Phone reads 'Insert SIM' the past few days.

[HandyPhone9999]

Hi, hope this is the right place to post. 😔 Had an EE account for a few years now (Orange for ages!) and got a fresh SIM I believe around 2017/18. (Current phone is quite old but the PAYG setup suits my minimalistic needs well - I like a phone that just texts and calls (no data) and battery that lasts for weeks 😉).

Having a bit of an issue with my mobile this week, hopefully someone can spot the solution. It's an oldie (but goodie) now, a Nokia 106 (2013) I think. Last topped it up and made some texts in October. All well. 🙂

The problem: Think I had a message on friday, charged it up on the saturday and by the time I've looked at it earlier this week, the phone simply reads "Insert SIM" even after restarting/removing and reinserting battery and SIM card (mini).

• I don't think there's any particular problem with EE's coverage 2G/3G/4G in my area (Amble, Northumberland) at the moment as far as signalcheckers are saying (could be mistaken, are any works in progress affecting NE65?).
• I saw an e-mail this week to say my online account had been locked until I change the password. I've since changed my password twice last night but no change to SIM (Is this a 'should rectify itself in a few days' scenario?).
• According to gsmarena, this is almost certainly a 2G only phone (I would assume the SIM card  is recent enough to be 3G/4G capable), but it was my understanding that in the event of 3G being discontinued in the area, texts/calls should still work over 2G and that 2G has not been switched off for the area yet (slated to go by 2033).
• I wondered if there may be a problem with the phone's battery, but there's a good charge showing on the display. SIM card itself is clean, no damage to contacts etc.

Could someone please advise whether this is an account issue or how I might get it working again?

I'll see if any phones around might accept mini SIMs. There's still some credit and contact details I'd like to get access back if worse comes to worst.

[Leanne_T]

Hi there @HandyPhone9999 

Thanks for coming to the community. 

Insert SIM card does usually indicate the phone is not detecting a SIM card installed, the best way to find out if this is the SIM or phone is to try the SIM card in another phone if possible? 

If you can try this and let us know if the message shows in another phone that would be great 🙂

Leanne.

[HandyPhone9999]

Hi 😁

Unfortunately, my family's phones only accept nano SIMs not my mini so I don't have one I can try it in 🤕

Might I assume based on your message that the 'Insert SIM' error is definitely solely because of a problem with the phone/hardware itself rather than anything account-wise? (There's nothing you can see that I might need to address, here online?).

I don't understand what could have happened. It's in great condition and sits quite happily on a shelf when it's not on charge and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. (SIM still slotted in nicely for example). I suppose if the battery became defective or wasn't supplying enough power to the modem? (Is that a possible cause of the error?) but as I said, there's a good charge level displayed on the corner of the screen still so I don't think so? 😔

In weighing up my options over the next few days, something like a more recent Nokia 105 2G would fit the same SIM card and I only really need 2G to be honest OR a 105 4G would take a new nano SIM - Would it be possible to transfer my number and credit over if I were to get a new EE (nano) SIM on a 4G compatible phone?

Interestingly enough...if I go to EE's coverage checker for my postcode, a Nokia 105 4G phone says it will only get 3G and 2G here at the minute (Not 4G...on a 4G phone! - that's definitely not the norm here). A Nokia 106 like mine currently says it won't get 5G/4G/3G OR 2G. 😕 So perhaps something very strange/works are going on at the moment afterall? (There's a few similar Nokia models getting the same responses). Are certain models having support removed!?

 Thanks for your help

[Leanne_T]

Usually no signal would indicate a signal problem in the area, no SIM card inserted could be the phone and without testing in another phone we would not know for definite @HandyPhone9999 

If you are unable to try this and would like to check the account is all OK, please call us from another phone on 07953 966 150 and they can check this for you, they can also send a replacement SIM with the same number and credit. 

Leanne 🙂

[HandyPhone9999]

Thanks Leanne 😁

for whatever reason, it actually started working again earlier in the week!

I'll probably end up getting a replacement 2G (or 4G) phone in 2024 and look into carrying the same number over to a nano SIM when the time comes. Will poke my head back in if I need any help again 🙂

Merry christmas!

[Leanne_T]

Brilliant news @HandyPhone9999 

Thanks so much for letting me know and Merry Christmas have a great one 🙂

Leanne.