Jun 16 2009
The device has been disconnected or is unavailable – Huawei E220
Thousands of people are having troubles with those Huawei USB modems (assumption based in search engine results and forum posts). Below I present a list of steps to try out or hints to consider if you run into issues installing the drivers and/or software such as the error “the device has been disconnected or is unavailable”. I was using the Huawei E220 model but I guess the software/firmware related issue apply with other models, too.
How to fix “the device has been disconnected or is unavailable”
- Always log in with a user account that has local admin permissions.
- Once you’ve found an USB plug that works, always hook up the modem to the same plug.
- If you see an error that “the device has been disconnected or is unavailable” when you try to connect, the following might help. The problem was that during installation Windows didn’t recognize the modem’s data interface. Hence, no modem was installed as far as Windows is concerned:
- Go to My Computer -> Properties -> Hardware -> Device Manager
- Disconnect the USB modem.
- Right-click on each entry in Universal Serial Bus controllers and choose “uninstall”.
- Restart the PC.
- Re-connect the USB modem to the first USB plug. Windows will initialize the device, pay attention to all the messages it displays at the lower right bottom of your screen. It will most likely initialize the device as an USB mass storage device, a CD-ROM, etc. AND hopefully as a “Data Interface”. If it never shows the mesage for data interface you have to try the device on the next USB plug.
- If Windows brings up an installation dialog for the data interface, allow it to get the drivers from the internet, but tell it to also check in <folder_where_you_installed_Swisscom_software>\Driver\WinXP for suitable drivers (it might not find them otherwise).
- If the Device Manager doesn’t list Huawei in the Modems and Ports section, you won’t be able to open a connection. Start all over with this guide
Aug 24, 2009 @ 12:27:45
i had the same problem. only one usb port is not recognized for the huawei modem. if the modem connected to other usb ports its works.
i tried following
1. restart the pc
2.used another data cable
3. clean the usb port and tested with other usb drives its works
finally i uninstalled the mobile partner and reinstalled. its works fine. but ther r so many files i can see at the installed folder than first time.
Oct 24, 2009 @ 09:24:16
Mate this worked wonders. You are a legend, thank you.
Mar 26, 2010 @ 16:51:49
It works for me. Thanks
Jun 04, 2010 @ 14:08:12
Just for future reference…
I got this error and I solved it by installing the program with the Huawei Modem connected.
Probably Windows doesn’t install the proper drivers by itself, and if you install the program without the modem connected, it doesn’t know which drivers to install and doesn’t install any.
Thanks a lot for the advice
Jul 17, 2010 @ 11:23:59
i tried but doesn’t work on IBM Thinkpad T40,
tell me to do something for working on it.
Jul 19, 2010 @ 13:10:36
I face the same issue..doesnt work on IBM T61…when i restart laptop…able to see signals and connect to internet…but when i disconnect the device and reinsert..it doesnt show the signals..always get message – Device has been disconnected or is unavailable…fed up with this…not able to get the signals back unless I delete USB controllers and restart the TP…
Aug 04, 2010 @ 10:31:05
Thanks a lot. I had same problem and it works for Huawe E160.
Aug 19, 2010 @ 21:08:50
Guys, I never had to restart my pc. just uninstall, plug-in the USB modem back … it installs automatically and start working fine …. but the issue resurfaces everytime I put my laptop to standby mode.
Aug 25, 2010 @ 02:46:38
it works perfectly for me..thanks mate..u are really a legend.
Oct 03, 2010 @ 22:43:10
Thanks, I really needed this.
I’d been able to get mine to work by reinstalling the drivers in safe mode (in normal mode, the uninstaller freezed), but then I had to restart the computer every time I plugged it in.
Your tutorial worked, but I had to restart the PC in safe mode after I uninstalled all the usb drivers because the installer also freezed otherwise.
Oct 18, 2010 @ 16:05:47
thanks – this helped.
Nov 05, 2010 @ 14:58:44
I started having the problem when I switched from one USB modem to another from the same ISP and same manufacturer (Huawei), and plugged into the same USB port
I tried doing all of above multiple times, but no luck. The USB gets recognized as a USB mass storage device, a CD-ROM, etc…but not a data interface.
I have a DELL Latitude D630.
Any help to resolve this will be appreciated as I am all out of ideas.
Thanks.
Dec 03, 2010 @ 14:50:53
thanks man. it solved my problem, reduce my headache, save my time
Dec 26, 2010 @ 03:43:36
My modem works normally by 2min. After that time, i’m disconnected, an i can see the message “the device has been disconnected or is unavailable”. Then i pull out my HUAWEI from USB, plug in again, and i have connection by next 2 min…
Dec 29, 2010 @ 10:24:14
I tried doing all of above multiple times. The USB gets recognized as a USB mass storage device, a CD-ROM, etc…but not a data interface.
Jan 02, 2011 @ 04:48:03
Thanks a lot. It works! I removed all of Universal Serial Bus controllers. Restart laptop and plug Huawei Modem E153 to usb port. When windows found new hardware and completed installed drivers. The “USB Composite Device” appear in Universal Bus controller and Huawei Mobile Partner software found E153 in device list.
Jan 05, 2011 @ 11:30:17
I also have dell latititude d630. same issue.
device is getting recognized as CD / usb mass storeage device.
Jan 18, 2011 @ 13:01:18
@dana
i have same problem but mine stays on for a bit longer then i get the error message
Feb 10, 2011 @ 19:35:00
thanx!!! it really work!!
Apr 17, 2011 @ 09:16:27
Hello All,
I had the same problem. My problem was resolved using the following troubleshooting steps-
1- Disabled the WiFi network adapter.
2- Connected the RIL Net Connect adaptor & installed drivers/software. That’s it
3- I suspect there must be some hardware resources allocation conflict among the devices.
Regards,
The Prince
Apr 23, 2011 @ 16:54:48
Thing works.
May 10, 2011 @ 14:36:29
None of the suggestions posted here helped. However, on further research, I came across http://blog.domcosgrove.com/huawei-e160g-the-device-has-been-disconnected-or-is-unavailable/, following whose suggestion worked for me. Just thought of posting it here to help others..
May 10, 2011 @ 19:39:44
Maybe because they talk about the E160g instead of the E220 as in this post?
May 20, 2011 @ 09:38:15
I have the same problem, im using windows 7 on T400 lenovo laptop, the system can detect the modem but when i try to run the icon on my desktop,the connect tab is not active..please help
Jul 27, 2011 @ 01:03:10
Hi guys!
I’m using a MAC OS 10.6. Im getting the same error with my Huawei E5832. Is the resolution the same? I dont konw how to solve this problem…
Please help!
Thanks
Jul 27, 2011 @ 08:42:17
How could the solution be the same when there’s no registry or hardware manager on your particular platform?
Sep 03, 2011 @ 03:21:29
hi i have a huawei e 220 and mi problem is that it dosnt recognize mass storage ,it recognize 3 data interface wich is modem drivers and 1 cpm[psite, when i instal firmware last 20% of instalation just jump to end , says firmware update complete and when i reconect the modem to usb software dont start, it just shows that it recognize modem and composite
Oct 18, 2011 @ 02:00:27
Thank you, i get a new knowlegde and fix my problem
Oct 29, 2011 @ 15:21:18
Hi everyone..I have a problem with my modem huawei e220. The problem is..when modem konekted the computer, modem is normal..connect and disconnect itself. But when i use my simcard, the problem appearing. The modem conect the computer more less one second, then disconnect again in one second to. That even contionously happen. my Question, what wrong with my modem. And, how i can solve that problem?
Jan 14, 2012 @ 11:02:20
Nothing works all is shit….. Customers r sick of it..
Jan 14, 2012 @ 11:03:47
Huawei modems r worst wid windows ..only suitable wid mac
Jan 14, 2012 @ 11:06:05
What type of coverage is the customer located in?
Is the customer able to get network?
Help the customer search for the Network manually, refer Modem Software Navigation for help.
Help the customer change the bandsettings to and search for Network Manually,refer Modem Software Navigation for help
Inform the customer that we have to perform an isolation test to determine the actual issues.
Note: No faults should be raised for marginal coverage .
May 13, 2012 @ 09:29:23
Problem still running
please help
Jun 07, 2012 @ 05:14:16
I am using acer 4755G. the usb ports start to fail to read other flash drives after the huawei modem is connected. the laptop won’t shut down too when the huawei modem is connected.
Jun 14, 2012 @ 04:05:16
huawei is the most problem broadband..next time i don’t want to buy it…make me sick..
Jul 22, 2012 @ 13:24:21
I unlocked my modem but getting it to work using the mobile partner interface was a real pain especially with the device disconnected or unavailable message when clearly the device is working fine(I checked in the device manager and also in devices and printers), besides, the mobile partner can pick up the available networks so I was beaten!!!!
I tried every thing you’ve suggested on this page to no avail. So I tried connecting using Dial-up and it worked like a dream.
So basically, I can set up my connections using mobe partner but can’t connect that way, I have to use the Dial-up. Funny enough, I can disconnect using the mobile partner.
Will have to keep connecting thusly until it’s figured out.
I am using an HP ProBook 4530s
Aug 11, 2012 @ 17:55:17
i use IBM Thinkpad T40, .. and problem isn’t solved.. what should i do with this problems ?
Aug 11, 2012 @ 20:32:47
Then I would return the device where you bought it.
Sep 02, 2012 @ 08:24:51
Thanks….it works for me…
Sep 06, 2012 @ 11:35:45
it’s not working with huawei E357., im using windows xp os.. please help”"”"”
Sep 18, 2012 @ 05:55:58
It’s a great idea, dude. I was thinking about contacting the service engineer. But your technique did work and I am over the moon. You are really a troubleshooting expert. Kudos!!!
Oct 13, 2012 @ 19:03:10
I have aircel data card model no E303s. I have unlocked it but the every time I try to connect to internet it gives a message “Device disconnected or device unavailable”. How to fix it, I tried by uninstalling usb..it dint work..plz help..
Nov 28, 2012 @ 08:19:10
I have been having simillar error connecting to my laptop using Huavei 3G Modem. However I eventually rectify the problem by disabling the access protection on the Antivirus Software program. WI
Feb 27, 2013 @ 05:48:06
My device driver is not getting installed after following the above instructions. So I went to the Reliance Website and downloaded the new driver suitable for my device
http://advicesmedia.com/reliance-netconnect-driver-download/
I hope below will work
1. Unisinstall the Reliance Netconnect software and delete the USB drivers
2. Connect your Reliance Broadband device then Install the new Netconnect driver that you have downloaded.
Feb 27, 2013 @ 10:37:08
Hope you’ll be successful, good luck!
May 02, 2013 @ 18:16:49
my huawei is working fine with tata docomo .
but do not connect my airtel [2g].it will show ‘airtel’ but when i tried to connect or check balance it says ‘ device disconnected’
please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
May 02, 2013 @ 21:38:15
Sorry, can’t help as I’m not using any of those services.
Jun 13, 2013 @ 15:00:49
Hi guys, I haves a Huawei e220 mobile modem. I can get it to connect to internet through my laptop, and it works. But when I disconnect the USB from my laptop, I lose everything.
I no idea on how to keep the modem live so that I can use it outside my home (after all that was the purpose of buying it), so any help you can give me, please.
Thanks