If you have a network locked SIM card QLink but would like to use it on a device you got somewhere else, we can fix that!
In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons why your QLink SIM card is locked what you can do to unlock it.
Mostly, your QLink SIM card is locked by your carrier. You may also have a region-locked phone or your SIM is not yet active.
If none of these is the reason your SIM is locked, you may be dealing with a firmware error. Check for available updates to fix bugs or add features.
Before we discuss the actual steps in detail, below are the possible reasons your QLink network SIM card is locked.
What Causes QLink Network Locked SIM Card
If you have a network locked SIM card inserted QLink, don’t worry. We can help you fix it.
But, first, you need to understand why your SIM is locked. Then, we can apply the best solution to your problem.
✅ Firmware Error
The most common cause of your QLink network locked SIM issue is a firmware error.
You may have missed important updates that not only fix bugs but also add features to support certain apps.
✅ Sim Is Locked by Your Carrier
Your SIM only works with QLink-provided devices. If you purchase your smartphone from another network, it’ll be locked automatically and no other SIM would work with it.
✅ Region-Locked Phones
Maybe you bought your smartphone from another country and it’s region locked. Check if your phone is country-locked.
All Samsung devices come with an active regional lock when first bought.
✅ Qlink Sim Is Not Activated
You may not have an active QLink SIM card. But, don’t worry! You can activate your SIM card online. All you’ll need is your Qlink Sim Card unlock code.
These are the possible reasons your QLink SIM card is locked.
Now, let’s move on to the actual steps of fixing your problem.
Complete Steps to Fix Network Locked SIM Card QLink
There are quite a few ways to fix a network locked SIM card QLink. The basic requirement is for you to obtain the QLink SIM card unlock code first.
You can get them using the channels below.
- Contact QLink telesupport team
- Go to QLink wireless website
- Use third party apps
If your unlock code doesn’t work, contact QLink network support to debug the issue from its root.
You can also have a professional fix it. But, before you do that, try the following methods to unlock your QLink SIM card.
1. Confirm That Your SIM Card is Locked
If you can’t use your QLink SIM card on a different phone, one of the first things you need to do is to confirm that it’s indeed locked.
There are a lot of factors that can cause your SIM to not work on a new phone, so it’s wise that you check if you’re dealing with a locked SIM or not.
Once you can confirm the issue with your QLink SIM, you can move on to the other steps to help you resolve it.
Here are the steps to know that your QLink SIM is locked:
- Go to your device’s Settings menu.
- Select Connections.
- Tap on Networks.
- Choose Network Operators.
- If you only see one network on the list your SIM is locked.
Note: You can also insert the SIM to a different phone and check if it can connect to the network. If it doesn't, your SIM is locked.
2. Get Your Phone’s IMEI Number
Getting a network locked SIM card error with just about any carrier can cause a lot of anxiety and problems.
One of those is that you won’t be able to use your phone properly until you get it unlocked.
Whenever you face this error, one of the first things you need to get before attempting any fix is your phone’s IMEI number.
This essentially acts like your phone’s ID allowing your carrier to identify it from other devices of the same model.
Here’s how to get your phone’s IMEI number:
✅On iPhone:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Go to the General menu.
- Select About.
- Scroll down and look for the IMEI number.
- Take note of the number or write it down.
✅On Android:
- Go to the Settings app on your phone.
- Navigate to the About Phone option.
- Scroll down and look for the IMEI number.
- Write it down.
Note: Alternatively, you can also dial *#06# on the Phone app and wait for the IMEI number to appear on the screen.
3. Call QLink to Get Your Unlock Code
Now that you have gathered some of the information that you’re likely going to provide QLink, it’s now time to get your unlock code.
- One of the fastest ways to do it is to contact their customer support hotline.
They will happily give you your unlock code as long as your phone meets their eligibility requirements.
The good news is that their eligibility rules are not as strict, so there’s a good chance that you can get your unlock code right now.
Here’s how to get your unlock code by calling QLink’s hotline:
- Call QLink customer support at 1-855-754-6543.
- Talk to a representative and ask them to unlock your SIM.
- Provide your QLink phone number and account number.
- Wait for them to verify your account.
- After verification, they will provide you with the unlock code.
Note: They can also ask for your other account information like your name and billing addresses to help verify your account.
4. Get Your Unlock Code Through Your QLink Online Portal
If talking on the phone is not your thing, you can get your unlock code by logging into your QLink Wireless account.
Although it’s not a straightforward approach to calling, it’s still possible for you to get your unlock code this way.
Now that you have decided to do this, you will need to be prepared for the long wait times before they can come back to you with the codes.
As long as you’re willing to wait, this option can also be considered.
Here’s how to get your unlock codes through your QLink account:
- Go to the QLink website at qlinkwireless.com.
- Click on the Login option.
- Sign in using your email address and password.
- Go to your Profile and look for Network Unlock Code.
- Answer the questions for verification.
5. Unlock Your SIM Card Using the Code Provided By QLink
After getting the unlock codes from QLink, it’s time to perform the steps to unlock your SIM card successfully.
Doing this will then allow you to use your phone seamlessly. Now that your phone is not network locked, you can use it on networks other than QLink.
Here are the steps to unlock your SIM card:
- Switch off your device.
- Reinsert the QLink SIM into your phone.
- Turn your phone on.
- Enter the unlock code you got from Step #3 or #4.
- Verify that your phone is unlocked.
Note: You can now use other SIM cards on your phone apart from QLink.
6. Resolve Firmware Issues on Your Phone
If you’re still having trouble with your phone and SIM being network locked even though you have the unlock code, you will want to check for firmware issues.
This is especially true if you have not updated your phone’s software in a while.
You will want to check for any software problems and update your phone to the latest version.
Here are some of the ways to resolve firmware issues on your phone:
✅On iPhone:
- Open your phone’s Settings menu.
- Select General.
- Tap on Software Update.
- Wait for it to search for the latest version.
- Choose Download and Install if prompted.
✅On Android:
- Turn off your phone.
- Press and Hold the physical Volume Up button.
- Navigate to the Recovery Options menu.
- Select Wipe Cache Partition.
- Restart your phone.
Note: Once your phone is in recovery mode, use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select your choice.
If none of these steps fail and you have tried to use the unlock code, you will need to restore your device to factory settings.
Doing this will wipe out all settings and software issues on your phone allowing it to boot up and detect your carrier.
Bottom Line
If you’re experiencing the network locked SIM card QLink error, these are the solutions you need to follow to resolve it.
You can also contact QLink customer support for additional technical assistance if the problem persists.
Read Next: Can I Transfer eSim To Another Phone?
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.