[Fix] Internet Connection Not Working Using Mobile Phones or USB Modems in Windows

The solution given in this tutorial will work in all Windows versions!

This problem is faced by many Windows users who try to connect to Internet using their mobile phones or USB devices such as USB Modem, etc. When they install the bundled software and try to connect to Internet using the given dialer program, they get error messages and the error messages do not help in troubleshooting the annoying issue.

Recently an AskVG reader “Windows Fan” contacted us regarding a strange issue which he faced in Windows 8.1. He was using Tata Photon+ wireless broadband data card which allows you to enjoy broadband speed (kind of) using a USB drive. He told us that it was working fine in previous Windows versions including Windows 8 but when he tried to use it in Windows 8.1, he got following error message:

Advertisement

Failed to create a phone-book entry.

Internet_Connection_Error_Message.png

The same problem was also faced by another AskVG reader “Anurag“. He told us:

I have Dell Vostro laptop and Tata Photon+ data card. I installed Windows 8.1 on the laptop and every other driver got installed without any issue. But the Tata Photon+ data card is not connecting to Internet. Its giving the below error message:

Unable to create a phone-book entry.

Tried a few solutions available online, no dice. Also tried calling Tata Photon helpline, they said they can’t help. Tried downloading new drivers available for Windows 8 from their website, still same issue. Tried using different Tata Photon+ card (from a friend), still same issue.

It’ll be great if you could help. Thanks for taking the effort to read through.

Advertisement

We have also received a few similar emails from other AskVG readers who faced similar problems while using their mobile phones to connect to Internet in Windows. They were getting “Could not connect to the Internet” or similar error messages and were not able to connect to Internet.

So the question comes, why does it happen? If a mobile phone or USB modem Internet works fine in one Windows version, why does it not work in another Windows version? The reason is different features and functionality of different Windows versions.

When a new version of Windows is released, it comes with new or improved functionality and the same thing happened with Windows 8.1. It seems Microsoft has made some changes to Network and Sharing Center in Windows 8.1 which is causing this issue.

Actually when you try to install drivers and required dialer programs for your mobile phone or USB modems in Windows 8.1 or other Windows versions, the setup fails to create the required Internet connection which is used by its dialer to connect to Internet, that’s why you get error messages.

The solution to fix this problem is very easy! You just need to create the Internet connection manually and then you can use this Internet connection to connect to Internet.

So if you are also facing this issue in Windows, check out following simple steps to fix it:

1. Open Network and Sharing Center using Control Panel. You can also open it by right-clicking on Network icon in system tray and click on “Open Network and Sharing Center” option.

2. Now click on “Set up a new connection or network” link.

Create_New_Connection_Network_in_Windows.png

3. It’ll open new connection wizard. Click on “Connect to the Internet” option present at first place in the wizard.

Select_New_Connection_Option.png

If it shows “You are already connected to the Internet” message, click on “Set up a new connection anyway”.

Again if it shows “Do you want to use a connection that you already have?” message, select “No, create a new connection” option and click on Next button.

4. Now click on “Dial-up” option.

Select_New_Connection_Type.png

5. Here comes the important part! In next screen, you’ll need to enter correct dial-up phone number, username and password. These 3 things will differ for different service providers. If you don’t know about these things, you can contact the customer care and ask them.

Generally for GSM mobile phones and USB modems, the dial-up phone number is *99# or *99***1#. Leave the username and password fields blank.

For CDMA mobile phones and USB modems (Tata Photon+), the dial-up phone number is #777 and username and password is internet (all in small letters).

Set_New_Connection_Information.png

If the above settings don’t work for you, you’ll need to ask your mobile phone customer care for correct settings.

6. That’s it. Click on Connect button and you should get connected to Internet without any problem.

You can create a shortcut of this connection on Desktop so that you can access it quickly and easily. To create its shortcut, click on “Change adapter settings” link given in left-sidebar of Network and Sharing Center and there you’ll see your new connection icon. Right-click on it and select create shortcut option. It’ll create its shortcut on Desktop.

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Hello,
    I use Zte MF 631.
    I installed it on my windows 8 but all i get is connect failed.I have uninstalled other usb connections on my laptop.it works on my desktop but doesn’t on my laptop .
    what should i do?

  2. hello.
    I am using Huawei 14.4mbps 3g modem.
    but whenever i insert my device to my PC ,it connects and disconnects automatically,
    please tell me what to do????

  3. hey VG! after following all d instructions u gave,I got dis connection failed with error 633 alert(the modem is already in use or is not configured properly), what to do? trusting u for something ASA effing P. thanks!

  4. Sorry guys but cant help much in this issue. There might be driver problem which may cause such kind of error messages. Also make sure no other dial-up connection exists in Network Connections folder. If you find any extra connection, delete it.

  5. Please help me…..I am using modem with Gsm and Network coming but when I connect it seem that Your Connection Intimised….

  6. Please sir help me…I am in grave problem….Please help me sir..I am using win7 in my 1 day old new desktop…I am using Huawai 3 G modem with Gsm sim Airtel,Idea…After Install it Network come in modem but when I click to connect it does not connected….I will try again and again click connect but it does not work….Please Sir help me…

  7. ^^ Did you try above mentioned method? Did you try to connect directly using dial-up connection shortcut?

  8. my dell vostro 2520 laptop not working properly for usb data card. how to solve the problem.

  9. I have Dell Vostro laptop with win 8.1 (64 bit). I am not able to connect to Internet with any of Data Cards (tried Reliance, Tata Photon +, BSNL 3G etc). Signal strength is good. And all these data cards are connecting to Dell OptiPlex (Desktop) with same configuration – Win 8.1 (64-bit) etc. Tried all possible methods including creating a dial_up (which I could not create). Can anyone help me in resolving this problem? Thanks …..

  10. hey
    why my mobile internet connection doesn’t connect my window 8.1 pro pc…..with using USB cable……
    can anyone help me for solving this problem…??????
    Thanks…….:)

  11. HI

    i am using TATA Photon Max wifi usb .Whenever i connect it directly to laptop it work as remote server and i can share files between laptop and phone and under network adapters this comes:
    Remote Network Driver Interface Specification (RNDIS)
    but when i connect my usb modem direclty through wall plug and connect my laptop then it does not act as remote server and under network adapter Remote Network Driver Interface Specification (RNDIS) is not showing.
    using WINDOW 7
    Please help

  12. bro,
    I am using HP envy j110tx having windows 8.1 and I am having it updated in all updates provided. I am trying to connect a Nokia Asha 230 phone to access internet via dialup connection. I am trying to achieve it via One touch access but when the computer shows connected, within seconds my laptop restarts and takes a bit extra time than normal boot. Please, bro help on this issue.
    Needing a solution urgently,
    Thank you

  13. ^^ Might be a driver problem. It might be possible that the driver of your mobile phone modem is not compatible with Windows 8.1. Sorry but I cant help much.

  14. @Deepakkumar
    Try updating your Nokia Connectivity Cable Driver. You can find it in Nokia support site for your phone.
    Hope this helps.

  15. Hi,
    I recently bought Reliance Pro 3 USB data card. After activation and making appropriate settings it still is showing following message when trying to connect – Connection failed because the modem (or the other connecting device) on the remote.
    I tried the steps given above but it is not working.
    Please help me with solution if you have any.

  16. I have upgraded my pc from xp to windows 7 ultimate. Earlier dongle was was working properly but after upgrading it shows ‘connect failed’. Pls sent me proper settings & help me…….Thanx

  17. Hi,
    I have a Tata photon plus dongle which I m trying to use on my windows 8.1 machine, the device gets connected to the Internet but when I try to open a Web page it shows page cannot be displayed. Although the same device works fine on Windows 7 machine. Please help

  18. Hi
    i have reliance 3 cdma data card. It was working fine with windows 8 till it updated itself to windows 8.1 update number kb2919355. The data card has stopped working. It gets connected shows green light but cant open anything on a browser…browser says no internet connection

  19. Hi

    I used to have a Tata Photon USB dongle. I now have an airtel USB. Whenever I connect the Airtel USB to my laptop, the Tata Photon dialler opens and connects to the net.
    Yet in my network connections it shows that I am connected via Airtel.

    Please help and explain this wierd behaviour.

  20. ^^ Check in Add/Remove Programs (Programs and features) and if you find an entry of Tata Docomo Dialer, uninstall it.

  21. Hi,

    Am using Reliance Pro 3 Data card. Before its was working fine. but after some time its getting error ” Error720- The remote computer couldn’t establish the connection.
    If I format the system then its working. But every time format is not good.

    Please help me to resolve this issue.

  22. You better try to re-install the application. You may also create another server linking network by configuring your reliance modem…
    Yep, formatting everytime is not good, since it may harm your computer’s hard disk as well as affect the operating system inversely as well.
    If both of the above mentioned functions do not work, try to re-initialize the modem by following the link C:\Windows\system32\drivers%&%modules\functionality.bat and re-edit the path to help the computer recognize your modem. Install shield is a better option to link it.

  23. I have a reliance 3g data card which is working fine when i use it with my laptop associated with windows 7-64 bit, but when i plug in my tata docomo card, it terminates abnormally or displays the message–“0x00000000 caused it to terminate abnormally” and when i click on ok, it again displays the message–“the program requested valve to be terminated”. and sometimes the computer also displays the message that the driver of the data card is not installed properly.

    Anybody, help me to fix it!!

  24. Sir iam using mmx 210G in windows 8.1. it works fine .when I install it on windows 10 build 10125 it shows error driver installation failed

    please show me a answer

    Thanks for VG fot creating amazing tips and tricks

  25. i use airtel 4 g hot spot now i unable to connect through usb tried change of usb cable it show charging but no internet where as it working as wi fi properly but not connect to pc via usb cable please help

  26. My airtel modem can’t connect but I have drived all the drivers in the system.how can I fix it

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NOTE: Your comment may not appear immediately. It'll become visible once we approve it.