Sim activated on unlocked phone but no signal or a...

Hi, I've just purchased a new sim cos the last one hasn't been used for over 6 months. I activated sim, got an email saying its activated, dashboard shows my number and says everything's ready. But still nothing... No signal. Any ideas please? Surely the phone is unlocked cos it worked last time I got a sim.

Thanks in advance

Message 1 of 17

by: nigelbrooks
on: 13/02/2019 | 17:56

@mundo78

Hello

OK, let's firstly eliminate 'possibilities'.
Going through this list step-by-step will isolate the problem to either your phone or to the network.
Feel free to skip any parts that you have already tried, e.g. 'was your SIM working previously?'
Sorry, it is a bit of a 'list', it is a 'catch all possibilities' reply but it will certainly help you to pinpoint the problem.

ACTIVATION/ RESTART
Firstly, if you have just activated your SIM it can take up to 24 hours for the full activation process to complete, a periodic restart will help.
Have you restarted your device since the problem became evident? This simple action often clears 'problems'.
If you have an iPhone, please try a resync with iTunes.

CREDIT
Do you have an active goodybag? Please dial *100*7# to check
Do you have credit? (needed if you don't have a goodybag or for any international calls/texts) Please dial *100# to check

LOCAL SERVICE PROBLEMS
Are there local service issues? Please enter your FULL postcode here to check http://status.o2.co.uk/

If service issues are shown you can use the same site to register for updates on the resolution of these.
Was your giffgaff SIM working previously?

UNLOCKED DEVICE?
Is your device actually unlocked (or at least locked to O2)? Even an unactivated giffgaff SIM will display signal bars/dots and will not request a 'network PIN', 'SIM unlock code' or display a 'SIM not supported' message on an unlocked phone.

Do you get any signal bars? No signal bars is a pretty clear sign that the device is still locked to a network other than O2 / giffgaff.

Have you tried / can you please try the SIM in another (definitely unlocked) device? If it works then your device is still locked and you need to either contact the previous network on which the device was used or a good mobile unlocking service.
If your phone continues to show an 'unavailable' message with a different sim card I would recommend that you visit www.checkmend.com/uk to check the IMEI status of your phone (alternatively www.imeipro.info which is a free website). If your device was purchased second hand it is possible that it is blacklisted (and has been reported as lost or stolen).

SIM FAILURE?
It could be that your SIM is 'failing in service'. Rare but it does happen

This is easy to resolve.
Please order a new SIM from:
https://giffgaff.com/orders/mgm

When it arrives, you will need to perform a simple SIMswap.
https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Using-giffgaff/What-is-SIM-Swap/ta-p/7320084

Your current number and any goodybag / credit will transfer as part of the process.
Don't forget to back up any contacts on your SIM as these do not transfer as part of the process.

I hope that this helps you to solve the problem.

I donate 100% of my SIM activation payback to charity, please help me boost the donation

Message 2 of 17

by: mangowalk
on: 13/02/2019 | 17:57

hi there
Check your settings and the signal in your area
See this link to guide https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Settings-for-your-device/Internet-and-MMS-settings-APN-guide/ta-p/... which covers all makes of smart phones
*If settings are ok but still no service, Check your network coverage status via link https://giffgaff.com/coverage-and-service to see whether there are outages or faults with the network signal (EDGE, 2G, 3G, and 4G) in your area.
Simply enter your postcode link www.bit.ly/ggservicestatus for local status

NOTE! The information is updated hourly, so it’s worth checking a few times as your particular issue may not show up first time.
*If the signal is good try doing a manual roam… see link below for full guide which allows you to select the network provider manually

GUIDE TO MANUAL ROAM https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Tips-Guides/Manual-Roam/td-p/3345471

*Also turn your phone on to Airplane mode and ON and OFF every 30mins to update the gg signal

Message 3 of 17

by: mundo78
on: 15/02/2019 | 22:46

It is still not working . If I used a giff gaff sim last year with no problems.... I really don't understand

Message 4 of 17

by: sloz
on: 15/02/2019 | 22:49

@mundo78
Hi, did you place the new sim in your phone before you started the sim swap?
And did your phone show a signal?

What do you hear exactly when you call your number from another phone?

Do you have another unactivated giffgaff sim card?

Message 5 of 17

by: mundo78
on: 15/02/2019 | 22:51

It's connected to giff gaff as far as I can see.

Message 6 of 17

by: mundo78
on: 15/02/2019 | 22:59

What do you mean.. Before I started the sim swap?

Message 7 of 17

by: sloz
on: 15/02/2019 | 23:38

@mundo78
So you don't see your old number next to your username here
Http://giffgaff.com/dashboard ?

Did you top up or buy a goodybag during the activation process?

What do you hear exactly when you call the number shown on your account page?

From your phone keypad dial *100*7# and press call
Do the same with *100#

What word or words do you see on the phone screen?

Message 8 of 17

by: mundo78
on: 16/02/2019 | 00:27

On dashboard I see new number

I bought a goody bag prior to activating the sim.
What do you hear exactly when you call the number shown on your account page? I hear welcome to giffgaff voicemail, this person is not available right now. Please leave a message.

Tried both them numbers it says on screen.... Mobile network not available.

Message 9 of 17

by: sloz
on: 16/02/2019 | 00:37

@mundo78
When you say you purchased a goodybag prior to activating the sim
Do you mean you purchased a goodybag at the time you ordered the sim?

. Do you have another unactivated giffgaff sim card?

Message 10 of 17