PAYG Sim card error

[Octavia24]

My phone suddenly came up with "Sim card error" could not send or receive except for emergency call. Very low signal strength showing. Later in day I checked at same location and error message had gone and signal strength had improved and showed Three network available but still could not  send or receive. Checked later and  error message had returned and signal strength lower.

Tried from a town centre location the next day but error message came up when phone switched on and was showing a strong signal. Has not worked for over a week..

It is an EE PAYG sim card which I have had for some time, possibly 5 years, which I regularly top up. When  I last checked credit it was about £40, I had topped up prior to going abroad.

Anybody know what the problem may be and how to resolve it?

[Katie_B]

Hello @Octavia24. 

Thanks for coming here. 

Are you able to test your SIM in another device?

When was the last time you topped up?

Are you aware of anyone else experiencing this?

Katie

[XRaySpeX]

Sounds like your PAYG SIM may have gone into hibernation.

When did you previously make a chargeable action? EE PAYG SIMs are deactivated after 6 months of non-chargeable use. You then have a further 3 months period of grace to call EE to reactivate it before it is lost completely.

You needed to make a chargeable action like making a chargeable call or text, topping up or buying a Pack or Add-on, not just using your mins, texts or data from your pack.