How to Turn On or Off Cellular Communication in Windows 10

Some Windows 10 devices have a SIM card and/or eSIM in them that lets you connect to a cellular data network (aka: LTE or Broadband), so you can get online in more places by using a cellular signal.

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

See also:

This tutorial will show you how to only turn on or off cellular communication for your Windows 10 PC.

If you turn on airplane mode, it will automatically turn off all cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth wireless communication. However, you will still be able to turn on or off your individual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communications.


You must have a data plan from a mobile operator to connect to a cellular data network.



Contents

  • Option One: To Turn On or Off Cellular from Network Icon on Taskbar
  • Option Two: To Turn On or Off Cellular in Action Center
  • Option Three: To Turn On or Off Cellular in Airplane Mode Settings






OPTION ONE

To Turn On or Off Cellular from Network Icon on Taskbar


1 Click/tap on the wireless network system icon on the taskbar notification area.

2 Click/tap on the Cellular action button to toggle on or off. (see screenshot below)

How to Turn On or Off Cellular Communication in Windows 10-cellular_network_icon.jpg






OPTION TWO

To Turn On or Off Cellular in Action Center


1 Open Action Center (Win+A).

2 Expand the quick actions at the bottom if not already, and click/tap on the Cellular quick action button to toggle on or off. (see screenshot below)

How to Turn On or Off Cellular Communication in Windows 10-action_center_cellular_icon.jpg






OPTION THREE

To Turn On or Off Cellular in Airplane Mode Settings


1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Network & Internet icon.

2 Click/tap on Airplane mode on the left side, and turn on or off Cellular on the right side for what you want. (see screenshot below)

3 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.

How to Turn On or Off Cellular Communication in Windows 10-airplane_mode_cellular_settings.png


That's it,
Shawn