Frustrated with Airtel Network Issues? 13 Effective Fixes

Airtel is one of the largest network providers in the country. Millions of users use Airtel for calling, messaging, using the internet, and more. If so many people rely on Airtel’s network, even a slight disruption can cause problems. Sometimes, this network connectivity issue can be resolved with a few simple workarounds, while sometimes the only way is to wait it out or contact customer service.

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Here are 13 Workarounds that might help fix ‘Airtel Network Not Working’ Issues

1. Checking APN Settings

Access Point Name, commonly known as APN Settings resides in your phone and the device reads these settings to form a connection between the phone and the internet provider (Airtel). APN offers the device with required settings that allow the phone to understand what type of internet connection it is using (3G, 4G, or 5G) and also know about the ports and security settings for encryption.

APN can manually be set by the user on their device. APN Settings are received from Airtel by simply sending an SMS or you can set it up by going into settings. Here are the steps to check APN settings-

• Open the settings on your smartphone.
• Go to the Network and Internet settings tab.
• Click on Internet Settings.
• Choose the gear icon next to Airtel’s name to open the settings.
• Scroll to the bottom and choose Access Point Name Settings.
• Tap on the ‘+’ icon to add new APN settings for your phone.

Enter the following values in the APN fields and tap to save the settings.

2. Disable Flight Mode

On modern-day smartphones, enabling Flight Mode disconnects its access to the network. This mode was introduced to be used during a flight as the mobile networks interrupted with plane’s radio frequency.

Now the mode has found more uses. It can be used when not on flight but you need a break from continuous notifications on your device. The only issue is that we sometimes forget to turn off the mode after work is done which leads to complete dysconnectivity from the internet which can be concerning.

Checking the status of Flight Mode is super easy. All you have to do is swipe down on the Quick Settings pane and check if the flight mode is enabled or disabled. If it is already off, you can turn it on and then off to reestablish the connection to the nearest network tower. This helps get network connectivity and boost internet speeds.

3. Changing the SIM Slot

In various smartphones, network ports and bands are different according to the SIM slot. Mostly dual SIM slots are available on all phones and SIM Slot 1 supports most high-speed networks. So, it is better to use Airtel sim in slot 1 for better connectivity. Check if it is in slot 2 and then re-insert it in slot 1 to get uninterrupted services.

4. Check signal strength/network coverage

If you are unable to access mobile data, send/receive messages, or call someone, the first thing to do is check the signal strength shown at the top of the device in the status bar. Moving to a different area might also help receive better signal strength. Check Airtel Network coverage by clicking here.

5. Turn Mobile data off/on

One of the quickest and simplest fixes is enabling and disabling the mobile data from the Quick Settings menu. It can also be done from the Control Center or Settings Menu on your device. Petty issues are resolved using this method.

6. Turning off WiFi

Some smartphones prioritize stronger WiFi connections over mobile data. To resolve this, you will have to turn off WiFi from the Quick Settings menu so that mobile data starts working.

7. Restarting the Device

The age-old classic workaround is turning it off and restarting it. The same works for Airtel Network as well. Restart your device to fix minor bugs with the network. After the device restarts check if you can connect calls, send messages, or access the internet.

8. Checking Active Internet Connection

If you haven’t paid your bill or haven’t recharged your device for a while now, you will need to recharge it to resolve the connection problem. If you have switched to Airtel from another operator, wait for a minimum of four hours for the SIM to start making calls. SMS service will need a maximum of 24 hours after porting.

9. Check for Inactive SIM card

Sometimes your SIM card gets deactivated due to insufficient balance or not being in use for a long time. In such a scenario, you will have to check the SIM status by asking a family member or a friend to call you on that number. As soon as they try to make the call, the status of your SIM will be announced as inactive, letting you know the problem.

SIM status can also be checked by calling Airtel Customer Care at 111 or 121 or drafting a mail request at customercare@ng.airtel.com. Dialing *106# and choosing the first option also lets you know the details of your RMN.

10. Updating Firmware

The current software of your device might be acting up. Check for updates and update it to the latest version to fix any issues with the Airtel Network.

11. Resetting Network Settings

Resetting your network might also help fix Airtel Network issues. The basic method to change network settings for Android phones is-

• Go to Settings, then go to ‘General Management’.
• Choose ‘Reset’ and then choose ‘Reset mobile network settings’.

The method might differ from phone to phone so check Google to know the exact way to reset your settings.

12. Contacting Customer Care

If none of the above methods work for you, then the issue might be from Airtel’s side. Contact the Airtel customer care department and they will guide you to troubleshoot the issue. If troubleshooting doesn’t work, they will send an executive to your doorstep to look into the matter. You can also ask the customer care executive if there is any power outage in your area. The customer care number – area code followed by 44444121. Like for example, for Delhi the area code is 011 so dial 011-44444121. Here is the list of all area codes for Airtel.

13. Network Downtime

There are times when a specific network is down at a national or regional level. These instances of downtime affect the network coverage as well. If your Airtel internet is not working, you can use some other network’s SIM card to check if the internet is working on it or not. Social media platforms like Instagram and X (Twitter) also show when such down issues happen. If this is the issue, wait for the connection to be restored in your area. Airtel users also get a message notifying them that the network has been restored.

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