topic Cannot activate - Invalid SIM in Get Support

Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

Davis-Goertzen — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 11:28:22 GMT

I purchased a Public Mobile SIM from Walmart today, and I cannot activate it. I have checked multiple times to verify, and I am entering the SIM card # correctly. I tried the suggestions in the other posts, i.e. wait, try different browser, clear cache, all to no avail. In fact, a message saying "Invalid Sim" sometimes comes up even before I've finished entering my information in the Online Activation page!

Needless to say, I was hoping for a better experience than this. Any suggestions?

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

Anonymous — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 04:16:28 GMT

@Davis-Goertzen wrote:
I purchased a Public Mobile SIM from Walmart today, and I cannot activate it. I have checked multiple times to verify, and I am entering the SIM card # correctly. I tried the suggestions in the other posts, i.e. wait, try different browser, clear cache, all to no avail. In fact, a message saying "Invalid Sim" sometimes comes up even before I've finished entering my information in the Online Activation page!

Needless to say, I was hoping for a better experience than this. Any suggestions?

How far did you get initially?

How long did you actually wait to do another attempt?

Have you tried the SIM in a phone?

Has it taken your money yet?

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

Dunkman — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 04:18:18 GMT

@Davis-Goertzen

Did the Walmart rep try to activate plan for you?

If not, that message usually means that the SIM card might not work and you might need to go back to Walmart to get another SIM card.

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

GinYVR — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 04:20:56 GMT

@Davis-GoertzenGo to the store and ask for a new one.. there are instances where the store clerk mixed activated ones with non activated ones.

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

Davis-Goertzen — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 04:30:38 GMT

First off, wow, thanks for the speedy replies!

The Walmart rep sold me the SIM card in its folder, and I tried to activate it online when I got home. Will I be able to return/exchange the SIM card now that I've popped it out?

I tried the SIM in my phone (unlocked, and I'm with Koodo presently) and it didn't recognize it.

I waited an hour, but I hadn't cleared the cache before waiting the hour. I suppose that could change things.

I could never get past the Online Activation page. I don't even have a Self-Serve account yet. So no, it hasn't taken my money.

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

GinYVR — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 04:31:59 GMT

@Davis-GoertzenYou will have to tell the rep what had happened, I don't see why they won't do it.

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

YVR — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 04:48:39 GMT

You could try one final time I'm the morning (clearing the cache etc). If it doesn't work, just take it back for return / exchange.

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

will13am — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 05:04:05 GMT

@Davis-Goertzen , if your credit card has not been charged, wait it out for an hour for the session lock to end, and give it another try using the following start guide.

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Getting-Started/Start-Guide-Setup-Activation-Port-Data/td-p/80123

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

saeliux — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 07:46:35 GMT

I got invalid sim as well on my activation.

To resolve, I had to contact Moderator_team. Click on the envelop and send them a private message.

The way I got invalid sim was through the last step of the activation after you enter your credit card and you are ready to send the order. The page went blank and I never got a confirmation. So I retried and kept getting invalid sim on the first step of activation.

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

Davis-Goertzen — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 21:14:37 GMT

Thanks for the replies. I tried again today and was still getting the message about invalid SIM, so I've contacted the moderator. If they can't help, I'll try to exchange the SIM card at Walmart. I'll let you know what happens.

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

GinYVR — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 21:15:57 GMT

@Davis-GoertzenExpect moderators to get back to you 48+ hours. I suggest go to Walmart first for quicker resolution of your issue.

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

Davis-Goertzen — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 03:31:55 GMT

I went back, exchanged the SIM for a new one, and they were able to activate it right there. Thanks for the help!

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

GinYVR — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 03:41:05 GMT

@Davis-GoertzenDo start a thread in the Retail section on which Walmart you went to, because it seems people's Walmart experience is all over the place, some won't sell SIM card seperately etc. Thanks! I am glad you got it working!

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

jor123 — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 13:50:29 GMT

@Davis-Goertzen wrote:
I went back, exchanged the SIM for a new one, and they were able to activate it right there. Thanks for the help!

Good to hear. Welcome to PM!

Re: Cannot activate - Invalid SIM

neicey — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 21:56:11 GMT

It took me a while to activate my account as well. After numerous attempts to register, and having errors such as : pick a language, email already in use etc, I think after trying too many times to register, the site seems to "lock out" the sim #. I cleared my cache, closed and re-opened my browser, and it worked with no problems. Hope this helps someone else.