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No SIM Card detected

Samsung Galaxy "No SIM Card detected": SIM not read

Verified with sources1 sourceReviewed Oct 4, 2026
Technician coming? See the 2 steps they must show you
Google Pixel Android phones, rear view
IXTA9839CC BY-SA 4.0Image source

Risk level

Low

Usually safe to check without specialist tools.

Urgency

Medium

Quick answer

Your Galaxy says No SIM Card detected or No SIM Card inserted even with a SIM in place. Restart it first, then turn it off, take the SIM out, clean the card and tray with a dry cloth and put it back correctly aligned.

Safety first

Stop and check this first

  • Handle the SIM tray carefully: Samsung warns not to break or deform it. Resetting mobile network settings cannot be undone.

Safe checks you can perform

  • Restart the phone
  • Remove, clean and reinsert the SIM
  • Reset mobile network settings
  • Test the SIM in another phone

Leave these tasks to a qualified professional

  • Do not attempt this professional task: SIM replacement by your mobile provider
  • Do not attempt this professional task: Manufacturer support when the SIM works elsewhere

What a technician must be able to justify

Technician visit

These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.

These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.

  1. SIM replacement by your mobile provider

    What they doIf the SIM is not detected in another phone either, your service provider checks the line and replaces the card.

    They must show youthe line status on their system.

    In writingthe new SIM number and the activation date.

  2. Manufacturer support when the SIM works elsewhere

    What they doIf your SIM works in another phone but not in your Galaxy, contact Samsung support or an authorized service centre to check the SIM reader.

    They must show youthe SIM reader test with a working SIM.

    In writingthe diagnosis and any part replaced.

Before accepting a part or repair

Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.

Follow these steps

Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.

  1. Restart the phone

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    press and hold the Volume down and Power keys for at least 7 seconds and tap Restart, or use the quick panel power icon.
    Result that matters:
    whether the SIM is detected after the restart.
    If it is:
    it was a temporary software issue.
    If not:
    check the SIM and the tray.
    Evidence to keep:
    Exact message shown.

    Evidence: How to fix the "No SIM Card Detected" error on Samsung Galaxy devices

  2. Remove, clean and reinsert the SIM

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    turn the phone off, take out the SIM tray and look for scratches or stains on the card. Clean the card and tray with a clean dry cloth, reinsert the SIM correctly aligned and turn the phone on.
    Result that matters:
    whether the SIM is detected after reinserting it.
    If it is:
    the SIM was badly seated or dirty.
    If not:
    reset the mobile network settings.
    Evidence to keep:
    Photo of the SIM and tray.

    Evidence: How to fix the "No SIM Card Detected" error on Samsung Galaxy devices

  3. Reset mobile network settings

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    go to Settings > General management > Reset > Reset mobile network settings and confirm. This cannot be undone.
    Result that matters:
    whether the SIM is detected after the reset.
    If it is:
    a network setting was the cause.
    If not:
    test the SIM in another phone.
    Evidence to keep:
    Date of the reset.

    Evidence: How to fix the "No SIM Card Detected" error on Samsung Galaxy devices

  4. Test the SIM in another phone

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    put your SIM in another phone that accepts it.
    Result that matters:
    whether the other phone reads the SIM.
    If it does not:
    the card is the likely problem; ask your provider for a replacement.
    If it does:
    the problem is in your phone; contact Samsung service.
    Evidence to keep:
    Model of the other phone and result.

    Evidence: How to fix the "No SIM Card Detected" error on Samsung Galaxy devices

Still not solved

If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.

Where this code applies

A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.

Primary scope

System
Phones and tablets
Brand
Samsung
Product type
Android phones and tablets

Known code variants

  • Emergency calls only
  • Galaxy SIM not detected
  • No card icon
  • No se detecta la tarjeta SIM Samsung
  • No se detectó la tarjeta SIM
  • No se detectó tarjeta SIM
  • No se insertó la tarjeta SIM
  • No SIM Card Detected
  • No SIM Card inserted
  • Samsung no SIM card
  • Sin tarjeta
  • Solo llamadas de emergencia

What it means

Samsung's guide covers the messages No SIM Card inserted and No SIM Card detected. Its steps check, in order, a temporary software issue with a restart, then the physical contact of the SIM by removing, inspecting and cleaning the card and tray, then the mobile network settings with a reset, and finally the SIM itself by testing it in another phone. If the SIM also fails in another phone, the card is the likely problem and the service provider replaces it. The message alone does not prove the phone's SIM reader is broken.

Warnings and stop conditions

  • Mediumsource verified

    Handle the SIM tray carefully: Samsung warns not to break or deform it. Resetting mobile network settings cannot be undone.

    Evidence: How to fix the "No SIM Card Detected" error on Samsung Galaxy devices

Symptoms and causes

Probable causes · in order

  • Temporary software issuePossible

    The message disappears after a restart and does not come back.

    Evidence: How to fix the "No SIM Card Detected" error on Samsung Galaxy devices

  • SIM or tray badly seated or dirtyCommon

    The SIM works again after removing it, cleaning the card and tray and reinserting it aligned.

    Evidence: How to fix the "No SIM Card Detected" error on Samsung Galaxy devices

  • Damaged SIM cardPossible

    The same SIM is not detected in another phone either; Samsung says to contact the service provider for a replacement.

    Evidence: How to fix the "No SIM Card Detected" error on Samsung Galaxy devices

Virtual technician

Does No SIM Card detected still appear after these checks?

Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.

Start diagnosis

Sources and technical references

  1. 1

    How to fix the "No SIM Card Detected" error on Samsung Galaxy devices

    Samsung · 2026 · official_doc

Sources: How to fix the "No SIM Card Detected" error on Samsung Galaxy devicesreviewed 2026-10-04 · verified

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