New Quectel EM160R-GL [sim-missing]

[ericleslie]

I have been running an EM 7455 with the original The Wireless Haven m.2 to USB3 key connected to an RPI4 running OpenWRT/modemmanager successfully for about a year now. Suddenly the modem wasn't being detected and I thought the USB3 key had died. I bought the latest version and had the same result. I now have a new Quectel EM160R-GL and I paid for the latest firmware to get flashed. EM160RGLAUR02A07M4G

It's currently detecting the modem, but mmcli -m 0 is throwing a 'sim-missing' error.

I've tried swapping SIMs and the sim works in another device. A known good sim has the same error in this rig.

Ideas?

Code: Select all

  -----------------------------
  General  |              path: /org/freedesktop/ModemManager1/Modem/0
           |         device id: a588aefb7966e2067567e1cf2f9042a1b5547e1a
  -----------------------------
  Hardware |      manufacturer: Quectel
           |             model: EM160R-GL
           | firmware revision: EM160RGLAUR02A07M4G
           |      h/w revision: EM160R_GL
           |         supported: gsm-umts, lte
           |           current: gsm-umts, lte
           |      equipment id: 864292051086302
  -----------------------------
  System   |            device: /sys/devices/platform/scb/fd500000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0/usb2/2-2
           |           drivers: cdc_mbim, option1
           |            plugin: quectel
           |      primary port: cdc-wdm0
           |             ports: cdc-wdm0 (mbim), ttyUSB0 (qcdm), ttyUSB2 (at),
           |                    ttyUSB3 (at), wwan0 (net)
  -----------------------------
  Status   |             state: failed
           |     failed reason: sim-missing
           |       power state: on
           |    signal quality: 0% (cached)
  -----------------------------
  Modes    |         supported: allowed: 3g, 4g; preferred: none
           |           current: allowed: any; preferred: none
  -----------------------------
  IP       |         supported: ipv4, ipv6, ipv4v6

[Didneywhorl]

Have you tried it plugged into a pc?

[ericleslie]

On two separate Win10 machines, after installing both the Sierrawireless and Quectel Drivers, I have tested both modems (EM7455 presumed dead & EM160 new) in both USB keys, and neither seem to work. Watching the device manager, the modem will show up, then disappear, show up, etc. The old key makes a buzzing sound for a couple seconds when it's first plugged in.

It's a Verizon sim and I've checked the Verizon Connection Manager app and it never sees the modems.

[Didneywhorl]

Have you tried a brand new usb cable? Swapped cables between usb adapters?

Can you upload pics of the two adapters here?

[ericleslie]

I have 4 cables and tried them all on both adapters.

The original adapter has the green PCB and the new has the black.

2IMG_20210803_092356.jpg

[Didneywhorl]

If you plug it into your rpi, it shows up and doesn't disappear, but wont show the SIM?

To be honest I can't stand Windows 10 for modem stuff, and so do all of my modem work on a dedicated Win7 machine.

[ericleslie]

I don't have a Win7 machine anymore. When I setup the original adapter with the EM 7455, I was able to get it to work on Windows 10.

Yes, mmcli -m 0 reports the sim is missing.

I'm pretty sure that the EM7455 and the original key are bad. The new EM160 does not get detected in the old adapter and the EM7455 does not get detected in the new adapter. The EM160 DOES get detected in the new adapter but shows a SIM missing error. Again, I've tried another working sim in this adapter (same sim missing error) and I've tried this sim in another device (works fine).

Is it possible the EM7455 damaged the new adapter?

[Didneywhorl]

....

Is it possible the EM7455 damaged the new adapter?

Maybe, it's hard to tell. I've not seen any issues with the SIM slots on those adapters, that I can recall anyway.

That's a tough one for sure.

You may want to try a simple adapter like this one: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/pcie-m-2/m-2-ng ... -dual-sim/

Just to test it in something with modem and SIM together.

[ericleslie]

Ok, I just ordered that, standing by to see what that tells us.

[ericleslie]

Ok, I've got that simple adapter and I am successfully connecting to the network. It would appear your USB adapter is a bad sample. Is there an RMA process for it?

[Didneywhorl]

Login to your The Wireless Haven account. Go to My Orders. Click on the RMA button, follow the prompts.