Galaxy S7 keeps showing “SIM Card not inserted” error, “No SIM card” error, other issues

Today we bring you three #GalaxyS7 problems that not a lot of support sites cover. SIM card problems usually occur in isolated instances so we can only provide general troubleshooting suggestions for you. We hope Android community will find this material helpful.

If you are looking for solutions to your own #Android issue, you can contact us by using the link provided at the bottom of this page.

When describing your issue, please be as detailed as possible so we can easily pinpoint a relevant solution. If you can, kindly include the exact error messages you are getting to give us an idea where to start. If you have already tried some troubleshooting steps before emailing us, make sure to mention them so we can skip them in our answers.

Below are specific topics we’re bringing for you today:

Problem 1: Galaxy S7 “SD Card: Tap here to transfer media files” error

I transferred a 64GB SD card from my Samsung S4 to my Samsung S7, and it worked great for awhile. Suddenly, the notification “SD Card: Tap here to transfer media files” would pop up. You tap it, it just takes you to what’s on your SD card with nothing else to do. I tried resetting the phone, unmounting, then remounting the SD card, and finally formatting the SD card after backing up the files. That notification is still popping up. Nobody is giving a good answer on how to fix it other than to keep swiping away the notification. Please help. — Nikki

Solution: Hi Nikki. This is only the second time that an error like yours has been reported in this blog and for the first case, we are yet to receive a feedback if our suggestions did work. Just like in that case, there are no relevant facts given to us that might help us pinpoint where the problem lies. In troubleshooting an issue like this, it’s especially important to have as detailed history of the affected device as possible. Right now, we would like to treat it just like any other rare software operating bug. This means that fixing it requires doing the usual software solutions such as:

  1. cache partition wipe
  2. observing the phone in safe mode
  3. factory reset
  4. and making sure that you install all app and Android updates available at this time.

Specific steps on how to do the first three options are provided below.

We would like you to pay more attention to what happens after the phone has been factory reset. Be sure to let the phone run for 24 hours when there are no third party apps installed. If possible, try use another SD card to see if it’s a card problem. If the “SD Card: Tap here to transfer media files” error continues after you’ve factory reset the phone (and when there are no apps installed), it must either an SD card problem or a phone issue. Try replacing the SD card to see if it will fix the problem. Otherwise, consider having the phone replaced.

Problem 2: Galaxy S7 edge “No SIM card” error

Hi. Dear Sir. I bought an S7 edge last week on OLX. The guy from which i bought it told me that it has no major issue, just back cover had been replaced. now i update it using Odin app from Marshmallow to Nougat and it’s now giving me the error of “No SIM card” or “SIM card removed.” I tried to restart every night. it’s very disgusting for me. i am very tense. kindly advice me what is the possible solution for it.

I have done all online solutions like factory reset, wipe cache , putting paper piece on sim for pressure but none of them works for me. One thing I noted is that when i put it on Airplane mode for more than 5 minutes, it detects the SIM card. Otherwise it didn’t detect SIM card when i put it back on. Thanks wait for your reply. — Layiqxia

Solution: Hi Layiqxia. First of all, let’s be frank here. You purchased a pre-owned device that has been tampered with, in the least, hardware-wise. This means that the device probably encountered some problems with the initial owner/s, which may be the reason why the back cover was replaced. These problem/s may or may not be related to the one you’re experiencing right now so, even if we hate to say it, you simply have to suck it up. You have to accept the fact that you may have purchased a lemon. That’s sad but always possible when buying second-hand or refurbished electronics.

Secondly, a full history of the device is necessary in pinpointing the cause of an issue like this. Since you obviously did not and probably cannot provide that, we can’t really tell you what’s the real deal with this device. If the “No SIM card” error was absent when you initially received the phone, it’s possible that it may be caused by the update that you did. In fact, this is what we think is the reason for the problem so we want you try flashing the older firmware version (the Marshmallow version that came with the device when you received it). This will most probably fix the issue.

On the other hand, if the “No SIM card”  error had been there the moment you turned the phone on initially, you should seriously consider returning the phone, or getting your money back. It’s possible that there’s a hardware issue causing it so unless you are okay with spending further for the repair, replacement or refund are the best things for you.

Thirdly, we don’t do hardware troubleshooting and diagnostics. If reflashing the device won’t fix it, contact Samsung or any other service center so they can check the hardware.

Problem 3: Galaxy S7 keeps showing “SIM Card not inserted” error

At times I will just occasionally be on my phone texting or watching a video and all of a sudden a pop up text comes saying “SIM Card not inserted” and that the device will restart to check for a SIM card. The restart solves it but it repeatedly happens, sometimes twice in 4 minutes and it is really annoying when you are trying to make a call or something. Please respond if you know how to fix or what it could be.

I’ve heard lots about you saying you’ve helped many people and I was hoping you could also help me. Thank you in advance, TheDroidGuy! — Jesus Rodriguez

Solution: Hi Jesus. Just like what we’ve been saying above, it would have been good if you not only provided the symptoms but the circumstances and possible things that might have led to the problem. An issue like this does not happen in a vacuum. You must have done something different that must have caused the problem. We’re not saying that you intentionally introduced the bug. For all we know, you may have simply installed a new app causing the problem. Since there’s no way for us to know what exactly happened to your device prior to the problem started occuring, we suggest that you do the troubleshooting steps below.

Wipe the cache partition

This is the first troubleshooting step that you want to do. This will ensure that you refresh the system cache, which is used by Android to load apps quickly. This cache, stored in the cache partition, sometimes get corrupted after an update or app installation. A corrupted system cache can lead to all sorts of trouble so in order to fix it, you must delete it first. Your device will eventually rebuild a new system cache overtime.

Wiping the cache partition won’t erase any of your personal data such photos, videos, etc., so it can be done safely. Here’s how:

  1. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7.
  2. Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.
  3. When the Samsung Galaxy S7 shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
  4. When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.
  5. Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe cache partition.’
  6. Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
  7. Now highlight the option ‘Yes’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
  8. Wait until your phone is finished doing the Master Reset. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
  9. The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

Restart the phone to safe mode to verify if a third party app is the cause

Poorly coded apps can sometimes cause other apps or a phone to malfunction. That’s why, aside from the ever-growing security threats coming from malicious apps, you should always be wary what type of applications you add in your system. Keep in mind that not all apps are built with same skill, expertise, experience, and resources. Somewhere along the way, an inexperienced or poorly-funded developer may commit some coding mistakes that will affect other apps. While most may be minor, some coding issues can lead to serious problems. To rule out possible third party app problem, consider booting the phone to safe mode. Safe mode blocks all third party apps and services in your phone so if the “SIM Card not inserted” error won’t occur, that’s a strong indication that one of your apps is to blame. To boot to safe mode, follow these steps:

  1. Turn your Galaxy S7 off.
  2. Press and hold the Power button.
  3. Once the ‘Samsung Galaxy S7’ logo appears, release the Power key and immediately press and hold the Volume Down button.
  4. Continue holding the button until the phone finishes rebooting.
  5. Once you see the text “Safe mode” at the bottom left corner of the screen, release the Volume Down button.
  6. Let the phone run in this mode for at least 24 hours. This should be enough time to let you notice any difference.

Install Android and app updates

Android and app updates not only bring some cosmetic changes but also patches for known bugs. By default, your S7 should be allowed to download and install system and app updates. However, if you changed the setting to allow you to manually pick what updates to install, be sure to allow installation for outdated apps as soon as possible. The same is true for any pending Android update. Ideally, you’re not supposed to put Android updates on hold but if you did, be sure to install them now.

Wipe the phone via factory reset

Finally, if all else fails, don’t hesitate to do a factory reset. This will ensure that you return all software settings back to their known, working state. When in factory state, the software should be bug free, or should have the minimum bugs as possible. Since the “SIM Card not inserted” error is not supposed to occur when the phone is in factory state, it’s a helpful way to determine if the problem is software- or hardware-related.

To factory reset your S7, do these steps:

  1. Back your personal data up.
  2. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7.
  3. Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.
  4. When the Samsung Galaxy S7 shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
  5. When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.
  6. Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
  7. Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
  8. Now highlight the option ‘Yes — delete all user data’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
  9. Wait until your phone is finished doing the Master Reset. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
  10. The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

Contact Samsung for repair or replacement

If all the above troubleshooting steps won’t fix the issue, there must be a broken hardware somewhere. It can be a bad SIM card slot, or something deeper. Let a professional check the device and see what happens.

 


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