Wait for the progress bar to reach 100%. Do not disconnect the modem during this time. Once the "Update Successful" message appears, click .
Before you begin, it's helpful to know the specifications of the modem to understand its capabilities. The E173 series is built on the Qualcomm MSM6290 chipset and is a close relative of the Huawei E171, sharing many of its features. The hardware version for our specific modem is often listed as E173u-1CD1E153M Ver.A . It can achieve download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 5.76 Mbps.
You will need your modem's 15-digit IMEI number. You can find this on the device sticker or through your modem dashboard software. 3. Prepare Your Computer Use a reliable Windows PC (Windows 7, 10, or 11). Huawei E173u-1 Unlock Firmware
: Use a reputable Huawei Modem Unlocker or online calculator to get your unique code based on the IMEI.
While unlocking a device for personal use to switch carriers is often considered permissible in many jurisdictions, distributing proprietary firmware files is a violation of intellectual property rights. Huawei does not publicly release firmware binaries for end-user flashing; they are intended for internal service center use only. Wait for the progress bar to reach 100%
It is essential to understand the distinction between:
Huawei provides internal service firmware (usually version 11.810.09.00.00 or similar) used by repair centers. This firmware resets the modem to factory defaults, removes carrier customizations, and often re-opens the modem to accept standard flash codes. Before you begin, it's helpful to know the
: Many carrier-customized firmwares disable voice features. Unlocked firmware restores the ability to make and receive calls directly from your PC.