What to do if your Samsung Galaxy S21 Keeps Losing Signal (Cellular)

This post will help you deal with a cellular issue in which the Galaxy S21 keeps losing signal. Here’s what to do if your Samsung Galaxy smartphone often disconnects from the cellular network.

fix galaxy s21 keeps losing signal cellular featured

Cellular network or mobile network serves as the backbone of modern communications among mobile phones. Without a stable cellular signal, your phone won’t be able to send and receive SMS/MMS messages, or make and receive calls. Connecting to the Internet via mobile data is also not possible.  

There are many factors that can cause cellular issues in smartphones and thus, relevant problems are inevitable among smartphone users.

What causes cellular signal loss?

Aside from network outages, cellular signal drops in mobile devices can be attributed to software and hardware issues. Below are common software-related factors that cause cellular signal loss and other relevant issues in smartphones and tablets.

1. Random glitches – any device can succumb to random system glitches. When this happens, certain features aren’t working as intended. Random software glitches can be attributed to some rogue apps and system errors.

2. Faulty updates – post-update bugs can also ruin the phone’s cellular network functions. Some updates automatically override the phone’s current network settings and eventually result in network problems. But the good thing about post-update bugs is that they’re promptly addressed with a follow-up fix patch.

3. Corrupted SIM card data – network problems tied to corrupted SIM cards are usually denoted with relevant errors such as no SIM card, SIM not detected and the like. Such errors are usually inflicted by incorrect network settings, bad updates, and random system glitches.

In some cases, cellular signal issues in mobile devices can also be tied to billing issues particularly in post-paid data subscribers. Network service providers normally cut services for delinquent accounts. In this case, services can be restored by paying the bills.

In worst case scenarios, signal issues are tied to hardware damage including a damaged SIM card as well as other malfunctioning network components on the device.

Troubleshooting Galaxy S21 that keeps losing signal

Keeping the device software up-to-date is highly recommended to ensure optimum performance and system stability. But if the problem still exists even when the phone is updated, then you can go ahead and try fixing software-related errors with the basic tweaks.

Performing the following workarounds can help eliminate software-related factors that might have caused cellular signal drops on your Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Before you begin troubleshooting, make sure that you are in a place without any possible signal barriers or interference. Also ensure that you’re within your network’s coverage area.

First solution: Restart/soft reset.

Random software glitches are inevitable in smartphones and signal drops are among the common symptoms. If everything was working perfectly fine and then suddenly your phone loses signal from the cellular network without changing any settings or installing new apps and files, then this could be just a random glitch affecting the cellular network system. 

fix galaxy s21 keeps losing signal restart

The easiest way to rectify random system errors like this is to perform a soft reset or restart on the device. For starters, just follow these steps.

Step 1: Simultaneously press and hold the Volume Down and Side/Power keys for a few seconds.
Step 2: Release both keys when the power options appear.
Step 3: To instigate a system reboot, tap on the Restart icon.

Allow the device to finish rebooting. Once it’s up, give it more time to re-establish network signal. 

Performing a soft reset does not affect any saved data on the internal storage, so you won’t lose any important files in the process.

What it does is to clear out random software glitches and rectify adverse symptoms including cellular network errors.

Second solution: Airplane Mode trick.

Another simple and effective solution to random problems affecting wireless services in mobile devices is the so-called Airplane mode trick. It works by giving wireless features a simultaneous refresh and thereby eliminates any transpiring setbacks.

fix galaxy s21keepslosingsignal airplanemodetrick

If you wish to give it a try, then just refer to these steps:

  • Tap the Settings icon from the Home screen to launch the Settings app.
  • Next, tap Connections.
  • Then, toggle to turn the Airplane mode switch ON. All wireless features are then disabled simultaneously. This means you’ll be disconnected from Wi-Fi and cellular data networks.
  • While Airplane mode is enabled, restart the phone.
  • As soon as it’s finished rebooting, turn Airplane mode OFF again.

Wait for the phone to re-establish cellular signal and then see if the problem is gone.

Third solution: Reset network settings.

Performing a network reset can be regarded among the last options if the problem continues even after rebooting the device. This also comes in handy when dealing with network errors following a software update installation. 

fix galaxy s21 keepslosingsignal networkreset

A network reset works by deleting all current network settings including saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, VPNs, APNs, and other relevant information. Any errors tied to invalid/incorrect network settings therefore be addressed. 

Performing a network reset does not affect any saved information so you don’t need to create backups beforehand.

To reset network settings on the Galaxy S21, just follow these steps:

  • Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  • Scroll down and tap General management.
  • On the next menu, tap Reset.
  • Then, tap Reset network settings from the given options.
  • Read the following information then tap Reset settings.
  • If prompted, enter your device PIN, pattern or password and then tap Reset settings to confirm.

The phone then instigates a network settings reset and then reboots when finished.

After it reboots, all network defaults are restored. That said, you’ll need to set up Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular data networks like the first time.

Fourth solution: Reinstall the SIM card.

To rule out SIM-card related issues and errors that might have inflicted cellular drops on your phone, reinstalling the SIM card can help. Here’s how:

  • Turn off the phone completely.
  • While the phone is powered off, insert the SIM ejector into the tiny hole on the SIM card tray to eject it.
  • Pull the SIM tray out from the phone and then remove the SIM card.
  • Check the SIM card for any signs of damage or dirt. If everything looks good, place the SIM card back into the tray in the same orientation before you remove it.
  • Once the SIM card is secured in place, push the tray back into the phone until it locks.

Turn the phone back on and then see if the problem is gone.

Fifth solution: Factory reset/master reset.

A drastic solution to recurring and complex system issues is a factory reset. As the name implies, this reset wipes everything from the phone including all downloaded apps, custom settings, saved files and personal information. Any stubborn bugs inflicting fatal system errors will also be obliterated in the process. After the reset, your device will be restored to its factory state.

fix galaxy s21 keepslosingsignal factoryreset

Should you wish to proceed, back up all your important files and then follow these steps to instigate a factory reset on the Galaxy S21 via settings menu:

  • Tap Settings from the Home screen to launch the Settings app.
  • Scroll down and tap General management.
  • On the next menu, tap Reset.
  • Then, select Factory data reset from the given options.
  • Read the reset details on the succeeding menu and then tap Reset at the bottom.
  • If prompted, enter your device PIN, pattern or password and then tap Reset to confirm.

Your phone will then start wiping all data and then restores all factory defaults.

After the factory reset, you can set up the phone as new.

Still losing cellular signal?

If none of the aforementioned workarounds is able to resolve the issue and your Galaxy S21 still keeps losing signal from your cellular network, there’s a higher chance that you’re dealing with a hardware issue. It’s also possible that the problem is from within the cellular network base. 

To clear this out, contacting your network service provider is recommended. Typically, service providers do push notifications for unexpected outages as well as scheduled maintenance affecting mobile networks. Nonetheless, latest transpiring issues may not immediately be posted on their outage board. So it’s still best to call for service status confirmation.

Repair options

Persistent mobile data issues and cellular network problems that instigated from accidental dropping of or liquid exposure on the phone are more likely due to hardware damage. Thus, taking your phone to the nearest Samsung-authorized service center can be deemed among the last options if nothing seems to work and fix the problem on your end.

Hope this helps!

Please check out our YouTube channel to view more tutorial and troubleshooting videos for popular iOS and Android devices.

You Might Also Want To Read:


Posts you might like

Leave a Comment