ZTE: Unrecognized SIM card

You have just bought an ZTE and when you turn it on, it displays the following error message: SIM card not recognized. At times the ZTE does not recognize the SIM card and displays this message. In this case, it is not necessarily necessary to bring the ZTE directly back. Indeed, there are several methods to solve this trouble. We will consequently see in this tuto, what are the stuff to do and check so that the SIM card is recognized on your ZTE.unrecognized-sim-card-ZTE

How to proceed when the SIM card is not recognized on my ZTE

If the SIM card is not recognized on your ZTE, below is a list of stuff that will help you determine the source of the trouble, see repairing the trouble.

Clean SIM card

One of the first stuff to do if the SIM card is not recognized on your ZTE is to clean it up. Actually, it might happen that dirt partially prevents the contact between the SIM card and the phone. To clean it, pass a small dab of cloth over it and check if it is not damaged.

Check the tracking of the SIM card on your ZTE

At times the trouble might come from the tracking of the SIM card. Actually, it often occurs that little metal plugs that most of the time have to come in contact with the SIM card are a little bit relaxed. When this is the case, this prevents the ZTE from reading the SIM card. To solve this trouble, you simply need to thicken the SIM a little by gluing 1 or two pieces of tape at the back.

Test the SIM card on a different telephone

To find out if the trouble originates from the SIM card, you’re able to test it on a different phone and you will have your answer. If it is not recognized on other devices, you’re able to modify the SIM card.

Try another SIM card on your ZTE

If the two previous steps do not give anything, it is necessary to test a different SIM card to find out if the trouble originates from the card. Indeed, if other SIM card function on the ZTE, it is because the trouble originates from the card. Otherwise, it is at the level of the telephone that we will have to look.

Confirm that your ZTE is not Simlocker

When you have tried several SIM cards on the ZTE and none are recognized, the telephone may be Simlocker. It indicates that the ZTE will recognize only the SIM card of a certain operator. In this case, you have to unlock it. You will find without a hassle a lot of provide on the internet that will do that.

Check that the problem doesn’t come from the ROM installed on the ZTE

This part mainly concerns the people who root the ZTE to install a ROM that is not original. If this is actually what you have completed, be aware that the unrecognized SIM card trouble is quite common after setting up new ROMs. We advise that you reinstall an original ROM and re-test it.

If nothing works

If all the above solutions do not work, we recommend you to bring your ZTE and the SIM card back to 1 of your operator’s shops.