CME Error: SIM Failure

[jasonh]

Hey,

I'm recently getting "+CME Error: SIM Failure" on what was a working system until just this afternoon.
I've even activated another Simple Mobile BYOP SIM to make sure that it's not the SIM itself.
I'm using an EM7565 in an M2 USB3 enclosure with its own SIM slot.
I added a laminating piece of tape to the back of the SIM adapter to make sure that contact wasn't the issue.

Does anyone know what might be the cause of the error?
My best guess is that the enclosure just randomly decided that it didn't want to have great contact with the SIM anymore.

Thanks,

[jasonh]

I should also add that both SIMs tested (the original SIM and the new SIM) are Simple Mobile, and are both working (sending/receiving calls, speed testing, checking a few web pages) in a phone.

[Didneywhorl]

What router?

If it is a rooter based router, does it show the SIM # in the Modem->Network Status Page?

[jasonh]

This is an x86 virtual machine of goldenorb built on OpenWRT 19.07.2.

I can see the SIM number, but Provider is "Failed To Connect: Retrying" instead of HOME:
https://imgur.com/E9Y8ZPN

AT!GSTATUS? isn't looking so good, either.
https://imgur.com/enjF4XT

My thinking is that maybe the SIM isn't hitting all contact points?
I just ordered another enclosure to test that theory.
Ruled out the power supply, just to be sure.
It's also the same thing for both SIM cards. So it's not a bad SIM card.

[Didneywhorl]

I think it is seeing the SIM. The network seems like it is declining your connection. RRC Idle means you are connected to the tower, but not allowed to pass through, PS State shows basically the same.

Reading the SIM ICCID is all it needs. Not having a SIM phone number though is odd.

Wouldn't hurt to copy the system log into a text file and post it, or you can copy and paste the whole shebang on here in text.

Simple mobile is Tmobile? If so, make sure you have the latest Tmobile firmware for the EM7565. I've heard of issues with Sierra and Tmobile MVNOs.

[jasonh]

I ended up having to throw a Page Plus SIM card in, working with APN of tracfone.vzwentp and TTL of 117 (though support offered up an APN of ivzwentp.tracfone.com?) So, it wasn't anything weird with the enclosure.

I don't live that far out in the sticks, but far enough away that this is my only option, and I work from home.
So, I might get around to updating firmware on the EM7565, but it wont be during the work week.
Thanks for the help, though!

[jasonh]

So, I'm attempting this again, since Page Plus isn't going to work out for me.
I've updated firmware to the latest TMobile:

Code: Select all

AT!IMPREF?
!IMPREF: 
 preferred fw version:    01.14.02.00
 preferred carrier name:  TMO
 preferred config name:   TMO_002.003_000
 preferred subpri index:  000
 current fw version:      01.14.02.00
 current carrier name:    TMO
 current config name:     TMO_002.003_000
 current subpri index:    000

I'm still getting the CME Error: SIM Failure.
I've attached a copy of the system log here.

Other possibly pertinent information:

Code: Select all

AT!USBCOMP?
Config Index: 1
Config Type:  3 (Generic)
Interface bitmask: 0000010D (diag,nmea,modem,rmnet0)

Code: Select all

AT+CGDCONT?
+CGDCONT: 1,"IPV4V6","simple","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0

Code: Select all

AT!SELRAT?
!SELRAT: 06, LTE Only

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AT+COPS=?
+COPS: (0,"HOME","HOME","310120",7),(0,"HOME","HOME","310260",7),
(0,"HOME","HOME","312530",7),(0,"HOME","HOME","311490",7),
(0,"HOME","HOME","311882",7),(0,"HOME","HOME","310260",2),
(0,"HOME","HOME","310410",7),(0,"HOME","HOME","313100",7),
(0,"HOME","HOME","310410",2),(0,"HOME","HOME","311480",7),,(0,1,2,3,4),(0,1,2)

Code: Select all

AT!GSTATUS?
!GSTATUS: 
Current Time:  2173		Temperature: 30
Reset Counter: 3		Mode:        ONLINE         
System mode:   LTE        	PS state:    Not attached 
LTE band:      B2     		LTE bw:      20 MHz  
LTE Rx chan:   851		LTE Tx chan: 18851
LTE SCC1 state:NOT ASSIGNED
LTE SCC2 state:NOT ASSIGNED
LTE SCC3 state:NOT ASSIGNED
LTE SCC4 state:NOT ASSIGNED
EMM state:     Deregistered   	Limited Service
RRC state:     RRC Idle       
IMS reg state: No Srv  		

PCC RxM RSSI:  -68		PCC RxM RSRP:  -99
PCC RxD RSSI:  -69		PCC RxD RSRP:  -103
Tx Power:      --		TAC:         b0f9 (45305)
RSRQ (dB):     -11.2		Cell ID:     00775a0c (7821836)
SINR (dB):      3.8

[Didneywhorl]

Have you tried swapping to MBIM protocol? I find I like using MBIM better for most uses.

[jasonh]

I had an issue with not being able to get anything to work unless I was using qmi.

It may just be a driver issue, but it's another one of those *didn't have time to figure it out* issues.

I'll see what I can do when I get back to the house. I'm also going to try and find a MetroPCS sim while I'm out, just in case.

[jasonh]

It's not looking like being in MBIM got me anywhere.

Code: Select all

AT!USBCOMP?
Config Index: 1
Config Type:  3 (Generic)
Interface bitmask: 00001009 (diag,modem,mbim) 

Code: Select all

AT!GSTATUS?
!GSTATUS: 
Current Time:  350		Temperature: 30
Reset Counter: 2		Mode:        ONLINE         
System mode:   LTE        	PS state:    Not attached 
LTE band:      B66    		LTE bw:      10 MHz  
LTE Rx chan:   0		LTE Tx chan: 132022
LTE SCC1 state:NOT ASSIGNED
LTE SCC2 state:NOT ASSIGNED
LTE SCC3 state:NOT ASSIGNED
LTE SCC4 state:NOT ASSIGNED
EMM state:     Deregistered   	Limited Service
RRC state:     RRC Idle       
IMS reg state: No Srv  		

PCC RxM RSSI:  -60		PCC RxM RSRP:  -93
PCC RxD RSSI:  -62		PCC RxD RSRP:  -95
Tx Power:      --		TAC:         541d (21533)
RSRQ (dB):     -15.0		Cell ID:     02a70417 (44499991)
SINR (dB):      6.2

The cell ID looks a little funky. I'm trying to track down which cell I'm actually looking at there.
I wasn't able to find a MetroPCS sim at the two places I went to.
I did, however, get an ATT prepaid unlimited sim... though, I think that will end up being a headache, as well.

*Edit: I should also point out that in MBIM the "CME Error: SIM Failure" isn't showing.
The "Provider" field in the Network Status: General Information shows as "Connecting", and stays that way.

[jasonh]

I also just got word, from a friend that also uses Simple Mobile, that he's got no service as well with the sim in his MOFI4500.

It looks like Simple Mobile may be cracking down on modems?

[Didneywhorl]

I still say that typically these mean the network is not allowing your account access to the internet:

PS State: Not Attached
and
RRC: Idle

Also, are you using "magic" on the modem to match the acceptable devices for the account? Some of the MVNOs like Simple, and Metro for sure, lock to phone imeis only.

[Didneywhorl]

I also just got word, from a friend that also uses Simple Mobile, that he's got no service as well with the sim in his MOFI4500.

It looks like Simple Mobile may be cracking down on modems?

Possible. This is why some have gone to "magic", but the networks are always working on new ways to lock down to their big bizness partners only for approved devices.

[Labilis]

We're you ever able to get this one figured out? I had a similar issue recently. After rebooting the router I couldn't get the service to connect any more. Had the same symptoms as you. Simple mobile had been nagging me for awhile that my device mc7455 wasn't network compatible. I checked with tmobile and simple had blocked the imei number on the network. Still working to resolve this but wanted to let you know my finding so far.

*Update* T-Mobile did confirm simple mobile blacklisted the imei from the t-mobile network for "unauthorized network interference" I was able to get it back online using magic for now.

[Dr-BroadBand]

Are the carriers using the MAC address to black list modems??

(Media Access Control address)

[jasonh]

While I wasn't successful in getting support to enable service again, for my sierra wireless modem; I was able to get them to enable it on a fibocom modem by telling them that data on my "phone" had stopped working.
They obviously knew that the IMEIs didn't match, but I insisted that the phone IMEI was correct, and they allowed the fibocom IMEI to get data back on my "phone."

For my sierra wireless modem, I'm having to use Page Plus. I'm not too thrilled about the 200GB data limit for each $50 refill... But it is what it is, for now.

MetroPCS wouldn't allow the sierra wireless modem, saying that it came back as "blacklisted."

Anyone have any other ideas for providers, preferably on T-Mobile network?

[Didneywhorl]

Try US Mobile

[jasonh]

Try US Mobile

Will do! Thanks for the recommendation!

[entropy4u]

I had the same problem