[GH-ISSUE #4] EM12-G QMI mode enabled but QMI services not responding (MSFT firmware) #3

Open
opened 2026-03-04 14:27:26 +03:00 by kerem · 3 comments
Owner

Originally created by @dslabakov on GitHub (Dec 31, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/4IceG/EM12-G/issues/4

Hi,

I am using a Quectel EM12-G (LTE Cat12) module on Ubuntu Linux.
The module runs firmware EM12GPAR01A08M4G_MSFT.

MBIM mode works correctly.
I can also switch to QMI mode using:
AT+QCFG="usbnet",0

After switching:

  • the device re-enumerates
  • /dev/cdc-wdmX appears
  • qmi_wwan driver loads

However, all QMI tools (qmicli, uqmi) time out.
No QMI services (DMS/NAS/WDS/UIM) respond at all.

It looks like QMI USB composition is enabled, but QMI services inside
the firmware are not initialized or disabled (MSFT firmware).

My questions:

  • Have you ever seen fully working QMI on EM12-G?
  • Is this a known limitation of MSFT / MBIM-oriented firmware?
  • Would you recommend trying a different firmware (if available),
    or is it better to move to another module (e.g. EG12-GT / EP06)
    for reliable QMI on Linux?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Originally created by @dslabakov on GitHub (Dec 31, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/4IceG/EM12-G/issues/4 Hi, I am using a Quectel EM12-G (LTE Cat12) module on Ubuntu Linux. The module runs firmware EM12GPAR01A08M4G_MSFT. MBIM mode works correctly. I can also switch to QMI mode using: AT+QCFG="usbnet",0 After switching: - the device re-enumerates - /dev/cdc-wdmX appears - qmi_wwan driver loads However, all QMI tools (qmicli, uqmi) time out. No QMI services (DMS/NAS/WDS/UIM) respond at all. It looks like QMI USB composition is enabled, but QMI services inside the firmware are not initialized or disabled (MSFT firmware). My questions: - Have you ever seen fully working QMI on EM12-G? - Is this a known limitation of MSFT / MBIM-oriented firmware? - Would you recommend trying a different firmware (if available), or is it better to move to another module (e.g. EG12-GT / EP06) for reliable QMI on Linux? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Author
Owner

@4IceG commented on GitHub (Dec 31, 2025):

Hi,

  • Have you ever seen fully working QMI on EM12-G?

Yes, I saw modem working at QMI. I used this modem at QMI for many months, but I had a revision with Quectel FW.

  • Is this a known limitation of MSFT / MBIM-oriented firmware?

Your modem has been modified by a hardware manufacturer/supplier, as indicated by the _MSFT marking in the firmware (it looks to me like a modem modified by Microsoft?). I don't know how much has been changed in firmware and what has been changed, but due to these changes, the modem may work differently than Quectel modems.

  • Would you recommend trying a different firmware (if available),
    or is it better to move to another module (e.g. EG12-GT / EP06)
    for reliable QMI on Linux?

I don't know if it's possible to flash other firmware onto this modem, as Quectel's software does not recognize other modem revisions. Look for older 5G modems (they are already available at affordable prices). There is no point in buying EM12-G / EP06 now, as even without 5G, the modem will aggregate LTE bands and you will get better speeds through band aggregation in LTE-A.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3702796090 --> @4IceG commented on GitHub (Dec 31, 2025): Hi, > * Have you ever seen fully working QMI on EM12-G? Yes, I saw modem working at QMI. I used this modem at QMI for many months, but I had a revision with Quectel FW. > * Is this a known limitation of MSFT / MBIM-oriented firmware? Your modem has been modified by a hardware manufacturer/supplier, as indicated by the _MSFT marking in the firmware (it looks to me like a modem modified by Microsoft?). I don't know how much has been changed in firmware and what has been changed, but due to these changes, the modem may work differently than Quectel modems. > * Would you recommend trying a different firmware (if available), > or is it better to move to another module (e.g. EG12-GT / EP06) > for reliable QMI on Linux? I don't know if it's possible to flash other firmware onto this modem, as Quectel's software does not recognize other modem revisions. Look for older 5G modems (they are already available at affordable prices). There is no point in buying EM12-G / EP06 now, as even without 5G, the modem will aggregate LTE bands and you will get better speeds through band aggregation in LTE-A.
Author
Owner

@mgraupner commented on GitHub (Jan 17, 2026):

@dslabakov As I'm interested in this kind of modem too: Did you make any progress using this card?

@4IceG I would like to use this modem in a Mikrotik Router, not all modems are compatible and the EM12-G is the most affordable on Aliexpress, especially these MSFT ones.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3763628608 --> @mgraupner commented on GitHub (Jan 17, 2026): @dslabakov As I'm interested in this kind of modem too: Did you make any progress using this card? @4IceG I would like to use this modem in a Mikrotik Router, not all modems are compatible and the EM12-G is the most affordable on Aliexpress, especially these MSFT ones.
Author
Owner

@dslabakov commented on GitHub (Jan 17, 2026):

Hi, I suggest to avoid MSFT, it behaves strangely, but I was able to get normal EM-12 from alibaba supplier, just ask explicitly that you need version without MSFT

<!-- gh-comment-id:3763700798 --> @dslabakov commented on GitHub (Jan 17, 2026): Hi, I suggest to avoid MSFT, it behaves strangely, but I was able to get normal EM-12 from alibaba supplier, just ask explicitly that you need version without MSFT
Sign in to join this conversation.
No labels
pull-request
No milestone
No project
No assignees
1 participant
Notifications
Due date
The due date is invalid or out of range. Please use the format "yyyy-mm-dd".

No due date set.

Dependencies

No dependencies set.

Reference
starred/EM12-G#3
No description provided.