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A SIM card, or an inseparable part of the modern man, is an essential element not only for communication between people, but for all occasions of life. For example, can you imagine your morning without a smartphone with an activated SIM card?
Probably not, because as soon as we wake up, we call or write to our parents, children. We inform our colleagues about stuck in a traffic jam. We order our favourite coffee on the way to the office. During the afternoon lunch break we often choose destinations to go on holiday, for the weekend, or how to plan our evening tonight. In the evening, on the other hand, we put on some music on the way home, take pictures of a stunningly beautiful sunset, and post the photos to social media. We finish the day by reading a book, but 70% in electronic format, and chatting with friends.
Touching on a more technical definition, SIM cards are a key element of mobile communications and allow users to make calls, send messages and surf the internet using their mobile devices. Each SIM card we can associate with a unique number and user profile, which provides security and personalisation of mobile services. However, what should you do if your SIM card doesn’t work? Should you call the emergency services? Let’s found out.
A New Look at The SIM card: Interesting Facts
- With a French accent: The first SIM card was created in France in the eighties of the 20th century. It was a significant step in the development of mobile technology, which later served as a starting point for the whole process of evolution of mobile communication;
- First in Space: In 2013, astronauts travelled to the International Space Station with SIM cards so that they could stay in touch with the ground. Since then, the chip has been continuously used in space developments and has helped take science to a whole new level;
- Even in the fridge: cards are not only useful in smartphones, but also in many devices that support new technology with cellular connectivity such as smart cars, meters and even refrigerators;
- Invisible carrier: A great solution for situations where the physical SIM card not working is to switch to a new card format in the form of Embedded SIM, which has no plastic carrier and is already in your smartphone. eSIM is a new opportunity and versatility in business trips and travelling, because it allows you to activate a large number of phone numbers of different mobile operators.
Inoperable SIM: Does It Happen?
If you thought that there are no problems with the SIM card, you are wrong, because often among the search queries on the Internet there is a question: “Why does my SIM card does not work?”. However, in what cases can such a situation occur?
SIM in Inactive Position: What To Do?
Problem: Inactive SIM. For new plastic and e-SIM: If you have a new card, it may be inactive until you activate it. What do you see on the screen? The card is not activated. Is it worth worrying about? Absolutely not.
Solution: First, make sure your operator has activated the phone number. When you get a new SIM card, there are instructions or a link you need to visit to activate it. It could be an online portal, phone number or another method provided by your operator. Check all the steps of the instructions, and for eSIM, scan the QR code again. What other reasons can there be when you have a SIM card problem?
The SIM card is Active, But The Signal is Very Weak
Problem: Only one stick out of five is visible, and sometimes there is no network at all. What can be the problem? A weak network signal on the card can be caused by various factors, and the solution depends on the source of the problem.
Solution: Sometimes a simple reboot of your mobile device can help improve the signal, especially if it’s a situational problem. Try moving to a different location, especially if you are inside a building. Walls and other obstructions can weaken the signal. Also, make sure you have the correct carrier and network mode selected in your smartphone settings. Make sure you are in an area where your service provider has a good signal.
SIM Has an Expiry Date
Problem: The card has expired. In case you didn’t know, the chip has an expiry date and if it has expired, the SIM card will be inactive. The expiry date is written on the plastic card and you can check any minute.
Solution: Make sure that the expiry date is indeed in expiration period and contact your mobile operator to replace the card, and we also recommend paying attention to the electronic format of the SIM.
SIM Does Not Work Due to Pin Code Blocking: What To Do?
Problem: You tried to enter the code many times, you thought you remembered it correctly, but you got it wrong. If your SIM card is blocked due to incorrect pin code entry, you will need a PUK code (Personal Unblocking Key) to unblock it.
Solution: PUK-code is usually provided by your mobile operator together with your SIM-card. You can find it on the card that comes with your SIM card or in your personal cabinet on the operator’s website. When you find the PUK code, enter it on the screen of your mobile device. Remember that the PUK code is quite long and consists of 8-12 digits, so make sure you enter it accurately.
Summary
The take-home message is in this article we have analysed the most popular reasons of non-working sim card and found out what to do if SIM card is not working. Also, if you have damaged your phone and the card refuses to work, it’s worth showing the device to the experts at a gadget repair shop. In fact, most of the problems of inactive sim card you can solve quickly and easily, the main thing is to correctly identify the cause.
