A guy I personally know got a USB modem from the UK and the modem was locked to 3, a UK mobile network. On getting to Nigeria here, he found out the modem wouldn’t work with SIM card. The modem prompted for an unlock code and this dude kept guessing till he entered it incorrectly ten times. He rendered the modem useless and even DC unlocker couldn’t unlock it. I tried all I could but it didn’t work. I decided to try flashing the modem and re-installed the firmware but still, the unlock counter still read 10. Before the modem finally became useable again, I did three things to flash it:
1. Reset the unlock counter
2. Upgrade the firmware
3. Install a different dashboard
1. How to Reset the Unlock Counter
Must Read: How to Unlock Huawei E303 USB Modem
Like I said earlier, upgrading the firmware did not reset the unlock counter which read 10 out of 10. I had to reset the counter with a software first. If you haven’t entered your unlock code 10 times like the guy in question did, you should skip this step. Of course, you can still do it if you want to unlock your modem and anyway.
- Download this software
- Extract the content and run the .exe file inside
- Click on Refresh. Your modem should be automatically detected so far you checked AUTO CONNECTION under connection mode
- Be sure Auto-Calc Code and Auto-Unlock Modem are both marked
- Click READ MDM DATA
- Now click UNLOCK. This should both unlock your modem and reset the counter at the same time
- Lastly, click on Calculate to generate the flash code. You’re gonna be needing it later.
Must Read: How to Unlock ZTE Modems
2. Upgrade your Modem Firmware
- First, you must download the right firmware for your modem. You can download it from their official website but I prefer and recommend dc-files.com
- Select Huawei or what model your modem is and click the tiny modem icon
- On the next page, select your model and click the same modem icon again.
- Now, download Firmware Update and Dashboard Update
Now to upgrade the firmware, unzip the firmware update you downloaded and double-click the .exe file.
- Accept the agreement and proceed.
- The program searches for your modem for some seconds
- On the next page, simply hit the Next button
- When the flashing starts, be sure you follow the instruction on-screen. Do not remove your modem and be sure you have enough poer on your laptop or UPS to last for about 30 minutes.
- When you hit the start button, you may be prompted to enter your Flash code. This only happens when the new firmware version is different from the existing one on the device. Remember the Flash code you generated earlier? Enter it here.
- The process starts and normally, this should take less than 10 minutes.
- At this point, you don’t have to do anything. Just wait till you see a message that looks like this:
- Congratulations! You just upgraded you modem firmware successfully!
3. Installing a different dashboard
Even with an upgraded firmware, I was still seeing that same dashboard that came from 3 network. The dashboard wouldn’t let any me use any other SIM though the modem is already unlocked. I had to install a different dashboard to make me use our network provider settings here in Nigeria.
It’s here you’ll be needing the Dashboard Update file you downloaded.
- Unzip the file and run the executable file
- Accept the agreement and continue
- Again, the software should search for your device
-Hit the Next button as before and the procedure is very much similar to the firmware upgrade you did earlier.
Easy, isn’t it? It’s more like installing a software on your computer. Also, this should take less than five minutes to complete and after that, you should have a different modem software that’s not branded with your home network logo and customizations. Now you’ve successfully flashed your modem. I used this method to flash a “permanently locked” modem with 10 wrong unlock attempts and it worked fine.
Twitter: Donjos10
says:
A very nice method indeed.Thank for share
Thanks much for the various links, especially that to dc-files.comvery useful. However i got some issues: my com poort differs from huawei modem unlocker to the firmware updater making it impossible to proceed to whatever i want to do. I have a cdma huawei ec 1260 that is said to be unlocked, just that the IMEI is mixed with letters and characters. That is my second problem. Is there a way out of this? thanks once more.
I only used this with a 3G modem, not sure about flashing CDMA modems since I haven’t done it before.
Twitter: Exkonvict08
says:
Nice ypdate Don. Does this one also require to purchase the credits?
I hope the previous updates are also available for utility anytime because they are useful information.
Twitter: Awwal1st
says:
Thanks don caprio, i always enjoy your post the screenshot make everything easier
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sweet! this post is sweet and lovely. i love the way you put the post and it’s nothing but sweet.
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Twitter: xixicx
says:
Don c i don’t know how you do what you do!…………..but keep doing it,am with ya! *wink*
Thanks for the compliment, brotha.
help me decode this modem huawei
ime:860015017082824
model:E173-u
Twitter: funsho_k1
says:
Your posts always make sense, Keep it up sir.
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Thanks for the compliment, bro.
Twitter: ghanacrunch
says:
Nice one @ the don. This came in just when I needed it the most. There is a modem a friend gave me to unlock that has been showing me serious shege!
Thanks for this man.
Nice blog design redo BTW
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Long time, Ugo
Hope it works for you!
Twitter: oriatare1
says:
I truly gbadu your works and am eager to learn from you. Sent you a facebook friend request and following you on twitters. Just follow back if you don’t mind. I love this post of yours, am about to practicalise it. You’re truly the Don.
Don, ur posts are more than a $100 tour… love the way they come…
Mr Don, please how do I unlock Huawei E173 (Airtel Nigeria). I’d to do it today, PLEASE!!!
You can either use DC Unlocker as explained here or generate the code using Huawei unlock code calculator.
Thanks!!! Mr Don!!!
It didn’t work, it was giving me “error-invalid hex string! (error code 2″
uh sir can i flash my huawei e303 without unlocking it or do i have to unlock first ?
I’ve never tried that but you can give it a shot. Reinstalling the firmware and a different dashboard should clear it but then again, I’m only guessing.
Hello Don, my mtn zte 190 modem stop working after attempting to unlock it using the steps you outlined. Though my computer detects it, nut it cannot install the software again. Pls, help
The above instructions are for Huawei USB modems, not ZTE.
Thanks Don,it really change the dashboard, but it dind’t unlock the modem, that is Huawei E173(Airtel Nigeria). so is there any help?????
Twitter: otodeluxe
says:
Hello Don, Ive tried this but doesn’t work on Airtel E173-u2 modem. Any help.
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I checked, I can’t see E303 modem on the drop down
That’s likely because the firmware isn’t available on that site. You may have to check elsewhere.
Sir,
i have modem Huawei E121 . I downloaded latest firmware but when i start to install it before initiallizing, it is saying ” SPC code is incorrect. Please help.
Twitter: funsho_k1
says:
The link for Firmware Update is not accessible, please make a provision for it sir, am in need of it.
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pls let me know how to update firmware for ZTE usb modem AC2766.
rgds
as
Hi thx for this great tut, I have a small problem though, when I do all the updates, my modem can only operate on the 2G network not 3G as it was before, any ideas?…..
Have you checked the network settings and set it to WCDMA / GSM?
my modem huawei e153-u1 cannot through 3g it only connect on 2g
i have tried every where on many pcs and many places that happens after flashing it with its sim network card i bought it for but for other networks works fine
can you help ?
Perhaps it’s that particular network that has problems with 3G. Why not confirm from other users?
Hi there ,
i have a huawei e303 mobile broadband and it’s locked for umniah – jordan
i’ve tried a lot of method but no thing is working ,
the main problem am facing is that no software or dashboard detect’s my modem as a huawei modem ,
neither it’s can be found ,
can u help me with this one please ,
by the way this is not my first modem to unlock ,
i’ve already unlocked couple of them ,
but this is my first on this “umniah”
thanks in advance
*neither it’s port can be found
I’ve heard cases of customized firmwares that can’t be unlocked. Have you tried DC Unlocker?
Yes i did , still the data card is not detected
help pls my netsetter unlock
imei- 860369012427348
i try all d steps,after unlocking the model, the model still write invalid sim with another network…i dont knw way out…how do i run the dashboard so that it will make use of another network except airtel..i will like you to post dis to my mail seunscopeboy@gmail.com or seunscopeboy@yahoo.com.thanks
Hey! thank you man! thank you so much : ) you are so helpful! It actually works
Hi .. Don Caprio..
I got error to reset lock counter on my airtel 3g modem E1731…
I follow your above steps but my modem doesn’t accept the counter reset code..
here is my details of my modem..
Found modem : E1731
Model : Huawei E1731 (Airtel India)
IMEI : 354369049973093
Serial NR. : 8CABYA92C2201122
Firmware : 11.126.29.00.284
Compile date / time : Aug 13 2012 19:28:09
Hardware ver. : CD1E153M
Dashboard version : UTPS23.001.07.06.910_LNX23_myModem.in
Chipset : Qualcomm MSM6290
Voice feature : disabled
SIM Lock status : Locked (customized firmware)
Wrong codes entered : 10 (unlock attempts left : 0)
I’m not sure this works with customized firmwares.
Please help, I have a huawei modem E303 but unfortunately for me the my laptop shutdown in the middle of the firmware upgrade. Now my modem will only blink the green light when connected to the system but nothing else.
PLEASE HELP ME AS WHAT CAN I DO NOW TO GET ME MODEM WORKING AGAIN…
Thanks in advance.
That’s a very serious issue. Have you tried re-installing the firmaware after that? If it won’t work, I’m afraid the modem may be permanently damaged.
I must thank you for your reply…
Yeah, I’d tried re-installing the new firmware but no luck still… I was thinking about something… could you please tell me what firmware version comes with the huawei e303 originally, maybe if I get that, I can google to get it downloaded and try re-installing with the original firware version perhaps that will make my modem come live again…
Thanks for your support sir.
I’m sorry but I don’t know the original firmware version. I used to have it but I use a different modem now.
I recently tried to upgrade my Modem eg162g firmware. The upgrade was successfully done but the modem dashboard, in this case zain’s, doesn’t come up automatically again. I have tried installing another dashboard but when I Inserted the modem into a PC, no action as in nothing comes up.
There should be a shortcut to the program on your desktop after installing the new dashboard.
Hi, pls i hav an mtn moderm Zte Model: MF190 EAN: 6934933033689 IMEI: 866840015382007 i hav tried different code 5 times, pls help me.
nomoruyi@yahoo.com, 0802 728 5330
HI Don,
I have airtel 3g huawei E731 model; I followed above steps but when it comes to update firm wizard step after putting code… downloading starts and after few second fails and i get “update error” message . Please help.
Thanx 4 d tut Don C.
During firmware upgrade of Glo bolt E303s-1, it gives me Error code 19.
Am thinking that it’s bcos d lock counter is exhausted. How do i go about resetting d counter, cos Huawei Modem unlocker by Intelli-sense dos not reset it?
Perhaps DC Unlocker will reset it but I’m not so sure since the firware for that modem is customized.
Dud thanks a lot for the post; it worked wonders.
I HAVE AIRTEL USB MODEM KINDLY GUIDE ME HOW TO SET TO USE WITH QTEL SIM CARD
You can read other articles on unlocking USB modems:
How to Unlock Huawei E303 USB Modem
How to Unlock ZTE MF 190 / MF180 / MF110 / MF673u
Unlock ZTE and Huawei USB Modems / Data Card
will HUAWEI HG232f work in California Sacramento or any kind of modem would work to have unlocked and will it get free internet?
Don Caprio, thumbs up for all yur works here. Pls, is there any solution to the error code 19?
Thanks for the compliment, Simple. Unfortunately, I never came across the error to know if there’s a solution for it. Is the modem already unlocked?
No, I unlocked a MTN huawei e303 with ease using the upgrading method and it went fine. dc unlocker clients said they sell no credit for glo bolt huawei e303 modems for now. So in short, I cant unlock it with all the possible means of unlocking modems.
can any one give a little help for California modems?
California modems? What’s the exact make?
will HUAWEI HG232f work in California Sacramento or any kind of modem would work to have unlocked and will it get free internet?
the Comcast Motorola modems
Motorola SB5101U SURFboard DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem
or the one with DOCSIS 3.0
Hi, thank you for this excellent post.
The huawei unlocker is not automatically or manually recognising my Vodafone K3770 huawei modem.
Could you tell me if there is any way to do that ?
It’s likely the unlocker doesn’t support that particular model. You can try DC-Unlocker
Thank you for your reply. I tried DC-Unlocker 2 Client 1.00.1024 and had no luck. Still getting the same “Modem not found” message.
I already followed many tutorials and at last I unlocked my huwaei ec156 modem which was given me with my tata photon+ connection….Though I unlocked it using DFS and followed all d procedures without any fail. Ultimately,I downloaded the firmware of my device from huwaei , it is ” EC156Update_11.106.00.06.000.B416.exe”. Initially it was downloading its program to my device very promptly,…but when it was a very small amt remaining it got stucked ,the progressing notification was also stopped…I waited for nearly 20 mins,nothing happened…though it was warned not to stop the application or remove the device while downloading,how long I would wait???I also saw that the firmware application is not using processor and it just hanged….Howevr,after removing my device it re inserted it and win XP , win7 everything is showing it is a corrupted device…I became so upset….It was not my fault…I did every single instruction very cautiously…now what will I do?? Is dre any way to recover it, It tried with the huwaei firmware updater again and again..it did not found my device….I am totally fed up…any suggestion will be appreciated,please help me out suggesting a way before throw the rs.1199 /- stuff out….please….
Flashing a modem or modem or mobile device can be risky. I’m afraid I may not be able to help on this.
Unlocked a Huawei E1750 using your methods..
Great Help, Cheers!