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How to Repair OnePlus 3 IMEI Number Program

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

This guide walks you through restoring a missing or corrupted IMEI number on a OnePlus 3 (and OnePlus 3T) after a bad flash, a failed unlock, or a software crash. You’ll need a Windows PC, a USB cable, and about 30 minutes. The process uses Qualcomm’s engineering tools to rewrite the IMEI directly to the phone’s modem partition, so it works even when the phone shows “Baseband unknown” or “IMEI null.”

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows PC (Windows 7, 8, or 10)
  • OnePlus 3 or 3T with a USB cable (data-capable)
  • Qualcomm USB drivers (QUD.WIN.1.1.1-10021 or similar)
  • QPST 2.7.474 (or newer) – the Qualcomm flashing tool
  • Qualcomm Premium Tool (QPT) or QPST’s Software Download mode
  • Your phone’s original IMEI number (find it on the box, the back of the phone, or the original retail receipt)
  • A backup of your data (this wipes the phone)

Step-by-Step

  1. Back up everything. The process will erase all data on the phone. Copy photos, contacts, and any important files to your PC or cloud.
  2. Install the Qualcomm USB drivers. Download the driver package and run the installer. Connect your phone to the PC in normal mode – Windows should recognize it as “Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008” once the driver is installed.
  3. Install QPST. Run the QPST setup file. After installation, open the QPST Configuration tool from the Start menu. It should list your phone’s COM port.
  4. Put the phone into EDL mode (Emergency Download). Power off the phone completely. Hold the Volume Up button and connect the USB cable to the PC. The screen stays black, but the PC should detect a new device. If not, use the command adb reboot edl (requires ADB and USB debugging enabled).
  5. Open QPST Software Download. In the QPST folder, run “Software Download” (or “QFIL” in newer versions). Select the correct COM port (the one showing “Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008”).
  6. Load the modem partition. In QFIL, choose “Flat Build” and click “Browse” to select the firmware file. You need the modem partition file from a full OnePlus 3 firmware package (often named modem.bin or NON-HLOS.bin). If you don’t have it, download the official OxygenOS full ROM and extract the file.
  7. Start the download. Click “Download” and wait for the progress bar to finish. The phone will reboot automatically. Do not unplug during this step.
  8. Open Qualcomm Premium Tool (QPT). After the phone reboots, enable Developer Options (tap “Build number” 7 times) and turn on USB debugging. Connect the phone to the PC again. Launch QPT as Administrator.
  9. Select the IMEI tab. In QPT, go to the “IMEI” section. Choose “Write IMEI” and enter your original IMEI number in the fields. For dual-SIM models, enter both IMEIs (IMEI1 and IMEI2).
  10. Write the IMEI. Click “Write” or “Apply.” The tool will send the data to the modem. Wait for the confirmation message.
  11. Reboot and verify. Disconnect the phone, power it off, and turn it back on. Dial *#06# to check if the IMEI appears. Also go to Settings > About phone > Status to confirm.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong driver. If the PC shows an unknown device, the Qualcomm driver isn’t installed properly. Uninstall and reinstall, then try a different USB port.
  • Entering the wrong IMEI. One digit off makes the phone unable to connect to the network. Double-check the IMEI on the original box.
  • Skipping the modem flash. If you only write the IMEI without reflashing the modem partition, the phone may still show “null” because the modem firmware is corrupted.
  • Using a non-QPST tool. Some generic tools can brick the phone. Stick to QPST and QPT for OnePlus 3.
  • Not backing up. The EDL flash wipes everything – if you skip the backup, you lose all data permanently.

Tips

  • Use a USB 2.0 port on the PC, not a USB 3.0 hub, to avoid connection drops.
  • Keep the phone charged above 50% – an interruption during EDL can hard-brick the device.
  • If you don’t have the original IMEI, check the sticker under the SIM tray (some units have it).
  • After writing the IMEI, run a quick network test by making a call or sending a text.
  • Write down the IMEI on a piece of paper before starting – don’t rely on memory.

Troubleshooting

  • PC doesn’t detect the phone in EDL mode. Try a different USB cable (some are charge-only). Install the driver manually via Device Manager: right-click the unknown device, select “Update driver,” and point to the Qualcomm driver folder.
  • QPST shows “Download fail.” The firmware file may be corrupt. Re-download the full ROM from a trusted source and extract again. Also close other QPST tools that might lock the port.
  • IMEI writes but still shows “null” after reboot. The modem partition wasn’t flashed correctly. Repeat steps 4-7, then write the IMEI again.
  • Phone boots to a black screen after EDL. This is normal – the EDL mode has no display. Wait 2-3 minutes; if it doesn’t reboot, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force restart.
  • QPT says “IMEI write failed.” Run QPT as Administrator, and make sure the phone is not in “MTP” mode – switch to “PTP” or “Charging only” in USB settings.
  • No network signal after repair. Check that the IMEI matches the one on the box. If it does, try a different SIM card or reset network settings (Settings > System > Reset > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it legal to repair my own IMEI?
A: In most countries, it’s legal to restore the original IMEI to your own phone. It becomes illegal if you change it to a different number to evade tracking or fraud.

Q: Will this work on other OnePlus models?
A: The process is similar for OnePlus 5, 5T, and 6, but the firmware files and QPST versions may differ. For OnePlus 3, the steps above are specific.

Q: Can I use a free tool instead of QPST?
A: QPST is free to download from Qualcomm’s official site. There’s no need for paid alternatives.

Q: What if I lost the original IMEI?
A: Check the phone’s original box, the back panel (if the sticker is intact), or your carrier’s account records. Without the correct IMEI, you can’t restore it properly.

Q: Will this fix the “Baseband unknown” issue?
A: Yes, reflashing the modem partition and writing the IMEI usually resolves the unknown baseband problem.

Q: How long does the whole process take?
A: About 20-30 minutes, including driver installation and downloads. The actual flashing takes 5-10 minutes.

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