Quick fixes for when your mobile data isn't working

By Anula Wiwatowska

Last updated 15 November 2023

Contents

In this guide:

Why is my mobile data not working?
Why is my mobile network not available?

There is an Australian adage that talks about using 4G in your own home because the WiFi is terrible. But what happens when even your 4G fails you? Mobile data not working can feel like being stranded out at sea. What has happened on Twitter while I was stranded?

If your mobile data isn’t working there are a few quick ways to fix it. Follow our quick steps first to get yourself back online, and read on to find out why your data isn’t working.

Quick fixes when mobile data isn't working

Check that you have reception
Turn airplane mode off and on again
Turn your phone off and take out your SIM card before turning it back on
Check that you haven’t run out of data

Why is my mobile data not working?

There is no single reason why your mobile data isn’t working, but there aren’t a lot to choose from. Most of these issues would have been solved by any of our quick fixes, but here is the reasoning behind them in a bit more detail.

You’ve run out of data

Running out of data, and not realising it is near impossible to do these days - but hey stranger things have happened.

On prepaid plans, you won't be able to access the internet if you've run out of data, but you'll still be able to make phone calls and send text messages. If this happens regularly, you may need a larger plan. We recommend plans with at least 30GB, but it's always best to look at your actual usage to get an idea of what data allowance you need.

Here's a look at the most popular plans right now with at least 30GB of data:

#1	TPG	TPG 100GB Large Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#2	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Medium - 365 Day Flex Plan 200GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 200GB data for only $190 on the Medium 365 Day Flex Plan. Offer ends 30.11.25 $190 Per 365 Day Renewal Go to Site	$190 Per 365 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick $28 Mobile Plan 30GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network Deal: 50% off for first 3 mths! Get the $28 Mobile Plan for $14/mth for the first 3 mths. New customers only. Offer ends 06.05.25 $28/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$28/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#4	Catch Connect	Catch Connect 365 Day Plan - 360GB 360GB data Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network in available areas Deal: Save $121! 360GB for $179 for the first 365 days! Recharges $300/360GB. New customers only. Offer ends 30.04.25 $179 Per 365 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$179 Per 365 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	felix mobile Editor's Pick	felix mobile Editor's Pick felix 50GB Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T&Cs apply $30 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$30 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Optus	Optus $55 Optus Choice Plus Plan 50GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $55/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#7	Vodafone	Vodafone $49 Small SIM Only Plan 100GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply. $39/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#8	iiNet	iiNet 100GB Large Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#9	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $300 Prepaid 290GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 290GB data on your first recharge, then 240GB from 2nd recharge. Activate by 07.07.25 $300 Per 12 Month Renewal Go to Site	$300 Per 12 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#10	Belong	Belong 100GB Mobile Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $45/mth Min. cost $45 Go to Site	$45/mth Min. cost $45	Go to Site

If you’re with a provider with unlimited data (either at capped or uncapped speeds) then you’ll never need to worry about this happening. Your connection may be slowed to as low as 1Mbps but it will never be cut off.

On the other hand, if you’re with a smaller provider that doesn’t offer unlimited data (or doesn't automatically bill you for excess usage) then you have a few choices. You may need to recharge your prepaid plan sooner than you’d planned, or buy additional data from your provider, or you could just wait it out until your billing cycle is over.

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You don’t have reception

Sometimes the simplest answer is the correct one, and it is entirely possible that you might just not have reception. Generally, you’ll see a cross where your bars of reception usually sit if this is the case but if you have just one or two bars your mobile data performance may be much worse as well. If you only have a single bar of 3G, your mobile data might not work at all.

Fixing coverage isn’t something you can do yourself, short of moving, but you can prevent these issues by checking where coverage is available on different mobile networks. Use our coverage checker below and locate the places you tend to frequent. This can give you a good indication of whether you should have reception there.

Click to Activate Interactive Map

Coverage information is collected from carriers and other third party sources. This is approximate coverage only and does not include indoor coverage. Actual speed and performance depends on your location and device. Local conditions and things like natural and artificial physical features of an area all affect your reception. Coverage © Mosaik

Airplane mode is on or your mobile data is turned off

We know that this one sounds dumb, but it is worth checking that airplane mode isn’t switched on and that mobile data is.

Airplane mode turns off your mobile network connection temporarily so if you’ve accidentally toggled it off then that would be the problem. The opposite is true for your mobile data settings - if it’s off it won’t work. You can check both of these in the Settings app on all devices.

Sometimes turning airplane mode on and off works to fix connection issues because it forces your phone to find refreshed information. Consider it a soft reset.

Your APN settings may be out of whack

If you’ve just got a new SIM card or you have randomly started having problems with your mobile data then there may be a problem with the configuration of your internet settings.

Usually, if you have an active mobile plan the settings should automatically be sent to your phone by your carrier, but there are cases when this might not happen. If you find yourself in this situation then you’ll need to make some changes to the Access Point Name (APN) in your Settings app.

Note that most of the time all you’ll need to do is turn off your phone, remove your SIM card, pop it back in and turn your phone back on to reconfigure these settings. If that doesn't work, read more about fixing APN settings here.

Why is my mobile network not available?

If your mobile network isn’t available then it is probably due to one of the aforementioned issues, but you might also be stung by an outage, or scheduled or emergency maintenance on the network.

Vodafone, Optus, and Telstra provide additional troubleshooting for network connectivity issues as well which we have outlined below. These steps should also apply to any smaller mobile providers powered by their networks.

Vodafone mobile data not working

For those on the Vodafone network, you can check for scheduled network maintenance and upgrades that might cause an outage. Use the outage checker to see if you are effected.

Optus mobile data not working

Along with the usual solutuions, Optus suggests updating your phone’s software if you’re experiencing problems with mobile data. You can also perform a network reset - you’ll find this in the settings section of any device. You'll want to look for Reset Network Settings in your phone's Settings app.