Airtel SIM stopped working with notification 'SIM not allowed'

[nikhilk21]

I have an Airtel SIM and all of a sudden today it stopped working and the notification I get is "SIM 1 not allowed". I tried everything - Switch off, restart, airplane mode, removing sim and reinserting, changing sim slot. Nothing has worked so far.

My bank OTPs are linked to this SIM and I need a resolution quickly. There seems to be discussion about this in other forums but no clear solution. Has anyone faced this?

PS: I have a Motorolla phone

 

[6ix9ine]

SIM card could've been corrupted, which is quite common.

Try inserting it into another phone. If it works fine in that phone, then the issue might be with your device. Otherwise, it's a normal issue.

I faced the same thing 2 months ago. I went to the nearest Airtel office and explained that my SIM had suddenly stopped working. They reissued the SIM, and it was activated within 3–4 hours. I was able to send SMS messages after 24 hours.

You can do the same, go in the morning (tomorrow is a working day) and get it reissued.

In case you're wondering why this happens:
Our phones periodically scan the SIM, which gradually damage the chip over time.

 

[nikhilk21]

SIM card could've been corrupted, which is quite common.

Try inserting it into another phone. If it works fine in that phone, then the issue might be with your device. Otherwise, it's a normal issue.

I faced the same thing 2 months ago. I went to the nearest Airtel office and explained that my SIM had suddenly stopped working. They reissued the SIM, and it was activated within 3–4 hours. I was able to send SMS messages after 24 hours.

You can do the same, go in the morning (tomorrow is a working day) and get it reissued.

In case you're wondering why this happens:
Our phones periodically scan the SIM, which gradually damage the chip over time.

Thanks, this is very helpful, will do it tomorrow. Do they also charge something for reissuing SIM?

 

[6ix9ine]

Thanks, this is very helpful, will do it tomorrow. Do they also charge something for reissuing SIM?

Yes, ₹50/- only.

Make sure to keep Aadhaar card with you. That's all they need.