Device doesn't recognize SIM card (Smartphone)

Every manufacturer offers a computer software designed to import data to and export data from the mobile device and to repair the device's software when needed. For instance, if you use an iPhone, iPod, iPad or another Apple device, iTunes is the software you can use to repair your device.

You can find the software on the manufacturer's website.

Note: If you use an laptop, make sure that you plug it in to the charger (AC adapter).

If the SIM card slot is clogged with dust, your device might not recognize the SIM card. You can clean the SIM card slot with a very thin toothpick or a needle, or you can vacuum out the dust using a small vacuum cleaner, with the suction power set to minimum.

If the SIM card slot is not clogged with dust, check out the other solutions.

If the SIM card is not set in the correct direction, the device won't recognize it. Check the small illustration near the SIM card slot, or on the SIM card tray, on which the correct direction and (orientation) of the SIM card is shown.

Maybe your device doesn't recognize the SIM card because the SIM card is damaged. To test this, insert another SIM card to the phone or dongle. If the other SIM card is recognized, replace the SIM card with a new one, but if it is not recognized, check the other solutions.

Maybe the operating system of your device got stuck. All you have to do is to restart your device, either by pressing and holding the power button or by removing the battery (if it is removable).

See the don't know how to restart my device guide if you are not sure how to restart your phone.

If the SIM card is dirty, your device won't be able to read it. Take a clean piece of cloth and pour some isopropyl alcohol. Then, clean the SIM card from the side of the chip (the "gold" part).

Maybe your device is locked to a carrier (operator) and is able to read only SIM cards from the carrier it is locked to. If your device works well with a SIM card from the carrier you bought the phone from, but not with other ones, the phone is carrier-locked.

To resolve this, you need to unlock the phone. In order to do it, take the phone to the store you bought it from and ask them to unlock it.

If the SIM card tray is not well seated, your device might won't recognize the SIM card. Make sure to seat the SIM card tray in the correct direction. Also, make sure to gently push the tray to the very end.

It is possible that your device doesn't recognize the SIM card, because the Airplane mode (on some devices known as "Offline mode") is enabled. This mode automatically disables the SIM card slot, therefore, you won't be able to use the SIM card.

See the don't know how to enable/disable the Airplane mode guide, if you are not sure how to disable the Airplane mode.

Maybe your device doesn't detect the SIM card because of a bug in the device's operating system. Make sure to always keep the operating system of the phone up to date.

Usually, the phone will check for updates automatically when it's connected to the Internet; however, sometimes it might not check for updates automatically.

See the don't know how to update my device's operating system guide to learn how to check for updates manually.

If you ran out of options to resolve this issue by yourself, contact the manufacturer's support team. They will try to help you resolve this issue or replace your phone with a new one.