Huawei modem does not work with 16.04

Question

Ubuntu 16.04 does not recognize my Huawei 15ca USB modem.

How can I fix this?

Solution 1

This command worked for me. I just needed to execute it once.

lsusb

Note down vendor and product id. In my case it is 12d1 and 1f01 respectively.

Bus 002 Device 003: ID 05c8:038f Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd (Foxlink) 
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 0438:7900 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. 
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0bda:b008 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. 
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 12d1:14db Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. E353/E3131
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 0438:7900 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. 
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

Then execute this once.

sudo usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1f01 -J

Solution 2

The instructions on how to fix this are slightly different than 14.04.

One of these steps might not be needed, but here is how I got it to work:

vi /lib/udev/rules.d/40-usb_modeswitch.rules

and add this line:

ATTR{idVendor}=="12d1", ATTR{idProduct}=="15ca", RUN+="usb_modeswitch '%b/%k'"

Then:

sudo touch /etc/usb_modeswitch.d/12d1:15ca

Run this command:

sudo usb_modeswitch -J -v 0x12d1 -p 0x15ca

Now you should see it under available network connections and under lsusb it appears with a different product number:

Bus 003 Device 008: ID 12d1:1506 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Modem/Networkcard

You might have to reboot or remove and reinsert the modem a couple of times to get it to work. Also remember to add it into edit connection/add mobile broadband connection.

Solution 3

I had this problem today. I had 2 computers with Ubuntu 16.04 where the 12d7:1505 modem works well.

I bought another one and it does not work without the

sudo usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1506 -J

command.

I fixed it with another udev rule.

Add /etc/udev/rules.d/huawei.rules file with this content:

ACTION=="add", SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="12d1", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1505", RUN+="/usr/sbin/usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1506 -J"

Then reboot, or run sudo udevadm control -R and insert the modem. You need to wait about 30 seconds for modem to boot, then you can use it.

Comments

[ov1d1u]

Is there a way to automate this, e.g. execute sudo usb_modeswitch -J -v 0x12d1 -p 0x15ca everytime the modem is connected? I remember this used to work automatically before 16.04 (after applying a similar fix like yours, of course).

[Kasun Siyambalapitiya]

from where did you got the 1f01 I don't see it in the above terminal extract

[Amey Deshpande]

From the lsusb output. The output I have posted is after executing usb_modeswitch which changes product id to 14db in my case.

[Pilot6]

Yes, there is a way. I am writing an answer.

[X09]

Yes, it worked but how can I run it only once and for al?l

[Christopher Kikoti]

solved my problem permanently

[Enjoy87]

Same here, it was so easy I learnt nothing. :|