Unlock or unblock your mobile broadband device

Here's what to do if your mobile broadband device is locked or blocked.

To unlock a mobile broadband device

If your mobile broadband device has a PIN, the device will be automatically locked when you turn off your PC, enter hibernation, or remove the device from your PC. The next time you start your PC, resume from hibernation, or insert the device, the status will appear as Device locked. Follow these steps to unlock it:

  1. View a list of available networks by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Settings (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Settings), and then tapping or clicking the network icon (Wireless network icon or Wired network icon).

  2. Tap or click the name of the mobile broadband connection, and then tap or click Connect.

  3. Enter the PIN, and then tap or click OK.

To unblock a mobile broadband device

When a mobile broadband device is blocked, you can't unlock it with the PIN. The status of the device will appear as Blocked. To unblock the device, you must enter a PIN unblock key (often called a PUK) that you get from your mobile broadband provider. You'll also need to create a new PIN during the unblocking process. Follow these steps to unblock your device:

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  2. Tap or click Network, and then tap or click the name of your mobile broadband network.

  3. Tap or click Unblock PIN.

  4. Enter the PIN unblock key (PUK), enter and verify a new PIN, and then tap or click Finish.