Cellular trouble on the Galaxy S26+ shows up as no service, a signal that drops to emergency calls only, mobile data that works on Wi-Fi only, or calls that fail on a network that works for other phones, and the cause is a SIM or eSIM setting, a network configuration or a software build, and rarely the antenna. Start with the quickest tests. Switch Airplane mode on for ten seconds and off, restart the phone and look at Settings, Connections, SIM manager to see that your line is on and set as the default for calls and data.
The checks in more detail
If you use an eSIM, remember that it can be turned off or deleted by a reset, and a transfer to a new phone may need the carrier to issue a new profile. Check Settings, Connections, Mobile networks, Network mode and select the automatic option that includes 5G, since a phone left on a single band can lose service in some places. Select your carrier manually in Network operators to see whether the phone can find the network, and then switch back to automatic. If a call fails while data works, check Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE in Settings, Connections,
Wi-Fi calling and the mobile networks menu, because a carrier that needs VoLTE will drop calls from a phone with it off. A phone moved from another country may need the carrier's profile, so check that the carrier supports the phone. Update the software in Settings, Software update, since One UI updates carry modem fixes, and install carrier updates when offered. Remove the SIM tray, check that the SIM is seated and clean, and try the SIM in another phone, or another SIM in this one, to separate a SIM fault from a phone fault.
If the phone loses data only in one location, the network may be weak there, and a Wi-Fi calling setting helps. Reset network settings from Settings, General management, Reset, Reset mobile network settings, which clears carrier configuration and saved networks, and then try again. A phone that never finds a network with a known good SIM and after a reset may have a hardware fault, so run Samsung Members diagnostics and contact Samsung with the serial number; if the phone is on a carrier plan, the carrier can also check the line and the IMEI status. Avoid thick metal cases, which block signal.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung Galaxy S26+ has no cellular service or data”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A SIM or eSIM that is off or not default
What separates it No service or no data
How to confirm Check SIM manager and the default line
- 2
A network mode or carrier setting
What separates it Service drops in some places
How to confirm Choose the automatic mode and select the carrier again
- 3
Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE turned off
What separates it Calls fail while data works
How to confirm Turn on VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling
- 4
An old software build
What separates it Modem faults that an update fixes
How to confirm Install the waiting update
- 5
A faulty SIM or a hardware fault
What separates it No network with a good SIM
How to confirm Test the SIM elsewhere and run diagnostics
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the problem is calls, data or both
- Whether the SIM works in another phone
- The carrier and network mode
- The software version
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedToggle Airplane mode
ReversibleAnd restart.
Check SIM manager
ReversibleDefault line and eSIM status.
Select the carrier
ReversibleManually, then automatically.
Turn on VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling
ReversibleIf calls fail.
Update the software
ReversibleIncluding carrier updates.
Reset mobile network settings
ReversibleAs a last step.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- eSIM
- A reset or phone change may need a new profile.
- VoLTE
- Some carriers need it for calls.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If no network is found with a good SIM after a reset, contact Samsung with the serial number
- !If the line is the problem, contact the carrier
- !Back up before a reset
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my S26+ show no service?+
A SIM or network setting, or a carrier issue.
Why do calls fail while data works?+
VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling may be off.
Will a reset erase my data?+
It clears network settings, not photos or apps.
Does an eSIM survive a reset?+
It can be removed; the carrier may need to issue it again.
Could it be hardware?+
Rarely; test the SIM in another phone.