I have a rechargeable vacuum cleaner and a 5G router that sits at floor level. I vacuumed next to the router today without touching it, and immediately afterward the router stopped detecting its SIM card. I tried following the router's reset instructions, but that didn't help. The SIM still works normally in my phone. Could vacuuming have caused this, or is there another likely explanation?
3 Answers
Static electricity is theoretically possible, especially around a motorized vacuum, but it’s not the most likely explanation. A nearby vacuum normally shouldn’t destroy a router without contact. Check the SIM tray and router diagnostics first, and avoid placing networking equipment directly on the floor in the future.
The vacuum probably didn’t directly damage the router, but vibration or accidentally bumping it could have shifted the SIM slightly. Remove the SIM, inspect and gently wipe the contacts, then reinsert it until it clicks securely. It’s also worth checking for a carrier outage and trying another compatible SIM if possible. Moving the router onto a stable table would help keep it away from dust, floor-level impacts, and vibrations.
Since the SIM works in your phone, the problem is more likely with the router’s SIM slot, contacts, firmware, or internal hardware. The timing may be coincidence, although vibration or static could have contributed. If reseating the SIM and performing a proper factory reset don’t help, contact the manufacturer or service provider about a replacement.
The SIM still works in my phone, and the router won’t enter its normal no-SIM standby state—it just fails to detect it. I’ve had the exact same issue before and received a replacement router, so I’m starting to suspect the router itself failed.