How to fix or repair if the sim card is corrupted or damaged

Sim Cards are the most important part of your cell phones. The calling feature is the most frequently used feature in a phone. This feature solely depends on the functionality of a sim card. Today, sim cards come in different forms and sizes. As physical sim cards, standard, micro, and nano are in use. Esim is the latest form of sim cards which are embedded right in the smartphones at the time of manufacture.

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Be it a standard sim or a nano one, if your sim card is corrupted or damaged, you won’t be able to make use of cellphone functionalities. Therefore, it is important to understand if bad network reception or frequent call drops are due to your network provider or due to a damaged sim card.

In this article, we will talk in detail on how to tell if a sim card is damaged and what can be done by you to repair a damaged sim card.

Let’s get to it.

How to tell if a sim card is damaged?

Your smartphone has multiple software and hardware elements. Even the smallest of damage in these can result into poor cell phone functionality. Therefore, you need to rule out all the possibilities to check if your sim card is the one causing problems with your network.

Here are a few common symptoms that most people would have experienced with a damaged sim card.

1. Your sim card has physical damage

Now, your sim card is locked away in a protected slot in your phones. But a high fall or any external impact can damage your sim card. The damage can also occur when the sim card is not in the slot. Often users take the sim card out for cleaning purposes. If not handled carefully, sim cards can be physically damaged.

The physical damage can then lead to many issues when it comes to normal calling and receiving features. Check the chip on the card specifically to spot any damage. If there is one, the only way out of it is replacement of the sim.

Solution

Replace your sim card. Talk to your sim card operator for the same.

We will talk more about the process of replacement, specifically how to change damaged Airtel sim further in the article.

2. Frequent call drops and bad network reception

We know how irritating it can be to constantly experience call drops in the middle of a conservation or have poor network round-the-clock. It not only affects your cell phone features, but also interrupts your daily internet usage (in case, you are a mobile data user).

Solution

Poor network can be due to a lot of other factors. Therefore, first check if the call drops and poor network is frequent and persistent. Second, talk to other same sim card network users to find out If they are experiencing similar network issues like yours. If the symptoms are common, it can be due to your operator. If the network is bad just for you, it can indicate a damaged sim card. Get it checked and replaced instantly.

3. The sound quality

A damaged sim card can also result in bad sound quality. Therefore, it is better to rule that one out too. Usually, if you can’t hear the other person’s sound, it is wise to get your sim card checked. If it is happening regularly, then get it checked.

Solution

To troubleshoot, first check if your phone’s speaker is working fine or not. If it’s a faulty speaker, you will need to fix your phone. If not, then the issue could be because of your sim card. Depending on the nature of the issue, it will either have to get fixed or replaced.

4. Frequent Pin code request

Many users set up a PIN code upon booting of their phone. If you have recently noticed that your phone shows up the Pin code request box even when your phone is not running, your sim card might be the issue. This is a clear indication that your sim card is not placed properly and is moving.

Solution

When the sim card is not placed properly, it moves around. As soon as it finds the right position, your phone is prompted to ask the pin code because it thinks that the sim card was inserted just now.

Therefore, you need to take out your sim card and place it properly. You can watch a tutorial video online to place the sim properly in the slot. Now check if the problem persists. If it does, you need to go to a repair shop or replace your damaged sim.

5. ‘Welcome to network…’ frequent messages

Usually, when you put a new sim or restart your phone, you will get ‘welcome to network…’ message. It indicates that your network carrier has identified your sim and your phone is now ready to receive and make calls.

If you are getting these messages even without restarting your phone, your sim card may be the issue.

Solution

Insert the sim card in another phone and check if you are still getting the message. If yes, then your sim card is damaged. If no, then your sim card slot can be damaged. You will have to get it fixed in a mobile repair shop. Better is to visit your phone’s authentic repair centre.

6. Your sim card is not getting recognized

This is yet another symptom of your sim card being damaged. If your sim card is not recognized, you will get no network to make or receive calls or perform other cell phone functions.

There can be 2 reasons for this issue. Either your sim card is disabled in your phone settings or the sim card is corrupted.

Solution

Go to your phone’s settings and check if your sim card is enabled or not. If not enabled, please do. If the problem still persists, you will have to replace your sim card.

Now that we have answered your ‘how to know if my sim card is damaged’ question and how you can try quick easy hacks to fix it, let’s also see how you can get a sim replacement.

In cases of physical damage or other issues, you will be suggested to replace your sim card.

As an Airtel user, if your Airtel sim is damaged, here are the steps to get a new one.

How to change or replace damaged Airtel sim card?

Follow the below steps to get a duplicate Airtel sim:

• Visit the nearest Airtel store and request for a duplicate sim.
• You will have to fill a form and provide identity proof (Aadhar card, PAN card, passport photo)
• Pay Rs.25 for the new sim and complete the documentation process.
• Get the new sim and insert it the phone. It will be activated in a few hours with your same number. Your old recharge will be carried forward to the new one. If you have a postpaid sim, the active postpaid plans will also be active on the new sim.

That’s how you do Airtel damaged sim card replacement in few easy steps.