What to do when the SIM card is not detected on your Samsung Galaxy device

Last Update date : Aug 26. 2026

If calls and mobile network connections suddenly appear to stop working on your Galaxy device, the SIM card may not be recognised properly. This issue may be caused by temporary software errors, SIM card damage, incorrect insertion, or carrier-related settings. Follow the troubleshooting steps below to check the SIM card status and restore network connectivity on your Galaxy device.

SIM card removed from a Galaxy S26 Ultra and placed on a table.

Note: Menu names, settings, and screen layouts may vary depending on the model and software version.

If calls or mobile network connections are unavailable, first check whether the SIM card is recognised properly on your Galaxy device.

Settings menu with the About phone option highlighted. Settings menu with the About phone option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap About phone.

About phone screen with the Status information option highlighted. About phone screen with the Status information option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Status information.

Status information screen with the SIM card status option highlighted. Status information screen with the SIM card status option highlighted.

Step 3. Tap SIM card status.

SIM card status screen showing Not available under Network. SIM card status screen showing Not available under Network.

Step 4. Tap Network and check whether the mobile carrier name appears.

If your Galaxy device cannot detect the SIM card, the issue may be related to temporary software errors, mobile network settings, SIM card damage, or incorrect SIM card insertion. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot the issue.

Check for carrier SIM protection services

Some mobile carriers provide SIM protection services that prevent SIM cards from being activated on new devices.

  • Contact your mobile carrier to check whether the SIM protection service is enabled.
  • If enabled, disable the service through the carrier before using the SIM card on a new device.

Reset mobile network settings

Incorrect mobile network settings may prevent the SIM card from connecting properly to the carrier network.

Settings menu with the General management option highlighted. Settings menu with the General management option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap General management.

General management screen with the Reset option highlighted. General management screen with the Reset option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Reset.

Reset screen with the Reset mobile network settings option highlighted. Reset screen with the Reset mobile network settings option highlighted.

Step 3. Tap Reset mobile network settings.

Reset mobile network settings screen with the Reset settings button highlighted. Reset mobile network settings screen with the Reset settings button highlighted.

Step 4. Tap Reset settings.

Caution message requesting confirmation to Reset the settings. Caution message requesting confirmation to Reset the settings.

Step 5. Read the caution information > Tap Reset to confirm.

Note: Resetting mobile network settings removes saved mobile network configuration information and reconnects the device to the carrier network using default settings.

Restart using the power menu

Temporary system errors may prevent the SIM card from being recognised properly.

Screen showing a swipe down from the top right to open the Quick settings panel. Screen showing a swipe down from the top right to open the Quick settings panel.

Step 1. Swipe down from the top right of the screen to open the Quick settings panel.

Quick settings panel showing the Power off icon. Quick settings panel showing the Power off icon.

Step 2. Tap the Power off icon.

Power menu showing the Restart option. Power menu showing the Restart option.

Step 3. Tap Restart.

Restart using the buttons

If touch input does not work properly, use the buttons to restart your device.

Image showing a phone with the Side key and Volume down key being pressed simultaneously. Image showing a phone with the Side key and Volume down key being pressed simultaneously.

Press and hold the Side key and Volume down key at the same time for more than 7 seconds until the device restarts.

Replace or reinsert the SIM card

If the issue continues after restarting the device, the SIM card itself may be damaged, worn out, or improperly inserted.

Try inserting another SIM card to check whether the device works normally.

Inserting the SIM eject pin into the tray hole. Inserting the SIM eject pin into the tray hole.

Step 1. Insert the SIM eject pin into the tray hole.

* Always insert the eject pin straight into the tray hole.


SIM tray completely out of the device. SIM tray completely out of the device.

Step 2. Pull out the SIM tray completely.

* Do not bend or force the SIM tray.

Nano-SIM card in the tray with the gold contacts facing upward. Nano-SIM card in the tray with the gold contacts facing upward.

Step 3. Place the Nano-SIM card in the tray with the gold contacts facing upward.

* Make sure the SIM card is properly seated in the tray.

Reinserting the SIM tray into the device. Reinserting the SIM tray into the device.

Step 4. Reinsert the tray fully into the device.

* Fully dry the tray before reinserting it if it becomes wet.

* Push the tray completely into the device to help prevent liquid entry.

If another SIM card works properly, replace the current SIM card through your carrier.

Note:

  • Contact your carrier store to request a SIM card replacement. 
  • Only Nano-SIM cards are supported on Galaxy devices that use physical SIM cards.

Clean the SIM card contacts

Foreign material on the SIM card contacts may prevent proper recognition.

  • Do not touch the metal contacts with your hands or metal objects
  • If the SIM card is dirty, gently wipe it with a soft, dry cloth
  • Do not force the SIM card into the tray or insert it incorrectly

You can use Samsung Members Phone diagnostics to check the SIM card status on your Galaxy device.

Note: Phone diagnostics is available only on Galaxy devices with the Samsung Members app installed.

Samsung Members app home screen with the Support option highlighted. Samsung Members app home screen with the Support option highlighted.

Step 1. Open the Samsung Members app > Tap Support.

Samsung Members app Support screen with Get started button highlighted. Samsung Members app Support screen with Get started button highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Get Started.

* The full diagnostics scan begins. You can stop the process and select specific items to run individual tests.

Phone diagnostics list with the SIM option highlighted. Phone diagnostics list with the SIM option highlighted.

Step 3. Select SIM.

Diagnostic test results showing Normal on the screen. Diagnostic test results showing Normal on the screen.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions > Check the diagnostic results.

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