Develop Bugs

[Solved] Your sim card does not allow a connection to this network

Solved for me @ post #5 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10865272&postcount=5
I've searched, read, and called my mobile provider (3 UK) to no avail, so I'm starting a fresh thread on this issue.
Relevant details:
Nokia E65 + 3 PAYG sim = ok
HTC Desire unlocked (from T-Mobile) + 3 PAYG sim = "Your sim card does not allow a connection to this network"
HTC Desire above, + O2 + Virgin sim = ok
From what I've learned this has nothing to do with Android os, ROM or RUU etc., and is purely a setting/sim/connection/whatever problem. Or is it?
I bought an unlocked T-mob-branded Desire which works with o2/virgin sims, but selecting my 3 network results in the "Your sim card does not allow a connection to this network" message - yet same sim is fine in my Nokia. Which I cannot work out as that implies it's a combination of phone+network, surely?
When I first got the phone, unpacked it, 3 sim in, it worked, so I rooted w. Unrevoked it and it still worked, then I Nandroid-backup'd (which I still have), then I tried I think Cyan rom 6ish, and Oxygen 2 rc6 with a Goldcard in place [goldcard has nothing to do with sim/connection, just flashing, correct?], no service/not allowed on network; same with oxygen rom. So I nandroided-restored and still no luck.
I unrooted by RUU-ing with:
RUU_Bravo_Froyo_HTC_WWE_2.29.405.5_Radio_32.49.00. 32U_5.11.05.27_release_signed.exe
(I'm on 3 so tried RUU_Bravo_H3G_UK_1.22.771.1_Radio_32.36.00.28U_4.06.00.
02_2_release_127568_signed.exe to get a '3-rom'd phone' but I can't downgrade-which is fine by me)
so I'm back to Froyo 2.2 stock/whatever it's called, and no luck still. I mention this as I'm sure all this rom-ing has absolutely nothing to do with it but would like to be clear.
Has anyone any idea what causes this occur - not connecting that is - would 'disconnecting from network, romming, loading a new rom w/ sim, connecting and getting maybe kicked off' be the case? Or is this certainly a problem with the sim and this phone and the network; or can somehow a phone be unlocked only on certain rom and not transfer (certain this is not correct) to another - unbranding via goldcard + RUU 2.29..... has been done numerous times by people yet I seem to get this problem.
Long post, but if someone can definitely help it would be greatly appreciated - while comments like 'have you rebooted' are nice, yes, I have many many times, wipes settings, factory restored data, input apn settings, *#4636#*#* doesn't show anything I can really find of use (I tried selecting GSM only, WCDAM only, neither work) and I've tried manually/automatically connecting to network but am plagued with my "Your sim card does not allow a connection to this network" message. Which ultimately makes my £300 phone as much use as an iPhone 4 being held wrong.
I cannot understand how my sim worked before on the same phone, but now after tinkering (nothing of which I think can effect this problem) it's not working again. Apart from my old Nokia.

goto *#*#4636#*#* and post your signal strength (in dbm) and LAC and CID values. It will also be good if you could attach output of logcat -b radio.
This is a well known problem with a no known answer.

Is the number stored correctly - i.e. it hasn't lost the '+' from a number starting 44?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

I had the same problem two weeks ago when I returned from my holidays. I put in my 3 UK sim and it refused to connect with that same error. Sim worked perfectly in other phones.
Finally 3 UK advised me to do a factory reset on my from the Settings->Storage menu which resolved the issue. You seem to have done a full restore from a RUU which probably should be equal to doing a factory reset. But it's probably worth while doing it anyway in case the issue was with the /data or cache partition which for some reason might not have been cleaned by the RUU.

Well, I *think* I've fixed this (for me at least) - just waited a few days and tested to make sure it wasn't a 'ymmv' quick quip fix.
Basically, I'm on 3 - 3G only - and phone was set to 'WCDMA (3G) preferred' - with low signal/reception (-113dbm) it seemingly tries to get the 2G signals around (Orange-whom 3 piggyback[ed] on in low 3G areas; and O2) while changing to 'WCDMA Only' forced it to only try 3G networks - 3.
So, try this:
Key in, but don't 'call': *#*#4636#*#*
Select Phone Information
Near bottom, Set preferred network type to: WCDMA Only
Fixed it for me instantly. Three mobile UK still has -111dbm as it's best reception here but now at least I can connect to it
Let me know if this fixes it for you (clearly, if you're on a 2G-only network selecting GSM only (2G) may work).

checked your IMEI matches from *#06# and the back of the phone?

Yep, IMEIs match. I think it's (been) purely a network choice/connection issue, at least for me.

hi all. I was as usual using my xperia j but 3g signal was low so I installed signal booster app and after boosting signal the app asked with a popup window to enter network unlock password. I without thinking anything entered 12345 and after this it said wrong network password. since this happened I am getting error on Xperia J (st26i) that your sim doesn't allow connection to this network. I tried with many sims but no signal. It always shows all networks when search for network manually. But gives that above mentioned error when trying to connect to any searched network. I checked if my imei is blacklisted but there's no problem about imei. its clean. I flashed stock rom, custom rom but nothing helped. how to solve this strange error.

Mehul (nope imei does not match)
lothaen said:
checked your imei matches from *#06# and the back of the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no my imei is different, now what should i do

I posted that six years ago. I have no idea what my thought process was tbh

[Q] Your SIM card does not allow a connection to this network

(reposted from G1 SIM card does not allow connection thread)
When I went to bed on April 20th, my factory unlocked rooted HTC Desire CM7 (final) handset was working perfectly. When I woke up the following morning, I had "Emergency Calls Only" and "Your Sim Card Does Not Allow A Connection To This Network". While in this condition, I can sometimes get a 3g data connection and WiFi, GPS and the rest of the phone works well. The connection status bar shows 3-4 bars of signal strength for my service provider.
I have:
o Contacted my service provider (O2) and my IMEI is not blocked
o Tried every suggestion in every thread on the topic here and anywhere else Google sent me including toggling flight mode
o Tried the SIM in other phones - works perfectly
o Tried other SIMs in it - same error persists with another O2 SIM and a 3 SIM. The phone correctly identified that the 3 SIM was alien to it before going ahead to use it, showing that the phone IS mounting SIMs
o Rebooted.
o Factory reset.
o Removed battery for 1hr. Rebooted.
o Factory reset and re-installed a Sense Froyo Stock ROM
o Updated the Radio driver with 32.54.00.32U_5.14.05.17.zip
o At each stage tried combinations of disabled WiFi and 3g and auto-update
The nitty gritty from the *#*#4636#*#* Phone information screen contains the following (with 4 bars of signal):
IMEI: (correct code - matches the one behind the battery)
Phone Number: (my number - as defined by the SIM)
...
Location: LAC = unknown CID = unknown
Neighbouring CID = unknown
Roaming: Nor roaming
GSM service: Emergency calls only
GPRS service: Disconnected
Network type: unknown
...
Radio resets: 0
Data attempts: 0
Data successes: 0
GSM disconnect: ========DATA=======
State: DcInactiveState
disconnected with last try
at 5:38 PM
fail because Radio Not
Available
(everything else here is 0)
The preferred network type is "WCDMA preferred". Whatever I change it to, it sets itself back to that (ref bingley's solution http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=921812).
Turned off and on the radio a few times to try to make it see reason. No joy.
So - did I forget anything?
Can anyone help or offer any suggestions of something else I can try?
TIA for any thoughts anyone may have

Seems like you covered about all the bases. Funny, as it happened to me earlier this week. Exited a metro tunnel, had the same message. But a normal reboot fixed it.
Hope it's not a sign of things to come.

Thanks for the reply. I had no hint or warning that the phone was even thinking about considering doing this for me. No previous network issues beyond low signal ones. I've had the Desire since August 2010 and, up to this point, been loving it. Frankly - broken hearted right now :-(

Might try cleaning the contacts on the phone/sim with a little iso alcohol on a q-tip (cotton swab)
I'd try anything "outside the box"
But I'd guess the radio might be cooked. hardware wise.

While you're flashing, might as well flash your bootloader....

Any recommendations? I'm using the ClockwordMod recovery already. Really appreciating the input - any thoughts are better than silence!
As for the SIM card, I have put a brand new SIM into the phone - clean contacts, straight from a sealed packet - and put my SIM in an old SE handset I have so that at least my number is on air. The SIM works just fine. Someone suggested that I could put some tape on the back of the SIM card to improve contact, but I really think that something more fundamental is wrong here.

Update: My SIM does not work in any handset. The Desire will not connect to any network using any SIM (but shows a decent signal level).
The behaviour is as if both SIM and handset are barred. When I call my mobile number from a landline, instead of voicemail or "This user is not available right now" I get a UK "number unobtainable" or "disconnected" continuous tone back, like the number no longer exists.
O2 are claiming that both the SIM and the handset are damaged and that I need to visit one of their stores. I am feeling that something has gone wrong with their routing system for both my handset and my SIM.
Does anyone reading here have any definitive knowledge in this field that can help when I eventually do get my backside to the O2 shop?
Or does anyone have any theories?

The only thing I can think of, is that you reached a max number of transmissions.
But, I think that may be only from one of our moscow providers, and shouldnt apply to you. Basically, you do 100,000 transactions, and the sim card goes TU. But that was 3 yrs ago.
Sounds like your provider has things mucked up, especially if the sim doesnt work in any handset. I would suspect your IMEU is also blocked, but the local guy at the store doesn't know how to deal with it.
Flash it back to a stock ROM, and go raise cane at the providers store, and get a new handset.

The handset isn't from my ISP, so they are not going to replace it whatever happens. I would have to get out the HTC warranty (which should still be valid).
I can easily flash back a stock ROM - I have one all ready to roll on the SD. How about the root access - would I need to unroot it too?

When you flash back to a stock RUU ROM, is usually nulls the root access.

O mate, I have the exactly same problem! !!!!!!!!!!
Let me know if u got it fixed
I bit think it might be a virus from market.
—-- check what I post in CM's forum -----------
I'm not sure if this is the phone problem or ROM problem or SIM problem. Just post here to see anyone can help. Thanks in advance.
I've installed CM7 for over two weeks, with everything working great! But this morning, my phone showed a notification with "No SIM Card. Emergency calls only".
Well, here are what I tried to solve the problem:
1. I tried to open my phone, remove the battery and SIM card and cleaned it and insert again (i'm 120% sure it's in the right direction, it has worked fine for months!) didn't work.
2. I re-installed ROM and still "No SIM Card". btw, I tried to install Leedroid and CM7 again.
3. I reset the phone to factory setting and erased/format the SD card, which i saw somewhere online.
4.I checked the "Location & security" - "Set up SIM card lock" and found the box of "Lock SIM card (require PIN to use phone)" is ticked, I don't remember i did this! and I tried to input some PIN like 0000 or 1234. didn't work. I thought it might be the SIM card problem then, and emailed my phone carrier about the PIN. but I removed the SIM and rebooted the phone and re-checked the SIM card status, the "Lock SIM card" box was still there. Ok, I got really confused in here now.
my phone carrier replied to my email, telling me to try SIM card in other phone, if it requires PUK, they will give me PUK. (I will do that tmr) I'm thinking of trying some friend's SIM in my phone to see if the problem is in the phone hardware.

Did you try another SIM in your phone? In my case both the SIM and the Phone seem to be blocked/barred by O2 (my service provider).
Unlike in your case, my SIM is not seen as "no SIM" but as one not allowed to connect to the network. It has the same effect in other handsets and no SIM will allow my phone to connect to any network. Also, my phone does not have the "SIM lock" option ticked.
Next step will be to RUU the phone.
I intend to go to an O2 shop on Tuesday to see what they say there.

Next step will be to RUU the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you mind me erupted in this post, i wouldn't flash a rru rom since my feeling is not hardware related... if so wifi won't work at all neither sometimes 3g data.
have already use thetering?? already read that some provider close the connection if so.
I would try some other provider sim, some of them gives sim for free as prepaid.
this is just my feeling about
hope this help

Agreed - I wouldn't recommend RRU flashing unless about to claim on warranty / return the phone to the supplier. Since I have been advised by my service provider to take the phone to one of their shops I feel that it would be better to RRU first.
Yes, I have used tethering, but that is perfectly allowable in the UK and on my O2 unlimited data contract.
As I said earlier, I have tried other SIMs in my handset

iviarck said:
Agreed - I wouldn't recommend RRU flashing unless about to claim on warranty / return the phone to the supplier. Since I have been advised by my service provider to take the phone to one of their shops I feel that it would be better to RRU first.
Yes, I have used tethering, but that is perfectly allowable in the UK and on my O2 unlimited data contract.
As I said earlier, I have tried other SIMs in my handset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what i have already expeienced about 3G data connectivity in my neighborought.
no data connection allowed, each time a went to wireless&network/mobil network uncheck and check to see if it was able to connect, it said fail... send mail to my provider... gives me answer they gonna see blabla...
it s only few days later that i learned that they were "fine tuning" their network for improvement... hope i did'nt flash radio rom or whtever things like this.
if i were in your shoes, i would wipe /data (place where the settings are store) and set the apn settings once more (i have read that you had made factory reset isn't it?) so anything would be lost.
hope this help

fragargon said:
no data connection allowed, each time a went to wireless&network/mobil network uncheck and check to see if it was able to connect, it said fail
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My problem is a lack of connection for incoming / outgoing phone calls and SMS. Despite a decent signal level, I have the status "Emergency calls only" and when calling my number, I get a "Number Disconnected" or "Unobtainable" tone. This seems to indicate a phone with a barred IMEI. The SIM doesn't work in other handsets, indicating a barred SIM too.
fragargon said:
if i were in your shoes, i would wipe /data (place where the settings are store) and set the apn settings once more (i have read that you had made factory reset isn't it?) so anything would be lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did do a reset / wipe. I made and Nandroid backup first, so when the test failed, I simply restored my settings from backup. The issues I have are not related to the APN settings, which I know inside out and can redefine (as I have done a few times) easily.
Thanks for the contribution to the thread

hi, still me
this really annoying, would suggest to cut the piece of cake or its phone related or it s provider related...
if from your mobile setting/about phone/phone identity... you should see 6 different information like :
model number + imei + iemei sv + de serial numb + phone number (not the one from provider) + imsi
you can also check your RIL through terminal with
Code:
su
getprop "gsm.version.ril-impl"
message => HTC-RIL 2.2.0028hmi (date)
THIS IS FOR MY CASE working with my radio (embedded i have not flash any RIL and would not advice to do)
only to check up if everything sound good with your phone... this smelt a provider related.
hope you can sort this

Here is my ril implementation code:
Code:
# getprop "gsm.version.ril-impl"
HTC-RIL 1.6.1062G (Apr 23 2010,17:35:06)
In the about screen, I get the following information:
model number: HTC Desire
imei: (my IMEI number - matches the one printed inside, behind the battery)
imei sv: O2
de serial numb: (not present in UK information)
phone number: (not the one from provider) - only the one from my provider shown
imsi: don't see this listed nor do I know what it is.
How is the cake cutting looking so far?

hi, so far smelt a sim card/provider problem
’International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is a unique identifier provided by the sim card - allow gsm or umts identify the mobile user... and it's given by the sim card
have a look on this
Code:
International Mobile Subscriber Identity ( IMSI):
Each registered user is uniquely identified by its international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI). It is stored in the subscriber identity module (SIM) A mobile station can only be operated if a SIM with a valid IMSI is inserted into equipment with a valid IMEI.
There are following parts of an IMSI:
Mobile Country Code (MCC): 3 decimal places, internationally standardized.
Mobile Network Code (MNC): 2 decimal places, for unique identification of mobile network within the country.
Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN): Maximum 10 decimal places, identification number of the subscriber in the home mobile network.
more info on http://www.tutorialspoint.com/gsm/gsm_addressing.htm
so it s definitively a problem of sim card/provider...
hope this help you mate
edit: i got one and each mobile user with sim card should got one, it's a "secret" number associated with your "public" number which is known by everybody... your number call

Just to close the issue here and to offer up pointers for anyone with a similar problem, I now have some answers.
It turns out that on April 20th, my IMEI was blacklisted in error. According to O2 the bar was placed on the central database indicating that the action was taken by Vodafone. O2 have tried to lift the bar but the attempt was rejected because of the Vodafone flag.
Vodafone have never heard of my handset nor did they request any such blacklisting. They cannot lift the bar because the phone was never under their control and the number doesn't exist on their system. Their system will not allow them to handle numbers and IMEIs they don't have authority over.
This means that O2 are mistaken and that someone at O2 must have placed that entry in the barring database and then flagged it as Vodafone's work.
Just to make this quite clear - my phone is my own. Nobody says it was or has ever been stolen. Nobody has any track of a request to bar it. This is a freak accident or error, like none they have ever seen before.
So I am currently caught between the two service providers, each claiming it's the other's fault and neither able to fix the problem.
Next step - UK Ofcom.
... unless anybody out there knows of a way to make someone own up and correct this error? (no - I don't want to re-program my IMEI number).

[Q] Sim card or Phone problem ??

Hi everybody,
I have a big problem with my phone (or with my sim card).
Since 2 days, and without touching anything, my phone has a lot of difficulty to connect the Network that I'm registered to (Orange).
I'd got some connection problems like these ones :
- "Your sim card doesn't allow you to connect this network"
- When activating the 3G it stays on "activating" (even if I reboot the system and pull out the battery for few seconds)
- Non-send messages
So I decided to wipe all data and reinstall. It worked…but…the next day it restarts..!!
Do you think it's caused by an app or by rooting the phone with xtc-clip ?
My specs :
- S-OFF
- Rooted
- RUU_Marvel_S_HTC_Europe_2.13.401.2_Radio_47.23a.35.3035H_7.53.39.03M_release_225747_signed.exe
PS : the RUU has been installed with the sim card inside the phone of course.

Installing ruu with sim in shouldn't be a problem.
Easiest thing would be try another sim before deciding what to do next mate.

Thanks for replying.
In fact my phone network works again since I've created the topic but I don't know at all how ..
I've tried my girlfriend's SIM yesterday but it is a blackberry one and I don't why my phone doesn't accept it to register .. I will try again or use a friend SIM this week end.
BTW does your 3g connection make about 5sec to be activated ? Before the problem appears in 1/2 sec I've got the 3g. Now it's more, but it works.
This is not an APN problem 'cause they're all OK and for messages it's not a problem from message center since it's OK.
So I am always wondering how the phone could have this behavior without any changes.
If it makes the same again, I will call my operator to know more about it and will make a feedback here.

It could well be network/operator related maybe they have a problem.
Anyway main thing is your back up and working again.

The problem isn't resolved unhopefully... It doesn't work at home .. Sometimes yes, and the rest of the time no network (even if I got all the bars of the network and the Edge Logo) and I can't do anything.
I called the operator yesterday, they say my SIM card was defective so I went to the operator's shop and they changed the SIM card.
But back at home, it doesn't work again .. And now I'm at my job's office and it works again ..
So I conclude that there is a network problem in my block of flats ?
I will call back them tonight to see what they tell to me and will make a feedback here.

Also I tried to swap phone, the same problem with my old Sony Ericsson.
I put my SIM in my girlfriend's Blackberry (network used to work for her), and it does'nt work. Then when she puts back her SIM card, she had no network as me...
So could it be a hack of SIM card to prevent you having network at home ? (it could seem a lil bit paranoiac I know ^^)

emveefr said:
Also I tried to swap phone, the same problem with my old Sony Ericsson.
I put my SIM in my girlfriend's Blackberry (network used to work for her), and it does'nt work. Then when she puts back her SIM card, she had no network as me...
So could it be a hack of SIM card to prevent you having network at home ? (it could seem a lil bit paranoiac I know ^^)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so mate.
More probable is that the mast that provides data that is closest to your home is at fault.
I would just make sure to report it and I'm sure others will have issues, so your provider should investigate and provide a solution.

intel007 said:
I don't think so mate.
More probable is that the mast that provides data that is closest to your home is at fault.
I would just make sure to report it and I'm sure others will have issues, so your provider should investigate and provide a solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called the network provider, they say they will call me tomorrow for me to talk with a technician.
BTW my girlfriend called them earlier and they say this is a problem due to the residence.
I tried to ask them if there is a problem with the mast, they said it seems to be normal and network works well in my area...
But the network is fine out.. In the appartment it works about 10/15mins per hour ...
For the "SIM Hack" suggestion I told you, do you think this is possible ? (I doubt because no problem out ..)
Let's wait and see ! If you have any suggestions, don't hesitate !
Thanks for the support though !
Edit : always all the bars of network and E logo just sending, not receiving when it doesn't work.

Maybe your building is a blackspot meaning signal is not passing through happens to me indoors with wifi.
And where I live in a small village I can't get a good data signal indoors.
I have to turn off 3g altogether and opt for 2g only as it gives me better call signal.
But if I walk for 10 mins towards town I can switch to 3g and its perfect.
I would just wait to speak to the tech guys and see what they say.
Oh and forgot to mention my operator reduced my monthly bill due to my poor signal, haha.
Good luck hope they sort it for you.
If not try a different network sim just as a test.

The strange fact is that it used to work perfect in the building.
There are problems for about 4 days now.
When I forced 3G using "WCDMA only", it seems the signal was better and not blocked on E/G.
And now I turned it back to Auto and it works .. I don't understand what the **** is happening... !! It comes back to 3G/H.. but sometimes it fails again ..
I will wait for the tech guys, and if it's not solvable I guess I would ask for a commercial act such as yours !
Moreover this week, friends will come so we will see if they've got network (I believe they're at the same network provider, no luck ^^) .. !
Thanks for your support again mate, really appreciated !

My phone just started doing the same thing. Its a stock phone.

Finally nobody called me back but the network came back so no more problem now.. How ?? I simply don't know .. Good job "Orange".. !
Thanks for support though

Works with Telcel, not with Movistar

Ok, so I've been searching all over the forum about the issue I'm having but I'm still not sure of what I can do.
I got this T999L recently, the phone is apparently unlocked (or so I was told and I don't know what method was used) and able to be used in Mexico with Telcel and Movistar. The phone has baseband UVUBMK4 however no IMEI (if I enter *#06# I get " /02").
Now, when I put a Telcel SIM it works fine right away, calls, msg, 4g data, BUT if I put a Movistar SIM it looks like it reads it as I get the carrier SIM services app and I get full bars, but there's no network, no 4g, no calls (not registered on network) and if I go to the mobile network settings I get "Insert sim card to access network services".
Does this make any sense? is there anything I can do?
I'm sorry if I asked something that was posted before, I really tried hard finding an answer in the forums but couldn't find any.
Thanks in advance

Could replacing the SIM fix the issue or does it sound like nothing to do with that?

H815 hiden menu - messed up? APN setting? mobile data ...

Guys I need some help,
I cant work out what is causing this issue.
phone registered in UK.
I had vodafone, three and virgin sims with this phone and all was working fine, i recently switched to O2 and My mobile data is not working any more, I checked APN many times, O2 offers automatic set up with apn when sending txt msg to 2020 and they send you back txt with settings. tried that as well.
I do receive full signal but no data, i spoke with o2 about that and they say its phone.
I doubt that, its very wired as i tried this sim (its payg) in different phone and it worked fine! ,I also tried friends o2 contract sim in my phone and it worked as well!
so the issue is , that mobile data doesnt work when my sim is used in my phone, other combinations works fine...
I have to admit that i did fiddle a bit in hidden menu ,have i changed sth that could mess up phone with this specific sim?
I have tried flashing phone with uk o2 firmware with LGUP (refurbish mode) and open europe official rom as well - no difference.
Any suggestions?