7 ways to troubleshoot if your phone's
SIM card isn't working
Writen by Dave Johnson; editedby JohnLynch
Jul15,2022,8:01 PM
Diy13/Getty Images
Toggle airplane mode
Restart your phone
Remove and reinstall the SIM card
Carefully clean the SIM card
Try the SIM card in another device
Update your carrier settings
Reset your phone's network settings
If you can't make a call or if you see an error message that your phone's SIM card
is not working, there are several ways to troubleshoot the problem.
Ther error might not be related to your SIM card; you should toggle Airplane
mode as well as reset your carrier and network settings.
Cleaning or reseating the SIM card can also fix problems associated with the SIM
card.
Your SIM card is what enables your smartphone to work on the wireless cellular
network; it identifies you and your phone and contains information about your cellular
provider so you can complete calls and transfer data.
Usually your SIM card works exactly as intended, but there are a few reasons it might
not be working. You might not get a specific error message — your phone simply can't
connect to the network — but more commonly you'll see an error that says your SIM
card isn't working or isn't installed. If that's happening to you, here are the most
common ways to troubleshoot your phone and get your SIM card back up and running.
Toggle airplane mode
If you suspect there's a problem with your SIM card, it might actually be a software issue
with your phone that's easily remedied with a few simple troubleshooting tricks that
don't involve opening your phone and touching the SIM card at all. For example, some
SIM card errors can be remedied simply by switching your phone into Airplane mode
and then back again.
On most phones, including iPhone and Android, just swipe down from the top right of
the screen to show the Control Center or quick settings. Tap Airplane mode to turn it
on, wait a few seconds, and then tap it again to turn it off. Try to make your call again to
see if this solved your problem.
Swipe down to open the Control Center, where you can toggle Airplane mode on and
off. Dave Johnson
Restart your phone
Another way to clear out a temporary glitch is to turn your phone off, wait about a
minute and then turn it back on again. Here is how to restart an iPhone. If you have an
Android device, you can generally swipe down from the top of the screen and tap
the Power icon.
Remove and reinstall the SIM card
If you still see an error message or otherwise can't complete a call, you might need to
reseat your SIM card. To do that, find the SIM card removal tool that came with your
phone — you can also use a pin or very thin paperclip and insert into the hole near the
SIM card try until the tray pops out. Make sure the SIM card is seated properly in its
tray and then reinsert it carefully.
For more detailed instructions, here is how to remove a SIM card from an iPhone and
here is how to remove the SIM card from a Samsung phone.
Use the SIM card removal tool that came with your phone to pop out the SIM card
tray. Steven John/Insider
Carefully clean the SIM card
If simply reseating the SIM card didn't do the trick, your phone might benefit from
ensuring the card is clean and the contacts are clear. Remove the SIM card from your
phone, carefully extract it from the tray and then use a microfiber cloth to wipe away
any dust, dirt, or debris. A can of compressed air can help blast away any grime, but
don't get the SIM card wet — always use a dry cloth.
Try the SIM card in another device
If you've restarted the phone and the card has been cleaned and reseated, it's entirely
possible there's something wrong with the SIM card. The easiest way to find out? Install
the SIM card in another device and see if it works there. You'll need to test it in an
unlocked device, or a device that works with the same cellular carrier as the SIM card
you're testing. If the SIM card works, it's probably an issue with your phone rather than
the SIM card.
If that's not an option, you can try the opposite test: Put another device's SIM card in the
phone that's not working and see if the problem persists. If it works, then the SIM card
is to blame, not your phone.
Update your carrier settings
It's possible that your phone's carrier settings might be to blame, especially if your
cellular provider has recently updated its configuration and the changes update
automatically on your phone for some reason.
If you have an iPhone, start the Settings app and then tap General, followed
by About. If there's a carrier update available, you'll be prompted to install it now.
If there are carrier settings that need updating, you'll see them on the iPhone's About
screen. Dave Johnson
Like iPhone, Android phones should update carrier settings automatically — but if
something goes awry, not all versions of Android OS allow you to update your carrier
settings manually. To check your phone, start the Settings app and then search
for Carrier Settings. If you have that option, tap Update Profile.
Reset your phone's network settings
If you're still offline, try to reset your phone's network settings. Treat this as a last
resort, because it will also reset your Bluetooth paired devices and Wi-Fi network
passwords. But if your SIM card is still not working, it might be worth the
inconvenience.
On the iPhone, start the Settings app and then tap General, followed by Transfer or
Reset iPhone. At the bottom of the screen, tap Reset, then Reset Network
Settings.