This is a detailed post on the major bad sim card symptoms every phone user should know, as it will help you to know when your sim card has gone bad or completely damaged.
As you’re here, I’m sure you’re having a hard time getting your phone orthe sim slotto detect your sim card and you think your sim card is faulty, bad or probably damaged.
There you go with the question of the day, what is symptoms of a bad sim card?
The major systom of a bad sim card is not being able to detected by the sim slot or the phone itself. In most cases, it shows no sim card inserted or no service depending on the type of phone you’re using.
I want to know if my SIM card is bad or maybe the problem is from my sim slot as it doesn’t detect my sim card.
What are bad sim card symptoms
Bad sim card symptoms is the inability of a phone to detect a sim card, the sim card not showing a network service, sim card failure in a mobile phone, etc.
Now let’s take them one after the other, and below are some of the major symptoms of a bad sim card you should know;
1.No sim card inserted
Once your sim card is faulty, you will be seeing no sim card inserted on your mobile phone. Many a time this error message doesn’t mean that the sim card is faulty, but rather the sim slot isn’t detecting it.
To confirm that the problem of no sim card inserted is actually caused by the sim card, remove the sim card and insert another one.
I mean insert another sim into your mobile.
If it detects it, then you got to know that the sim card is dirty, faulty or damaged. This is one major bad sim card symptoms in a mobile phone.
To fix this problem if the sim card is damaged, you need to go contact yournetwork provider and do a sim swap. By contacting your network provider they will tell you what to do or how to resolve the problem.
However, before contacting your network provider, I will advise you to clean the Sim card chip. Sometimes dirt can prevent a phone from detecting a sim card, so cleaning the sim chip helps a lot.
You need to be very careful while cleaning the sim card chip, use a very clean soft cloth to dust it off. You can damp cloth with water or probably use a rubbing alcohol for the cleaning. Please do this gently and don’t apply any force while cleaning the sim card.
After cleaning the sim card and nothing works, then you have to contact your network provider.
2. Symptoms of a bad sim card: No network detected
Another bad sim card symptoms is no network detected, and this is different from no sim card. In this case, the sim slot detected the sim card but nothing works.
You might think that it is a network issue but usually the problem is caused by your sim card. Wiping dirt from the sim card doesn’t work in this case causethe sim is faulty or damaged.
To be hundred percent sure that it isn’t a network issue but rather caused by your sim card, look around for a sim card with the same network provider and see if it is seeing a network. If it does, remove the sim card and insert it into your phone.
If it does detect the sim card, and there’s a network service, then the problem is caused by your sim card. I’ve seen this type of issue multiple times and that’s why I added to the list of bad sim card symptoms.
3.Phone going into flight mode
Here’s the third symptoms of a bad sim card, phone going intoairplane modeon it’s own.
If you noticed that your phone suddenly goes into flight mode on its own, the problem is from the sim card. Number of cases has been reported and after a reasonable amount of research it was found out that the problem was caused by the sim card and not the sim slot.
The truth is, some of these problems can be caused by the sim slot especially if the sim slot is damaged. This is why you need to do a test and confirm that the problem is caused by the sim slot or probably the sim card.
Remove your sim fromyour phone and insert another sim into your phone. If you see a network service and it isn’t going into flight mode, then you should know that the sim card is damaged. If reverse is the case, that is your phone going into flight mode, the the problem is caused by the sim slot.
Phone going into offline mode on its own is one major bad sim card symptoms you should know and the only solution is changing the sim card to a new one. We do call it sim swap though it diifers from country to country or network provider.
4. SIM card contacts show only a phone number
This symptoms of a bad sim card is quite rare to see though it does happen. In this case, all your contacts will only display phone numbers and not the name which you saved the contact with.
Sometimes this can be caused by a network issue to the sim card, and the sim card isn’t damaged in this aspect.
Try rebooting your phone and if the problem still persist, take the sim card to your network and lay your complain.
5. Bad sim card symptoms: Sim card not ready
What are the bad sim card symptoms?
SIM card not ready.
I’m sure you’re seeing this on your phone cause it is one of the popular sim card issues being talked about. Mostly this error of sim card not ready is caused by a damaged sim chip.
If your sim chip is damaged or very faulty, you’ll start to experience sim card not ready.
Honestly, cleaning your sim card will not solve the problem sim card not ready. To resolve this issue of bad sim card symptoms, you need to take the sim card to your network provider. A sim replacement is the only solution to this problem.
6. Call dropping due to bad or damaged sim card
One of the symptoms of a bad sim card is call dropping, and you may never know which you will believe that your problem of call dropping was is caused by network service provider.
In reality, it was caused by your sim card which has already gone bad or damaged.
What you have to do is to remove your sim card and insert it into another phone compatible with your sim card. Make a call and check if you will experience call dropping on the other phone.
If it does then be rest assured that the problem is caused by your sim card as it has already gone bad or damaged. In this type of situation, sim replacement is the only option you have and you should contact your carrier network for the sim replacement.
You can read more:
- Sim toolkit: Everything you need to know
- Will a 4g sim work in a 5g phone (Learn more)
- Can i put my sim card in another phone (Will it work)
Can a sim card go bad?
Yes of course, sim card can go bad, get faulty or damaged if the sim chip is damaged. Once a sim card chip is damaged or tampered, be rest assured the sim will start having issues.
Some of the issues or the bad sim card symptoms which I’ve listed above, and mostly the only way to resolve the issue is by changing the sim (sim swap) or better still contacting your network provider.
Solution to a bad sim card
The only way to resolve a bad sim card in a given phone is by getting a sim replacement, and performing a sim swap.
SIM swap is the ability to move data and information from one sim to another sim card, and this includes the phone number.
Most people that do request for a sim swap are those that have a damaged or bad sim card. Once the sim card is already damaged, the only solution is to get a new sim card and do a sim swap.
You can read moreon sim swap and how to get a new sim card with the same number.
Can a SIM card corrupt a phone?
Definitely no. A sim card cannot corrupt a phone no matter how badly damaged the sim card is. What corrupts a phone is nothing but a virus but with a good antivirus your phone is safe.
If you have a phone which is misbehaving or corrupt, don’t conclude that it is your sim card that caused the problem. I repeat again, a sim card can’t corrupt a phone but rather a virus or maybe you sd card getting corrupted.
How do SIM cards get corrupted
SIM card gets corrupted when the sim chip is damaged or tampered with. If you tampered with the sim card chip, it can get corrupted and you’ll start to see some of the listed bad sim card symptoms.
If a sim card chip is broken, be rest assured that it is damaged or corrupted, and again trying to clone a sim card will make it to be corrupted.
Can a SIM card be destroyed by water?
The answer is no. Sim card cannot be destroyed by water though that doesn’t mean that you should leave your sim card inside the water.
There are liquids that destroys the sim card chip but not water, water doesn’t damage the sim card at all. However, if your sim card falls into the water, make sure to dry it off with a soft clean cloth.
With all these said so far, by now you have known the bad sim card symptoms.
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As long as you experience or see sim card not ready, phone going into offline on it’s own, no sim card inserted, etc, they are the bad sim card symptoms you should know.
FAQs
How do you know if your SIM card is bad? ›
- Extended delay of messages and calls.
- Deterioration of sound qualities.
- Contact list corruption – display of only contact numbers (no names)
- Turn off your phone and remove the SIM card.
- Clean the gold connectors on the SIM with a clean lint-free cloth.
- Replace the battery and turn your phone on without the SIM.
- Turn your phone off, replace the SIM and restart the phone.
For the unaware, if your SIM card is stolen, damaged, or the device is lost, you can get a new SIM against it by going to your respective telecom operator and finishing proper verification.
How can I test my SIM card? ›And tap on the settings icon in settings go down and tap on battery. And device care next we go down
How do I know if my SIM card is working Android? ›- First, speak to your network service provider to confirm if the SIM is active.
- Also, inquire if the SIM registration is properly done.
- Check if the SIM Golden points are clean. If you see any dust or carbon over it, clean it with a soft cotton cloth. But make sure you don't scratch it.
Unless you're a scientist specializing in data recovery, you won't be able to repair a physically damaged SIM card yourself. Forensic services like SIMIS (Subscriber Identity Module Interrogation System) use decapsulation, X-rays and advanced cleaning methods to recover and repair physically damaged SIM cards.
Can a SIM card stop working? ›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.
What is the reason for SIM damage? ›The most common cause is that your SIM card has some kind of manufacturing defect. Frequent removal and insertion of the SIM card into the cell phone could also make your SIM card go bad because the process of taking out and sliding in the SIM can damage the chip lines over time.
Can a damaged SIM card affect signal? ›A subscriber identity module, or SIM, card is inserted in your phone and identifies you to your cellphone carrier. Generally your SIM card doesn't directly affect how well your cellphone can pick up a signal, but a bad SIM card might prevent you from connecting to the network at all.
How often should a SIM card be replaced? ›Summary. Changing your SIM card might be an obscure topic. However, when you have used your SIM for too long, it may develop issues that impact connectivity. There's no specific time to change your SIM, but you can do that between 5 to 7 years to minimize the network issues caused by using an old SIM.
Can SIM cards get viruses? ›
Mobile phone SIM cards can also be vulnerable to viruses. SIM cards can be infected with malware and viruses. If you were to use an infected SIM card on another device, such as a friend's phone, you could pass on the virus to them as well.
How can I tell if my SIM card is working? ›The best way to see if the SIM is active would be to insert it into a device which has a compatible SIM card slot. The good news is inserting any older SIM card into a phone will not harm the phone in any way or change any of the settings.
Can you factory reset a SIM card? ›If you want to perform a factory reset on your Android for clearing SIM card data, you will not be able to achieve your goal. The factory reset feature on the Android phone doesn't affect the SIM card, so it cannot help you erase SIM card files.
Can you reboot a SIM card? ›You can go through each piece of information in your phone and delete it to reset your SIM card. A SIM card stands for subscriber identity module and stores most of the information that goes through your phone. You can buy a SIM card reader that will allow you to clear the memory.
Does a factory reset affect SIM card? ›Factory resetting will not delete your number. In fact, it will not affect your sim card in any way and all the information stored on the sim card will be intact.
Why my SIM card is not working in my phone? ›Clean the SIM Card and SIM Card Tray
You should also check if there's any dust or grime inside the SIM card slot because it can interfere with the connection. Use a can of compressed air to blow into the slot and clear any debris. You can also use a clean piece of microfiber cloth to wipe the SIM card's contacts.
- Reboot your device.
- Remove the battery.
- Adjust the SIM card.
- Manually select carrier/network operator.
- Change network mode to auto.
- Clean the SIM card.
- Replace your SIM card.
- Remove and re-insert SIM card.
The reason why does your phone show no SIM card error is that your phone is unable to properly read the contents of your SIM card. This usually happens when your SIM card is not installed properly, it is damaged, or your phone has software problems after a software update.
Can heat damage a SIM card? ›However, in many cases, and certainly for temperatures greater than 450 degrees C, the SIM card chip has suffered structural or mechanical damage that renders simple probing or rewiring ineffective.
Can I get a new SIM card with same number? ›You can get a new SIM card and keep the same number. Your telephone number is associated with a replaceable Subscriber Identification Module. Mobile service providers use SIM chips to identify you on their network.
How do I activate my SIM card? ›
- Insert the new SIM into your phone, and have the phone turned on.
- Activate your new SIM card by using its accompanying activation key (this will be included in the package). ...
- Use this key to activate the SIM card online. ...
- Wait some time, and it should be activated shortly.
Clean the SIM card by blowing off dust, or use a soft cloth to carefully remove any residue from the gold contact area (don't use soap or anything abrasive). Place the SIM card chip-side down into the tray and slide it back inside. If inserted correctly, the tray should go in easily. Restart your phone.
How do I replace my SIM card? ›How to Replace Your SIM Card - Easy Tutorial | T-Mobile - YouTube
Can a SIM card be tracked? ›Your SIM card is unique to your device, and you can use it to track your phone's location if it's ever lost or stolen. Unfortunately, hackers can intercept communications between your SIM card and mobile provider to access your location information.
What causes poor signal strength? ›But weak, inconsistent, or poor-quality signals can happen for a number of reasons. Averse weather, interference from building materials or terrain, distance from your nearest cell tower, or network overload can all contribute to poor signal.
What does updating a SIM card do? ›Changing your SIM card will help to ensure you get more 5G in more places when using a compatible device, such as indoors and in rural locations, and will make sure you're ready to take advantage of future network enhancement.
How can I boost my phone signal? ›- Update your software. ...
- Turn off any services you're not currently using. ...
- Change your Voice and Data settings. ...
- Turn airplane mode on and off. ...
- Reset your network settings. ...
- Manually re-select the network operator. ...
- Have your phone checked for damage.
To keep your mobile number and transfer it to another network, you need to request what's called a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) from your old provider and then let your new provider know the code. They will then schedule the switch.
How many years can a SIM card last? ›| Network | Expiry |
|---|---|
| Sun Cellular | 120 days / 4 months |
| GOMO | 365 days / 1 year |
| DITO | 90 days / 3 months |
| Cherry Prepaid | 60 days or 2 months |
Photos are not stored on a SIM card on your Android smartphone. Photos are stored on the Android phone's internal storage or an external SD card inserted in the device. What is this? They may also be backed up to a cloud storage service like Google Photos.
Can someone hack my phone? ›
Phone hacking can happen to all kinds of phones, including Androids and iPhones. Since anyone can be vulnerable to phone hacking, we recommend that all users learn how to identify a compromised device.
Can malware infect SIM cards? ›They can, themselves, run malware. While you may have data stored and encrypted on the phone itself that the SIM may never be able to access, the same is not necessarily true of the data you transfer, the numbers you call, the content of your SMS and MMS messages or even the content of the phone calls themselves.
How do you know if there's a virus on your phone? ›- Your device is hot to the touch. ...
- Everything 'feels off. ...
- An increase in random pop-ups and new apps. ...
- Fraudulent links from your accounts. ...
- You have unauthorized charges.
Summary. Changing your SIM card might be an obscure topic. However, when you have used your SIM for too long, it may develop issues that impact connectivity. There's no specific time to change your SIM, but you can do that between 5 to 7 years to minimize the network issues caused by using an old SIM.
Can your SIM card stop working? ›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.
Can a SIM card be damaged? ›A SIM card is quite different from an SD card and it can not be corrupted. It can either be physically damaged or probably just needs a mild cleaning. If your SIM card is physically damaged, it is impossible to fix it and the best thing to do is to simply visit a service center and ask for a duplicate SIM card.
Can I get new SIM card with same number? ›You can get a new SIM card and keep the same number. Your telephone number is associated with a replaceable Subscriber Identification Module. Mobile service providers use SIM chips to identify you on their network.
How many years can a SIM card last? ›| Network | Expiry |
|---|---|
| Sun Cellular | 120 days / 4 months |
| GOMO | 365 days / 1 year |
| DITO | 90 days / 3 months |
| Cherry Prepaid | 60 days or 2 months |
Can an old SIM card cause bad performance? Generally, the age of a SIM card doesn't have any impact on cell phone signal, however, a faulty SIM card can cause issues in network connectivity.
Are all your photos on your SIM card? ›Photos are not stored on a SIM card on your Android smartphone. Photos are stored on the Android phone's internal storage or an external SD card inserted in the device. What is this? They may also be backed up to a cloud storage service like Google Photos.
How do I clean my SIM card? ›
Clean the SIM card by blowing off dust, or use a soft cloth to carefully remove any residue from the gold contact area (don't use soap or anything abrasive). Place the SIM card chip-side down into the tray and slide it back inside. If inserted correctly, the tray should go in easily. Restart your phone.
Can a phone operate without a SIM card? ›The short answer, yes. Your Android smartphone will totally work without a SIM card. In fact, you can do almost everything you can do with it right now, without paying a carrier anything or using a SIM card. All you need is Wi-Fi (internet access), a few different apps, and a device to use.
Can water damage a SIM card? ›Although SIM cards don't have battery-powered electronics like cellphones do, prolonged exposure to water can damage the card.
Can heat damage a SIM card? ›However, in many cases, and certainly for temperatures greater than 450 degrees C, the SIM card chip has suffered structural or mechanical damage that renders simple probing or rewiring ineffective.
Can a SIM card be tracked? ›Your SIM card is unique to your device, and you can use it to track your phone's location if it's ever lost or stolen. Unfortunately, hackers can intercept communications between your SIM card and mobile provider to access your location information.
Does changing your SIM card delete anything? ›No. SIM cards do not store data.
How can I check SIM owner? ›How to Know Owner Name of SIM. Mobile phone users of any company (Telenor / Mobilink / Ufone / Warid / Zong) can send a blank SMS to 667 to know the ownership of this particular SIM. Please note that you will have to send this SMS from the SIM card itself to know the owner name.
How can I change my SIM card without changing my number? ›Send the following text message - PORT followed by your 10-digit mobile number to TRAI's central number for mobile number portability - 1900. Example: Send 'PORT 98xxxxxx98' to 1900. You'll receive an SMS back with a port out code which will remain valid for only 15 days.