My phone doesn't detect the SIM card: Causes and solutions

Last update: 19/05/2025

It rarely happens, but sometimes the phone doesn't detect the SIM card. The truth is, we rarely think about the status of our SIM card until it fails. Today we'll see what the most common causes are. possible causes of the problem and solutions that will help you in each case. And the truth is, they're all very easy to put into practice.

My phone doesn't detect the SIM card: Causes and solutions

My phone doesn't detect the SIM card.

SIM cards generally don't cause any problems. It's not something we're constantly inserting and removing from our phones. However, both the card and the phone can fail at any time. That's why, in this article, we're going to help you figure it out. Why your phone doesn't detect the SIM card and what to do to fix it.

The reasons why your phone doesn't detect the SIM card can be very varied. Perhaps it's because The card was inserted incorrectly, it has moved, the mobile SIM reader has a fault, there are network problems, etc. What you have to do is rule out the causes and solutions one by one to see which one applies to your case.

Network Problems: Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

If your SIM card was working normally before, maybe what is affecting it is some mobile network problem. Therefore, if the problem does not resolve itself after a while, what you can do is activate airplane modeBy doing this, you disconnect your mobile phone's network connectivity.

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Then, Turn off airplane mode so your phone can reconnect to the mobile network.Keep in mind that you may have to wait a few minutes for this solution to take effect. Now, what else can you do if your phone still doesn't detect the SIM card? Let's look at more solutions.

Software errors: restart your phone

Another cause may be a software bug on your phone. Usually, when this happens We cannot know exactly where the problem comes from.So the best and easiest solution in these cases is to restart your phone. This will allow you to fix any software issues that are preventing the phone from detecting the SIM.

Card inserted incorrectly: remove the card and insert it again

Insert SIM card

Is your phone not detecting your SIM card after removing and inserting it? Have you considered that you may have inserted it incorrectly? This is one of the most common causes of SIM card failure. Perhaps you inserted it backward or When I inserted it, it moved in the slot.

If you think this may be happening with your card, then the solution is to take it out again and, before reinserting it, make sure it is in the correct position and the correct SIM card number. Once done, carefully insert it, making sure it doesn't move or come out of the tray.

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Dirt or dust on the reader or card: Clean the card and reader

Dirt or dust could be the reason why your phone isn't detecting the SIM card. Have you been using your phone in a place with excessive dust or other contaminants? It's possible that dirt has gotten into the SIM card slot and is preventing it from working properly. The solution? Remove the card. Clean it with a dry cloth or compressed air and check that it works again..

Damaged or old card: request a duplicate

Is the SIM card old or hasn't been used for a long time? If so, it may already be damaged. If you think this is the cause, then the only solution is request a duplicate in the mobile operator where you purchased the SIM card. With a new SIM, you'll keep your phone number and ensure optimal performance.

SIM not activated: request SIM activation

Is your phone not detecting your SIM card even though it's new? If this is happening, the reason may be that The card is not yet activated by the mobile operatorOr, it's also possible that an error occurred while activating it. If you suspect this may be happening, we recommend contacting them directly so they can resolve the issue quickly.

SIM card reader failure: go to technical service

Have you thought that the fault may not be in the SIM card, but in the reader on your phoneIf that happens, it's best to take it to a service center as soon as possible so they can diagnose and fix the problem.

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My phone doesn't detect the SIM card: other solutions

Solution: My phone doesn't detect the SIM card.

Have you tried all of the above and nothing seems to fix your SIM card problem? If you've already checked that the insertion was successful, cleared your contacts, restarted your phone, toggled airplane mode on and off, checked that the card is active, and it's not working, then you need to try other solutions. We'll give you some tips below. Two more ideas that might help you.

Reset network settings

Resetting your phone's mobile network settings may help your phone detect your SIM card. On Android, you can find the option in Settings, under the Reset mobile network settings (The name of the option may vary depending on the device you have). On iPhone, you can go to General – Transfer or Restore on iPhone – Restore – Restore network options.

Try the SIM in another mobile phone

No matter how hard you try, your phone still can't detect your SIM card? If so, you still have one more thing to do: test the card on another deviceIf everything checks out, it means your device is experiencing a problem, most likely in the card reader. However, if the card also doesn't work in a different device, it may be time to replace it.