How to fix ‘No SIM card found’ error on Android phones

We’re so used to 24/7 connectivity that it’s getting harder and harder to deal with the lack of it. So, when that dreaded ‘No SIM card found’ error pops up on our phone screens, it’s the proverbial end of the world for many of us. Fret not, dear reader, for the solution is straightforward in most cases.

Here are some of the steps you can try:-

1. Basic checks

1. Make sure the SIM is valid and has no pending dues encumbering it

2. Make sure that your SIM card is enabled. The slot may be disabled by default in certain dual SIM phones, or you may have disabled it in the past.

ALSO READ: How to set up eSIM on iPhone

3. Turn airplane mode on and off to restart the cellular network

4. Insert the SIM card into another phone and check. If the SIM is working, there’s a problem with your phone. If it’s not, replace the SIM card

2. Restart your phone

In most cases, simply restarting the phone will resolve most issues, included the ‘No SIM card found’ error. Smartphone operating systems are complex pieces of code and sometimes a simple reset is all it takes to get things back on track. Before doing this, you can also try restarting the network by enabling and disabling ‘Airplane mode’.

The process of restarting the phone varies by device, but you can generally restart any Android phone by simply holding the power button. On an iPhone, though, you’ll need to hold the power and volume down buttons to see the shutdown UI.

3. Reseat the SIM card

It’s very rare, but it’s possible that your SIM card tray or SIM card itself came loose and is not making proper contact with the pins in the SIM card slot. This can happen after a hard fall, for example.

1. Simply eject the SIM card tray from your phone using a blunt pin or SIM tray ejector tool.

2. Make sure the SIM card is seated properly in the tray by pressing it in and checking alignment

ALSO READ: 5 reasons why your mobile network may not be working and how to fix them

3. Also ensure that the SIM is inserted the right way

4. Insert the SIM card tray back into your phone and reboot the device

Additionally, if the SIM card appears damaged or the contact points are badly scratched, it’s quite likely that you need a new SIM card. Keep an eye out for any such damage when reseating the SIM card in the tray.

4. Reset network settings

An incorrect network profile or setting can sometimes prevent your SIM card from being detected. The default settings that come with your phone are usually sufficient for most networks, so resetting the network to its defaults should help.

On most Android phones:

1. Open the settings app

2. Scroll down to ‘System’

3. Scroll to ‘Reset options’ and tap on it

4. Tap ‘Reset Wi-Fi, mobile and Bluetooth’

5. Select ‘Reset settings’

On an iPhone

1. Open Settings

2. Scroll down and select ‘General’

3. Scroll down and select ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone’

4. Select ‘Reset Network Settings’ from the menu that pops up

5. Enter your phone unlock code to reset

5. Select the right TSP

A SIM card authenticates your number with your telecom service provider or TSP. This process can sometimes fail when the ‘Network Operator’ setting is set to ‘Manual’ and it is targeting an unsupported operator.

To revert Network settings to auto mode, you can do the following:

On Android:

1. Open Settings

2. Navigate to Wi-Fi and Network

3. Select SIM and Network

4. Select SIM Setting

5. Select Network Operators

6. Select ‘Choose Automatically’

7. Your phone might reset

ALSO READ: What is a network card?

On iPhone

1. Open Settings

2. Navigate to Mobile Services

3. Select Network Selection

4. Make sure the toggle for ‘Automatic’ is on

If none of these steps work, it’s possible that there is some deeper underlying issue that is beyond the scope of this article. In rare cases, it’s even possible that the network you want to connect to is not supported by an imported smartphone, or vice versa. In such a case, check the manufacturer listed specifications for your device, and the cellular bands that your service provider uses.