Hi all, bad news!
My Titan no longer recognizes the microsd card in the slot. I have used 3 different cards that work fine in a microsd->sd->USB adapter that we all got with our cards. I tried blowing into the slot (ala the NES) and that was no good.
Any ideas on what might be done? Compressed air? Disassembly is OK if there's a clear idea of what I'm trying to accomplish in there, but I don't want to take it apart without a specific task.
This phone has to last me until the Touch Pro2 comes out for CDMA/EVDO!
~nonzenze
PS. Posted in general because it's not really specific to Titan hardware.
Are all of the contacts making contact? If so, and it still doesn't work. You are up a creek IMO.
How would I know if the contacts are making contact? They appear to work in my laptop adapter. I went down the lab and blew some (very expensive) compressed air into the slot for 30 seconds or so and tried again -- no luck.
I suppose some foreign object could be lodged in there preventing contact and resistant to being blown out but that seems unlikely...
I mean the contacts inside the phone. Those cards require metal to metal contact to make a circuit and work. I dunno how it is setup in your phone but in mine there are some flexible little metal contacts that are bent up and are pushed down by the card when it is inserted. If one of them were to lose its bend over time it would no longer push against the card. I could just use my nail or something and bend it back out so it would once again apply pressure. Like I said though, dunno how your phone makes contact.
I poked in there with a paper clip (battery disconnected!) and counted the metal tines by feel -- they seem to all be properly "deployed".
When I go into Settings-->Memory-->Storage card, it says "not installed". Does that mean card not installed or card reader not installed (e.g. a hardware fault elsewhere?)
oic0 said:
I mean the contacts inside the phone. Those cards require metal to metal contact to make a circuit and work. I dunno how it is setup in your phone but in mine there are some flexible little metal contacts that are bent up and are pushed down by the card when it is inserted. If one of them were to lose its bend over time it would no longer push against the card. I could just use my nail or something and bend it back out so it would once again apply pressure. Like I said though, dunno how your phone makes contact.
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This is exactly what happened with the NES. Every once in a blue moon you'd find one with a corroded terminal, or possibly 2 crossed. Try wiggling it (abeit more gently) just like in days of old when excitebike wouldn't play.
Just noticed that the micro SD card won't stick in the slot, the spring retainer latch seems to be defective suddenly on my (~1 year old) Sensation. I push the card in, it 'clicks in' for a second, then springs back out again. Anyone else experiencing this? Can't see any easy way to open/repair this, so I think I can see a bodge repair coming up, unless anyone has any other better ideas of how to resolve this?
acesabe said:
Just noticed that the micro SD card won't stick in the slot, the spring retainer latch seems to be defective suddenly on my (~1 year old) Sensation. I push the card in, it 'clicks in' for a second, then springs back out again. Anyone else experiencing this? Can't see any easy way to open/repair this, so I think I can see a bodge repair coming up, unless anyone has any other better ideas of how to resolve this?
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I'm hoping for your sake its just clogged up with crap. If so you could try a very light spray with lubricant like WD-40 or CRC, or similar.
Sent from my CMX Sensation using XDA Premium
Having poked around it seems the micro-spring retainer on the reader housing has lost it's strength, if I push down on it with a pin and insert the card, it clips in normally, when I release the pin, it pops out. Cheap components. When I fashion a 'fix' I’ll post it here so others can do the same should they also come across this problem.
I am also suspecting this to be the cause of random reboots that have happened in recent weeks, any apps stored on your SD card won't be too happy if the card is half out whilst trying to run!
Cheap internal mechanical components
OK so I've fashioned a temporary fix to hold the sd card in using is small sliver of plastic packaging taped to the card slot and sim slot. It will have to do as I don't see any realistic way to disassemble the card reader without destroying it. See attached images for detail.
While I was doing this, I very gently checked the silver contact on the side of the phone that grounds the case, the contact that is attributed to people having touch screen issues, amongst others, this contact just fell off! It seems the build quality of these phones may not be up to much I'm afraid. Mine is an early model, so perhaps newer ones have better components, but just a heads up that after a year of usage, it is starting to fall apart I am not especially rough with the phone and haven't attempted to take it apart of mess around too much with the internals....
acesabe said:
OK so I've fashioned a temporary fix to hold the sd card in using is small sliver of plastic packaging taped to the card slot and sim slot. It will have to do as I don't see any realistic way to disassemble the card reader without destroying it. See attached images for detail.
While I was doing this, I very gently checked the silver contact on the side of the phone that grounds the case, the contact that is attributed to people having touch screen issues, amongst others, this contact just fell off! It seems the build quality of these phones may not be up to much I'm afraid. Mine is an early model, so perhaps newer ones have better components, but just a heads up that after a year of usage, it is starting to fall apart I am not especially rough with the phone and haven't attempted to take it apart of mess around too much with the internals....
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I've got that sd card lock problem also. My sd card also won't stick on the SD card locker of my Sensation. What I've done is bringing it back for repair to a special in repair shop from Vodafone . That was about 4 months back. The repair was free of charge for me. Hopefully it can repairs yours as well.
Send from my HTC Sensation Z710e with Tapatalk
Got mine sim free, so repair under warranty not an option for me...
Hi! So I just bought the Honor 6 a couple of days ago, and the thing that is bugging me is that it seems my micro-sim card is a little too big for the phone. I would assume all micro sim card are the same size. So the open/close plastic bit for the sim/sd cards is sticking out a little, and has opened sometimes when I take the phone out of my pocket. So then my sim card isn't longer connected and I have to restart the phone.
And today I bought a microSDHC card, and since the plastic bit isn't completely into the phone, then the sd card isn't in. So when I put my finger on the plastic bit to close it, then the sd card work, but is somehow being removed when I don't have my finger on it. And so my sim card isn't longer connected anymore and I have to restart my phone.
I have tried to look up others with the same problem, but haven't really found any.
Am I the only around here who has this problem?
The cards don't need the plastic to be in position ! Push them more in the holes, you must have a "clic"
zuifon said:
The cards don't need the plastic to be in position ! Push them more in the holes, you must have a "clic"
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It worked! Thanks! I had to use something tiny to get them really in place, I guess my fatty fingers wasn't enough!
I'm sure plenty of you have had the dreaded "Sim card removed" error (as shown in the attached image) on your S4. I started getting this message mere months after purchasing my secondhand AT&T S4 (no warranty). But fear not, with about 20 minutes of your time and less than a dollar worth of parts, you can fix it!
(1st attached pic)
Why Does This Happen?
This error is usually due to a faulty connection between the motherboard and the SIM / MicroSD card tray. Likely it is due to a bad solder job on that connector.
Does a new SIM Tray fix it?
Extremely unlikely. Purchasing a new SIM tray will likely be wasted money. (EDIT: A new motherboard may fix the issue, and several people have had success with a new SIM tray)
How do I fix it already??
This is what you'll need:
Your S4
A micro Philips-head screwdriver
Scissors
A foam earplug (or something of similar texture)
Step 1: Disassemble your phone. Pull off the back cover, remove the battery and cards, then unscrew all 9 of the micro Philips screws. Then, take your fingernail and pry off the bezel from the rest of the phone, and slowly work your nail around the bezel until it pops off. (Don't force it!)
(Attached images 2, 3, and 4)
Step 2: Use your scissors or a razor blade to cut a section off of the foam earplug which is about the width of two dimes. I also cut a 1/4 segment out of mine so you don't see it sticking out when you put the bezel back together, but you don't absolutely need to do that.
(Attached images 5 & 6)
Step 3: Press down on the connector for the SIM / SD Card Tray until it "clicks" into place. (It may not click if it is still somewhat in place) This is the connector which has a bad connection.
(Attached image 7)
Step 4: Place your piece of foam on top of the connector in a way that it is right beside but not overlapping the camera (as pictured)
(Attached image 8)
Step 5: Replace your back cover, making sure not to move the foam you just installed, press down on it in multiple locations until it pops back together all around, and screw it back down. Note: if the bezel appears to be bulging out, your foam is too thick! This won't cause any problems, but it will be a noticeable bulge on your phone.
(Attached images 9 & 10)
Step 6: Replace your back cover and enjoy! Note that if you continue to receive the error, you may need either a thicker piece of foam, or you may need to reposition the foam, or even just press down on the connector a bit more before installing the foam.
Thanks to the folks over at Android Central in the thread entitled: Galaxy S4: Major problem - SIM card not detected for info on how to fix!
After applying this fix (took me three times to get it right) I have not seen the SIM card removed error in almost two months!
Post your success stories!
EDIT: A year after I posted this, and people are still using this thread to iron out their issues. I'm glad I could start up a conversation about this problem, with many good suggestions as to possible fixes. I don't use my S4 anymore, but it makes for a great backup phone!
Anyway, I just wanted to let anybody who is looking for the answer to this problem know that my fix may or may not work for you. It worked in my case, but several commenters have noted that the problem has remained in their situation. I would like to point out a few helpful comments and possible fixes right here so you guys don't have to go searching through pages of comments to find different solutions.
Best solution by far is by @Gonemad to re-flow the solder to that connector and to the NFC chip using a heat gun. See post #98 on page 10 and Post 114 on page 12, with a guide on post 122, page 13.
A replacement motherboard may fix the issue as well, but that's assuming you're getting a new one and not a used one. With used, the replacement board may do the same thing!
many of us have shimmed the connector 1000 different ways and still get the error. oddly enough, for me the only thing that has reduced errors was removing my sd card.
iateshaggy said:
many of us have shimmed the connector 1000 different ways and still get the error. oddly enough, for me the only thing that has reduced errors was removing my sd card.
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That's interesting, and a shame. There's not enough room on my phone for all my stuff, I need that extra 32gb!
"Does a new SIM Tray fix it?
Extremely unlikely. Purchasing a new SIM tray or even a new motherboard will be wasted money."
It did in my case. I got a sim/sd card tray from a Verizon S4, put it in my AT&T S4 and it worked great!
This problem is extremely annoying. Purchased a new tray too, and for a couple of days thought the problem is fixed. Nope. 5 days later same stupid message. I had already tried putting more support on the connector which did not fix the problem. They could at least make a cancel button on it instead of just "reboot". Will try without sd card. Apparently this happens on ALL high-end samsung phones. I am adding crapsung to the "never again" list (in addition to LG now).
If removing sd card doesn't fix it then it will either be new mainboard (they go for around $100 CAD shipped) or a new phone if I have the money. Nexus 6 looks good now. Don't buy crappy Korean brands. Even Chinese brands seem more reliable.
Question: Since you say that you've already replaced the sd/sim tray and the problem returned, did you try putting another sim card in there to make sure that it's not the sim card that's the issue?
Yes, new sim did not solve it. Now i am actually trying earplug thing. So far so good (2 days), but as with any other method the message is expected to pop up again. I am thinking i did try to add support before, but only for the connector part. Earplug will press on all the components around the connector and the connector itself. Will see. I did cut out a thicker piece than in the OP, and made a cut on the camera side instead of oppoate (like in OP).
Buyimg new mainboard seems like a waste of money now too. Since so many devices have this problem chances are another mainboard will be the same.
Edit: with or without sd card - same thing.
It's known that the IMEI numbers with the last 6 digits in this range: 000000 - 560000 have been known to have this issue. Mine was in that range and had the issue. I think the mainboards outside this range are fine.
Mine is not in that range.
Thanks a lot
It took me quite a few tries with the earplug foam to get it right. Finding the correct thickness and shape was the biggest thing. Eventually I got it right and I haven't had the issue return even once since. I'm glad some of you were able to get your phones to work by just swapping the SIM tray, that's pretty easy to do. I don't think I would even consider swapping the motherboard on a 2 year old phone, might as well just get a new phone at that point.
Sean89us said:
It took me quite a few tries with the earplug foam to get it right. Finding the correct thickness and shape was the biggest thing. Eventually I got it right and I haven't had the issue return even once since. I'm glad some of you were able to get your phones to work by just swapping the SIM tray, that's pretty easy to do. I don't think I would even consider swapping the motherboard on a 2 year old phone, might as well just get a new phone at that point.
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Good to hear that this is working for some users. I just went with the M9 about a week ago and am going to give my mother my S4. She wouldn't have any idea how to handle any sim errors so when I get some time, I'll be buying an earplug or two.
It has been 9 days and the error hasn't returned. Today i put in a thiner peice to get rid of the bulge on the back. Will see how that holds up, but so far so good. Thanks to the O.P.
As for the mainboard - I never loxk myself into a contract with a discounted phone, not that Wind Mobile Canada has an option for it. So i paid almost 600 CAD for this puppy and expected it to last. For me $100 is not bad for a fix compared to at least $600 for a new phone. Only if it was for sure, but is seems like a gamble to buy a new board. BTW my phone was locked to rogers so I had to unlock it and enable AWS band.
I would get(have tried other phones) but for all its bad the S4 is hands down the most durable and usable phone I have ever owned. I like my nexus 5, but it is a very fragile unit, and on its second screen replacement due to minor drops that the S4 takes with aplomb. I like the phone so much I have bought a used one off ebay just in case this one ever fails. MHO
fargonaz said:
I would get(have tried other phones) but for all its bad the S4 is hands down the most durable and usable phone I have ever owned. I like my nexus 5, but it is a very fragile unit, and on its second screen replacement due to minor drops that the S4 takes with aplomb. I like the phone so much I have bought a used one off ebay just in case this one ever fails. MHO
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I'm right there with you. I still love my S4, despite the SIM error and somewhat slow updates from Samsung / ATT. It's getting older but my phone is still very fast, has a beautiful 1080P AMOLED screen, takes awesome pictures, and now it's even running Lollipop! The only thing that might convince me to switch phones anytime soon is if the 2015 Nexus 5 refresh has a 5" - 5.2" screen (5.5"+ is just too big!), USB Type-C and the specs blow me away. Since that probably won't happen, it looks like I'll be using my S4 for a few more years.
I don't have these earplugs foams at home.. Which other material can I use for that?
I can't say anything else will be the same material. Just buy earplugs at a dollar store or something. They are cheap.
Mine had gotten really bad, to where it was giving the "sim error" message a good six or eight times a day. Did the earplug thing...didn`t fix squat. I took a narrow strip of a business card and "shimmed" the sim card in it`s slot (like many others have), but I made my shim extra long and folded it over a few times on top of the sim card receptacle as well. Been two days and so far so good. We`ll see how it holds up.
I had actually contacted Samsung about the problem and they claimed they had no knowledge of it`s occurrence. I emailed back and they said "we really have no idea what`s causing it. Sorry." I would call it a design flaw as every single person I know personally with an S4 has the problem, and there are hundreds upon hundreds of tales on the ol` internet about it, and even Samsung can`t fix it.
I've used this solution after my s4 gave the "sim card removed" error 5 times this morning. I used a piece of power sponge i.s.o. an earplug. Since then no error. If error occurs i'll respond again.
Thanx Sean.
I was having this problem. I did this fix but just used some folded up plastic wrap. Hasn't happened again yet.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app
Just replaced my sim card slot after killing it with a sim card adapter.
That got me thinking. Would be awfully nice to be able to replace the regular sim card reader with a nano version instead of the default micro version.
Haven't seen one anywhere and I doubt that they exist but.. I figured I'd check and see if anyone's ever seen one?
Since my main phone (Nexus 6) and most newer phones use nano sims it would be nice to not have to fiddle with adapters (and risk ruining the reader again..).
Sims now come pre-cut in all 3 sizes. You just pop out the size you need.
Doing modifications to the phone is bound to cause more trouble. How did you even manage to break the sim slot?
GDReaper said:
Sims now come pre-cut in all 3 sizes. You just pop out the size you need.
Doing modifications to the phone is bound to cause more trouble. How did you even manage to break the sim slot?
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Sure, but that doesn't really help if you want to switch between phones alot.
After I broke mine I checked around and apparently it's quite common. The small springs in the card reader gets stuck in the tiny gaps in between the sim and the adapter.
Here's some examples for instance: http://www.androidcentral.com/warning-using-sim-adapter-incorrectly-brings-down-world-hate
The replacement reader was dirt cheap and really easy to replace so that wasn't a problem really.
Some days I just feel like using a smaller phone while others I prefer my bigger Nexus. It'd be nice to just be able to move the sim without having to use an adapter.
Doubt we will ever see a nano sim reader on a phone that has been discontinued by many carriers.
audit13 said:
Doubt we will ever see a nano sim reader on a phone that has been discontinued by many carriers.
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You're probably right. It would've been nice if some third party were to make one.