16 Reasons Your Phone Says "No SIM Card"—And What to Do About It

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Diagnose and fix a “No SIM card” problem on your iPhone or Android
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If you keep getting a "No SIM," "Insert SIM Card to Continue," or "No SIM Available" error message on your phone, even when you have a SIM card inserted, it may stop you from receiving and sending texts and calls. This wikiHow article will give you some possible causes and troubleshooting options to fix your phone.

Why Your Phone Says "No SIM": Common Reasons

If your phone can’t read your SIM card, the card might be inserted incorrectly or the tray might be loose, dirty, or damaged. The card itself might also be worn out. If there’s nothing physically wrong with your SIM, make sure your carrier settings are correct.

1

The SIM isn't inserted properly.

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  1. Remove the SIM and reinstall it.
    Sometimes, the SIM is loose or not pushed in all the way, which can trigger an error code. All you need to do is eject the SIM card tray and take the SIM out. According to computer repair tech Joseph Alexander, the SIM card tray is usually located on the side of your phone.[1] Wait for around 30 seconds and put the SIM back into the tray. Push it back in and restart your phone.
    • If you've got an Android phone, your SIM card might be located near the battery on the back. You may have to open a tiny metal door that covers the SIM in order to take it out.[2]
    • You may need to push the end of a paperclip or a tiny metal SIM key tool onto a button that's on the side of the SIM card tray.
    • Some newer phones, such as the US version of the iPhone 14 and later, don’t have a physical SIM card.[3] In these cases, the problem may be with your phone’s settings rather than a physical issue.
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2

The card might be oriented incorrectly.

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  1. Your SIM must be facing the right way to work.
    If you recently installed a new SIM card or removed and replaced your old one, double check that it’s seated correctly in the tray. There’s a notch in one corner of the card that must be lined up with the corresponding notch on the tray.[4] The card should also be facing up, with the logo or gold chip visible.
    • Your SIM card must also be compatible with your current phone. Not all SIM cards will work with every device!
3

Your SIM is dirty.

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  1. Wipe the surface with a clean cloth if it looks grimy.
    If dirt builds up on the SIM, it can make it hard for your phone to read the information. This can trigger the error message. Fortunately, if you remove the SIM and gently clean the surface, you might fix this problem.[5]
    • Use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth so you don’t scratch your SIM card.
    • Avoid touching the surface of the SIM so you don't leave oil behind or accidentally scratch it.
    • Never clean the SIM with water, soap, or rubbing alcohol since these can damage the delicate surface.
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4

The SIM slot or tray is dirty or clogged.

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  1. Pull out the SIM tray and remove the SIM card.
    You can use a SIM tool to remove the SIM card, or unfold a paper clip and insert it into the SIM ejection hole. Gently pull out the tray, and lightly blow out dust or debris from the slot using a few short bursts of compressed air.[6]
    • When you’re done, reinsert the tray and SIM card to see if this fixed the problem.
5

The SIM tray is loose or improperly closed.

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  1. Check the tray to make sure it’s pushed all the way in.
    If your SIM tray isn’t closed properly, your phone won’t be able to read the card. Double check that it’s firmly in place. If you have a tray that comes out completely, make sure it’s oriented the right way when you reinsert it.
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6

The SIM is worn out or damaged.

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  1. Replace the SIM if it's scratched, bent, or frayed.
    A SIM card is a piece of hardware that will eventually wear out, especially if you frequently take it out and put it back in. Contact your carrier to request a replacement SIM card. Some providers will replace your SIM card for free, while others may require a fee.[7]
    • Try not to handle the SIM card unless it's absolutely necessary. This way, you won't wear it out as quickly.
7

You need to do a soft restart.

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  1. Turn the phone off and back on to fix minor SIM glitches.
    Although it seems too simple, sometimes your phone needs a soft restart which clears temporary data and stops apps that are running. When you turn your phone back on, it can then recognize your SIM.[8]
    • Before you restart your phone, you can also try turning on Airplane Mode briefly, and then turning it back off. Sometimes this quick trick can resolve problems with your SIM card not being recognized.
    • If you have to do this frequently because you continue to see the error message, there may hardware problems with your phone, or the SIM card might be worn out and need to be replaced.
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8

You're not connected to your carrier's network.

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  1. Refresh your carrier settings.
    Your phone might be sending the SIM error message if you aren't connected to your network. Most modern cell phones allow you to automatically get the network information from the SIM card itself. If you've changed your carrier settings, you can usually fix the problem by resetting them.
    • On Android, go into Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Access Point Names. Tap the Options symbol, then choose Reset to default.
    • On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Network Selection, and enable the "Automatic" switch.
    • If this doesn't work, you can select your carrier's network from the list of options.
9

Your phone is carrier locked.

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  1. If your phone is locked to a certain carrier, your SIM might not work.
    Luckily, it’s pretty easy to check.
    • On an Android, visit Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network operators. Toggle off Select automatically and see if multiple network options appear. If you only see one, your phone is locked to that network.
    • On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to find Carrier Lock. If your phone is unlocked, it will say No SIM restrictions. If it is locked, you should see the name of a specific network.
    • If your phone is locked, you can contact the carrier and ask them to unlock it.[9]
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10

You need to reset the network settings.

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  1. Clear the network settings so your phone recognizes the SIM card.
    Sometimes, a problem with the network connection triggers a SIM error message.
    • On an Android, go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile, and Bluetooth > Reset settings.
    • On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.[10]
    • Keep in mind that resetting the network settings will also reset your Wi-Fi settings. Have your password handy so you can enter it when your phone starts up again.
11

You need to update your operating system.

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  1. If your phone's running an old system, it may not recognize the SIM.
    If you have an Android, check for updates in Settings > About Phone > Android version. [11] On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Your phone will tell you if there's an update available. If there is, select "Download and Install." Then, restart your phone after it's updated the operating system.
    • You can also select "Automatic updates" in your settings menu so your phone updates whenever the operating system is upgraded.
    • This can also help resolve SIM issues if there’s been a carrier settings update.[12]
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12

There's an app that's malfunctioning.

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  1. Restart your phone in safe mode if an app is causing the problem.
    Some Android phones have a safe mode feature that can help you diagnose problems with apps. If your phone has it, you'll see the option when you hold down the power button, or the power and volume up buttons.[13] A power menu that says "Safe mode" will pop up. Selecting this might be enough to fix the issue. If your phone still doesn't recognize the SIM, uninstall your recently downloaded apps until you identify which one caused the problem.
    • If your phone runs perfectly well in safe mode with no error message, an app might be triggering the error code. Try uninstalling the newest apps you've put on your phone along with the ones you never use.
    • Once you've removed the app that caused the error message, you can reinstall the other apps that you uninstalled.
13

You need to clear your phone's data cache.

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  1. If you have an Android, you can try clearing the cache.
    This often removes the error notification from your phone. Your phone might be operating perfectly well but the SIM error message won't go away. Modern Androids no longer have the option to clear all of your cache at once, but you can clear the cache for individual apps by selecting each app in Settings > Apps and choosing Storage > Clear cache.
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14

Perform a factory reset.

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  1. A factory reset erases all of the data on your phone.
    It is an extreme troubleshooting option, but that's why you should only try it when nothing else is working. When you do a factory reset and turn your phone back on, it should operate just like it did when you first got it—no apps, contacts, or media files on it.[14]
    • Back up any files you want to keep to a flash drive or the cloud before you do a factory reset. This way you won't lose valuable data.[15]
15

You need to contact your carrier about an eSIM issue.

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  1. Some newer phones don’t use a physical SIM.
    If your phone has an eSIM and you’re seeing “No SIM” or “Invalid SIM” errors, then you need to get in touch with your carrier. They can help you figure out what’s wrong and issue a new eSIM if necessary.[16]
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16

Your phone has a hardware problem.

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  1. The issue might be with your phone if you've troubleshot the SIM.
    If your SIM tray is broken or the SIM port can no longer read your card, it's probably time to take it into a cell phone repair shop or your service provider. They can diagnose and solve problems with your phone.[17]
    • If your phone is old, the hardware might be wearing out which can cause the SIM error messages. Replacing the phone and transferring the SIM card might be the best solution for you.

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References

  1. ↑ Mobile Kangaroo. Computer & Phone Repair Specialists. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
  2. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/12759275?hl=en
  3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357
  4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357
  5. ↑ https://www.manualsdir.com/manuals/75207/doro-phoneeasy-338gsm.html?page=26
  6. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/my/support/mobile-devices/why-sim-card-cannot-be-detected/
  7. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/troubleshooting/TSG01201768/
  8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108914
  9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109316
  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204051
  2. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7680439?hl=en
  3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108914
  4. ↑ https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2852139
  5. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/6088915?hl=en
  6. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/2819582?hl=en
  7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108914
  8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair

About This Article

Mobile Kangaroo
Co-authored by:
Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
This article was co-authored by Mobile Kangaroo and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities. This article has been viewed 481,703 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: November 26, 2024
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