Internet is one of the basic requirements now. With the industry analysts standing true by their estimations or better call predictions, India now has an average connection of 1Mbps line compared to 128kbps 2 years back. This is a huge growth and there is an expectation that this would even rise further to 8Mbps in the next two years. I am already on a 10Mbps line but this is restricted to the home broadband since I work from home.
Being a frequent traveler to meetings, events and what not, I have to carry a mobile device with 3G data to satisfy my needs while on the move. So when I have to work, I tether the 3G data over WiFi from my smartphone so that my smartphone and my machine both of them can access the internet. Though I remember that Huawei had launched recently launched Mobile WiFi devices but I never got to convince myself to spend 5k to buy a MiFi device though I have the knowledge of how useful it can be.
Huawei in March 2014 along with different datacards had launched this sweet little device which I recently got to use that comes within the range to be called as affordable. Huawei wingle E8231 the USB powered mobile WiFi device is an extremely useful thing to buy for those who are usually traveling. Want to know more? Read our review below.
Design and Features
The Huawei wingle E8231 is absolutely the same size as a traditional 3G data card in a white plastic body. It supports a mini SIM and using micro or nano even with an adapter is not recommended as it might damage the SIM pins on the device.
With a clean matte look, it has two LEDs on the top which blink indicating some activity. One of the left is for indicating 2G, 3G or 3G+ connection while the right one indicates WiFi activity. There is a Huawei branding alongside the indicators and at the back panel of the datacard.
The backpanel can be removed to insert the SIM and look for default WiFi configurations. The USB head cap protects the USB port from damaging as we know it.
As per the specifications on paper, the E8231 datacard can offer download speeds up to 21.6 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 5.76 Mbps. It needs a power source to run and can connect 10 WiFi devices at max. It is priced at Rs. 2,999 but can be made available for Rs. 2049 from Flipkart.com or approximately the same price from other online retailers as well.
Performance
The simple difference between a mobile WiFi and this power WiFi device is that it needs an external power supply to run which can be in-car USB, power mains or laptop USB out. To be honest it was fun making my car WiFi enabled especially for long drives or to beat the traffic. My brother, once streamed a Fifa match on his WiFi only tablet while I was driving in long traffic jam.
Another incident when it worked out pretty handy was when my home broadband was down due to fibre cut and I had to use WiFi on my machine and two other smartphones which were not having a SIM card (review units!) I just plugged it to power mains using my phone’s USB charger and enjoyed high speed connectivity.
Mobile WiFi come to great use when there is no power supply around because they pack a built-in battery within. Well, if you own a portable charger like some of us nowadays do you can plug Huawei wingle E8231 to the portable charger and experience WiFi literally anywhere.
There were no such performance issues. The WiFi range of the device is pretty good. I could use it one floor down though it varies a lot with the architecture of your place, like how many walls in between, ceiling floor distance etc. etc. It do became hot when using for like 2-3 hours or so but its nominal because in this kind of heat everything is burning. FYI I am talking about summers in Delhi, India.
Conclusion
Huawei wingle E8231 is a device that comes in small package but great utility. Like I have mentioned above the situations which have been better because of Huawei wingle, we think its very useful. Tata advertising Photon Max with the same utility but bounded to one operator, Huawei wingle E8231 on the other hand is independent from such restrictions. One can use any telecom operator SIM providing 3G or 2G with their favorite tariff and can create a WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices. Great buy, true value for money if you NEED this stuff else you are better with your broadband.
Pros:
- Connects up to 10 devices at a time
- Great usecase
Cons:
Price(Nah, We think its just right.)
My Huawei Power-Fi E8231 2g/3g indicator light becomes constant for few minutes and the keeps blinking and i can’t connect to internet then.Then i have to reinsert my dongle..
Could you please tell me what’s the problem with my dongle..
Please mail me..
I canot Instal my huawei E8231 In my Mackbook pro version 10.10.4
how to connect huawei e8231 in mobile partner….its not detect the device..the default html link method is very slow & not comfortable…so could please tell me or email me for any solution to use data card in mobile partner…..
can u tell me wat all setings shd i do aftr conecting the dongle to pc. wat all procedures should i follow for the dongle to work. it is not working on my system weras thew wifi is to col wen i use it connecting to a power adapter
not working properly.
please give detail of istallation with laptop. when i connect the huawei power fi then status is connected but internet is working
please can you tell me what all settings should i do after connecting the dongle to pc. what all procedures should i follow for the dongle to work. it is not working on my system were as thew wifi when i use it connecting to a power adapter
2g/3g indicator light keeps blinking and i can’t connect to internet then.
Could you please help me.
Please mail me..
Dear ,
You should be try to configure with ip address.
than it will be perfect setting done at on Ap Mac or Apn.
It will be dialer create automatically detect setting .
if any issue mail me revert.
Pratapsingh.chouhan@spidigo.com
how to create username in new doggle
I am using this dongle for the past 5 months, now its not woking, and its getting over heat in a few mintues
sim singnal strength is heigh but its showing it no internet access
plz help me how to solve this issue
plz reply ur suggitions to my mail id
i have a This dongle ,but in need username for sms or settings and i no have username ,so now what can i do, please help me
i have this dongle.wile browsing it automatically
disconnected and in the mobile WiFi page i cont able to select any options,i have to remove it and then re plug it to connect again
wile browsing it automatically
disconnected and in the mobile WiFi page i cont able to select any options,i have to remove it and then re plug it to connect again
most of the time it shows “no response”,is it data card problem
I am using Huawei Power-Fi E8231 wingle which I have purchased recently. But while connecting other device like mobile/tab through Wi-Fi connection, it asks for a password. Which pass word should I enter? Is it admin password or any other pass word. Please advice.
just go to settings > W LAN > W LAN BASIC SETTINGS in that it will displays WPA pre-shared key that is wi-fi password
I forgot password of Huawei E8231, could any one suggest me , how to reset the password or default password.
I tried with reset button in dongle and with admin as username and password but no use. Still i’m unable to login. Please help me.
Hi, Could you find a solution to this issue? I am facing same problem.
Thanks.
i am facing same problem
i am also having same problem. tel me what can i do sirrrr
Jagadeesh if you still have the user guide that came with the dongle, it tells what is the default username and password. If you find them, please post… I’ve lost my user guide and also cannot log in!
Default username and password is admin and admin case sensitive. If you want to reset the device in future remove the back cover there you can find small reset button press it and hold for 5 seconds it will disconnects and connects automatically
THANK U DUDE………….
the username and password both are admin. try it and enjoy
Noushad
I am using Huawei Power-Fi E8231 wingle which I have purchased recently. But while connecting other device like mobile/tab through Wi-Fi connection, it asks for a password. Which pass word should I enter? Is it admin password or any other pass word. Please advice.
yeah i entered admin it’s succeed try this….
Check the WiFi Key near Sim Slot . this is the Default WiFi password .
The above comment is the suggestion.
i had changed the admin Id and password..but dont remember it now. The reset button is not resetting this id and password i think bcos admin-admin is not working. can someone help please
same issue faced by me….I have changed the user name and password and now not able to retreive that. pls help
This will sure help you.
Keep device connected with laptop and then press reset button for 10 seconds. It will reset to admin/admin as user name and password. For anything else call CC: 18002096555. If call support available then agent will help to resolve your query.
Guys, if you can’t remember the password, login to admin on a PC and set a new pwd for Wifi. If you still feel helpless, go to a service centre.
Keep device connected with laptop and then press reset button for 10 seconds. It will reset to admin/admin as user name and password. For anything else call CC: 18002096555. If call support available then agent will help to resolve your query.
i have huawei wifi wingle E8231s-1. Before the new software update , I was able to choose between 2g or 3g network however now every time 3g network loses strength , it automatically changes to 2g network and since then i am unable to use 3g network. the earlier version had no such problem. is there any solution ? or how can I go back the old version ?
Same problem here. Got any solution? Can you pls inform me abot the fix on sajin4uonly@gmail.com
i too have same problem, pls help me if u find a solution on malpersy06@gmail.com
i have wingle e8231 when i enter username and password both admin the display is not change and not go next step.when i try it 3 or 4 time so in this page display incorrect username and password kindly send me username and password
With the Huawei wingle connected to computer, press reset button for 10 seconds. It will reset to “admin” and “admin” as username and password. If that does not work, call 18002096555, Huawei customer care support to help resolve your issue.
Old version is better,please dont update …
same problem ,how can i go back to the old version…………
dear users.
Huawei can provide a fixed version of the firmware if more complaints are registered. please go to the HUAWEI HILINK APP (mobile app) – Settings – About. select EMAIL and you will be directed to your email application. send them a complaint. Type the subject COMPLAINT AGAINST LATEST FIRMWARE.
alternately : send complaints to mwapp@huawei.com
thank you.
hey guys my huawei e8231 changes automatically to 2g agter using about 500 mb 3g can someone reply how can i choose wcdma only mode??
Hello everyone,
I have purchased Huawei Power-Fi E8231 wingle with WiFi Range Extender from Snapdeal.com on 14th October 2015 vide Order ID 8915565502 Sub Order No. 11367566426.
Well, I had purchased this only after viewing the user reviews and looking at its popularity. However, I have experienced some variations in features and problems while using it.
So, Just want to know if I have got the right device and if I get some solutions.
Thanks in advance
There is no option for switching Data network mode to 2G/2G only/3G/3G only/Auto. It shows only ‘support for 3G’ . whereas some other users have written to have the option as above. The android app Huawei HiLink too doesn’t show the option in detail.
Very poor signal strength in both GSM data network and WiFi. Whenever I connect the modem in my pc it shows very weak network signal whereas my other modem (Micromax mmx352) shows full signal and offers speed accordingly. When I use E8231 for wifi with a power adapter, I get very weak signal in my Android (Mi2) in the next room and in my pc in the same room.
Frequent disconnection of data network even when the delay time set to 120 minutes.
Takes long in initializing the modem.
There is no option for changing the username ‘admin’
Extremely small led indicator.
Device heats up. Whenever I use a power adapter (500 mA) for the modem I found both the modem and adapter get heated up. (However the problem was solved when I used a power adapter of 1000 mA or higher.)
When connect to mibile wifi..it asks username and password ..which is default password.plz rply to mail..
saranprejith@gmail.com
Check the Wifi Key near the Sim slot . This is the default Password for Wifi
i can’t able to get home page….can anybody help me
open the back cover there is a default password written there.
Do not buy this Huawei e8231. I have this device. It is a total waste of money. Most of the time even though 3G network is available, it will connect only to 2G network. The firmware has a bug, which Huawei is not bothered to fix.
can’t access http://192.168.1.1/ to configure my modem.Every browser I tried says website can not be reached while modem is still connected to my laptop.Is it port conflict with Kaspersky?
I have purchased Huawei Power-Fi E8231 wingle, Monday 20/06/2016 but today 23/06/2016 can’t access http://192.168.1.1/ to configure my modem.Every browser I tried says website can not be reached while modem is still connected to my laptop.Is it port conflict with Kaspersky?