Could not activate cellular data network

Interesting thread! I got here because I got the following messages after I turned off wi-fi and turned on cellular data and data roaming to see if I could send an email. I connected to Telus 3G with strength of 2 bars.

Could not activate cellular

data network

PDP authorization failure

OK

then,

Cannot Send Mail

The connection to the outgoing server

"apple.smtp.mail.yahoo.com" failed

Additional Outgoing Mail Servers

can be configured in Settings >

Mail, Contacts, Calendars

OK

Can any level 9 or 10 member of this community tell us where to look to make sure all key settings are checked and set up properly for cellular and data roaming. Note that Apple Mail and Yahoo Mail work fine from the ipad when wi-fi is enabled. I also have a global sim card in the iPad that will (hopefully) connect to any carrier in the area. The sim card required an APN description.

Hi,

recently I had the same problem in my iPhone 4s with ios 6.1.1.

I solved it making a backup and restoring its software with iTunes.

I hope this will help someone.

Bye!

After researching more threads, this one from AU and the UK, the solution seems to be:

>settings > cellular data

turn roaming off, turn cellular off,

>settings > safari

clear cookies and data

(one guy indicated to clear history, but I didn't do that and this solution seemed to work anyway)

power off your iPad and wait 5 minutes

(why 5 minutes, I don't know but it doesn't work if you turn on your iPad too soon.)

When you turn the iPad on again:

>settings > wi-fi

wi-fi off

>settings > cellular data

cellular data on, roaming on

Go to mail and send your messages. You might have to try this a couple of times. I did.

I also got the same error message when I tried to send email a few days later.

I followed the same solution and the email was sent on the 3G network.

It is a pain, but it worked, so I am not complaining.

Hopefully someone can explain why you have to clear cookies and data to get your cell data connection to activate.

Had the same problem, and the solution descibed above worked. Thanks 🙂

when i update my ipad i cannot connect to cellular data network can anyone help me pls?

The solution describe by Suzanne had worked for me, thank you.

I have no idea how this is possible but the solution actually works! I'm amazed

I had this problem with my Iphone 5s.The problem is that there are carrier specific settings that do not populate on your iphone.

You need to go to Settings -> Cellular -> Cellular Data Network and update the field that reads "APN". You need to contact your local carrier to tell you what that field needs to show. Or you can check that info from another Apple device that uses Cellular Data.

I went to my local carrier yesterday, and they fixed it in 2 minutes.

This happens because sometimes the phone updates this field automatically and sometimes it doesnt.

Hope this helps.

Hey all.

Pretty depresive. Apple just doesn´t care for that I guess.

Anyway my problem was the same though I was using 3G internet like for three months and it worked (even updated **** iOs in the meantime) and then one day (today) didn´t work anymore. So after some searching I came to that site and tried all desribed. Nothing really worked.

Then I searched for APN settings on my carrier site and voila, now it works. APN settings were clear all three months so now **** thing just requested for those fields... Really big question mark here.

So before you get in too big panic try to search for APN setting should be always available on your carrier´s site.

EDIT: After 5 minutes it stopped working again so now it is panic...

The solution described by Suzanne also worked for me. My problem started after an update.

Worked for me too ... 🙂

thanks Suzanne515, this worked for me. Did not clear history, just cookies.

Thanks Suzanne515 - same problem and your solution worked.

I didn't wait for 5 mins but when I switched off the Ipad I held the power and circular button down until the apple logo came up...it took about a minute to come back to my home page, but now works fine.

Must be something going on with Safari I guess?

Anyway, all good

In our case, the symptom was the same after we returned from Germany and put the original AT&T SIM back in. The issue was that while in Germany, we used a service from Aldi (was very good) that as part of its set-up installed a profile on the phone. It is this profile that caused the issue when returning to the U.S. Here is what I did to fix it:

1) Go to Settings...General

2) Scroll down to Profiles and then tap on it.

3) Remove the offending profile (do not remove all profiles)

You're responding to a two-year-old thread.