Okay so basically, I bought an S4 from local ads, unlocked it via a service i paid for as the free one on here didn't work (couldn't access service mode).
Entered given code, unlocked fine, was using it for about 1 hour and then it said something along the lines of "sim card removed, mobile data will not be used until valid sim is inserted".
Now it shows that there is no sim inserted even if there is.
I've tried multiple sims, including the original network it was locked to, still no sim stated.
I've tried flashing a lower modem in Odin, i've tried flashing the latest ROM in odin, (all official).
I have now run out of ideas! I phoned samsung support and they didnt do any troubleshooting and said it needs to be booked in for repair, im pretty gutted as i'm without the phone for that... Was just wondering if its a common fault? and any easy way to fix it.
Thanks in advance!
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Hi guys,
I recently picked up a used S4 on Craigslist for cheap because the guy "screwed up" using Odin and flashed something that caused his phone to not register on any networks. I figured, what the hell, it's cheap enough and I might be able to restore it. So far I've restored the Rogers firmware over Odin and tried installing a custom rom/recovery too. I'm still getting this problem unfortunately. The IMEI reported with *#06# and in the status screen does match the sticker on the inside of the phone.
So I'm sure everyone's going to suggest that the phone was stolen and the IMEI has been blacklisted. My provider (Fido/Rogers) apparently doesn't care if the IMEI is blacklisted, they'll let it run anyway. I called up Fido anyway (since I'm a Fido customer) and asked them about the IMEI of this phone and they say they don't have any record of anyone calling in reporting it stolen and they don't have an IMEI database so she didn't have much to say about it.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? I've also flashed just the kernel, and I will flash a modem onto it too. I know my SIM card works, and both my SIM card and the last owners SIM cards don't work. I know the radio works because it picks up the emergency signal fine, and the SIM tray isn't damaged because when I put in my Fido SIM the Fido APN's automatically come up, as well as the lock screen goes from "No SIM inserted" to "unregistered SIM." Could my EFS partition be borked? Wifi works and IMEI shows up correctly.
The buyer said he would take the phone back if I can't fix it, but I want to try a bit more before I give up. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, that would be great. Thanks a lot in advance XDA!
Summary:
-Used S4
-Owner flashed something wrong in Odin
-Gets "Not registered to network" error, unregistered SIM error
-Tried restoring
-Tried new ROM/Recovery
-Carrier says IMEI is fine, also tried directly registering the IMEI to my account
-IMEI is correct in settings/sticker on back of phone
-Wifi/everything else all works
Sounds like it's SIM locked to a different network. Try the the guide here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285431
MatinatorX said:
Sounds like it's SIM locked to a different network. Try the the guide here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285431
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My girlfriend has a Bell sim, which when we insert, gives us the "Please enter unlock code" screen.
My sim does not do that. I know this device is for my carrier, but I figure the easiest way to get this going is to just unlock it and see if the problem persists on other networks.
I've tried that unlock tutorial before. The first time I tried it, when I just got the phone from the previous owner, it said "Golden-backup does not exist" so I couldn't do the restore step of that guide. After Odin-flashing everything and starting over, I can't even get into the UMTS menu anymore! I'll try another restore and give it another go though.
Edit: Another problem. I did a restore again using Odin and notices that it never properly wipes the phone. When I finish flashing, my Wifi still autoconnects on first boot, and every few seconds, a process crashes causing the phone to freeze. Has anyone heard of this kind of problem before?
Quick update:
Managed to Odin-flash it to the earliest firmware I could find for the phone without any crashing or freezing problems. Trying to do the network unlock method mentioned online. It does not work, even though I'm following the instructions to a T. Could it be that my EFS partition is borked and that the NV rebuild can't happen, meaning my radio configuration would also be borked?
Edit: Oh and when I booted up my phone for the first time, the phone was actually ON Fido! But within a few seconds, it went back to "Emergency calls only."
Hmm, that is some odd behavior, and definitely not a carrier lock. Shame it's never that simple to fix.
Not quite the same as your issue, but I lost my ability to make and receive calls after flashing a newer modem on an AOSP firmware. Flashing custom kernels, older modems, the latest stock rom and kernel were no help at all. I tried everything I could think of short of groveling. In the end the only way I got everything working again was to flash the original factory firmware my phone shipped with, factory wipe it from stock recovery, then flash it again. If you've already tried that (and I'm guessing you have), consider contacting Samsung regarding warranty. They've been really good to me in the past, even with second-hand phones.
I can confirm that Odin doesn't clean everything out. In my trials I also noticed that flashing via ODIN without a factory reset presented no setup wizard, caused lots of FC's and left some previous files hanging around.
Sounds like a bad sim tray.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
make sim fit tighter
graydiggy said:
Sounds like a bad sim tray.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had trouble with my handset after it got run over in the street, making it's otterbox earn it's money. The only bad symptom after that episode was Emergency calls only kept recurring.
I cut a tiny square of transparent scotch tape, avoided touching the sticky side, and placed it squarely on the SIM chip's backside, to make it fit the sim slot more snugly. It sounds like you should try stacking two or three layers on your chip as it sounds to be more loose than mine is.
Hi everybody! Thanks for all the help trying to fix it! It ended up being that the guys the previous owner had unlock it used the debug-menu unlock method and my phone was one of the ones that doesn't accept it. Lots of other people complained about similar problems as me in the free unlock method thread. In the end, I paid for the FastGSM USB Unlock method and it fixed the problem.
OH MY GOSH YOU JUST SAVED ME from buying another phone!! THANKS so much.. I added 3 layers of tape on the back of my sim and it works!!! weird.. cause I have the Dual Sim.. and it was the first sim that would not work. the second sim was fine.. anyways.. THANKS SO MUCH!!
Hi,
I recently encountered a very strange issue.
G935W8
My phone started to lose cellular service over the weekend, and now with the SIM card, it says phone is out of service.
If you search for network, it does not work either.
I tried the following:
1. Using a different SIM Card with the same carrier, it won't work.
2. My SIM card works at the other phone.
3. Tried to reflash the whole phone with Odin, and it did not work.
I am suspecting the Baseband is broken, but I tried to flash different Odin firmwares, and non works.
I sent it to a local repair center and they said it could be the root destroys the motherboard which I am a bit skeptical.
Please provide me some advice if possible.
Hey there!
I try to keep it short. I have no network service (the sim is working in other phones). There is sometimes a "stop" like symbol in the top bar or an exclamation mark saying "no chosen network available". However, emergency calls should be possible (phone got network access).
I bought the phone, so it's used and that "problem" was known. I thought I could fix it. I tried the following:
Rooting and RegionLockAway.
Flashing new Firmware (I9505XXUHOA7)
Flashing the ME2 modem and trying to SIM-Unlock it. However I get an popup "error" after pressing NV-Rebuild (it stated Golden Backup exists) and then the phone immediately reboots.
SIM detection seems to work (asks for PIN and notifies on empty sim)
The IMEI is there.
If I try to choose networks it gets a list with EPlus, T-Mobile and Vodafone (I am currently in Germany). Unfortunately I do not know where the phone's from.
Also, I never experienced any popups asking for unlock codes or similar - it is just not able to register on the network.
How can I make sure theres no SIM Lock?
How can I make sure theres no Netlock?
After those two are clear what else could be done? What about NVData?
Anyone any ideas? Thanks!
I can post some infos from the service/UMTS menu, however I am not sure which. I also searched and tried hours but without success.
Replace the SIM card tray. From appearances yours is dying.
Thanks for the reply. Can I test this somehow? I am just wondering since it asks for SIM-PIN and even reads APN data etc. I just searched and it is about 10 bucks on ebay and I should be able to do it at home that would be cool. So since it is detecting my SIM can I test somehow whether there could be other problems causing this problem bevore I try to replace that sim-slot?
Thank you!
By the way: Yesterday I also tried to repair NVData with the SamsungUnlock software as posted somewhere here. While that worked without a problem it did not change anything.
To sim unlock the phone, you could try flashing the 4.2.2 modem, rooting, and using regionlockaway.
fassal said:
Can I test this somehow?
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Click to collapse
I wish there was a way to test it. I only knew mine was bad by sheer luck. Mine revealed itself only after flashing an Android 4.2.2 stock ROM; more current versions didn't show anything.
Could there be a loose connection inside the phone?
Where it is a known issue, there is a possibility that the original owner replaced the SIM tray. When they did, they likely forgot to reuse the foam pad from the top of the connector on the old tray. If that pad is missing the connector will pop up in time.
hey thanks for your help!
I will open the phone and check the connector of the SIM-Tray. But as I already described, it even asks me for the SIM-Pin, but maybe even though something might not be right.
Regarding flashing an 4.4.2 Modem: Is that the "9505_DXUAME2_MODEM.rar"? If, I tried that already (installed that modem, rooted, RegionLockAway and even with the Serive Menu SHA256 OFF method (this one did not work since I got an Error and the phone did not freeze etc.). However, I did not install a full 4.4.2. Stock Rom yet.
Well maybe I could buy a SIM Tray and just connect the PIN without acutally gluing it on the phone. This way I might be able to get a refund if this does not do the trick.
If all these fail I just have to find some new use for that phone
You cannot use an Android 4.4.2 modem or ROM to unlock. The modem or ROM MUST be from Android 4.2.2 or RegionLock Away will not work.
Regarding the SIM tray, foam mounting tape from the local store on top of the connector will work. No need of glue.
At some point after an update I noticed I couldn't use region specific apps like Galaxy Apps, Bixby Voice etc. (SM-G950U1 unlocked phone purchased and used in USA) I have been trying to find a solution for a long time now to no avail. However, I believe I managed to narrow down the problem to my csc code being gcf instead of xaa. I have been trying to revert my csc code to XAA several times now (recovery reset, Odin, using a Sprint sim etc.) Any tips?
Changing CSC code to the original one
UPDATE: I managed to solve the problem on my own despite being on call with Sprint support for hours on end to no avail. Basically, my problem was the following: I was using FreedomPop (VoIP number on a sim card). When I did a software update, my phone's CSC changed to GCF (which stands as unknown). I got a new sim card eventually (one from Sprint). However, I couldn't get it to activate and work on my phone. For others, the phone was rebooting after inserting the sim card and switching to SPR CSC whereas mine wasn't doing anything. I ended up using the Carrier Switch for Snapdragon guide (do a lot of reading beforehand). It ended up working out beautifully. I inserted the sim card, phone got activated and I was able to use all the apps I mentioned in the OP and get updates.
Berchtwald said:
At some point after an update I noticed I couldn't use region specific apps like Galaxy Apps, Bixby Voice etc. (SM-G950U1 unlocked phone purchased and used in USA) I have been trying to find a solution for a long time now to no avail. However, I believe I managed to narrow down the problem to my csc code being gcf instead of xaa. I have been trying to revert my csc code to XAA several times now (recovery reset, Odin, using a Sprint sim etc.) Any tips?
Changing CSC code to the original one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need urgent help with this exact problem also...
maxi1773 said:
I need urgent help with this exact problem also...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed to solve the problem on my own despite being on call with Sprint support for hours on end to no avail. Basically, my problem was the following: I was using FreedomPop (VoIP number on a sim card). When I did a software update, my phone's CSC changed to GCF (which stands as unknown). I got a new sim card eventually (one from Sprint). However, I couldn't get it to activate and work on my phone. For others, the phone was rebooting after inserting the sim card and switching to SPR CSC whereas mine wasn't doing anything. I ended up using the Carrier Switch for Snapdragon guide (do a lot of reading beforehand). It ended up working out beautifully. I inserted the sim card, phone got activated and I was able to use all the apps I mentioned in the OP and get updates.
Hey peeps,
I myself am a newbie on Samsung but i found this on the web, use google translate. Hope it works
http://forum.android.com.pl/topic/317974-debranding-samsung-galaxy-s8/
I have the same problem and i've been looking all around for a way to make my phone update via OTA, but no chance, the last updat was from april 2017!
No i believe it's the same problem : region locking.
Is there a was to resolve this ?
The closest thing i found is that polonais link you published but it is a little outdated by now
Berchtwald said:
I managed to solve the problem on my own despite being on call with Sprint support for hours on end to no avail. Basically, my problem was the following: I was using FreedomPop (VoIP number on a sim card). When I did a software update, my phone's CSC changed to GCF (which stands as unknown). I got a new sim card eventually (one from Sprint). However, I couldn't get it to activate and work on my phone. For others, the phone was rebooting after inserting the sim card and switching to SPR CSC whereas mine wasn't doing anything. I ended up using the Carrier Switch for Snapdragon guide (do a lot of reading beforehand). It ended up working out beautifully. I inserted the sim card, phone got activated and I was able to use all the apps I mentioned in the OP and get updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok I'm ready to try this but my concern is that (G950U1UE1AQDC_XAA). Where the "UE1" on my phone is UES2 which means i am on bootloader ver-2 . Is Any way i can find a download containing bootloader ver-2 files?
Berchtwald said:
At some point after an update I noticed I couldn't use region specific apps like Galaxy Apps, Bixby Voice etc. (SM-G950U1 unlocked phone purchased and used in USA) I have been trying to find a solution for a long time now to no avail. However, I believe I managed to narrow down the problem to my csc code being gcf instead of xaa. I have been trying to revert my csc code to XAA several times now (recovery reset, Odin, using a Sprint sim etc.) Any tips?
Changing CSC code to the original one
UPDATE: I managed to solve the problem on my own despite being on call with Sprint support for hours on end to no avail. Basically, my problem was the following: I was using FreedomPop (VoIP number on a sim card). When I did a software update, my phone's CSC changed to GCF (which stands as unknown). I got a new sim card eventually (one from Sprint). However, I couldn't get it to activate and work on my phone. For others, the phone was rebooting after inserting the sim card and switching to SPR CSC whereas mine wasn't doing anything. I ended up using the Carrier Switch for Snapdragon guide (do a lot of reading beforehand). It ended up working out beautifully. I inserted the sim card, phone got activated and I was able to use all the apps I mentioned in the OP and get updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So i finally got through. What i did was root my phone then use the Samsung phone info app to change the csc (must be rooted to do this). after changing the csc i flashed back to stock rom and all is well.
maxi1773 said:
So i finally got through. What i did was root my phone then use the Samsung phone info app to change the csc (must be rooted to do this). after changing the csc i flashed back to stock rom and all is well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, been super busy this week. I was also on bootloader ver. 2. I'm glad you solved it though!
Hi Everyone,
I just bought a brand new s10+ from marketplace. I ran a full imei report and everything is clean & not blacklisted. It was a sprint phone however the provider I use is consumer cellular (uses ATT towers). When I put my sim card in it obviously said invalid sim and request it get unlocked. I wasnt concerned because I was going to convert it to unlocked anyways via odin like I did my note 9. I reflashed it via odin with the u1 firmware. However the same thing is happening it keeps saying invalid sim and the button for mobile operators is not showing. I have a tmobile sim card and if I put that in it works fine. Being though tmobile and sprint are the same thats why it works fine. I also have a ATT sim card, If i put that in I get the same invalid sim message. So it still appears to be locked somehow. Only sprint / t mobile sim works. I thought by reflashing to unlocked it would unlock the phone sim.
Just to be clear the phone is brand new and never was attached to any account.
Any ideas? I dont know what to do here.
Thanks!!
As I understand, phones that are locked to a network are not just software branded... also the phones hardware ID. So flashing a generic firmware is not enough. You need to get the phone unlocked from the phone's original operator
I found out what I had to do. I had to use a remote unlock service to remove the software lock on the phone. Its fine now. Thanks