Question 102 of 1,020

Mobile Devices Troubleshooting →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Tablet Says 'No SIM Card' Even After Inserting: Troubleshooting

This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile devices troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

A technician is setting up a new Android tablet for a field sales representative. The tablet needs to connect to the internet via a cellular data plan. The technician inserts a nano-SIM card from the company's carrier, but the tablet shows 'No SIM card' in the status bar. The SIM card works in another tablet. What is the most likely cause?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

A
The tablet's cellular radio is disabled in the settings.
Why wrong: If the radio were disabled, the tablet would typically show 'Cellular network off' or 'Airplane mode', not 'No SIM card'. The 'No SIM' message indicates the device cannot detect the SIM at all.
B
The SIM card is not compatible with the tablet's LTE bands.
Why wrong: SIM cards are not band-specific. The SIM contains the subscriber identity; the tablet's radio handles bands. If the SIM is detected, the tablet would attempt to register, even if it fails due to band incompatibility.
C
The SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly.
This is the most common cause of 'No SIM' on a new device. The SIM tray may not be pushed in all the way, or the SIM is upside down. Re-seating the SIM correctly is the first step.
D
The tablet requires a software update to enable cellular functionality.
Why wrong: While updates can fix bugs, a missing or incorrect SIM detection is almost always a hardware seating issue. A software update would not cause a 'No SIM' error on a brand-new device.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is that the SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly. This is the most likely cause because the SIM works in another tablet, which isolates the fault to the tablet itself rather than the card or carrier. When an Android tablet shows "No SIM card" after inserting, the first step is always to verify the SIM is seated properly in its tray, as many tablets require a specific orientation and a firm push until it clicks. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply the troubleshooting methodology—specifically, checking the simplest physical connection before assuming hardware failure. A common trap is jumping to a faulty SIM slot or software issue, but the exam emphasizes that insertion errors are far more frequent. Memory tip: "SIM before slot" — always reseat the SIM before blaming the slot.

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

The SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly.

If the SIM card works in another device, the issue is with the tablet itself. The most common cause is that the SIM card is not fully seated or is inserted incorrectly. Some tablets use a tray that requires the SIM to be oriented a specific way. A less common cause is a faulty SIM slot, but that should be checked after verifying correct insertion.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
The tablet's cellular radio is disabled in the settings.
Why it's wrong here
If the radio were disabled, the tablet would typically show 'Cellular network off' or 'Airplane mode', not 'No SIM card'. The 'No SIM' message indicates the device cannot detect the SIM at all.
✗
The SIM card is not compatible with the tablet's LTE bands.
Why it's wrong here
SIM cards are not band-specific. The SIM contains the subscriber identity; the tablet's radio handles bands. If the SIM is detected, the tablet would attempt to register, even if it fails due to band incompatibility.
✓
The SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly.
Why this is correct
This is the most common cause of 'No SIM' on a new device. The SIM tray may not be pushed in all the way, or the SIM is upside down. Re-seating the SIM correctly is the first step.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The tablet requires a software update to enable cellular functionality.
Why it's wrong here
While updates can fix bugs, a missing or incorrect SIM detection is almost always a hardware seating issue. A software update would not cause a 'No SIM' error on a brand-new device.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
If the radio were disabled, the tablet would typically show 'Cellular network off' or 'Airplane mode', not 'No SIM card'. The 'No SIM' message indicates the device cannot detect the SIM at all.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

Underline the problem statement mentally.
Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1201 question test?

Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — This question tests Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly. — If the SIM card works in another device, the issue is with the tablet itself. The most common cause is that the SIM card is not fully seated or is inserted incorrectly. Some tablets use a tray that requires the SIM to be oriented a specific way. A less common cause is a faulty SIM slot, but that should be checked after verifying correct insertion.

What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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