Samsung S4 Can't Find tesco Mobile

Seth Brundle

I gave my son an old work (Eir) phone that I had unlocked. He has been with Tesco Mobile for about 18 months. I've since left that company about 6 months ago.
Recently he damaged the screen so I forked out to have the screen replaced.
Since then, the phone won't connect to Tesco Mobile at all (data or voice).

The SIM works in a second unlocked phone (Nokia Lumia 800) - it connects to TM fine but he can't have any apps on it so he'd prefer the S4 up and running.

I actually spoke to TM who suggested trying to replace the SIM, which I did, but no difference.

The settings in the S4 are as follows:
Mobile Data: Enabled
Data Roaming: Enabled
Network Mode: LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)
APN:
- Name TMI Internet APN
- APN: tescomobile.liffeytelecom.com
- Proxy: Not set
- Port: Not set
- Username: Not set
- Password: Not set
- Server: Not set
- MMSC: Not set
- MCC: 272
- MNC: 11
- Authentication Type: Not set
- APN Type: default, supl
- APN protocol: IPV4
- APN Roaming Protocol: IPV4
- Enable/disable APN: Enabled
- Bearer: Unspecified
- Mobile Virtual Network operator Type: None
- Mobile Virtual Network operator value: Not set

Network Operators: If I click in here, it searches for netowrks and usually returns with a list of Vodafone IE, Meteor and 3 IRL - no Tesco Mobile.

It apparently did connect to TM after the screen fix because some texts did get through. I can't get it to connect though. My son reckoned that it connected when over at a friends house ("better signal") but as my missus is with them, I know the service isn't bad here (I also have a 3 Mobile work phone which has a decent enough connection).

I tried my own (Virgin Media) SIM just now and it doesn't connect to the network. There's no APN configured and the networks visible are just Meteor and 3 IRL.

Have I missed a setting that would cause this?
It occurred to me that the phone may need to be unlocked again - could this be the case?
Any ideas on resolving this?

Keith186

Strange one.
Check in the data connection settings that it's not set for LTE/4G only as Tesco Mobile is 2G/3G only, could stop it showing up?

tedpan

The S4 is almost 5 years old. It probably wasn't worth the money repairing the screen. I'm guessing during the annoying screen replacement process, the installer has either damaged a connector or aerial. Do any other Sim cards from other providers work in it?

Seth Brundle

@Keith186 - it's configured for LTE/WCDMA/GSM

@tedpan - I considered this but for the same money, I'd have gotten something also probably just as poor.
I've tried a Virgin Media SIM but couldn't get it to connect (but probably didn't try too hard)

rurs

My settings have Authentication Type: CHAP

Tesco mobile never shows up on a network search either, and this is a on a Tesco locked phone.

tedpan

kbannon wrote:

@tedpan - I considered this but for the same money, I'd have gotten something also probably just as poor. I've tried a Virgin Media SIM but couldn't get it to connect (but probably didn't try too hard)

Hmmm, is it connecting to any sort of network, ie. Can you make calls or text?

Atlantic Dawn

What about trying factory reset and have Tesco SIM inside on first boot up?

Nollog

tedpan wrote: »

Hmmm, is it connecting to any sort of network, ie. Can you make calls or text?

Try 3 irl

Tesco use the 3 network

corglass

The Samsung S4 have a know issue with SIM cards after a number of years. Sometimes replacing the sim tray on the motherboard works, otherwise a new motherboard (new IMEI etc) is needed.

The S4 is a great phone, removable battery, 4G etc. A replacement /refurbished motherboard can be got for about 30euro online and easily replaced with just a small Philip's Head screwdriver in about 5 minutes.

Even if you get another phone while waiting for new motherboard, it'll make a great backup phone.

New motherboard is the preferred solution as it bypasses all other possible issues like sim tray of corrupted software.

Seth Brundle

Thanks for your help folks.
I tried my Virgin and 3 SIMs but neither work so it has been unable to make calls since the screen replacement. It did receive a few texts before I was made aware of the issue.
Reluctant to try a factory reset - would this require having to unlock it again?

I spoke with the shop and will drop it in there this evening. I'll update you when I hear from them.

Alanstrainor

I wouldn't think a factory reset would have any effect on the sim card lock.

But I would think it would be likely that something may have been damaged when replacing the screen.

ED E

kbannon wrote: »

that I had unlocked.

By the operator or some random third party?


Sounds like you had an EFS unlock (a fake unlock) then any resets done by the repair techs would re-lock it. Its not uncommon for repair centres to reset as a matter of course even for unrelated hardware issues.

Seth Brundle

ED E wrote: »

By the operator or some random third party?


Sounds like you had an EFS unlock (a fake unlock) then any resets done by the repair techs would re-lock it. Its not uncommon for repair centres to reset as a matter of course even for unrelated hardware issues.

The original unlock code was given to me by Eir (which I don't have anymore ).

corglass

Have a read of my post above, the issue is a know issue with the S4, unrelated to network provider or software

ED E

kbannon wrote: »

The original unlock code was given to me by Eir (which I don't have anymore ).

You dont need it, once its done its done. A permanent change to the baseband.


Corglass could be correct, but its suspicious it happened during a repair. If you have a record I'd confirm the IMEI hasnt changed.

Seth Brundle

Problem fixed. Went back to the repair centre who found that they hadn't connected the aerial properly.
Phone now working.
Thanks for your help everyone.

tedpan

tedpan wrote:

The S4 is almost 5 years old. It probably wasn't worth the money repairing the screen. I'm guessing during the annoying screen replacement process, the installer has either damaged a connector or aerial. Do any other Sim cards from other providers work in it?

kbannon wrote:

Problem fixed. Went back to the repair centre who found that they hadn't connected the aerial properly. Phone now working. Thanks for your help everyone.

As I said..