.
Step 7: Check for Carrier or System Updates
An outdated carrier settings file or Android system update can cause network registration failures. Always check for pending updates when the network state doesn’t recover on its own.
- Go to Settings → Software Update (or System → System Update).
- Tap Download and Install if an update is available.
- Also check: Settings → About Phone → Carrier Settings Update (available on some devices).
- Restart after the update completes and recheck the network state.
Conclusion
The “Mobile Network State: Disconnected” error on Android almost always comes down to a simple network configuration or SIM communication issue — rarely a hardware problem. Start with Airplane Mode toggle and SIM reseating since those fix 80% of cases. If those don’t work, resetting APN settings or network settings will almost certainly do it. Only if none of the above works should you consider contacting your carrier, as the SIM itself might be deactivated or the account might have an issue on the provider’s end.
I can make calls and connect but no internet
Hi Jerry, may I know on which network you are experiencing the issue?
Could this be the cause of SMS (text and/or pics) to fail sporadically for a given period of time (usually short) & not necessarily from message to message? Also, can it effect connectivity of my “Your Phone” App & “Link to Windows” App between my Android (Samsung Galaxy 9+) & Windows 10 laptop, although I believe they rely strictly on Bluetooth. ( BT itself has become a whole other issue with Win10)
All from same location & modem/router proximity is not an issue.
Thanks
same here, using samsung galaxy s7 with t-mobile.
Hi Jose,
Is the issue still there?
having issues with not being able to call or receive calls unless through wifi. Tried all the steps but still having issues. its a new sim card
May i know the network you are using, and the region please
The network signal come too weak inside house It is good signal and can read The network connected But can not received incoming call
Did you inform the issue with your network provider?
Vodafone Qatar
I think Google voice may have been my problem. What to do?
Can you explain a bit?
My sim card suddenly lost it’s connection. I check the status of the sim and and it said that it was disconnected. What should I do?
Please inform the network provider about that issue and see, what they are saying.
Hi,
Tried Sim in my phone from Mums E7, full signal, data, texts, all work. Sim from my phone into Mums has no signal at all. Different networks (O2 mine, EE, Mum).
Place my O2 SIM back into mine, works again, EE into Mums, no signal. Looks like the E7 has a fault.
Tried resetting to na avail.
Thanks for your steps. Confirms the handset is at fault.
hello all;
when we on my mobile data and that time we don’t have send/receive signal from the network if i have done many time on/of mobile data or on/of fly mode,unfortunately the issue not solved
so now kindly let us what is the issue?
and also the mentioned issue not only to me but unfortunately the issue is a general issue so now what is the issue the net work provider thanks
Cannot make are receive any calls an I done tried everything an it’s not working at all
Are you sure the SIM is working? Tried on any other hansdet?
The only thing that worked for me was to reset mobile apn settings: after connections, then mobile networks, at the 3 dots at top right and ‘reset to default’, THEN restart phone.
Thanks a lot. I reset apn and bam! What a relief!
I have the same issue with my TMobile Revvl-V-5G tried several sim cards I got a TMobile phone but I have been using Government sim cards most of the company run on TMobile might it be a different type of sim card how do I change the network APN
Are you facing the issue all the time?
This is a great blog post! I have been experiencing the same issue on my Android phone and I was just about to give up on it. Thank you for the solution!
Old Android Samsung S7 handset. No longer making calls.
Mobile network state – Disconnected
Restart/reposition/airplane off/virus software off. All makes no difference.
Think I need help please.