Xiaomi SIM Not Registering on Network Fix UK
Xiaomi SIM Not Registering on Network Fix UK
If your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device detects the SIM card but keeps showing "Not Registered on Network", "No Service", or "Emergency Calls Only", this guide explains why and how to fix it.
If your SIM isn't registering on a UK network, first test the SIM in another phone. If it works there, the issue is your Xiaomi—reset network settings as a last resort. If it also fails in another phone, contact your carrier. If the SIM is detected but not registering, try manual network selection: Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → [Your carrier] SIM → Network operators → Search → Select your carrier manually. Also try reinserting your SIM and cleaning the contacts with a dry cloth.
🔍 Quick Diagnostic Table
| What you see | What it usually means | Go To |
|---|---|---|
| SIM detected but "Not Registered on Network" | Network registration failure | Section 1 |
| "Emergency Calls Only" | Account, provisioning, or coverage issue | Section 2 |
| SIM detected on one slot but not the other | SIM slot or dual SIM issue | Section 3 |
| No signal after a HyperOS update | Settings reset or known bug | Section 4 |
| SIM works in another phone but not yours | Device-specific issue | Section 5 |
Section 1 – SIM Detected But Not Registered (Most Common)
If your phone detects the SIM (shows carrier name or SIM toolkit) but won't register on the network, the issue is often a temporary registration glitch.
Try these in order:
- Toggle Airplane mode – ON for 30 seconds, then OFF. This forces the phone to re-register with the network.
- Restart your phone – A full reboot can resolve temporary glitches.
- Manual network selection – Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → [Your carrier] SIM → Network operators → Turn off "Choose automatically" → Search → Select your carrier manually.
- Check preferred network type – Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → [Your carrier] SIM → Preferred network type → Select
5G/4G/3G auto(not "5G only"). - Check carrier coverage – If you're in a weak signal area, the phone may not be able to register.
- Check carrier account status – An unpaid bill, expired PAYG credit, or suspended service can prevent registration. Contact your carrier.
Section 2 – Emergency Calls Only (Account, Provisioning, or Coverage)
"Emergency Calls Only" means your phone can detect a nearby mobile network but cannot complete normal network registration. This may be caused by account issues, SIM provisioning problems, poor coverage, or temporary carrier faults.
Try these in order:
- Check your account – Call your carrier from another phone. Ask if your account is active and in good standing.
- Check SIM balance and plan – Ensure your account is active and that any required PAYG balance, bundle, or plan remains valid.
- Test your SIM in another phone – If it also shows Emergency Calls Only, the issue is your SIM or account. Contact your carrier.
- Ask your carrier to refresh or reprovision your SIM – This can resolve provisioning issues.
- Check carrier roaming support – If you're abroad, confirm your plan includes international roaming.
- Check if your carrier has a temporary outage – If multiple phones on the same network have the same problem, the issue is likely network-side rather than your Xiaomi.
Section 3 – Dual SIM Slot Issue
If your SIM is detected in one slot but not the other, or if registration fails on one SIM, the issue is likely slot-related.
Try these in order:
- Swap SIM slots – Power off → move the problematic SIM to the other slot → power on → check if it registers.
- Check which SIM is selected for mobile data – Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → Default for mobile data → Ensure the correct SIM is selected. On some Xiaomi models, network registration may depend on the data SIM setting.
- Try using only one SIM at a time – If you have two SIMs, remove one and test the other. If registration works with only one SIM, there may be a dual SIM conflict.
- Clean the SIM contacts – Remove the SIM, wipe the gold contacts with a dry cloth, and reinsert firmly.
Section 4 – After a HyperOS Update
Some HyperOS releases have caused temporary SIM registration, eSIM activation, or mobile network issues on certain Xiaomi devices. If the problem started after an update, check for newer updates that may contain fixes.
Diagnostic hint: If the problem started immediately after updating HyperOS and multiple SIM cards fail to register, the update is a more likely cause than the SIM itself.
Try these in order:
- Check for system updates – Settings → About phone → System update. Install any available updates.
- Run the hidden code – Dial
*#*#64663#*#*to access the hardware test menu. Select "SIM card detection" to check if the SIM is properly detected. - Check IMEI – Dial
*#06#to display your IMEI number. If it shows "Unknown" or "Null", network registration may not be possible – contact Xiaomi support. - Reset network settings – Settings → Connection & sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth (removes saved Wi-Fi passwords).
- If the problem persists – The issue may be a known bug requiring a future update. Contact Xiaomi support.
Section 5 – SIM Works in Another Phone but Not Yours
If your SIM works in another phone but not in your Xiaomi, the issue is device-specific.
Try these in order:
- Check for physical blockage – Some phone cases with metal elements can block signal. Remove the case and test.
- Check IMEI – Dial
*#06#to display your IMEI. If it shows "Unknown" or "Null", network registration may not be possible – contact Xiaomi support. - Check SIM contacts – Remove the SIM, clean the gold contacts with a dry cloth, and reinsert firmly.
- Remove any recently installed VPN or firewall applications – These can sometimes interfere with network registration.
- Boot into Safe Mode – Press and hold Power, then long-press Restart and tap Safe Mode. If the SIM registers in Safe Mode, a third-party app is causing the issue – uninstall recently added apps.
- Reset network settings – Settings → Connection & sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth (removes saved Wi-Fi passwords).
- Factory reset (last resort) – If all else fails, back up your data and perform a factory reset. This is rarely successful for this specific issue, as the problem is usually baseband, IMEI, modem firmware, or hardware-related.
Why Is My Xiaomi SIM Not Registering on the Network?
- Registration glitch (most common) – The phone can read the SIM but fails to register. Airplane mode toggle usually fixes this.
- SIM or account issue – Unpaid bill, expired PAYG credit, suspended service, or faulty SIM.
- Carrier configuration mismatch – Incorrect carrier settings can occasionally prevent successful registration.
- Dual SIM conflict – Both SIMs may be trying to register simultaneously, or the wrong SIM is selected for data.
- HyperOS update bug – Some updates can reset network settings or cause registration issues. Check for newer updates.
- IMEI or baseband issue – If IMEI shows as "Unknown" or "Null", network registration may not be possible.
- Temporary carrier outage – Registration may fail during maintenance or unexpected network faults. Check with your carrier.
- Carrier roaming restrictions – If you're abroad, your plan may not include roaming.
⚠️ What NOT to Do
- Don't factory reset immediately – Try simpler fixes first.
- Don't assume your SIM is faulty without testing – Test your SIM in another phone first.
- Don't ignore your account status – Check with your carrier before troubleshooting.
- Don't force network selection to a carrier that doesn't support your SIM – Manual selection should be set to your carrier, not a roaming partner.
Quick Questions
Why does my Xiaomi say "Not Registered on Network" but detect the SIM?
Most commonly, the phone can read the SIM but fails to complete network registration. Toggle Airplane mode and try manual network selection.
Why does my Xiaomi say Emergency Calls Only with full signal?
The phone can detect the network but has not completed registration. Signal bars do not always indicate successful network authentication.
Can an eSIM cause "Not Registered on Network"?
If the eSIM profile is corrupted or has not been fully activated, your phone may fail to register. Contact your carrier to reactivate or reinstall the eSIM profile.
Why does my phone show full signal but no service?
Signal bars only indicate radio signal strength. Your phone may still fail authentication or network registration.
How do I know if my carrier is down?
If multiple phones on the same network have the same problem, or your carrier reports an outage, the issue is likely network-side rather than your Xiaomi.
How do I fix "Not Registered on Network" after a HyperOS update?
Check for system updates first. If none are available, reset network settings and check your IMEI number (*#06#). Some HyperOS builds have known registration bugs.
Can a HyperOS update break SIM registration?
Yes. Some users have reported SIM detection and registration issues after HyperOS updates on various models. Check for newer updates that may contain fixes.
Why does my SIM work in another phone but not in my Xiaomi?
The issue is device-specific – check IMEI, clean SIM contacts, reset network settings, or boot into Safe Mode to rule out third-party apps.
How do I test my Xiaomi SIM hardware?
Dial *#*#64663#*#* to access the hardware test menu, then select "SIM card detection" to check if the SIM is properly detected.
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