Can’t connect to cellular data on Surface?

If you can’t connect to cellular data or share your cellular data connection, first try to install the latest drivers from Windows Update by using a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. Sharing your cellular data connection requires updated Wi-Fi drivers.

To check the health of your Surface drivers and firmware, use the Surface app.

1. Connect your Surface to Wi-Fi or Ethernet if it's not already connected. For more info, see Connect Surface to a wireless network.

2. Select Start , search for surface, then select the app from the list of results.
   Open the Surface app

   Note: If you don't see the Surface app in the search results, you may need to download the Surface app from Microsoft Store.

3. On Help & support, check if the update status is "You're up to date" or something else. If needed, select the option to update the device.

You might need to restart your Surface after the updates are installed. To ensure that all updates are installed, follow the instructions in Download drivers and firmware for Surface.

If you’re still having problems, check out one or more of the following sections.

If you just inserted the SIM card, wait at least 30 seconds to see if your Surface recognizes the SIM card. If you still see the message, remove the SIM card tray, and make sure the SIM card is placed correctly in the SIM card tray. To learn how to insert a SIM for your Surface, see Insert a SIM card into your Surface. 

If your SIM card still isn't recognized, work with your mobile operator to check your account or replace your SIM card.

It could be one or more of the following: 

• Confirm with your mobile operator that you have an active data plan and make sure you’re in a place where you have cellular coverage.

• Work with your mobile operator to ensure the access point name (APN) is appropriate. To learn how to add or change an APN, see Cellular settings in Windows.

• If Let Windows keep me connected is turned on, cellular data isn't used when you're connected to a Wi-Fi network or using a wired Ethernet connection. To check if you've selected this option, select Start  > Settings  > Network & internet  > Cellular.
  Open Cellular settings
  To connect to a cellular network and use cellular data, you’ll need to disconnect from any other networks first.

If Cellular isn’t listed when you go to Settings > Network & internet , your Surface cellular data (LTE or 5G) modem might be disabled.

First, make sure you’ve installed all the latest Windows updates. If Cellular still isn't listed, shut down your Surface, remove the SIM card tray, then insert it again.

If you still don’t see Cellular in Settings > Network & internet , use Device Manager to check the status of the cellular modem in your Surface. Here’s how:

1. Go to Start , type device manager, and select it from the results.

2. Select the arrow next to Network adapters to expand the adapters list, and check to see if a Surface cellular device is listed, such as: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

   Surface 5G Mobile Broadband	Surface Pro 10 with 5G for Business, Surface Pro (11th Edition) with 5G
   SDX55 5G Modem NetAdapter	Surface Pro 9 with 5G
   Snapdragon x24 LTE modem mobile broadband device	Surface Pro X
   Surface Mobile Broadband	Surface Pro 7+, Surface Pro 8

3. If the cellular device has a red or yellow exclamation point next to it, right click on it > choose Properties > select the Driver tab > select Disable Device > select Enable Device. 

   Note: Please don’t try the next recommended step on a Surface Pro X or Surface Pro (11th Edition) device. 

4. If the cellular connection is not restored, select Uninstall Device and then, from the top menu, select Action > select Scan for hardware changes. 

If you’re setting up a Surface for the first time and don’t see a mobile operator listed in Cellular settings, connect to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network to complete the setup. For more info about how to connect to Wi-Fi, see Connect to Wi-Fi in Windows.

If you've already set up your Surface and don’t see a mobile operator listed, go to Start  > Settings  > Network & internet  > Cellular, then see if Cellular data is turned off. If cellular data on your Surface won’t turn on, see the Can’t turn on cellular data section.

If you still don’t see the option, try to remove the SIM card, then reinsert it. To learn how, see Insert a SIM card into your Surface.

If you still don’t see your mobile operator under Cellular, you should contact your mobile operator for options, including replacing your SIM card.

If you can’t turn on cellular data, check to see if you're in airplane mode. To do this:

1. Go to Start , and select Settings  > Network & internet  > Airplane mode.
   Open Airplane mode settings

2. Make sure Airplane mode is Off.

If airplane mode is off and you still can’t turn cellular data on, remove your SIM card, check it for damage, reinsert it, and then try to turn on Cellular data in Cellular settings again. For more info about inserting a SIM, see Insert a SIM card into your Surface.

If the SIM card is damaged, contact your mobile operator for a replacement.

If you have limited or no connectivity, you might be out of your mobile operator’s network range. To find out, check the Cellular data icon in the taskbar ( or ) and see how many bars you have. If you have only one bar or don't have any, try using a Wi-Fi connection or find a location with better reception.

If you're traveling outside of your mobile operator’s network coverage area and want to use a cellular data connection, you may need to turn on data roaming.

To set your Surface so roaming turns on by default when you are out of your mobile operator’s range:

1. Go to Start , and select Settings  > Network & internet  > Cellular.
   Open Cellular settings

2. Select the name of your mobile operator.

3. For Data roaming options, select Roam.