Why doesn't my phone show my SIM card? The phone does not see the SIM card, what should I do? Problems with NVRAM

A situation where the phone does not see the SIM card can arise for a subscriber of any Russian operator - MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2, or Yota. This can happen for a number of reasons, not always dependent on the person using the device. Today we will tell you why the phone may not see the SIM card, and what needs to be done to solve the problem.

Finding out the reason

The main thing to do if the phone does not see the SIM card is to find out the reason. The cause of the problem may be either the device itself, which uses the SIM card, or the card itself.

You need to determine why this is happening - the phone does not see the SIM card at all, or the operator’s network is just unavailable. It's quite easy to find out. If you installed a SIM card in your phone, and the device writes that the SIM card is not installed, this means that the phone does not see the SIM card. If the phone does not display a notification about the absence of a card, but does not see the operator’s network, then this may be due to both the SIM card itself and the device.


There are many reasons why the phone does not see the SIM card, and this problem occurs both on push-button phones and smartphones on Android and iOS. If the cell phone does not see the SIM card or the network, then analyze why such a problem appeared - after a fall, or a software update, or maybe this situation occurs periodically.

You shouldn’t rush to take a phone that doesn’t see the SIM card for repair, since the problem may lie in the SIM card itself, and you can also solve it yourself. The first thing to do in such a situation is to turn off the device and remove the SIM card. After that, insert the SIM card into the phone and turn it on. If the problem persists, then you need to check the device with a different SIM card, as well as the SIM card in another phone. These simple steps will help you determine why the device does not see the SIM.

If no phone sees the SIM card, then the problem is most likely in the card itself. If the SIM card works normally in another device, then the reason can only be a gadget.

Solution

If the problem is with the SIM card itself, then the only solution is to replace it. There are many reasons why a SIM card can fail: it can be damaged or blocked by the operator.


All mobile operators replace SIM cards for free, and the procedure itself will not take much time. To do this, just go to the nearest company salon with your passport and apply for a new SIM card. Within a few minutes the subscriber will have a new card in his hands.

After replacing the SIM card, you will have access to both the previous number and the tariff and services connected to it. The account balance will also be maintained. Paid replacement is made only if the SIM card is sent by mail, which will require some time from the subscriber, since delivery is carried out by regular mail.

Even if the problem lies in the device itself, then you should not rush to the service center, since in most cases the problem can be solved yourself.

Most often, subscribers encounter this problem after updating the software or installing new software. If the problem occurs in this case, then you need to reset the device to factory settings. How to perform this procedure can be found in the user manual, or by contacting the manufacturer's hotline.

Situations also arise when a person bought a new phone that does not see the SIM card. This mainly concerns gadgets that were not officially imported to Russia and are “locked” either under a specific operator or European providers. If the phone is intended for use in European Union networks, then the situation can be resolved simply by inserting a SIM card from any European operator into the phone. You can remove the blocking for a specific provider (most often this applies to American ones) remotely, using the services of “craftsmen” on the Internet.

If none of these options are suitable - you are not ready to look for a technician on your own online, or buy a European SIM card, then you will have to contact a service center. Please also keep in mind that official services often do not perform such unlocking, so you need to use the services of unofficial salons.

If the device is not “locked” to a foreign operator, or previously worked normally, but now does not see the card, then you need to contact a service center to have it repaired. We recommend that the device be diagnosed and repaired only by an authorized representative. This will not only allow you to be confident in high-quality repairs of the device, but will also help to avoid additional costs. This is due to the fact that third-party services may add additional repair services to the bill that were not performed on the gadget. Also, if the device has a warranty, then its repair will not cost a penny if the cause of the malfunction was not your fault.

conclusions

If the device stops seeing the SIM card, then the first thing you need to do is determine the reason. You can check the functionality of the card itself in any other device, and if necessary, replace it free of charge at the operator’s salon.

If the reason lies in the gadget itself (the SIM works in another phone), then determine why it stopped working normally. If this happened after a software update or flashing, then resetting to factory settings or re-flashing will help.

In case of another problem, you must take the device for diagnostics and repair to the manufacturer’s service center. Don't forget to take your warranty card with you, which can save you money.

A SIM card is a necessary part of any cell phone. Without a SIM card, as we call it in modern times, it is impossible to send and receive messages and calls. Unfortunately, no one is immune from a situation where a SIM card suddenly stops working. Or, for some reason the new SIM card refuses to be friends with the phone. The phone immediately reports this problem, asking you to insert a SIM card, although it is already inside.

Action plan:

What to do in such a situation? How to find out, why is the sim card not working?? Below is a detailed action plan.

  1. Open the phone, inspect the SIM card, evaluate its location in the slot. Perhaps the SIM card has moved slightly, so its contact with the phone is lost. If in your phone the SIM card needs to be inserted under the battery, and not into the card reader next to it, then there is a high probability that the contacts of the SIM receiver and the SIM card simply do not touch. Try pressing the SIM card to the slot using a small sheet of paper folded several times. Place the folded sheet between the SIM card and the battery and reassemble the phone. Perhaps contact between the parts will be restored and the SIM card will start working again.
  2. Carefully inspect the contacts of the SIM receiver and SIM card. Are they dirty? They may be the reason why SIM card stopped working. Wipe the visible contacts with a regular eraser, return the SIM card to its place and reassemble the phone. Works?
  3. Bend the SIM card slightly so that the side with the contacts is convex. With prolonged use, the SIM card heats up and becomes deformed, and then the SIM card contacts do not reach the slot.
  4. Insert another SIM card into your phone. The best option would be a SIM card from another operator. If it works, then the problem is with your SIM card: it is faulty. If the phone does not see the new SIM card, it means that the problem lies with it.
Why did it happen so?

In a conflict between the SIM card and the phone, as a rule, one of them is to blame.

If the phone is to blame

  • Some phone models are “locked” for a specific operator, so such a phone simply will not see a “non-native” SIM card.
  • With cell phones with two SIM cards, it often happens that SIM card slot does not work when the second one is working. Therefore, when inspecting the phone, you should insert the “doubtful” SIM card into both the first and second slots.
  • Some physical damage can have a detrimental effect on the phone's performance. For example, if water gets on the device (it fell into a puddle, or it rained on it), over time the contact between the slot and the SIM card will be broken due to oxidation. You can try to solve this problem yourself: disassemble the phone and wipe with a napkin the joints of the cables responsible for the communication module. If even after cleaning the SIM card does not work, then you will have to take the phone to the service center and repent there that you didn’t look after your little friend.

Please note that the phone does not immediately respond to physical damage such as being dropped or exposed to water. It works as usual for a while, but later breaks down. Therefore, if you have a phone in your hands that does not see a SIM card, try to remember if your friend had to endure any troubles. Even a sudden change in temperature is detrimental to the operation of a SIM card. You bring your phone from a cold winter into a warm house, and moisture condenses inside the device. The solution here is simple: disassemble the phone, remove the SIM card and wipe it with a soft cloth.

If it's Sim's fault

  • Some SIM cards have an expiration date. If a SIM card is not used for a long time, it becomes blocked and turns into a useless plate. Also, the SIM card may be blocked due to a negative balance. Each operator has its own rules, and you need to know them.
  • Some mobile operators allow SIM card activation only after the first paid action. As a rule, when purchasing a SIM card, you are informed about its correct activation.
  • Many modern touchscreen phones use a cropped SIM card rather than a full-size one. Sometimes owners of iPhones and other mobile devices cut the SIM card on their own, and then discover that cut SIM card does not work. Perhaps the reason lies in improper pruning, so it is better to entrust this process to specialists in service centers. But first, if you mini sim card not working, inspect it for contamination, restart the phone. The same inspection should be carried out if micro sim card not working. After all, there remains hope that you can solve the problem yourself.
We contact operators

Each mobile operator is interested in the loyalty of its customers, so in almost all cities there are service centers where you can contact with your problem.

In most cases, the cause of this situation is a hardware problem, that is, either the SIM card slot or the contacts on the card itself are damaged. This option can be excluded if the phone sees the SIM card, but it seems to be in airplane mode. But in any case, besides, when one of them is 3G and the other is 4G, it makes no sense to rearrange SIM cards.

What to do if the phone does not see the second SIM card?

If the problem occurs on a phone with two SIMs (dual SIM), then the cause of the breakdown may be that the SIM card is turned off. This function is present in them in case it is undesirable to use only one of the two SIM cards. In this case, just go to settings and enable the card you need. But sometimes it happens that after turning on the SIM card still does not work and is displayed as being in airplane mode. This can be easily fixed, just try to send any message to any number, but from this SIM card. If it is turned off, a system message will appear prompting you to turn it on, after which the card’s functionality will be restored.

In some cases, when you try to turn on the SIM card, the phone freezes for a short time, and then closes the window for turning on the card, without activating it. This may mean that the phone's IMEI has been erased. You can check this in the following way. In the standard Phone application, dial *#06#. A system message with a fifteen-digit number will appear. This is your phone's IMEI. Compare it with what is written on the box or under the batteries. If these numbers do not match, then you will have to reflash the phone.

Sim card does not work on single sim phone

If the above does not help, or if the phone is single-SIM, then you should check the following:

Firstly, the contacts of the SIM card or the slot for it could become dusty or, on the contrary, fog up after being in a dusty room or in a room with high humidity. In this case, it is enough to wipe the contacts with alcohol. Under no circumstances should you use perfume or cologne for these purposes, as they contain oils that can settle on the contacts, creating a film that prevents the passage of electrical signals.

Secondly, old SIM cards may simply be incompatible with new phone models, both Android and iPhone. In this case, you will have to contact the nearest office of your telecom operator to reissue the SIM card.

If none of the above methods helped you, then you will have to take the phone to a service center for repair.

Any, even the most modern and high-performance smartphone, without a working SIM card is not capable of performing the function of a telephone. As in the case if, problems with registration on the network are classified as serious.

Sometimes situations occur when the owner of a smartphone discovers that his device does not recognize the SIM card, which is why the phone cannot work on the mobile network. What to do in such cases, how can the situation be corrected?

The operation of a SIM card in a mobile device is ensured by the interaction of several links at once - the SIM card itself, a special slot for installing it, a SIM connector, contact groups, etc. If at least one element from this chain fails, the smartphone ceases to detect the SIM card.

If all else fails, try doing it on your phone, it helps in many cases. But first, try the tips below.

Reasons why the SIM card does not work in the phone:

  • The card is blocked by the operator (Megafon, Beeline, MTS, etc.). A SIM card can be blocked by the operator if its owner has not topped up his account for a long time and has not performed paid actions with the number (calling, sending SMS, Internet surfing). A SIM card that has not been replenished for a long time may be considered inactive by the mobile operator and blocked. This usually occurs after inactivity for 3-6 months. To find out if this is the case, you need to contact your operator.
  • Physical damage to the SIM card. If you have several mobile devices and periodically move the SIM from one to another, the card may get scratched. The smartphone cannot properly identify a damaged SIM card.
  • Poor contact. In some phones, the slot for installing a SIM card is not very well designed, which is why the card may not fit tightly to the contacts. When you see a message on your phone’s display about the absence of a SIM card, try folding a piece of paper in several layers and pressing the SIM firmly against the contacts.
  • The gadget is locked (locked) for a specific operator. Some mobile operators sell phones that are configured to work only on their network. This is what foreign mobile operators usually do, selling “locked” phones at discounted prices. You can “unlock” such a device using a computer and a special program. If you do not know how to perform this procedure yourself, contact your nearest service center.
  • The sim was unsuccessfully cut, the microcircuit was damaged. Many newer smartphone models use nano and micro SIM cards instead of standard SIM cards, which can be obtained by cutting a standard card. This can be done unsuccessfully, as a result of which one of the elements of the card may be damaged, and after that it will stop working.
  • The card contacts are dirty or oxidized. For such a card to work, it must be carefully wiped with alcohol.
  • The device has airplane mode activated. Every Android smartphone and iPhone has a built-in Airplane Mode feature. When activated, mobile communications, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are disabled. To solve the problem, the smartphone must be switched to normal operation mode.
  • Incorrect settings. If your phone does not see the SIM card, your network may be configured incorrectly. To fix the problem, you should go to settings and activate the SIM card there. If you have set the operator search to manual in settings, try automatic search.
  • The phone is faulty. If water gets into the phone, the cellular network signal receiving module and other important parts of the device may fail. A signal for this may be that or other major breakdowns. Such a phone needs to be repaired (if it can be repaired, of course; if not, buy a new device).

These are the most popular and common reasons why a SIM card is not detected in a phone. There may probably be others. If you encounter another case, write about it in the comments. Thank you for your attention!

They are engaged in the sale of products locked only for their communication services. That is, a phone purchased at a discount in one specialized store with an already installed SIM card will not be accepted if its owner decides to change the operator. There are two ways to solve this problem: firstly, you can continue to use the services of the previously chosen company, finding the most acceptable one in the tariffs it provides, and secondly, you can try to unlock and reflash the phone by contacting a specialist. It is not recommended to do flashing on your own by downloading the corresponding applications via the Internet: there is a high probability that you will come across a paid program that will remove the old one, and before the final installation of the new one, offer it to someone else’s electronic .

The second possible reason is oxidation or contamination of the slot contacts. It occurs naturally as a result of prolonged use and can be eliminated by simple cleaning. A regular eraser works well. Plaque can also appear as a result of wet contacts: having dropped a mobile phone in a puddle, its owner does not dry it very thoroughly, and after a few days he discovers that the device does not recognize the SIM card. The source of a temporary malfunction can be condensation formed as a result of a sudden change in temperature due to the transfer of the phone from cold to warm. You need to remove its cover, remove the battery and let the contents warm up and dry.

Over time, the connection between the SIM card and the contacts may become loose. In this case, you should remove the battery, remove the SIM card and insert it back. A piece of paper folded several times between it and the batteries also helps, sealing the joint of the components. For smartphones, this element can be wrapped in a couple of layers with a paper strip, avoiding the contact area, and then, holding it, insert the SIM card into the slot.

When intervention in the device is not required

If a phone number is not used for a long time: no paid transactions (calls, SMS) are made on it for a certain time, then the operator blocks the SIM card. After that, the number connected to it is posted in the database of freely sold ones. Having inserted the element into the slot and discovered a malfunction, you should immediately contact the cellular communication center and unlock the SIM card. Sometimes it is enough to deposit a small amount of money into your account. If the number is not transferred to another owner, there is every chance of returning it.

Publications on the topic