SIM Card Guides

SIM card not working: Main causes and quick fixes

If your SIM card isn’t working, you can try fixing it by restarting your phone, resetting your network settings, or updating your software.

You open your phone to make a call or check your socials only to see that something is wrong. There are no bars where your connection strength was previously shown, and the mobile internet isn’t working.

Your SIM card not working can cause a lot of stress, especially when you need it for something urgent. Thankfully, you can often fix the issue yourself. Let’s take a closer look at the causes for the most common SIM card issues and how you can fix them.

In this article

What does “No SIM available” mean?

“No SIM available” and “No SIM card” are two of the most common error messages when a SIM card stops working. This means that your phone can’t recognize your eSIM card or that the physical card itself is missing from the SIM card tray.

Any other SIM-related issues, such as invalid SIM card, SIM card not recognized, and SIM card not detected all typically mean the same thing, only accompanied by different warning messages your phone displays.

If you don’t regularly replace SIM cards, it’s quite unlikely that you’ve lost yours or forgot to put it in. Therefore, the most common causes for this issue are linked either to an issue with your SIM card, the SIM tray, or your phone’s software.

Let’s take a look at the main causes for this issue and what you can do to solve it.

How to fix a SIM card that isn’t working

Here’s what you can do to try to fix your SIM card and get your connection back.

Check your SIM card

The first thing you might want to do is to make sure that your SIM card isn’t damaged. Turn off your phone and carefully remove the SIM card. Check for any damage on the SIM card and the SIM card slot.

If nothing seems out of place, gently wipe off any dust with a micro fiber cloth and carefully reinsert the card. If you find damage on the card or phone, you’ll have to visit your mobile service provider for a replacement SIM card or a phone repair shop to fix any internal damage.

Restart your phone

Have you tried turning it off and on again? This question is a joke in the world of tech solutions, but it does work. Sometimes, there might be a glitch in the software that simply goes away after restarting the phone, so give it a shot and see if it helps.

Update your software

Outdated software can cause a whole lot of bugs to appear on your phone, and connection issues aren’t an exemption. Go to your phone settings and check if your phone is up to date. If it’s not, install any available software updates.

Reset network settings

If restarting your phone doesn’t work, and your operating system version is up to date, you can try to reset your network settings to fix any underlying issues there. Here’s how you can do it, depending on the type of device you have:

How to reset network settings on an iPhone

Go to Settings.
Open the General settings menu.
Tap the Reset option.
Tap the Reset Network Settings button.

How to reset network settings on an Android phone

Go to Settings.
Open the System settings menu.
Tap the Reset Options button.

Select Reset WiFi, Mobile, and Bluetooth.

Resetting network settings on iOS

Perform a factory reset

If all else fails, you can reset your phone to its factory settings. Make sure to create a backup of any data you want to keep, though, as the reset wipes everything from your phone. Here’s how you can do it, depending on your device:

How to reset factory settings on an iPhone

Go to Settings.
Open the General settings menu.
Tap the Reset option.
Tap the Reset All Settings button.

How to reset factory settings on an Android phone

Go to Settings.
Open the System settings menu.
Tap the Reset Options button.
Select Factory Data Reset.
Select the Erase Everything option.

Contact your carrier

If you can’t solve the problem on your own, you should contact your cell service provider. It can be an issue on their side of things. And even if it isn’t, your carrier should be able to resolve SIM card issues and get your phone working again.

Ditch plastic cards, make the switch to eSIM

You can’t have any issues with your SIM card if you’re not using a physical SIM card in the first place. An eSIM is a completely digital alternative to physical SIM cards that makes it even easier to stay connected.

If you’re traveling, grab yourself one of Holafly eSIM plans that offer coverage in 200+ destinations. Each plan includes unlimited data and 24/7 customer support, ensuring that you’ll stay connected at all times.

For a long-term solution, check out Holafly Connect, a mobile internet subscription service that allows you to pay monthly and cancel any time. All plans offer worldwide coverage, allowing you to travel wherever without worrying about losing connection.

Plans that may interest you

Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

Read full bio