Unlike traditional SIM cards, the eSIM (embedded SIM), is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan without having to use a physical SIM card. Your Samsung Galaxy S21 supports both a traditional Nano SIM card and an eSIM card (depending on the region the dual SIM mode can vary). 

Although this technology offers a lot of benefits, some Galaxy S21 users have reported that eSIM is not working on their devices. 

It can be calls and messages not working properly or the eSIM card not functioning at all. Most of the time, the eSIM doesn’t work due to software glitches that can be resolved with correct troubleshooting steps.

So in this guide, we’ll walk you through the working solutions to fix eSIM not working on your Samsung Galaxy S21. Let’s get started!

Note: Solutions in this guide will work on any Samsung Galaxy S21 model (S21, S21 Plus, S21 Fe, and S21 Ultra models.)

Editor’s note: We created these instructions using a Samsung Galaxy S21 running Android 13. Depending on your device’s software version, some steps and menu positions may look slightly different.

Fix 01: Contact the Network Provider First

First, you need to verify that the issue isn’t coming from your network provider. Unlike Nano SIM cards, eSIM technology heavily relies on the support of your network provider, so any issues on their end can directly affect your eSIM’s functionality.

Here are what you need to check with your network provider:

1. eSIM Activation: Make sure that your eSIM is activated. Sometimes, the eSIM may not have been properly activated by the provider.
   
2. Network Connection: Verify that the network connection for your eSIM is working correctly. The provider should be able to check this on their end.
   
3. Coverage Issue: Check if there are any known coverage issues in your area. If there are, this could be the reason why your eSIM is not working.
   
4. Outages: Ask if there are any known outages in your area. Outages can disrupt the service and cause eSIM to stop working.
   

If there’s nothing wrong on your carrier’s end, then you can simply proceed with the next solutions. However, if there’s an issue from their side, follow their guidance to resolve it.

Fix 02: Do a Forced Restart

A forced restart (soft reset), is an effective solution to fix minor software glitches and bugs that might be causing the eSIM not working issue on your Samsung Galaxy S21. 

This process is similar to removing the battery from a device, as it cuts off the power and gives the system a fresh boot-up.

Here’s how to do a forced restart on your Samsung Galaxy S21:

1. Press and hold the power key and volume down key together until you get the power menu.

2. Tap on the Restart button.

3. Confirm by tapping on the restarting button again.

Fix 03: Remove and Add the eSIM Again

You can also resolve eSIM not working on your Galaxy S21 by simply removing and adding the eSIM again. Doing this refreshes the connection between your device and the network, easily eliminating any glitches or errors that may have occurred and caused the eSIM to malfunction.

But before proceeding to remove your eSIM, make sure that you have the QR code provided by your network provider at hand. 

This is crucial as you’ll need it to add the eSIM back to your device. You also need to inform your network provider about your intention to remove and add the eSIM again to avoid any service interruptions.

Once you are ready, follow the steps below to remove and add the eSIM again:

1. Go to the Settings menu.
2. Tap on Connections.
3. Select SIM manager.

4. Here, you’ll see the eSIM card details. Tap on it.

5. Select Remove eSIM, and confirm the removal.

6. After successfully removing the eSIM, you can add it again by going back to SIM manager.
7. Tap on Add eSIM.

8. Now, scan the QR code provided by your network provider.
9. Follow the instructions to complete the process.

Fix 04: Reset Network Settings

eSIM and other SIM management are controlled under the network settings. Therefore, if these settings are altered incorrectly, it can cause the eSIM to not work. This is where resetting the network settings comes in.

By resetting network settings on your Galaxy S21, you can clear out any misconfigurations or glitches that might be causing the eSIM to not function correctly.

Note: Once you have reset the network settings on your device, you will need to re-enter the WiFi password to connect your device to the WiFi connection it was connected to before.

Here’s how to reset network settings on your Galaxy S21:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on General management.
3. Tap on Reset.

4. Then, tap on Reset network settings.

5. Confirm.

Fix 05: Do a Software Update

The eSIM not working issue could also be due to a bug in your device’s software. In such cases, software update is what your device needs. So if you haven’t updated the Samsung Galaxy S21 yet, then it is time to do so.

Here are the steps that you need to follow:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Battery and device care.

3. Then, select Software update.

5. Then, tap on Download and install.

Installing the update may take some time. Therefore, keep your device connected to the charger during the process.

After the update, check if the eSIM is working properly.

Fix 06: Do a Factory Data Reset

If the problem cannot be resolved by doing the above fixes, you have to do a factory data reset on your Galaxy S21. This will erase all personal data from your device. So any issues caused by data on your device will be removed and the problem will be resolved.

But before proceeding with this step, you need to back up all your important files and data. You can use Samsung’s own Smart Switch app or Google’s backup services to save your data to the cloud. 

Once you’ve ensured that all your important data is safely backed up, you can proceed with the factory data reset, by following the steps below:

1. Go to Settings and tap on General management.
2. Tap on Reset.
3. Under the reset menu, tap on Factory data reset.

4. Enter the lock screen password, and then confirm.

Once the factory reset is complete, you’ll need to set up your device as well as the eSIM. After adding the eSIM, make sure that it’s working properly. If the eSIM is working without any issues, you can then proceed to restore the backup you took earlier.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it – a comprehensive guide on how to troubleshoot and fix eSIM not working issues on the Samsung Galaxy S21. We have covered every possible fix that you can apply directly to your device to fix the issue.

If you have any further questions regarding this guide or the mentioned fixes, feel free to leave a comment below. We will be there to assist you.