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Samsung eSIM Activation Failure: How to Fix It

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You’ve followed the activation steps carefully. Scanned the QR code your carrier provided, watched the progress bar advance, and waited for confirmation. Instead of “eSIM Activated Successfully,” your Samsung phone displays an error message. Maybe it says “Activation Failed,” “Unable to Activate eSIM,” or simply shows a generic error code. Your phone number isn’t connecting, and you’re stuck without the cellular service you just paid for. Samsung eSIM activation failures are frustrating, but most stem from identifiable causes with workable solutions.

Understanding Samsung eSIM Technology

Samsung introduced eSIM support across many Galaxy models starting with the Galaxy S20 series. The technology works identically to other manufacturers’ implementations at a technical level, but Samsung’s specific software, user interface, and carrier partnerships create unique troubleshooting scenarios.

Samsung phones capable of eSIM include Galaxy S20 and later, Galaxy Z Fold 2 and later, Galaxy Z Flip and later, and certain Galaxy Tab models. However, eSIM capability varies by region. Some Samsung models sold in the United States support eSIM while identical models sold in other countries may not. Always verify your specific model’s eSIM support before attempting activation.

The activation process downloads a carrier profile to your device’s embedded SIM chip. This profile contains your phone number, carrier authentication credentials, and network settings. When activation fails, this profile either doesn’t download completely, downloads with errors, or successfully downloads but fails to authenticate with your carrier’s network.

Check Your Device’s eSIM Capability

Before extensive troubleshooting, confirm your Samsung device actually supports eSIM. Not all Galaxy phones include this capability, and regional variations exist even within the same model line.

Verify eSIM support:

  • Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager
  • Look for “Add eSIM” or “Add mobile plan” options
  • If these options don’t appear, your device doesn’t support eSIM
  • Alternatively, dial *#06# to display your phone’s IMEI and EID numbers
  • If an EID (eSIM Identifier) appears, your device has eSIM hardware

Check Samsung’s official specifications for your exact model number. The model number appears in Settings > About phone > Model number. Search this specific model on Samsung’s website to verify eSIM support.

Some Samsung devices sold through certain carriers have eSIM functionality disabled even when the hardware supports it. Carrier-specific firmware sometimes removes eSIM features. If you purchased your phone through a carrier, contact them to confirm whether your specific device variant supports eSIM.

Common Samsung eSIM Error Messages

Samsung devices display various error messages during failed eSIM activation. Understanding what each means helps target your troubleshooting.

“Unable to activate eSIM” or “Activation failed” are generic errors suggesting the download or authentication process broke down. These result from connectivity issues, incorrect QR codes, carrier server problems, or device software bugs.

“This eSIM is already in use” indicates you’re trying to activate an eSIM QR code that was previously used. Most eSIM QR codes work only once for security reasons. You’ll need a fresh QR code from your carrier.

“Network connection error” or “Unable to connect to server” mean your Samsung phone can’t reach your carrier’s eSIM provisioning servers. This points to internet connectivity problems on your device.

Error codes like “10014” or similar numerical codes are Samsung-specific errors. Search these exact codes with your Samsung model number to find targeted solutions, as they indicate specific technical failures in the activation process.

Restart and Retry the Basics

Start troubleshooting with simple solutions. Restart your Samsung phone completely:

  • Hold the power button and tap “Restart”
  • Wait for the phone to fully reboot
  • Try eSIM activation again after restart

Ensure you have strong internet connectivity during activation:

  • Connect to a reliable WiFi network with good signal
  • Avoid public WiFi networks that might block required connections
  • Test your internet connection by opening a web browser
  • Try using mobile data if you have an active physical SIM

Verify your QR code is clear and undamaged:

  • Check for smudges, creases, or print quality issues
  • If viewing on another screen, maximize brightness
  • Try requesting a fresh QR code from your carrier if quality seems questionable

Use Manual Entry Instead of QR Scanning

Samsung’s QR code scanner sometimes fails even when the code itself is valid. Manual entry bypasses scanning issues entirely.

Your carrier should provide an activation code along with the QR code. This code typically starts with “LPA:1$” followed by a long string of characters. If you don’t have this code, contact your carrier and request it specifically.

Enter activation code manually on Samsung:

  • Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager
  • Tap “Add eSIM” or “Add mobile plan”
  • Instead of scanning, select “Enter activation code” or “Enter code manually”
  • Type or paste the complete activation code exactly as provided
  • Ensure no extra spaces or characters are included
  • Tap “Confirm” or “Next” to begin activation

Manual entry eliminates camera focus issues, QR code quality problems, and scanning software bugs that might prevent successful activation.

Check Date, Time, and Region Settings

Incorrect date and time settings cause eSIM activation failures. Carrier servers use timestamps during authentication, and significant discrepancies trigger security blocks.

Verify and correct date/time settings:

  • Go to Settings > General management > Date and time
  • Enable “Automatic date and time” to sync with network time
  • Enable “Automatic time zone” if traveling or recently moved
  • If automatic settings are already enabled, toggle them off and back on
  • Restart your phone after adjusting these settings

Region and language settings occasionally affect activation:

  • Go to Settings > General management > Language and region
  • Verify your region matches your physical location
  • Some carriers require specific region settings for eSIM activation
  • Try setting region to match your carrier’s primary service country

Carrier-Specific Samsung Issues

Different carriers have varying levels of Samsung eSIM support and known compatibility issues.

T-Mobile generally has good Samsung eSIM compatibility. If activation fails:

  • Try activating through the T-Mobile app rather than Settings
  • The T-Mobile app includes its own eSIM activation flow that sometimes works when Settings doesn’t
  • Ensure you’re running the latest T-Mobile app version
  • Contact T-Mobile support as they can refresh your eSIM provisioning remotely

Verizon requires specific device provisioning for eSIM. If your Samsung isn’t properly registered in Verizon’s system:

  • Your device IMEI must be added to your Verizon account first
  • Visit a Verizon store or call support to register your device’s IMEI
  • After registration, wait 15-30 minutes before attempting eSIM activation
  • Verizon sometimes requires using their app for Samsung eSIM activation

AT&T has periodic issues with Samsung eSIM activation:

  • Network congestion or server issues sometimes prevent activation during peak hours
  • Try activating during off-peak times (early morning or late evening)
  • AT&T can sometimes activate eSIM remotely from their end after QR code fails
  • Request this “server-side activation” from AT&T support if repeated QR attempts fail

MVNOs (Mint Mobile, Visible, Cricket, etc.) have mixed Samsung eSIM support:

  • Not all MVNOs officially support eSIM on Samsung devices
  • Check your MVNO’s website for official Samsung eSIM compatibility
  • Some users report success with unsupported combinations through persistence
  • Others find certain Samsung models will never activate specific MVNO eSIMs

Software and Firmware Updates

Outdated software is a leading cause of Samsung eSIM activation failures. Samsung releases updates that fix eSIM bugs and improve carrier compatibility.

Update One UI and Android:

  • Go to Settings > Software update
  • Tap “Download and install”
  • Install any available updates
  • Samsung often bundles eSIM fixes in monthly security updates
  • After updating, restart your phone before attempting eSIM activation

Check for carrier services updates:

  • Go to Settings > Apps
  • Tap the three-dot menu and select “Show system apps”
  • Find “Carrier Services” or your carrier’s configuration app
  • Tap it and check for updates
  • These apps contain carrier-specific eSIM provisioning code

Samsung periodically releases carrier-specific firmware updates:

  • These don’t always appear as regular software updates
  • Contact your carrier to ask if Samsung firmware updates are pending for your model
  • Carrier stores can sometimes force firmware updates remotely

Clear SIM Card Manager Cache and Data

Samsung’s SIM Card Manager app handles eSIM activation. Corrupted cache or data in this app causes mysterious activation failures.

Clear SIM Card Manager data:

  • Go to Settings > Apps
  • Tap the three-dot menu and select “Show system apps”
  • Scroll down and find “SIM Card Manager” or “SIM Manager”
  • Tap “Storage”
  • Tap “Clear cache” first
  • Then tap “Clear data” if cache clearing doesn’t help
  • Restart your phone
  • Attempt eSIM activation again

This process resets the SIM Card Manager to factory state, eliminating any corrupted settings or temporary files interfering with activation.

Network Settings Reset

When specific causes remain elusive, resetting network settings often resolves underlying configuration problems preventing eSIM activation.

Reset network settings on Samsung:

  • Go to Settings > General management > Reset
  • Tap “Reset network settings”
  • Review the warning about WiFi and Bluetooth settings being erased
  • Tap “Reset settings”
  • Enter your PIN or password if prompted
  • Tap “Reset” to confirm
  • Your phone will restart automatically

After reset, you’ll need to:

  • Reconnect to WiFi networks (passwords are forgotten)
  • Re-pair Bluetooth devices
  • Attempt eSIM activation with your QR code or activation code

Network reset clears VPN configurations, APN settings, and other network preferences that might conflict with eSIM activation processes.

VPN and Security Software Interference

Active VPN connections prevent eSIM activation by blocking connections to carrier provisioning servers. Security apps sometimes interfere similarly.

Disable VPN before activation:

  • Swipe down from the top of your screen
  • Look for an active VPN icon
  • Tap it and select “Disconnect” or turn off the VPN
  • Alternatively, go to Settings > Connections > More connection settings > VPN
  • Disconnect any active VPN connections
  • Attempt eSIM activation without VPN running

Check security apps:

  • Samsung devices include Samsung Knox security
  • Third-party security apps (Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky) occasionally block eSIM traffic
  • Temporarily disable security apps during activation
  • Don’t uninstall them, just pause protection temporarily
  • Re-enable security after successful activation

Firewall apps are particularly problematic:

  • If you’ve installed any firewall or connection-blocking apps, disable them
  • Some privacy apps block background connections that eSIM activation requires
  • Check your app list for anything managing network connections

Carrier Server and Provisioning Issues

Sometimes activation failures originate from your carrier’s servers rather than your Samsung device. Network outages, maintenance windows, or provisioning system glitches prevent successful activation.

Check for carrier issues:

  • Visit your carrier’s status page or social media
  • Search for recent reports of eSIM activation problems
  • Check Twitter, Reddit, or forums for other users experiencing similar issues
  • If widespread problems exist, you’ll need to wait for carrier resolution

Request server-side refresh:

  • Contact your carrier’s technical support
  • Ask them to “refresh your eSIM provisioning” or “reset eSIM activation on the server side”
  • Carriers can sometimes push activation from their end
  • They can also verify whether your account is properly configured for eSIM

Verify account eligibility:

  • Confirm your account is in good standing
  • Check that your plan supports eSIM activation
  • Some grandfathered plans don’t include eSIM capability
  • Verify you haven’t exceeded your carrier’s limit on eSIM activations

QR Code and Activation Code Problems

The QR code itself might be defective, expired, or already used.

Request a new QR code:

  • Contact your carrier’s support
  • Explain that activation fails repeatedly
  • Request a completely new eSIM profile with a fresh QR code
  • Don’t just ask for the same QR code again, specify a NEW profile
  • Some carriers generate new codes instantly through their website or app

Verify QR code validity:

  • Check whether your QR code has an expiration date
  • Some carrier eSIM QR codes are valid for only 24-48 hours
  • If you received the code days or weeks ago, it might be expired
  • Request a new code if expiration is suspected

Check for previous activation attempts:

  • If you or someone else previously tried activating this eSIM QR code
  • Even failed attempts sometimes mark the code as “used” in carrier systems
  • A fresh profile with new QR code is necessary in these cases

Samsung Account and Knox Issues

Samsung Knox security and Samsung account authentication occasionally interfere with eSIM activation.

Sign out and back into Samsung account:

  • Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts
  • Tap Samsung account
  • Tap “Remove account” (this doesn’t delete your Samsung account, just signs you out)
  • Restart your phone
  • Sign back into your Samsung account
  • Attempt eSIM activation again

Check Knox status:

  • Go to Settings > About phone > Software information
  • Look for Knox version information
  • If Knox shows as “KNOX warranty void: 0x1” your device security is compromised
  • Knox security breaches can prevent eSIM activation
  • There’s no fix for tripped Knox other than accepting the limitation

Some enterprise Knox configurations block eSIM:

  • If your Samsung device is managed by an employer
  • Corporate policies might restrict eSIM installation
  • Contact your IT department for guidance

Physical SIM and Dual SIM Conflicts

If you have a physical SIM card installed while trying to activate eSIM, conflicts can occur.

Try activating without physical SIM:

  • Power off your Samsung device
  • Remove the physical SIM card from the tray
  • Power on your device
  • Attempt eSIM activation with no physical SIM present
  • After successful eSIM activation, reinsert your physical SIM if desired

Dual SIM configuration issues:

  • Some carriers require being the primary line
  • Try activating your eSIM as the primary SIM before adding physical SIM
  • Check Settings > Connections > SIM card manager to see which SIM is primary
  • Designate your eSIM as the primary line if it wasn’t already

Safe Mode Activation Attempt

Third-party apps might interfere with eSIM activation. Testing in Safe Mode determines whether an app is causing problems.

Boot into Safe Mode on Samsung:

  • Press and hold the power button until power options appear
  • Touch and hold the “Power off” icon on screen
  • When “Safe mode” prompt appears, tap it
  • Your device will restart in Safe Mode
  • “Safe mode” will appear in the bottom corner of the screen
  • Attempt eSIM activation in Safe Mode
  • Only system apps run in Safe Mode, eliminating third-party interference

If activation succeeds in Safe Mode:

  • A third-party app was causing the problem
  • Restart normally to exit Safe Mode
  • Uninstall recently added apps one by one
  • Test eSIM activation after each uninstall to identify the culprit

Common interfering apps include:

  • VPN and privacy apps
  • Call recording apps
  • Network monitoring tools
  • Battery optimization apps that restrict background processes

Factory Reset as Last Resort

When all else fails, factory reset eliminates any software corruption preventing eSIM activation. This is drastic and should only be attempted after exhausting other options.

Before factory reset:

  • Back up all important data
  • Photos, contacts, messages, app data
  • Use Samsung Cloud, Google backup, or external storage
  • Write down your accounts and passwords
  • Document your app list to reinstall later

Perform factory reset:

  • Go to Settings > General management > Reset
  • Tap “Factory data reset”
  • Review what will be deleted
  • Tap “Reset” and confirm
  • Enter your PIN or password
  • Tap “Delete all” to proceed
  • Phone will restart and begin setup process

After factory reset:

  • Complete initial setup but skip unnecessary steps
  • Connect to WiFi
  • Skip restoring from backup initially
  • Attempt eSIM activation on the fresh system
  • If successful, then restore your backup

If eSIM activation fails even after factory reset, you’re facing either:

  • A hardware problem with your device’s eSIM chip
  • A fundamental incompatibility between your Samsung model and your carrier
  • A carrier account or provisioning issue requiring carrier support

Hardware Failures

Rarely, Samsung’s eSIM hardware fails. The embedded SIM chip might malfunction, preventing any eSIM activation regardless of carrier or method.

Signs of hardware failure:

  • eSIM activation fails for multiple different carriers
  • Physical SIM works fine but eSIM never works
  • Factory reset doesn’t resolve the issue
  • Device previously had working eSIM that suddenly stopped functioning

Testing for hardware failure:

  • Try activating different carrier eSIMs if possible
  • Borrow activation codes from friends or family using different carriers
  • If all eSIM activations fail while physical SIM works, hardware failure is likely

Hardware failures require professional repair:

  • Contact Samsung support or visit a Samsung service center
  • If your device is under warranty, repairs may be covered
  • Out-of-warranty eSIM chip replacement is expensive
  • Consider whether physical SIM usage is an acceptable workaround

Alternative Activation Methods

Some carriers offer alternative eSIM activation methods beyond QR codes.

Carrier app activation:

  • Download your carrier’s official app
  • Many carriers include eSIM activation within their apps
  • App-based activation sometimes succeeds when Settings-based activation fails
  • T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T all offer app-based eSIM setup

In-store activation:

  • Visit your carrier’s retail store
  • Representatives have tools and access consumers don’t
  • They can activate eSIM from their systems
  • This bypasses your phone’s camera and QR scanning entirely

Phone support activation:

  • Some carriers can activate eSIM remotely over the phone
  • They push activation from their servers
  • Your phone receives the profile without scanning codes
  • Ask specifically about “remote eSIM activation” or “over-the-air eSIM provisioning”

When to Accept Limitations

If you’ve tried everything and eSIM activation still fails, you might need to accept limitations.

Your specific Samsung model might not fully support eSIM:

  • Some models have partial or buggy eSIM implementations
  • Certain regional variants lack proper eSIM support despite having the hardware
  • Research your exact model number on Samsung forums for known eSIM issues

Your carrier might not officially support your Samsung model:

  • Not all carriers support all Samsung devices for eSIM
  • Check your carrier’s official eSIM compatibility list
  • Just because a device has eSIM capability doesn’t mean every carrier supports it

Consider alternatives:

  • Use physical SIM instead of eSIM
  • Physical SIM provides identical service without activation headaches
  • Request a physical SIM card from your carrier
  • Switch to a carrier with better Samsung eSIM support
  • Use a dual physical SIM configuration if your device supports it

Samsung eSIM activation failures are frustrating but usually solvable through systematic troubleshooting. Most issues stem from software bugs, configuration problems, or carrier compatibility rather than hardware defects. Working through these solutions methodically, starting with simple fixes and progressing to more complex ones, resolves the majority of Samsung eSIM activation problems and gets you connected.