When your Xiaomi stops seeing the MTS SIM card, it can be taken by surprise at the most inopportune moment.The screen of the smartphone shows a crossed-out SIM or a message "No service", although five minutes ago everything worked perfectly.
Before you run to the salon for a replacement SIM card, you need to conduct a basic diagnosis. Often the reason lies in the banal software failure of the Android operating system or oxidation of contacts in the slot. owners of smartphones Redmi and Poco face this a little more often because of the design of the trays, but the flagship Mi models are not immune to such incidents.
In this article, we will look at all the possible reasons why the phone does not catch the network of a particular operator, and offer a step-by-step algorithm for actions, you will learn how to properly configure APN, check the status of IMEI and perform a network reset, which often becomes a salvation in software conflicts.
Primary Diagnosis and Physical Examination
The first and most logical step is to eliminate physical defects: If the phone fell, got wet, or was just in a dusty room for a long time, the contact between the SIM card plates and the reader mechanism could be disrupted. Oxidation is a frequent enemy of electronics, and even an invisible film can block the signal.
You need to remove the tray with a paper clip and carefully examine the MTS SIM card. Golden contacts should not be black spots, scratches or dirt. If you notice a plaque, gently wipe the surface with a soft eraser or cloth soaked in alcohol. Also check if the card sits tight in the tray; sometimes it just shifts when vibrating.
⚠️ Warning: Never insert a SIM card into your phone if there is moisture on its contacts, which can short-circuit and cause the power controller to fail, requiring expensive repairs.
The important step is to check the health of the SIM card in another device, insert your MTS card into any other smartphone, and if it is not detected there, then the problem is precisely in the plastic itself, and it needs to be changed at the operator's office, and if everything is working on another phone, then your Xiaomi is faulty.
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Try to gently wipe the SIM card contacts with a regular school eraser – this often helps to remove the oxide film that interferes with contact.
Program settings of the network and operator
If everything is physically OK with the SIM card, you should pay attention to the software part. MIUI Sometimes it doesn't properly handle network settings after an update or crash. First of all, check if the SIM card slot is activated in the settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks and make sure that the switch opposite the MTS card is lit blue.
Often, forced re-registration helps, so turn on and off Flight Mode. 10-15 So, you can turn it off again, and this action causes the modem to re-search the towers that are available and log in to the operator's network. If that doesn't work, try manually selecting the operator.
Go to the network selection menu and turn off Automotive. The phone will start searching for all available networks within radius. Search under the list "MTS RUS" or "MTS" and select it. If the phone says "Not registered on the network," the problem may be deeper.
- 📡 Check if the “only” mode is enabled. 4G», If your area has coverage LTE It is better to put “preferably” 4G».
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone after each change in network settings to apply settings.
- 📍 Make sure you are not in a “dead zone” or a basement with thick concrete walls.
Configuring APN access points for MTS
One of the most common reasons why the Internet does not work or the phone “gluts” with a SIM card is the wrong settings of APN access points. Even if there is a voice connection, the lack of the right parameters can block some of the operator’s services, creating the illusion of a malfunctioning SIM card.
To work correctly MTS on Xiaomi devices, you need to create or edit an access point. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Select the MTS SIM card → Access points (APN). If the list is empty or the settings are different from the standard, create a new access point.
In the menu that opens, you need to enter the following data. The name can be any, for example, "MTS Internet." In the "Access Point" (APN) field, be sure to specify Internet.mts.ru. Username and password must also be mts. Leave the remaining fields unchanged or reset to factory values.
| Parameter | Importance to MTS | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Name (Name) | MTS Internet | Arbitrary |
| Access Point (APN) | internet.mts.ru | In small letters, of course. |
| User name | mts | In small letters, of course. |
| Password. | mts | In small letters, of course. |
| Type APN | default,supl | Through the comma, no spaces. |
Once you have entered all the options, be sure to save the profile by clicking on three dots in the corner of the screen and selecting Save. Then activate this access point by ticking next to it. Without saving the changes, the settings will not apply, and the phone will continue to malfunction.
☑️ Checking settings APN
Resetting network settings and software updates
If manual configuration didn’t work, you may have built up configuration errors, and in such cases, resetting your network settings is an effective solution. Note: this operation will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords and lists of associated Bluetooth devices, but your personal files (photos, contacts) will remain in place.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth. Confirm and wait for the reboot of communication modules. Once you turn on the phone, re-enter the Wi-Fi password and check the MTS SIM card.
Also worth checking for system updates. Xiaomi developers regularly release patches that fix modem errors. Go to Settings → About the phone and click on the MIUI or HyperOS version. If an update is available, install it by pre-charging the battery to at least 50%.
⚠️ Note: Before resetting your network settings, make sure you remember passwords from important Wi-Fi networks, as it will not be possible to restore them automatically.
Sometimes the problem is with the particular version of the firmware. If you recently upgraded and the network went missing right after, it makes sense to search the bug forums in that version. In some cases, waiting for the next patch or, for advanced users, rolling back to the stable version helps.
IMEI and device status check
A more serious problem is the loss IMEI-code. IMEI — If your phone doesn't see the SIM card and you don't see the number when you dial *#06# or you see zeros/emptiness, it means the modem's firmware has gone off or there's a motherboard problem.
Lack of IMEI is common after failed firmware or rooting rights experiments. In a normal situation, if the IMEI is lost on its own, it is an alarm bell: try entering the code ##4636## (does not work on all models) and check the status of the radio module.
In the Phone Information menu, look at the line "Network status." If it says "Disconnected" or "Disconnected," try clicking "Run validation" PDP» (If the radio module is not switched on software, there is a possible hardware malfunction.
- 📱 Compare. IMEI on the body (or settings) with IMEI on the phone box, they should match.
- 🛠 If IMEI equal to 000000..., immediately contact the service, as the phone will not be able to register in the network.
- 🔒 Make sure the phone is not locked by the operator for non-payment (check the status on the blacklist).
What if IMEI is zero?
Hardware malfunctions and repairs
When all software methods are exhausted, it is left to suspect “hardware.” In Xiaomi smartphones, a common problem is the withdrawal of the SIM reader contacts from the motherboard, due to bumps, falls or factory rations.
The SIM reader itself could also have failed, and it's a small mechanical unit that wears out over time, and the springs inside weaken, and the SIM card becomes unstable, and in this case, it's only the replacement of the component in the service center that helps.
Another possible cause is damage to the plume connecting the bottom board (where the sim tray is often located) to the main motherboard, so if the phone is dropped, the plume could move or rub, and diagnosing this node requires disassembling the device.
⚠️ Warning: Self-disassembly of the phone to check the plumes can lead to loss of warranty.If the device is warranty, take it to an authorized center.
In rare cases, the problem lies in the processor or radio module itself, especially if the phone has been subjected to heavy heat or moisture, and repairing such components requires professional equipment and the skill of a master.
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If the SIM card replacement and resetting didn’t help, and the IMEI is in place – most likely, the problem is in the physical contact of the sim reader or plume.