An MAC control element (CE) uplink configuration method and device, and communications system, the method includes: when an MAC CE is activated, determining, by user equipment (UE), whether an uplink grant of a serving cell in an authorization frequency band exists; and when the uplink grant of the serving cell in the authorization frequency band exists and can accommodate the MAC CE, allocating, by the UE and for the MAC CE, the uplink grant of the serving cell in the authorization frequency band. An embodiment of the present disclosure improves reliability for transmitting the MAC CE, in an LAA system, and reduces unnecessary latency or failure.