No Service after Unlocking Smart Ultra 6

[kvitrafn]

Hey everybody,

I have bought a Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 (locked) during my stay in the UK. For the time of my stay I have used a Lebara Sim-Card (which runs on Vodafone as far as I know), which was for more than half a year. 

I have now returned to Switzerland and I unlocked my phone using a Unlock Code I purchased online. The unlock seems to have worked since it does not ask me to provide a code when putting in my new SIM. I have now made a new subscription with a Swiss provider (SALT), however, the phone has no signal. I have tried the sim in another phone and it works there, so the problem does not lie with the provider. I have turned the phone off and on multiple times, I have even factory reset it and the problem is still there.

I would very much appreciate your help since I am very happy with my Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 and I'd hate to purchase another phone. 

[hrym]

The intial things to try would be to remove and replace the SIM and to do a factory reset, both of which you've eliminated.

The other possibilities are that the unlock code hasn't worked properly or that, for some reason, the phone isn't compatible with the network you're using it with.   Frequency variations normally only affect data, but it might be worth asking your provider if they know of any issues (as this is a UK model, they may not have that information).

[kvitrafn]

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@hrym wrote:

The intial things to try would be to remove and replace the SIM and to do a factory reset, both of which you've eliminated.

The other possibilities are that the unlock code hasn't worked properly or that, for some reason, the phone isn't compatible with the network you're using it with.   Frequency variations normally only affect data, but it might be worth asking your provider if they know of any issues (as this is a UK model, they may not have that information).

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Thank you for your quick reply. 

Is there a way to determine definitifely whether my unlock code has worked or not?

I doubt that the provider will have any information on this, however, I will certainly try. 

[hrym]

Not as far as I know, other that trying a non-Vodafone SIM (which you have...)

You could try taking the device into a phone shop and see if they have any ideas.   You've ruled out a SIM issue, so an independent shop might be able to try SIMs from other networks and might approach the problem without out assuming it's limited to a Vodafone or SALT issue.

I'm not complately familiar with the unlocking process and I'm just wondering whether it needs a connection to the original network to complete???

[BandOfBrothers]

Unfortunately using an unlocking solutions online site can occasionally cause problems. 

That may / may not be the issue. 

It could be that the phone has gone faulty and has nothing to do with the recent unlocking process. 

[kvitrafn]

Update:

I did go to a Shop of my Swiss Provider (Salt) today and they did test the SIM Card in another phone and it worked. So the new SIM definitely works. 

Also, I still have my old Lebara SIM and that one does work on my Smart Ultra 6 i.e. I do get reception. So there is no issue with regards to reading the SIM cards on the phone I guess...

I am indeed heading over to an independent shop which does phone repairs also tomorrow, but I have absolutely no idea what else to try... 

Thanks for your help!

[hrym]

This is very much a process of elimination.  Thanks for doing the first test (with salt).  That's narrowed the problem to the phone and I suspect it's either a failed unlock or a frequency compatibility, though I think the latter is probably unlikely within Europe.

[kvitrafn]

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@hrym wrote:

This is very much a process of elimination.  Thanks for doing the first test (with salt).  That's narrowed the problem to the phone and I suspect it's either a failed unlock or a frequency compatibility, though I think the latter is probably unlikely within Europe.

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I am quite sure it might be a failed unlock. However, I have no idea whether there is a possibility to try another unlock code since it does not prompt me to enter an unlock code anymore when putting in a sim card from another network. Is there maybe a way to bring that prompt up via a command? Alternatively, is there maybe a way to reset the phone to a state before the unlock?

I did do a check whether there might be a problem regarding the frequency but, as you said, there seems to be no issue:

https://www.frequencycheck.com/carrier-compatibility/D7JBswN/vodafone-smart-ultra-6-lte/salt-switzer...

[hrym]

I don't know, I'm afraid, but I'm hoping that a repairer will have a better idea.   I have a horrible feeling that you either need to connect to the Vodafone network to complete the process, or that the phone would need to be re-flashed to its original firmware so that you can start again.  A repair shop may well have access to a variety of firmware, but whether that would include Vodafone (in Switzerland) is debatable - unless the phone is sold there and there's a local version...

Thinking about it, you shouldn't need to connect to the Vodafone network to complete because the whole point is that, at that stage, you're using a different one.

Could you try a SIM from a completely new network and see if that prompts for an unlock code - or even works?  Again, a repair shop may be able to do that for you.

[kvitrafn]

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@hrym wrote:

I don't know, I'm afraid, but I'm hoping that a repairer will have a better idea.   I have a horrible feeling that you either need to connect to the Vodafone network to complete the process, or that the phone would need to be re-flashed to its original firmware so that you can start again.  A repair shop may well have access to a variety of firmware, but whether that would include Vodafone (in Switzerland) is debatable - unless the phone is sold there and there's a local version...

Thinking about it, you shouldn't need to connect to the Vodafone network to complete because the whole point is that, at that stage, you're using a different one.

Could you try a SIM from a completely new network and see if that prompts for an unlock code - or even works?  Again, a repair shop may be able to do that for you.

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Alright so this is interesting... I put in the SIM of another Swiss provider and it worked. So it seems the unlock has worked after all.

Nevertheless, it is by far the worst and most expensive provider (probably in Europe) so I would very much like to actually stay with SALT.

So I have determined that the new SIM works and I presume the network frequencies are compatible. What else could be the issue? I have checked it online and as far as I have seen there should be no issue.

Is there a possibility that the SU6 does not unlock the SIM correctly when I enter the SIM code? I have noticed the provider SALT flashing up for one second or so and then the same No Service - Only Emergency Call thing.