NO SIM card and SIM Card Removed Errors solved on Galaxy S4

[Camicia]

So this is my attempt to give back to the huge amount of help I received on this forum

TL;DR:
After a few different kind of attempts, this fixed the problem for me: the reflow of the SIM connector and the IC described at http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f25...already-change-sim-reader-1780363/index2.html . There are a few different things that can cause the NO Sim Card and SIM Card removed problems. In my case it did not start happening after events like upgrades or changing the firmware. It was also initially happening only once or twice a week.

Long story:

I have a T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S4 (SGH-M919). I started having problem with the "SIM card removed" once or twice a week. It was a little annoying and I read about it online. Tried a few software solutions but they did not work.

I read somewhere to try to replace the SIM card and that is what I did. That made things worse... after T-Mobile replaced the card I start having the "no sim card" problem. At the T-mobile store they told me that I would have to send the phone in for a repair... well, out of warranty changing the motherboard could be $300 that is more than how much you pay for the whole phone used on eBay... I asked to restore my old SIM card but the person there told me that they cannot do it :crying: :crying: :crying:
After a little bit of cleaning the new SIM, plug it out and in a few times, the phone actually started recognizing the SIM card but it took only a few minutes before I got the "SIM card removed" modal on the phone =/ The problem just got a lot worse and it was happening every other hour...

Apparently if you read online there are a few things that can cause these errors. Only one seems to be software and it happen on SIM cards that have a pin when you update to Android 4.4.2 (I think) and it was fixed on 4.4.4. You usually know why this happen because you just run an update. If this is the case for you, I would try to work on the ROM/modem firmware. Otherwise it is probably a hardware problem.

There definitely may be different problems that create the SIM card error. You never know. The faster solution is replace the mainboard. Apparently there are people that write in the forums that even this did not work for them.... not sure what the cause of the problem can be there.... it is quite weird.

I spend a lot of time reading here on XDA and other forums. I finally started doubting that it was a software problem and eventually landed on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHQaQVLV1U8 - I bought a new SIM/SD card reader on ebay for $7 shipped. I replaced it in the phone. You need to be careful but if you have good sight and some basic phone repair tools, you can do it. I tested before reassembly of the phone. It works ! I reassembled and I got again the "No SIM card" problem :crying:. So I just wasted my time and $7 with no improvement. I read somewhere about a guy that fixed the problem putting duck tape on the SIM connector. It was a problem with a component not fully attached, it may actually work. I tried to put a 3 layer of little rectangular pieces of painters tape on the connector. That helped a lot. I was never getting "NO SIM card" but every now and then I was still getting the "SIM CARD removed" modal. I suspected that since that extra pressure on the connector was improving the situation, the problem could have been that the connector on the motherboard was not solder properly anymore.

I eventually found these 2 threads:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2375982&page=23 (on page 23 there is a guy that talk about re-heating this chip) and http://forum.gsmhosting.com/vbb/f25...already-change-sim-reader-1780363/index2.html (on the second page there is a guy that talk about reflow of an IC).

Anyway, I went to one of the local co-working spaces that has soldering stations with hot guns etc. I solder in the past but in these days phones have extremely small SMD components and it is extremely easy to mess everything up. So unless you are or you know somebody that is very good at soldering, do not do it.
I found a guy there that was willing to help. We prep the board with aluminum tape so we could protect the other components. Only the IC and the SIM connectors were exposed. We did reheat once with the hot gun with low airflow and 300 degree celsius spending less than 10 seconds on the board. It seemed that worked but after 1h I got the "SIM card removed" modal again The whole disassembly + preparation is a pain in the neck but I did it again. We reheated again spending a little bit more time on the IC (20 sec) and a little more on the SIM connector on the board (after shielding the IC). After cleaning some residue of glue left by the aluminum tape, I tested again. So far it is working. Fingers crossed!

 

[Camicia]

An update on this. The problem came back. I was able to restore the old SIM that mitigated the problem.

I did more reheating and resolder the SIM connector. Everything was good for 1-2 week and then back again. Now it also restarts randomly.

The most likely cause are:

1. Cold joint that cracked.
2. Some edgy transistors in a IC
3. Cracked track on the motherboard

The first problem may be fixed with reheating (reflow) or better reballing (but for this you need good soldering skills). If the problem is the second one heating ICs up can make things edgier
The second problem definitive solution requires a new IC (after you identified which one it is defective). This also requires even more soldering skills.
The third one can be fixed by replacing the motherboard =)

So far I am dealing with it tolerating one or two reboots a day and one SIM card removed message. When I am more courageous, I will reflow the whole motherboard in a toaster oven hoping that it does not burn it forever. At the time I will be also ready to buy a new phone...

 

[fast96]

My issue may be different

I was having an issue for a week or so with random "sim card removed" errors. The reboot would sometimes fix it for awhile. AT&T tech said it was a hardware issue. Well, I took the phone apart after watching the youtube video to see how easy it was. Upon close inspection I could see that the connector for the sim card assembly was just very slightly lifted on the ribbon cable side, I reseated it and the errors went away, While I was in there I put a small piece of duct tape (1/8 x 1/4") on the corresponding area of inner frame to help hold it in place. If you have this issue try it if the phone is out of warranty like mine was. Good Luck.

 

[fast96]

Well it looks like it is a very real hardware issue. I have replaced the card reader, but the phone acts the very same way. I bought a gophone for use while I get it fixed.

 

[HardScale]

I have found a fix! (so far)

I know this thread is old, but I thought I'd let you guys know I found something that has worked for me.
Like the OP, I hunted the web for solutions. Tried uninstalling various apps, clearing cache, full wipe and reset, dancing naked under the full moon, etc. I even did a full factory reset, and left the phone alone for awhile. Still, the phone eventually refused to recognize the SIM and asked to be rebooted. As an aside, I am SOGLAD that I have multiple backups of my phone!
So, I can say, without a doubt, that this is a hardware issue. I will be back to eat my post if my phone resets again.
Here is the link to the fix that (so far, HYB!) has worked for me: http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/276524-galaxy-s4-major-problem-sim-card-not-detected-8.html#post4258210
This thread explains that a well placed piece of Double-Sided Foam Tape underneath the back cover will do the trick of holding the SIM ribbon in place and making contact.
Of course, I had no DSFT, so I used a little piece of electrical tape, rolled into a tube and cut to fit. So, there.
That was a week ago.
I have had *ZERO* SIM errors since.

 

[hiltinuts2]

....
This thread explains that a well placed piece of Double-Sided Foam Tape underneath the back cover will do the trick of holding the SIM ribbon in place and making contact.
Of course, I had no DSFT, so I used a little piece of electrical tape, rolled into a tube and cut to fit. So, there.
That was a week ago.
I have had *ZERO* SIM errors since.

Hey ericm301, it's been a month, are you still error free?

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

Just to add to the comment about using double-sided foam tape, the original card reader comes with a foam pad that is attached to the connector. When the back panel of the S4 is snapped into place and screwed down the foam pad ensures the connection doesn't loosen. If you replace the card reader with one purchased off Amazon, it usually does not include the foam. The foam tape is the expedient option, but the other option is to carefully peel off the foam from the original and attach it to the new card reader. That foam peels off rather easily, and fortunately peels off in one piece.

FYI, for anyone who cares, my card reader failed in early October. It's now May and I have had no issues at all after replacing the reader and transferring the foam to the new reader.

 

[nalbi1]

Hi,

I Had the same problem and already tried every suggested fix on the net, and nothing worked.
i Even sent it to the dealer, and they told me it's a motherboard problem and needs to be changed, but i wasn't willing to spend 250$
I almost threw the towel till i found a post that recommended removing the two screws above the battery
and when i removed them the error stopped, even the heating problem went away.
it's been three days now, and i even tried two different sim cards to try and check if i get the error back.
so far so good.

Please try it, and i hope it helps

 

[jiggaMang]

I've tried many things from replacing the sim tray to cleaning every single connector on the mainboard with 99% alcohol. None of them worked for me.

Alas, I found a solution that worked for moi!

 

[Icone24]

In my case i've done so many things that i cannot ciunt them already lol
I even replaced sim card tray but with no luck, the sim card reboot error always apears -.- need a new motherboard for sure.

 

[rmccurdy]

Derp here is my go at it
https://www.flickr.com/photos/freeload101/27403754756