How to Troubleshoot a Mobile Hotspot (When It’s Not Working)

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Common reasons your hotspot won’t connect, and how to fix it
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So you're away from home and you want to get some work done. You don't have a Wi-Fi connection, but luckily, your phone has a mobile hotspot. You try connecting but you find that your mobile hotspot isn't working. What are you going to do? There are many reasons why your mobile hotspot might not be working. Luckily there are some easy ways to fix this problem. This wikiHow article teaches you how to troubleshoot a mobile hotspot that isn't working.

Mobile Hotspot Isn't Working

Make sure your mobile hotspot is turned on and you are using the right password. Restart your mobile device. Keep your mobile device updated. Change your frequency band to 2.4 GHz. Try using USB tethering. Reset your network settings as a last resort.

1

Make sure your internet connection is stable.

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    Make sure you are getting at least 2 bars of signal strength on your mobile device. Try browsing the internet on your mobile device. If the internet seems slow and unreliable, you may not be getting a good cellular data connection. You may be in an area that has poor coverage, or the network may be congested. You may need to move to another area or wait and try again later.
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2

Stay within 15 feet of your mobile hotspot.

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    Ensure you keep all devices connected to your mobile hotspot near your mobile device. The Wi-Fi signal degrades the further away you are from your mobile hotspot. Stay within 15 feet of your hotspot. [1]
3

Check your cellular data plan.

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    Some mobile data plans provide you with a limited amount of data per month. Contact your wireless carrier and check what kind of cellular data plan you have. They can also tell you how much data you have used. If you have already used your monthly data, you may be able to upgrade to an unlimited plan or a plan that allows more data usage. Dial 611 on your phone to contact your wireless carrier.
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4

Make sure your hotspot is turned on.

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    This may seem basic, but it's worth checking. Use one of the following steps to make sure your mobile hotspot is turned on: [2]
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    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap Connections (Samsung Galaxy) or Network & Internet (stock Android).
    • Tap Mobile Hotstop and Teathering .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Mobile Hotspot" is on.
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    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap Cellular (or Personal Hotspot depending on your version of iOS).
    • Tap Personal Hotspot .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Allow others to join" is turned on.
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5

Check your hotspot password.

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    When connecting to your mobile hotspot, make sure you are entering the correct SSID password. It's possible you may have entered the incorrect password on the mobile device that is transmitting the mobile hotspot. Use one of the following steps to check your mobile hotspot password:
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    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap Connections (Samsung Galaxy) or Network & Internet (stock Android).
    • Tap Mobile Hotstop and Teathering .
    • Tap Mobile Hotspot .
    • Ensure the password is correct.
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    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap Cellular (or Personal Hotspot depending on your version of iOS).
    • Tap Personal Hotspot .
    • Ensure the password is correct.
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6

Make sure mobile data is turned on.

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    Both iPhone and Android devices allow you to turn off mobile data to prevent you from using data from your cellular service plan. If mobile data is turned off, you won't be able to use a mobile hotspot unless your mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi. Use one of the following steps to check to make sure mobile data is turned on:
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    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap Network & Internet .
    • Tap Internet .
    • Tap the gear icon next to your mobile carrier (or SIMs if you have a Pixel phone).
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Mobile Data" is turned on.
      • If it's already turned on, turn it off and wait 30 seconds. Then turn it back on to reset your connection.
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    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap Connections .
    • Tap Data usage .
    • Ensure toggle switch next to "Mobile data" is turned on.
      • If it's already turned on, turn it off and wait 30 seconds. Then turn it back on to reset your connection.
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    [3]
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap Cellular data or Mobile data .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Cellular data" or "Mobile data" is turned on.
      • If it's already turned on, turn it off and wait 30 seconds. Then turn it back on to reset your connection.
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7

Restart your mobile device.

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    You can usually fix minor glitches in your software by restarting your device. Use one of the following steps to do so:
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    • Press and hold the Power button until the Power menu appears. Then tap Restart .
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    • Press and hold the Side/Sleep button and either Volume button until the power slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your phone. Wait 30 seconds then press and hold the Power button to turn it back on.
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8

Update your mobile device.

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    The latest updates can patch out bugs and security flaws in the system. To keep your phone or tablet running smoothly, make sure you keep your mobile device updated . Use one of the following steps to update your mobile device :
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    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap Software Updates (on stock Android, this is under System ).
    • Tap Download and install .
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    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap General .
    • Tap Software Update .
    • Tap Download and install .
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9

Turn off Low Power/Battery Saver mode.

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    Low Power mode on iPhone/iPad and Battery Saver mode on Android devices is meant to limit nonessential functions in order to save battery power. Sometimes, this may interfere with features you want to use, such as your mobile hotspot. Use one of the following steps to turn off Low Power or Battery Saver mode: [4] [5]
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    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap Battery .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Battery Saver" or "Power Saving" (Samsung Galaxy) is turned off.
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    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap Battery .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Low Power Mode" is turned off.
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10

Turn Wi-Fi off and then on.

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    Another quick way to fix minor internet connection issues is to turn Wi-Fi off and then back on. This will refresh your device's internet connection. Use one of the following steps to reset your Wi-Fi:
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    • Swipe down from the top of the screen. Then tap the Wi-Fi icon, which resembles arching lines over a dot. Wait 30 seconds and then turn it back on.
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    • Swipe down from the upper-right corner to open the Control Center. Then tap the Wi-Fi icon, which resembles arching lines over a dot. Wait 30 seconds and then turn it back on.
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11

Disable your VPN.

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    If you are using a VPN, your internet connection may be slow. Try turning your VPN off . Use one of the following steps to do so:
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    [6]
    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap Network & internet .
    • Tap the Gear icon next to your VPN.
    • Tap the toggle switch to turn off that VPN.
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    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap Connections .
    • Tap More connection settings .
    • Tap VPN
    • Tap the toggle switch next to your VPN to turn it off.
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    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap General .
    • Tap VPN & Device Management .
    • Tap VPN .
    • Tap the toggle switch next to "Status" to disconnect it.
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12

Change your frequency band.

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    A 5 GHz band is usually the default frequency that a mobile hotspot uses. This is a newer and faster frequency. A 2.4 GHz frequency is a little slower, but has greater range. Some older devices may not be compatible with a 5 GHz frequency. Use one of the following steps to change your frequency band on your mobile device: [7]
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    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap Connections (Samsung Galaxy) or Network & Internet (stock Android).
    • Tap Mobile Hotstop and Teathering .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Mobile Hotspot" is on.
    • Tap Mobile Hotspot .
    • Tap Band or AP Band .
    • Tap 2.4 GHz (stock Android) or drag the slider bar below "Band" to "Compatibility" (Samsung Galaxy).
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    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap Cellular (or Personal Hotspot depending on your version of iOS).
    • Tap Personal Hotspot .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Allow others to join" is turned on.
    • Tap the toggle switch next to "Maximize compatibility."
    4. Advertisement
13

Use USB tethering.

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  1. 1
    USB tethering may give you a better connection. You don't have to connect to your mobile hotspot using Wi-Fi. You can also use USB tethering to connect to your mobile hotspot. Use one of the following steps to do so:
  2. 2
    Android: [8]
    • Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable.
    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap Connections (Samsung Galaxy) or Network & Internet (stock Android).
    • Tap Mobile Hotstop and Teathering .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Mobile Hotspot" is on.
    • Tap the toggle switch next to "USB tethering to turn it on.
  3. 3
    iPhone & iPad:
    • Connect your phone to your computer using a USB or Lightning cable.
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap Cellular (or Personal Hotspot depending on your version of iOS).
    • Tap Personal Hotspot .
    • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Allow others to join" is turned on.
    • Tap Trust on your iPhone if prompted.
    4. Advertisement
14

Reset your network settings.

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  1. 1
    Your internet settings may not be set right. Resetting your network settings will change your internet settings back to their factory defaults. This will not erase any personal data or files on your phone, but it will erase your Wi-Fi connections, password, and Bluetooth pairings. You should do this as a last resort. Use one of the following steps to reset your network settings:
  2. 2
    Android:
    • Swipe down from the top of the screen.
    • Tap the Gear/Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
    • Tap System (stock Android) or General Management (Samsung Galaxy).
    • Tap Reset Options (stock Android) or Reset (Samsung Galaxy).
    • Tap Reset network settings (stock Android) or Reset Wi-Fi, mobile, and Bluetooth (Samsung Galaxy).
    • Tap Reset settings .
  3. 3
    iPhone & iPad:
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap General .
    • Tap Reset .
    • Tap Reset Network Settings .
    • Tap Reset Network Settings again.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.t-mobile.com/support/devices/device-troubleshooting/mobile-hotspot-troubleshooting
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/111785
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109323
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6187458
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/101604
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9089766
      7. ↑ https://www.yournavi.com/posts/why-is-my-hotspot-not-working
      8. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9059108

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