Xiaomi does not see the SIM card. What to do if the SIM card does not work on Redmi

The SIM card disappeared due to an Android malfunction

The Android operating system has special system programs and drivers that control the operation of the modem and control interaction with the SIM card. Although these programs are written by good specialists and thoroughly tested, it is rare, but possible that an error occurs as a result of which Xiaomi stops seeing the SIM card.

To fix the error, restart your phone. Yes, it’s that simple, but only if the malfunction was not your fault.

Return to content

Reasons why a smartphone does not see a SIM card

There are 6 reasons:

“Airplane mode” is turned on;
MIUI firmware disabled the SIM card slot to save power or due to lack of signal from the cell tower;
SIM card is faulty: cracks, inaccurate cutting of microSIM to nanoSIM, oxidation of contacts;
failures in the firmware of the communication module or MIUI;
SIM card slot is damaged;
Damage to the phone due to liquid getting inside or impacts.

Before checking all the methods listed below, it is recommended to turn off the smartphone, remove the SIM card for 2-3 minutes, insert it into the same or another slot and turn on the device.

In 60-70% of cases, this procedure eliminates the problem.

Checking SIM card activity settings

Xiaomi smartphones have a special menu for enabling and disabling each individual SIM card.

You need to check its status; to do this, go to general “Settings” , find the item “SIM cards and mobile networks” and log in.

At the top of the screen you will see the names of the cards that are installed in the device.
By clicking on each of them, you will be taken to a menu where there will be an item “Enable” , make sure it is active.
Return to content

Delivery from China

The reason is common among those who like to buy smartphones from abroad. Each country has its own set of GSM frequencies with which devices must be compatible. Chinese copies do not receive certification from Russian cellular operators because they do not support the required communication standards.

The solution is quite simple, but radical and not all users can do - flashing it to global ROM. It will have a different driver for the GSM communication module, which will be able to work with a wider range of frequencies and operators.

After flashing, be sure to reset the phone to factory settings. This is done like this:

Hold the power button until it turns off.
Then press it in combination with the volume up button for a few seconds.
After the company logo appears on the screen, they can be released.
In the menu you need to select the language – English using the physical volume control buttons.
Then - Wipe&Reset, Wipe All Data and To confirm all actions you need to use the power key.

After completing the process, perform a functionality check. If everything is fine, then such manipulations helped. Otherwise, you will have to return the phone to the seller.

Applications may affect the SIM card

Rarely, but possible - the application blocks Android access to the SIM card, which causes it to stop working.

Or the application independently disables one of the SIM card modules, as a result of which the phone loses connection with the cellular network.

Remember, have you recently installed any application, opened suspicious links, or was there anything that hints at the insidious application running in the background?

If you installed an application that is now suspicious, remove it. Thus, check whether it really interfered with the normal operation of Xiaomi.

Return to content

Hardware problems and how to deal with them

Hardware problems often occur in new gadgets in the case of a common manufacturing error, or the device suffered physical damage or fell into water.

The user can solve simple problems himself, but more complex ones require experience.

Is your SIM card activated? If you have not used it for too long, it is likely that the operator has deactivated it, so you should contact technical support directly;
If the SIM card is many years old, its contacts may have worn out or oxidized. In practice, xiaomium.ru recommends cleaning with a regular cotton swab in alcohol. You should also check the condition of the slots in your smartphone and, if necessary, perform a similar procedure, but with a minimum amount of substance to prevent breakdowns;
How tightly does the SIM card fit into the slot? You can try to replace it at the operator’s service center or send your smartphone for repair;
You may be using a smartphone whose software is not adapted to the frequencies in your region. This option is often relevant when purchasing a gadget in Chinese online stores, since it is designed for different hardware. It is necessary to resolve the issue with the seller;
The most common problem in new smartphones is manufacturing defects. In this case, you should return to the store where the device was purchased and have it repaired in accordance with the warranty, since this is completely free, unlike regular repairs. However, it is always better to demand that the purchase be replaced with a new one in order to be sure to forget about the existing problem.

Recent firmware update

If immediately before you noticed that one of the SIM cards was not working, the phone’s firmware was updated, there is a high probability that it contains an error that breaks the connection.

In extremely rare cases, this happens when automatically updating to a stable firmware version, but if this happens, you need to return the previous version.

Don't forget to backup all your data, because after flashing the phone will return to factory settings.

If you installed a third-party version of the firmware yourself, it is obvious that it contains an error, or, worse, it deliberately harms the operation of the device. Revert to the previous version that worked stably.

Return to content

Software problems and their solutions

These cases are good because most often the user can deal with this problem on his own, without resorting to the help of specialists.

If the required SIM card in the curtain constantly does not work, then first it makes sense to check whether the slot itself is disabled in the settings. Perhaps Xiaomi Mi4 or another device turned it off to save energy, or there was a simple glitch in the operating system.

Speaking of the crash, have you tried rebooting? There are a huge number of cases when stable “falling off” of a slot is solved by rebooting the phone once, after which the problem no longer bothers the user.
Is there a network? Perhaps where you usually walk or work, the operator has no coverage, and the connection is so bad that the slot is completely turned off.
The modem is responsible for the functionality of SIM card slots in the Android operating system - a small firmware that is completely independent. It comes bundled with any firmware, but it can be changed separately without completely flashing the smartphone. You need to find a version of the modem that is different from the current one (you can see it in Settings, phone information item). Installing a modem requires TWRP. The modem firmware is relatively universal, since Xiaomi models of similar releases have the same hardware, but it is still advisable to look for versions specifically for your device. Place the downloaded file in the root of the memory card, reboot into TWRP and flash the modem through the Install menu. It is possible that the functionality of the slot will not be restored with the first flashing; try several versions of the modem.

If the slot stops working after the next operating system update, then it makes sense to look for the modem firmware version from the previous version. It’s very good if you have a backup copy of Android in TWRP, because most likely the memory cards worked fine there.
A “crooked” installation of new firmware can damage the Nvram partition. This piece of firmware contains the most important information about SIM card slots - IMEI. If it is damaged, Xiaomi Redmi 3S does not see the inserted SIM card. There are several solutions - the easiest way is to restore this partition from a full TWRP backup, if you have one. You can try to replace Nvram by using data from another phone of a similar model, and then restoring your own (be sure to save the recovered partition).
Reset your smartphone to factory settings after backing up all important data.
Completely reflash the phone using a different firmware (it is advisable to find an earlier version where the SIM card still worked).
In a very rare case, the SIM card “falls off” when 3G or 4G is turned on on the phone. Contact your operator for help in setting up your phone in detail to use the Internet.

Poor contact

The most common cause of SIM card malfunction is poor contact.

Remove the SIM card, remove it from the tray and look at the contact pad. It should not be dark, and scratches should be minimal.

To clean the contacts from oxides, you need to take a soft eraser and carefully, without applying strong pressure, clean the contact pad. Without fanaticism, there is no need to rub it for a long time, our task is to clean the film that has arisen as a result of the metal oxidation process.

Or, if you don’t have an eraser, you can take alcohol, wet a cotton swab with it and wipe the contacts. There is no need to use a lot of alcohol; the cotton wool should be slightly damp.

After cleaning, carefully place the SIM card in the tray and push it into the slot until it stops.

Return to content

Does the SIM card work?

Damaged faulty SIM card

There should be no visible defects on it, and the contacts should be clean. If the card is damaged, it must be replaced by the operator.

In the second case, you need to clean the contacts from oxidation using a cotton pad and ethyl alcohol.

To check if it works, you need to insert it into another phone. If it does not detect the card, it needs to be replaced.

Xiaomi does not see SIM card

If mobile The device does not see the SIM card, there may be an error in the interface language. This bug exists in older versions of the software. The activation process may not be possible in Russian.

To solve the problem, it is recommended to translate the device into English. For this:

Log out of your Mi profile.
In the phone settings, change the language to English.
Log in to your mi-account again. At the moment of entry, authorization must occur.
Now you can change the language again to the desired one.

This method is one of the most popular. If after re-authorization the problem is not solved, reboot the device. The problem should be resolved.

Xiaomi does not see SIM card

To solve the problem, it is recommended to translate the device into English. For this:

Log out of your Mi profile.
In the phone settings, change the language to English.
Log in to your mi-account again. At the moment of entry, authorization must occur.
Now you can change the language again to the desired one.

This method is one of the most popular. If after re-authorization the problem is not solved, reboot the device. The problem should be resolved.