Some users of the Android OS are experiencing problems when they try to add accounts to their phones. They get an error:
Can’t establish a reliable data connection to the server. This could be a temporary problem or your SIM card may not be provisioned for data services. If it continues, call Customer Care.
Here are some things you can try to get things working right.
Fix 1 – Try Another Data Connection
Attempt to connect to a different network and see if that clears up the problem. For example, if you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, try connecting to the mobile network instead and vice verse. Some users have reported fixing this problem by simply resetting their wireless router.
Fix 2 – Check Date & Time
The date and time must be accurate for things to work. Wait for your wireless carrier to update the time automatically, or set it manually under “Settings” > “Date & time“.
Fix 3 – Reset Google Apps
Sometimes, simply clearing Google Apps resets things just right.
- Go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “Google Apps” > “Storage“, then tap the “Clear data” button.
Fix 4 – Modify Host File (Root Access Only)
This fix is for Android users with root access only.
- Download and install Root Explorer.
- From Root Explorer, select “mount r/w as r/o” on the top screen.
- Open the “etc” file.
- Open the “host” file.
- Change 2nd IP address by adding # in front of it.
Fix 5 – Use YouTube as a Workaround
This fix works on older phones.
- Open the YouTube app.
- Press “Menu“.
- Tap “My account“.
- Tap “Add account“.
- Take the account information that you are having problems with and add it to YouTube.
- Press “Home” to return to the main screen.
- Press “Menu” and go to “Settings“.
- Tap “Accounts & Sync“.
- Select the new account and set the sync settings as desired.
Now everything should work as intended.
SM says
Thanks so so much. Step 4 worked well now I can access my account settings from my phone and also access play store.
Jax says
Fix 4 is like a magic its very working process to fix the Google account
Trisan says
Thanks, the time and date option worked for me.
siddhant says
It doesn’t work where to put # send me video or link my mobile is colors x80 and it is rooted.
Benjamin says
Thank you so much. Fix 4 worked perfectly for me.
Gagan says
may i know what happend to android after adding #sign before ip address it really worked like magic
pls reply
Vivin says
Oh… Osm
.it worked.. I did the 4 th method…. Very very thank you
Shandy says
Just got back an old Samsung phone and tried adding an existing Gmail account to it and kept getting this error.
Did the Factory reset, wiped Cache partition, rebooted, tried Airplane mode, tried with and without SIM, Background data off and on, tried Youtube app which simply carried me right back to adding a Google account… internet was working fine over Wifi but Google Maps app insisted that it needed a data connection…
Decided to check IP address and shockingly it had an IP of an existing device!
Went in Advanced settings of the Wifi and assigned a static IP…BAM! Google account added!!!!
Hope this helps someone else!