How to Enable or Disable Cellular Use in Windows 11

If your computer has a SIM card or eSIM, you can connect to a cellular data network anywhere you have a mobile signal. This works just like Wi-Fi or hotspot connections. Once you connect, you can browse the web and send emails.

Why use this? Sometimes your Wi-Fi signal is weak or slow. This Windows 11 feature lets your computer automatically switch to your cellular data to keep your internet connection strong.

What happens when done? Your computer will constantly monitor your internet quality. If the Wi-Fi signal drops, Windows will seamlessly switch to cellular data so you do not lose your connection.

How to Check if Your PC Supports Cellular Data

Not all laptops have a built-in cellular modem. To check, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button. Expand the network-adapter-in-windows-11/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="25898">Network adapters section. If you see a device labeled Mobile Broadband, LTE, or 5G, your hardware is ready to go.

Enable or Disable Cellular in Settings

You can manage this feature easily through the Windows settings menu.

1. Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I.
2. Click on Network & internet in the left-hand menu.

3. Click the Cellular tile on the right side of the screen.

4. Find the option labeled Use cellular whenever Wi-Fi is poor.
5. Toggle the switch to On to enable it, or Off to disable it.

Setting Up Your Mobile Data Plan

To use cellular, you need a mobile data plan. You can use a physical SIM card or an eSIM profile. For eSIM, your carrier will provide a QR code or an activation code. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Cellular > eSIM profiles to add your plan.

Enable or Disable via Registry Editor

Note: This method requires admin privileges.

1. Press the Windows key, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WcmSvc\CellularFailover
3. If the folder is missing, right-click WcmSvc, select New > Key, and name it CellularFailover.

4. Right-click in the empty space, select New > String Value, and name it AllowFailover.
5. Double-click AllowFailover and set the value to 2 to enable or 0 to disable.

Troubleshooting Connectivity

If your network is not detected, ensure your SIM card is inserted correctly. Check your APN settings under Cellular > Advanced options to ensure they match your carrier’s requirements. You can also visit the official Microsoft cellular support page for more help.

Summary

This guide explained how to enable cellular data on Windows 11, including hardware checks, eSIM setup, and registry tweaks. By following these steps, you can ensure your device stays connected even when Wi-Fi is unavailable or unreliable.