What to do when the phone says no sim card error?

Surely you will find it difficult to understand when you receive the message “No SIM” even though you have inserted a SIM card into your phone! This error can also prevent you from receiving text messages. So what is a SIM and why are you having problems with the SIM card? SIM is the abbreviation of the phrase “subscriber identification module” (subscriber identification module) – the function of this microchip is to authenticate your identity and store information so that data transmission does not occur. interruption. If you receive an error message, learn the causes and solutions below.

Table of Contents

The SIM card is not inserted in the correct position.

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Remove the SIM card and reinsert it. Sometimes a SIM card that is loose or has not been pushed into the correct position can cause errors. All you need to do is remove the SIM tray – usually found on the side wall of the phone, and take out the SIM card. Wait about 30 seconds and insert the SIM card into the tray. Insert the SIM tray into the phone and power on the phone. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If you use an Android phone, the SIM card will be found near the battery on the back of the phone. You have to open the small metal piece that holds the SIM card in place to remove it.
You need to press one end of a straightened paper clip or SIM tray opener into the small hole in the SIM tray wall.

The SIM card is dirty.

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Use a clean cloth to wipe the surface of the SIM card if it appears dirty. Dust that accumulates on the SIM card can cause the phone to lose its ability to read information and you will receive an error message. Fortunately, the problem will be fixed when you take out the SIM card and gently wipe the surface. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Avoid touching the surface of the SIM card lest it leave oil or scratches.
Do not wash the SIM card with water, soap or rubbing alcohol as they may damage the surface.

The SIM tray is dirty or contains a lot of dust.

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Remove the SIM card and take out the SIM tray. Some phones come with a small tool that you can use to remove the SIM tray. If you don’t have this tool, you can straighten the paper clip and use it to remove the SIM tray. Next, attach the hose of the can of compressed air to the gap and spray a few times to blow away the debris inside. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

After performing the cleaning step, you will insert the tray and SIM card to check if the problem is fixed.

The SIM card is worn or damaged.

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Replace the SIM card if it is scratched or has peeling edges. A SIM card is a piece of hardware that will wear out over a period of time, especially when you frequently take it out and insert it. Buy a new SIM card at a carrier outlet, phone store or online store and check if your phone recognizes it – just take out your old SIM card and insert a new one.

Usually, a new SIM card costs a few tens to several hundred thousand dong depending on the storage capacity and service plan of the carrier. Note, you will get a new phone number when you buy a new SIM card.
Try not to touch the SIM card unless absolutely necessary. That way, the SIM card won’t wear out quickly.

You need to restart your phone.

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Turn off the phone and restart it to fix the problem. While this sounds simple, sometimes your phone needs a reboot to clear temporary data and stop active apps. The phone after reboot can recognize the SIM card. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

If you have to do this often because you still get the error message, there’s probably a hardware problem with the phone, or the SIM card is worn out and needs to be replaced.

The device is not connected to the carrier.

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Go to the “Connections” section of the settings menu and click “Mobile networks”. Here you can search for available carriers. The phone will send a SIM error message if it is not already connected to the carrier. The selected carrier must match the information on the SIM card. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

If you don’t know the carrier name, see the carrier logo printed on the SIM card.
It is possible that your phone will connect to another carrier if you choose to connect automatically. Please disable this feature so you can choose the right carrier yourself.

You need to reset the network settings.

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Clear the network settings so that the phone recognizes the SIM card. Sometimes network connection problems cause SIM errors. To reset the network connection, you need to go to “Settings” and select “Network settings”. Next, press “Reset network settings” and wait for the phone to complete the process. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Note, resetting the network settings will also reset the Wi-Fi settings. You should have a password ready so you can enter it when your phone restarts.

You need to update the operating system.

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Phones using older operating systems may not recognize the SIM. If you have an Android or Apple device, you can update your phone yourself by looking for “System update” below the settings menu. Your phone will show an available update. If an update is available, you’ll select “Download and Install”. The next thing is to restart the phone after you update the operating system. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

You can also select “Automatic updates” in the settings menu to have your phone automatically update each time the operating system is upgraded.

Some application is faulty.

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Restart your phone in safe mode if an app is causing the problem. Some Android and Apple phones have a safe mode that helps you identify problems with apps. If your phone has this feature, you’ll see an option when you press and hold the power button. The power menu called “Safe mode” is immediately displayed. Tapping here will help you fix the problem. If your phone still doesn’t recognize the SIM, you should uninstall recently downloaded apps until you determine which app is causing the problem. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

If the phone works normally in safe mode and doesn’t give an error, it’s possible that an app has generated an error code. Try uninstalling the latest apps and apps that you’ve never used.
After removing the app that caused the problem, you can reinstall other apps that were removed.

You need to clear your phone’s temporary data.

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This will clear the error message on the phone. In case the phone still works normally but the SIM error message doesn’t go away, just select “Internal storage” in the settings menu. Select “Cached data” and select “Delete”. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Restore factory settings if troubleshooting doesn’t work.

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Factory reset erases all data on the phone. This is the ultimate troubleshooting option, and that’s why you should only try it when there is no other way. After you restore the factory settings and restart the phone, the device will function as it was when purchased – no apps, contacts or picture files. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Back up the files you want to keep to a USB or cloud storage service before you restore the factory settings. That way, you won’t lose important data.

The phone has a hardware problem.

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It is possible that the problem is with the phone if you have tried to troubleshoot SIM related problems. If you’ve tried everything, but still get an error message or your phone isn’t working properly, it might be time to take your phone to a repair shop or service center. The technician will find out and fix the problem on the phone.

If your phone is old, worn out hardware can cause you to receive a SIM error message. Switching phones and switching SIM cards is the best solution for you.

Steps