Huawei E220 – how to get it to work on Windows 7

I upgraded my Laptop to Windows 7  and after installing ALL my applications I was just about to hit the road when I remembered that I didn’t install my trusted E220 modem that I have used for the past 4 years. So I connected the E220 card to my USB and it was recognized by Windows 7 – so far so good.

It then added the USB Mass Storage and a CD Rom. But then it stopped! Luckily I had the MTN E220 software copied onto my computer so I tried to install it manually but it failed.

I spent the next 2 days searching the web for a solution – I downloaded a gazillion apps which are supposed to fix it but none did. The problem is that Windows 7 doesn’t recognize the device as a modem – therefore the MTN software doesn’t work.

I spent the next day searching the web again for Modem drivers – but again no luck.

Eventually =- EUREKA!

steps to get Windows 7 to recognize the E220 as a modem

With the help of various websites/ forums and trial-and-error, I have put the following steps to get Windows 7 to recognize the E220 as a modem :

  • Connect the E220 – Windows 7 will only recognize a new USB Mass Storage Device and a CD drive  (which btw you cannot access).
    Open the Device Manager
  • You will see the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” Section and under that USB Mass Storage Device
  • Find the one that is related to the E220 (I kept the device manager open, disconnected the E220 and saw the Mass Storage disappear. I connected it again and saw it reappear – so I knew which one to play with)
  • Right-click on the Mass Storage Device and select “Update Driver Software”
  • Select “Browse my Computer”
  • Select the “Let me pick” section at the bottom
  • Untick the  “Show compatible devices” option
  • Select “(Generic USB Host Controller)” in the Manufacturer Tab (near the top of the list)
  • Select “USB Composite Device” in the Model Tab (on the right side)
  • Click on NEXT to finish the installation
  • Windows 7 will add another USB Mass Storage Device
  • Disconnect and reconnect your E220 to reinitialize the E220 software
  • It will then pick up the E220 as a modem!
  • At this stage install the software which you can download from the MTN or Vodacom website.

hopefully, this can save you lots of time and frustration!

Liron Segev - TheTechieGuy

Liron Segev is an award-winning tech blogger, YouTube strategist, and Podcaster. He helps brands tell their stories in an engaging way that non-techies can relate to. He also drinks way too much coffee! @Liron_Segev on Twitter

55 thoughts on “Huawei E220 – how to get it to work on Windows 7

  1. I have also searced the web for a solution to this problem for the past 2 days without luck. You are a genius.

  2. Glad I could help !

    p.s if anyone wants to click on the Facebook or Tweet or Vote button to help share the info – I reallwouldn’tnt mind !!!

  3. Well done!!!!!
    Thanks for the help.
    Awesome stuff, much appreciated…:)

  4. I would like to add my vote of thanks as I was also struggling with the same issue after a fresh installation of Windows 7.

  5. You!!!!! You wonderful creature!!
    Ty from the bottom of my heart.

    Why arent you the ceo of huawei corp??
    Ohh then you would have made a modem that would have worked from the first place!
    Many thnx again.

  6. Wow it really worked, can’t believe it youre a genious man!
    Thanks a million…. kudos 🙂

  7. seriously awesome, thanks so much for posting this solution, worked a treat. Very much appreciated.

  8. I tried the same technique for my huawei modem. 3 days of searching all over the internet and doing all sorts of recommended things. This is the only thing that worked.

  9. Liron, I had spent a lot of time trying to put this modem to work that I had given up. But now it works like a charm!! Thank you.

  10. Thanks for sharing this information, I have been trying for the past few days to work. Quite relived now.

    Thanks again

  11. Best and most useful article ever – have been battling with this for ages. I am now going to go and show our IT support how it’s done now 🙂

  12. You are an absolute genius. I have been struggling with this for 2 weeks now. Huawei themselves didnt know what to do and Telkom…well lets not go there!

    Thanks for this post, my problem is solved!

  13. Thank you so much. I was ready to tear my hair out at the roots out of sheer frustration. This saved me.

  14. If my laptop stands for a few minutes it disconnects from the network and I have to restart the laptop to reconnect. Is there a setting that I can change to stay connected when idle. model E220

  15. Hi,Man! you are great.I almost gave up until I read your article.Thank you bro,and also how can I make this modem accept another sim card other than Vodacom.I cant wait…thanks again.

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