How to fix your Samsung Galaxy Note 8 that keeps prompting a SIM card not inserted error (easy steps)

When your phone keeps prompting you with an error or warning message about a SIM card that is not inserted, it denotes that it’s unable to detect or read the SIM card. As a result, your device will not be able to carry out network-related functions such as calling and texting. There can only be two possibilities as to why this error occurs. Either the SIM card is damaged or something in your phone system is preventing the device from reading the SIM card. In short, it could denote any sort of hardware damage on the phone or faulty software. Tackled in this context is a similar issue transpiring on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 device. Read on to find out what to do if your Note 8 keeps prompting you with a SIM card not inserted error even when the SIM card is actually inserted.

Before going further, if you found this post because you were trying to find a solution to your problem, then try to visit our Galaxy Note 8 troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed most of the commonly reported issues with the phone. We’ve already provided solutions to some of the problems reported by our readers so try to find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work for you and if you need further assistance, fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit.

First solution: Restart your phone.

This error could be just appearing as a random glitch that is likely triggered by minor problems with the network system. Should this be the case, performing a soft reset can help get rid of the error and get your phone’s network systems back up and running smoothly again. So if you haven’t already, restart your phone or perform a soft reset with these steps:

1. Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds until the Power off prompt appears.
2. Tap the Restart option.
3. Tap Restart again to confirm.
4. Give your phone up to 90 seconds to complete the restart process.

Alternatively, you can use the hardware keys to soft reset your device, especially when it gets frozen from the error. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously for up to 45 seconds.
2. Release both buttons when the phone power cycles.

Both of these restarts won’t affect any of your data stored in the internal memory so creating a backup won’t be necessary.

Second solution: Remove and reinstall SIM card.

Minor network systems glitches on the phone can also trigger the same error to show up. Usually, these can be taken care of by a device restart but if that doesn’t work, reseating the SIM card can be the next option to consider. Doing so will allow you to check and ensure that the SIM card is properly seated and not damaged. So here’s what you should do then:

1. Turn off your phone.
2. Locate the tiny hole on the SIM card tray.
3. Position your phone facing up.
4. Insert the SIM ejection tool into the hole then firmly but gently push it in until the tray pops out. Be sure to use the SIM ejection tool that comes with your device for perfect fit.
5. Remove the tray.
6. Take out the SIM card and check for any visible signs of damage. If you suspect the SIM card is damaged, contact your service provider/carrier to request for a new SIM card replacement. If the SIM card looks good to you, then proceed to the next step.
7. Place the SIM card back into the (smaller) slot in the tray with the gold contacts facing down.
8. Carefully reposition the tray in the slot then push it gently back into the phone.

You can turn your phone back on once everything is securely put back into place.

Third solution: Reset network settings.

Performing a network settings reset can help especially if the error is attributed to an invalid or incorrect network settings configuration on the phone. It’s possible that some of your phone settings are automatically altered by an update and therefore results to an error. To rule this out, reset and then reconfigure your network settings with these steps:

1. Swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap General Management.
4. Tap Reset.
5. Select the option to Reset network settings.
6. Tap Reset settings.
7. Enter your PIN or password if necessary.
8. Tap Reset settings again to confirm.

All data connections including Wi-Fi networks and paired Bluetooth devices, network selection mode, background data sync settings, and data restrictive settings are reset back to the factory defaults.

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

Installing a new update can also be the key to rectifying the error if a system bug has triggered it. New software updates usually offer security enhancements to fix any bugs and software glitches affecting certain functions on the phone. To check for available software update for your device, follow these steps:

1. Open the Apps tray
2. Then go to Settings.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. Then tap the option to Download updates manually.
5. Tap OK and then Restart.
6. When the restart message appears, tap OK to confirm.

Wait until the update is successfully implemented, restart your phone and then try to see if that fixes the error.

Fifth solution: Factory data reset.

As your last resort, you can perform a factory data reset on the phone if the error persists after exhausting all possible means to fix it. There might be a more intricate system issue that triggered the error prompt to keep showing up and so a more advanced solution like a full system reset is necessary. This will wipe everything from your phone system including your personal data so don’t forget to back them up before you start. If you wish to continue with this reset, then here’s how it’s done:

1. Swipe up on an empty spot from the Home screen to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Go to Cloud and accounts.
4. Tap Backup and restore. Doing so will allow you to create a backup of your important data before wiping them all.
5. After creating backups, go back to the Settings menu.
6. Tap General Management.
7. Scroll to and tap Reset.
8. Then select Factory data reset from the given options.
9. Tap Reset to continue.
10. If prompted, enter your credentials.
11. Tap Continue.
12. Then tap Delete all to confirm reset.

Alternatively, you can carry out an external factory data reset using the hardware keys to reset the phone system through Android recovery menu.

Ask further assistance

Contact your carrier for other options and recommendations if none of the prior solutions is able to fix the SIM card not inserted error on your Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Your SIM card might have got some sort of damage and so it is not working anymore. In this case, you may request for a new SIM card replacement. Or you can just take your device to an authorized service center nearby and have it diagnosed by a Samsung technician for any indications of physical or liquid damage. Service may be necessary for your phone to read the the SIM card again.