Why Is My eSIM Not Working in Singapore? (Quick Fix Guide)

If your eSIM isn’t working in Singapore, don’t worry — this is a common issue travelers sometimes face after arrival.

You might notice:

Signal but no internet
Slow data speeds
No network

and wonder: Why is my eSIM not working in Singapore?

👉 In most cases, the cause is a simple setting, network selection issue, or compatibility limitation.

The good news: Most problems can be fixed in under two minutes.

Most common reason: automatic network selection picked the wrong carrier

Singapore has several high-quality networks:

Singtel
StarHub
M1

Your phone may automatically connect to one with weaker signal.

Fix

1. Go to Network Selection
2. Turn off automatic mode
3. Select another network manually
4. Test connection

Often switching networks fixes the problem instantly.

Roaming is turned off

Many travelers assume roaming should be disabled abroad.

For travel eSIM profiles, roaming must be ON.

Fix: Settings → Mobile Data → eSIM → Data Roaming → ON

Guide: 👉 https://novesim.com/do-you-need-roaming-for-esim/

eSIM installed but not activated yet

If you installed your eSIM before traveling, it may only activate once it connects to a supported Singapore network.

This is normal behavior. Activation guide: 👉 https://novesim.com/does-esim-work-immediately-after-landing/

Sometimes your phone still uses your primary SIM for data.

Check: Settings → Mobile Data → Data Line → select eSIM

Switching guide: 👉 https://novesim.com/how-to-switch-between-esim-and-physical-sim-while-traveling/

APN settings didn’t load

Rare but possible.

Symptoms:

Signal bars visible
Internet not working

Fix

Restart phone
Toggle airplane mode
Reinstall eSIM profile
Ask for APN settings

Device compatibility issue

Even if your phone supports eSIM, it must also support Singapore network bands.

Compatibility guide:👉 https://novesim.com/which-phones-support-esim-in-2026/

This is more likely if your phone is:

Older model
Region-locked
Imported from another market

Data plan expired or used up

Your phone may still show signal even if your plan has ended.

Check whether you received alerts:

Activation notification
50% usage
80% usage
Data exhausted
Expiry reminder

Usage guide: 👉 https://novesim.com/what-happens-when-your-esim-data-runs-out/

Quick fix checklist

Try these steps in order:

Enable roaming
Restart device
Toggle airplane mode
Switch network manually
Confirm eSIM is data line
Check remaining data

Most users resolve issues quickly.

Singapore-specific tip

In Singapore:

Singtel often provides the fastest speeds
StarHub offers strong urban coverage
M1 may perform better indoors

If connection is unstable, manually switching networks usually fixes it.

When to contact support

Contact support if:

No networks appear
Activation failed
QR code installation failed
Profile missing

These are rare cases and usually require reprovisioning.

Biggest misconception

Myth -> eSIM doesn’t work in Singapore.
Reality -> eSIM works perfectly in Singapore — most issues are settings related.

Real traveler scenario

Traveler lands in Singapore.
Phone shows signal but no data.
They switch network from M1 → Singtel.
Connection works immediately.

Final verdict

If your eSIM isn’t working in Singapore, it’s usually caused by:

Wrong network selection
Roaming disabled
Incorrect data SIM
Compatibility issue

Most problems can be fixed quickly from settings.

Check compatible plans for Singapore: 👉 https://novesim.com/destinations/

Frequently asked questions

Why is my eSIM not working in Singapore?

Usually because of wrong network selection, roaming disabled, or compatibility issues.

Does eSIM work in Singapore?

Yes. Most travel eSIM plans support Singapore networks.

Which network is best in Singapore?

Singtel often provides the fastest speeds.

Why do I have signal but no internet?

This usually means your phone connected to a weak or unsupported network.