eSIM Not Working? Troubleshooting Every Common Problem
June 25, 20261 min readguide · esim · troubleshooting
Work through these in order — the first three fix the vast majority of cases.
1. "Installed, but no internet"
- Data roaming ON for the eSIM line (Settings → Cellular/Connections). Travel eSIMs are roaming profiles; this is mandatory.
- Mobile data source = the eSIM, not your home SIM.
- Restart the phone. Genuinely fixes network registration issues.
- Select a network manually. Settings → network selection → choose a listed carrier — some plans only work on specific local networks.
- Check APN. Rarely needed; if your plan documentation lists an APN, set it manually.
2. "QR code won't scan"
- Display the QR on a second screen — a phone can't scan a code shown on itself.
- Or use manual entry: choose "Enter details manually" and paste the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your order page.
3. "Invalid activation code / profile could not be downloaded"
- Codes are single-use. If the profile was ever installed (even on another device) it cannot be installed again.
- If it never installed anywhere and still fails, wait 5 minutes and retry on solid Wi-Fi — provisioning servers occasionally lag.
4. "I paid but got no eSIM"
- Open /orders — your order lives in the browser you bought with.
- Status pending? Blockchain confirmation takes ~30s (ETH) to 2–10 min (XMR).
- Past that? Use "I've sent the payment" on the order and paste your transaction hash — verification runs against the blockchain and releases your eSIM immediately.
5. "Slow data"
- Toggle airplane mode to re-register on the network.
- Try manual network selection — a different local carrier may be faster.
- Check whether your plan is throttled after a high-speed allowance (listed on the plan card).
Still stuck?
Ask ARIA (chat bubble, bottom-right) — it knows plans, devices, and payment flows. And check your device supports eSIM at all: dial *#06# and look for an EID.