How to fix a Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro 2019 smartphone that doesn't detect SIM card, No SIM card error [Troubleshooting Guide]

SIM card errors in mobile devices may occur due to many factors involving software and hardware components. Among the underlying causes are network problems, account-related issues, errant apps, software glitches, faulty updates, and sometimes, invalid or defective SIM card in use. Before taking your device to a service center or getting a new SIM card replacement, performing the basic troubleshooting procedures is recommended to rule out software issues out from the underlying causes.

Highlighted below are some potential solutions to a relevant issue on the new Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro (2018) smartphone, which failed to detect SIM card and shows a No SIM card error. Read further to find out what methods to try on should to clear software problems that might have prevented the phone from recognizing the SIM card.

For those who are looking for a solution to a different problem, drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most common issues with this phone. Browse through the page to find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work for you or if you still need our help, contact us anytime through our Android issues questionnaire.

First solution: Reboot your phone (soft reset).

If the SIM card works with your phone since the first time you use it, then it’s likely just a random software glitch that’s rectifiable by a soft reset or device restart. The process does not affect saved data on the internal memory and therefore won’t result to data loss. Here’s how a soft reset is done on your Galaxy J7 Pro (2018) smartphone:

Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds or until the menu appears.
Select Power Off option then tap OK.
After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button again to turn your phone back on.

A soft reset is the simplest solution to various types of software-related errors including those affecting the SIM card system of the phone. It’s also an effective way of dumping cached files from the internal memory.

Second solution: Remove and reseat the SIM card.

When your phone keeps prompting a No SIM card error, it’s likely telling you that truth that the SIM card is not properly secured or dislodged from the tray. To make sure this isn’t what’s troubling your device from recognizing the SIM card, follow these steps to remove and reseat the SIM card on your Galaxy J7 Pro (2018) smartphone:

Power off your phone completely.
Insert the ejection pin into the hole on the SIM card tray to loosen the tray. Make sure the ejection pin is perpendicular to the hole to prevent damaging the tray.
Gently pull out the tray from the slot.
Remove the SIM card then examine it for any visible signs of damage like scratches or dents. Also make sure that you are using a nano SIM card, otherwise you’re using the wrong SIM card type. If everything looks good to you, then place it back into tray with the gold contacts facing downwards.
Gently press the SIM card into the tray to secure it, and prevent it from falling out of the tray.
Insert the tray back into the tray slot when the SIM card is secured.

Once the SIM card tray is secured and locked in place, turn on your phone and see if the error is gone. If it persists, then you may have to resort to software resets.

Third solution: Reset network settings on your Galaxy J7 Pro 2018.

Network errors due to invalid settings or incorrect network options enabled on the phone can also trigger relevant errors to occur. This is likely the case if the phone suddenly bumps into a No SIM card error after installing a new software update. The update might have automatically altered or overridden the current network settings on the phone and thereby results to this error. To clear this out, performing a network settings reset is recommended. This will clear the current network settings on your phone and restore the defaults. After the reset, you can configure and enable necessary features and network options accordingly. Here’s how it’s done:

Tap Settings from the Home screen.
Scroll to and tap General management.
Scroll to and tap Reset.
Tap to select Reset Network Settings option.
Tap Reset Settings then tap Reset Settings again on the following screen to confirm.

Restart your device as soon as the reset is finished. After the restart, you can proceed with the network setup and reconnect to Wi-Fi and cellular network.

Fourth solution: Update phone software to the latest version available.

Installing the latest software version available for your phone can also be the key to resolving the issue if it’s triggered by some malicious software or bugs. New updates usually offer security patches to clear bugs and malware that caused troubles to a device. To check for new software update on your Galaxy J7 Pro (2018) smartphone, refer to these steps:

Swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen.
Tap Settings.
Scroll to and tap Software update.
Select the option to Download updates manually. Your device will then search for new update.
When the search is finished, you should see a notification telling you if a new software version is available or your phone is up to date.

If an update is available, back up all your important data for safekeeping and then follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the update on your device. To ensure all system changes from the new update are properly implemented, reboot your phone when the update installation is complete.

Fifth solution: Reset phone to factory defaults (master reset).

If none of the prior methods is able to offer a resolution and that your Galaxy J7 Pro (2018) smartphone is still unable to detect the SIM card and the No SIM card error still shows, then you may have to consider performing a master reset or full system reset. This will wipe everything from your device including your settings, downloaded apps, and other personal information. Tough bugs and malware that might have halted the phone system from reading the SIM card will also be obliterated in the process. After the reset, your device will be restored to its factory defaults or original state. Should you wish to proceed, back up all your critical data then follow these steps to factory reset your Galaxy J7 Pro via settings menu:

Tap Settings from the Main Apps screen.
Scroll to and tap General Management.
Scroll to and tap Reset.
Select Factory data reset from the reset options.
Tap Reset to continue.
Then tap Delete All to confirm reset.

Your device will reboot automatically when the reset is finished. After the restart you can proceed with the initial setup process and set up your device as new. Any prior software errors and glitches should be cleared by the reset. That said, your phone should be able to detect the SIM card at this point, unless the SIM card is defective or hardware damage is present.

Other options

Contact your network service provider or carrier for other options and suggestions if the No SIM card error persists and your Galaxy J7 Pro 2018 smartphone still doesn’t recognize your SIM card. If necessary, you can request for a new SIM card replacement and have your carrier active your SIM card services.

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How to fix a Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro 2019 smartphone that doesn’t detect SIM card, No SIM card error [Troubleshooting Guide]