Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for detecting a signal on an unlicensed spectrum channel, user equipment, and a base station. The method includes: receiving, by user equipment, instruction information sent by a base station; and starting, by the user equipment according to the instruction information, to detect a signal on an unlicensed spectrum channel. According to the present invention, only when receiving the instruction information sent by the base station, the user equipment detects the signal on the unlicensed spectrum channel according to the instruction information. This reduces power consumption of the user equipment.