A method includes determining whether a first preset condition is met, where the first preset condition includes: a difference between a maximum transmit power allowed by the user equipment and a power of sending the random access code in a previous random access attempt process is less than or equal to a power ramping factor, and/or, the previous random access attempt process fails. The method also includes, if the first preset condition is met, sending the random access code using an enhancement mode in the current random access attempt process.