Unblock SIM PIN for mobile network connections in Windows 10

Some Windows 10 devices have a SIM card and / or eSIM, which allows you to connect to a mobile data network (also known as LTE or Broadband), so you can access online more places with how to use mobile signals.

If your Windows 10 device doesn't have a SIM or eSIM card, you can still connect to the mobile network by plugging in an external mobile device (also known as a mobile modem or mobile broadband device). However, these external mobile devices will often have their own settings, instead of being able to use the Settings> Network & Internet> Cellular settings built into Windows 10.

You can use a SIM PIN for your Windows 10 device to help prevent others from using your mobile data connection without permission. After you have set up a SIM PIN, you will be prompted to enter this code when connecting.

If you are using a SIM PIN for a mobile data connection and enter the PIN incorrectly 3 times, the SIM will be blocked and cannot be used until you unblock it. To unblock the SIM, you will need to contact your mobile service provider to get a PIN Unblocking Key (PUK).

This guide will show you how to unlock a SIM card that has set a SIM PIN for mobile data connection in Windows 10 with a PIN Unblocking Key (PUK).

Note : If you enter the Unblocking Key (PUK) code incorrectly 10 times while unblocking the SIM PIN, the SIM card will be permanently blocked and you need to get a new SIM card from your mobile service provider.

Here's how:

1. First, you need to contact your mobile service provider to get a PIN Unblocking Key (PUK) for the blocked SIM card.

You will usually need to know your device's IMEI and / or phone number for a blocked SIM card.

Note : Some mobile service providers may require that the SIM card be activated for a specific period (for example, 60 days) before the SIM is eligible for PUK code.

2. Open Settings and click on Network & Internet icon.

3. Click Cellular on the left and click the Advanced options link on the right.

Note : If you have multiple SIM or eSIM, select the SIM you need to unblock in the Use this SIM for cellular data menu before clicking the Advanced options link .

Unblock SIM PIN for mobile network connections in Windows 10 Picture 1 — Click Cellular on the left, then select Advanced options

4. Click the Unblock SIM PIN button in Security at the bottom of the advanced options.

5. Enter the PUK SIM from step 1, enter the new SIM PIN you want to use, re-enter the SIM PIN in the Confirm new SIM PIN box and click OK.

Note : If you enter the Unblocking Key (PUK) code incorrectly 10 times while trying to unblock SIM PIN, the SIM card will be permanently blocked and you will need to get a new SIM card from your mobile service provider.