SIM cards connect the mobile handset with the mobile network service provider to which the card belongs. A message showing an unregistered SIM card on your phone screen means your service provider could not authorize your mobile handset. Generally, such an error message disappears after the mobile network registers the mobile handset in which the SIM card is installed.
All GSM networks require that the mobile phone should be permitted to make the SIM connection work. Most mobile handsets take a short period to get registered automatically after the SIM is inserted. In some cases, it might take longer. Some mobile service providers require the users to contact them to get their mobile phone registered. Even after the registration process is complete, and if the “unregistered SIM” message continues to display, there’s a chance the SIM card is faulty.
What happens when your SIM card is unregistered?
If you are getting the unregistered SIM card error message on the display screen of your handset, you won’t be able to make and receive calls, send and receive texts, and use the mobile data. Although, you can still connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network. Almost every function related to the SIM card will be disabled. Thankfully, calling the emergency numbers will be still functional. In many cases, you won’t be seeing any network signal bar on your screen.
Common reasons for unregistered SIM error message
Here’s why the unregistered SIM card message may appear:
- Unsupported update: Sometimes you update the phone and the new update is not compatible with your SIM card, hence such an error could pop up. In such case, you have to wait until an official fix comes from the company.
- Outdated firmware: When the operating system or the firmware gets outdated, this one and similar errors might occur.
- Blackout: When there is some maintenance going on from your mobile operator’s side, you will lose the signal and such error might arise. In some cases, if the government authorities have ordered a mobile network blackout for a certain period of time, again, you can see this error.
- Damaged SIM card: If your SIM card is broken or damaged in some way, it might not be able to connect. Hence, the unregistered SIM card notification might show.
- Improper phone setting: If the carrier isn’t selected in the phone settings properly, this error might show up. If you have set the network circle selection to manual, make sure you have selected the right mobile network.
Fix the unregistered SIM card issue
Here are 4 frequent methods of fixing the SIM card that’s unregistered:
- Reboot the phone: The most commonly used method to fix the issue of unregistered SIM cards is to reboot your phone. Turn it off, remove the SIM card, place the SIM card in the card slot properly again, and turn the phone on. By doing this, the issue resolves most of the time.
- Contact the service provider: Even after rebooting the phone, the SIM still shows unregistered, so you should visit your telecom company’s nearest store and ask for help. If the SIM card is faulty, they will replace it. In case the SIM card has some other discrepancies, they can resolve them, too.
- Download Android Repair Tool: If you are using an Android phone, it is better to download the Android Repaid Tool from the Play Store. It will fix the problem of the unregistered SIM card error if the fault is from the Android’s end. With the help of this tool, you can fix many other Android-related issues, such as crashing of apps and black screen.
- Update your device: You must check whether your phone needs to be updated. An outdated operating system can show this message that your SIM card is unregistered. Go to your phone’s Settings → Phone → Software Update. If there is any available, click the Update button. When you have no mobile network access, simply use a Wi-Fi connection.
Conclusion
When your phone or tablet can’t read your SIM card, it shows the unregistered SIM card notification. This could be because of some error in the phone’s hardware or software. This may also happen because you have newly purchased a SIM card and inserted it into the phone before the SIM is even activated. A stolen or outdated SIM card might also show the same error notification. Whatever the case be, you should either restart the device and reinsert the SIM card or contact your service provider to fix the issue. It’s also important to know other solutions to this problem exist, though we covered the main ones.