Methods, systems, and devices for recovery techniques for subscriber identification module (SIM) detection error are described. A user equipment (UE) may determine an operating mode for the UE based on a SIM card switch occasion. The SIM card switch occasion may be a “hotswap” occasion of a SIM card while the UE is powered on. The UE may power a SIM card associated with the UE based on the operating mode for the UE and a previous status of a SIM slot associated with the UE. The UE may detect a presence of the SIM card in the SIM slot based on powering the SIM card. The UE may set a SIM sensing operation at the UE based on the detected presence of the SIM card.