Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsStart by checking whether the phone itself works with the new SIM. Phone Link is only a connection between your PC and your phone. It doesn’t activate a SIM, and it doesn’t provide mobile service. If the phone shows no service, the fix is with the SIM or the carrier. If the phone works normally, the fault is in the Phone Link connection: the app, the account, the network, the permissions, or Bluetooth pairing for calls.
Phone Link calls also use the phone’s primary SIM. If you’ve put a new SIM in the second slot, or an eSIM is now primary, calls may not go where you expect.
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Step 1: Work out which device has the problem
People describe two different problems the same way. Sort yours before you change any settings.
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| What you see | Where the problem is | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| The phone says “No SIM”, shows no signal, or can’t call or text on its own | SIM, line activation or carrier | Section 2 |
| The phone makes calls and uses data, but the PC won’t sync messages, notifications or photos | Phone Link connection | Section 3 |
| Sync works, but calls from the PC fail or use the wrong number | Bluetooth pairing or primary SIM choice | Section 4 |
| The SIM is in a Windows laptop or tablet with a cellular modem | PC cellular settings, which is unrelated to Phone Link | Section 6 |
Step 2: Confirm the SIM works in the phone
- Turn on airplane mode, then turn it off. Check that the status bar shows a carrier name and signal bars.
- Place a normal phone call or send a text to another number, with Phone Link closed.
- If the phone doesn’t recognize the SIM, power it off, reseat the SIM in its tray, and restart.
- If it’s still dead, contact your carrier. Ask whether the SIM is activated, whether it’s attached to the correct line, and whether your phone model is supported on that plan.
Carriers describe inactive or restricted lines as a cause of SIMs that won’t connect. Verizon’s SIM guidance is one example. It is specific to Verizon, so don’t assume your operator works the same way. Only your carrier can see your account status, and neither Microsoft nor a PC-side fix can change it. Activation steps vary by operator and region.
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Step 3: If the phone works but Phone Link won’t connect
Run through these checks in order. Stop when the connection returns.
Confirm both devices are on and online
Microsoft’s Phone Link troubleshooting guidance asks for both the PC and the phone to be powered on and connected to the internet. A new SIM can change this. If you moved to a plan with a data cap or a different APN, the phone may be offline when it’s off Wi-Fi.
Use the same trusted Wi-Fi network
For the best connection, Microsoft recommends putting the phone and PC on the same trusted Wi-Fi network. Mobile-data sync can be enabled in the Link to Windows app, but Microsoft suggests Wi-Fi if you’re worried about your data allowance. That matters more after a SIM change, because your new plan may have different limits.
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Check the Microsoft account
Both devices must be signed in to the same Microsoft account. A new SIM doesn’t change this, but a phone reset or a new phone sometimes does.
Turn off battery saver and check optimization
Microsoft says battery saver should be off. Some Android makers also apply their own battery optimization to individual apps, and that can interrupt the connection in the background. Exclude Link to Windows from optimization in your phone’s battery settings. The menu names differ by manufacturer.
Update both apps
Update Phone Link on the PC and Link to Windows on the phone. Microsoft currently lists Windows 10 (October 2022 update or later) or Windows 11, and Android 10 or later, and recommends the latest Windows version. Requirements can change, so check Microsoft’s current Phone Link requirements page. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, so it no longer gets free software updates, technical assistance or security fixes. That doesn’t cause a SIM problem, but it’s a reason to move to Windows 11.
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Check permissions
In your phone’s app settings, make sure Link to Windows still has the permissions it asked for during setup, such as contacts, calls, messages and notifications. If a permission is off, the matching feature stops working.
Step 4: If calls are the problem
Phone Link calls on Android need a Bluetooth connection between the phone and the PC. Microsoft also says calls are made and received using the phone’s primary SIM.
- Bluetooth: turn Bluetooth off and on again on both devices. If they don’t reconnect automatically, remove the pairing on both and pair them again.
- Wrong SIM or number: if you have two SIMs, or a physical SIM plus an eSIM, check which one is set as primary for calls in your phone’s SIM or network settings. Phone Link will follow that, so the new SIM will only be used if it’s the primary one.
- No Bluetooth on the PC: a PC without Bluetooth can’t use Phone Link calling. A USB Bluetooth adapter would fix that. It won’t fix any SIM activation problem.
Step 5: Relink the phone if reconnecting keeps failing
- Update Link to Windows on the phone and Phone Link on the PC.
- Unlink the phone using the options in Phone Link on the PC and in Link to Windows on the phone. Microsoft’s troubleshooting page has the current steps.
- Set up the Android phone again, signing in with the same Microsoft account on both devices.
- Re-pair Bluetooth if you want calls.
Microsoft describes resetting the Phone Link app as an escalation for persistent connection problems. Try the simpler checks and a relink first.
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Step 6: If the SIM is in a Windows PC, not a phone
A cellular-capable Windows PC with its own SIM or eSIM is a separate situation from a phone connected through Phone Link. Open Settings > Network & internet > Cellular. Check that the cellular radio is on and that the correct SIM or eSIM profile is selected. If your carrier requires it, enter its APN details. Microsoft says the settings vary by hardware and carrier. A new SIM inside a PC won’t make Phone Link work or fail.
When to contact the carrier
Contact your carrier if the phone still has no service after you reseat the SIM and restart. Do the same if calls or texts fail with Phone Link closed, or if the plan doesn’t support your device. If calls and data work normally, don’t spend time on the SIM. Concentrate on the account, Wi-Fi, permissions, battery settings and Bluetooth checks above. None of this needs a purchase unless the carrier tells you the SIM must be replaced.
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