Hotspot Not Working? Try these Quick fixes

A mobile hotspot can be a lifesaver for work, study, and travel until it stops working. We have personally dealt with this problem while working remotely in different regions and on various devices. 

From our years of hands-in-experience in remote work and tech troubleshooting, we know how stressful a non-working hotspot can be. Especially when deadlines are looming or you are trying to navigate unfamiliar areas. The reassuring news is that most hotspot problems are well-known, easy to identify, and can often be resolved quickly with a few proven troubleshooting steps.

Over the past 5 years of remote work and tech troubleshooting, we have faced this issue multiple times on devices. In this article, we will share practical, tested fixes and explain why the hotspot is not working, so you can resolve them quickly and reliably.

Fix Your Hotspot Fast: Quick tips that work 

From incorrect settings and software glitches to network limitations and hardware issues, there are several reasons why a hotspot might fail.

Easy tips to connect your hotspot in Android, iOS, or Windows. From verifying your plan to resetting network settings, these fixes cover most hotspot problems. 

Check Your Mobile Data Plan

Before making any changes:

Step 01:

• Ensure mobile data is turned ON.
• Confirm your plan includes hotspot/tethering.

Step 02:

• Check if you’ve exceeded your data usage limit; many carriers slow down or block the hotspot after a limit.

Restart Both Devices

Some Temporary glitches can lead to being unable to join a hotspot. Restart your devices.

• Phone (hotspot provider)
• Laptop or secondary device (hotspot receiver)

Verify Hotspot Settings

If your hotspot is not connected to your laptop or your phone, it might happen due to a problem in the hotspot settings.

For Android

Step:01

• Click on Settings > and then choose Network & Internet

Step: 02 

• Click on  Hotspot & Tethering.

For iPhone:

Step 01:

• Open settings, then tap on personal hotspot.

Check:

• Hotspot is switched ON.

SSID (Service set identifier, which is the name of Wi-Fi )is correct.

Step 02:

• The password is entered exactly as shown.

Change the Frequency Band

Sometimes devices can’t detect a 5GHz hotspot signal.

• Switch the hotspot from 5GHz to 2.4GHz in settings.

Disable Battery Saver

Battery Saver or Low Power Mode can limit the hotspot function. Turn it off and test again.

Update Your Device

Keep your device updated, which can fix bug issues. Outdated software may cause the Hotspot not to be connected to laptops or phones.

For Android 

STEP 01:

• Go to settings, click on software update.

Step 02:

• The next step is to click on download and install, and update your device.

For IOS

• Go to settings, click on update software.

For Windows 

 Go to Settings>click on Windows Updates, check for updates.

• Check for updates. If you are outdated, then update your laptop.

Forget and Reconnect

On the receiving device:

• Go to Wi-Fi settings
• Tap your hotspot name.
• Select Forget
• Reconnect with the correct password.

 For Android 

• Select the current wifi network.

• Click on forget and reconnect again with the correct password.

For IOS

• Go to the wifi>Tap on three dots and click on Forget this network.

For windows

• Go to the wifi icon, choose Forget from the options.

Reset Network Settings

If nothing works:

Android:

Go to the settings>tap on the reset wi-fi option, then click on mobile and Bluetooth

iPhone: 

Go to the settings>General, then click on Transfer or Reset iPhone, click on Reset, and then click on Reset Network

Test Your SIM & Network

Change the SIM  or place the SIM in another phone to rule out SIM or carrier problems.

Contact Your Carrier

If all else fails:

• Ask if a hotspot is allowed on your plan.
• Confirm there’s no network outage.
• Request SIM replacement if needed.

Why is Hotspot not working on Mac

If the hotspot is not working on a Mac, try these solutions to solve the problem. Restart both devices and ensure that the personal hotspot is enabled in the iPhone and the Mac`s wifi is turned on. Try to connect after each step:

Check for Iphone Settings  

1. Check the personal hotspot 

• Check in the settings if it is turned off, then turn it on and allow others to join. 

2. Restart your device

• Restart your iPhone or iPad that provides a personal hotspot to connect to other devices.
• Press and hold the side button and the volume button. Drag the slider for 30 seconds until the Apple logo appears, then restart your device.

3. Update your phone or iPad wirelessly 

• Make sure that you have an updated version of iOS or iPadOS.
• Go to the settings, check for updates, and if more options appear, choose one to install

4. Turn on automatic updates. 

•  Go to settings >Check for updates>Turn on automatic updates. It automatically updates what is needed.

Setting in Mac

Try to connect after each step:

1.         Restart your device
2.          Switch Wi-fi
3.          Update software
4.          Forget and reconnect
5.          Check IPv6 setting

1. Restart your device

• Click on the Apple menu>then tap to restart.

2.  Switch Wi-fi

• GO To the APPLE menu, System menu, turn the WI-FI off and on.

3.  Update software

• Go to the settings, scroll down, then click on General.

• The next step is to select a software update, click on it, and update it.

4.  Forget and reconnect

• Go to the system settings, click on the Wi-Fi you want to forget, choose the three dots, and click on forget.

 5. Check IPv6 setting

• Click on Apple> System Settings>choose Network>

• Click on  TCP/IP 

• Click on configure IPv6 is make sure that it is selected automatically, and click ok.

Popular types of Hotspot Devices you can buy

If your phone’s hotspot isn’t working or reliable, or you need a more stable connection, you can use some portable hotspots for laptops or phones that help you connect to the internet.

1. Portable  Wi-Fi Hotspot 

• It is a small wireless device that lets you create your own internet connection anywhere using a mobile data SIM.
• Brand name: huawei-link M7350, Netgear  Nighthawk M1, TP-Link M7350.

2. USB Dongle / Data Card

• Plugs directly into your laptop’s USB port.
• Provide internet for one device at a time.
• Example: ZTE, JioFi USB Dongles.

3. 4G/5G Router

• Good for frequent travelers.
• Can connect multiple devices at once.

4. Range Extender to boost Wi-fi

• If your hotspot works but coverage is weak, this boosts the Wi-Fi signal so it can cover a wider area.

Where to Buy a Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

Get your own portable Wi-Fi hotspot and never worry about signal drops again, and stay connected.

Online: Amazon, eBay, AliExpress.
From Your Carrier: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Airtel, Vodafone – often bundled with data plans.
In-Store: Best Buy, Walmart, local mobile phone shops, test before you buy.

Conclusions 

A mobile hotspot can be essential for staying connected, but when it stops working, the cause is usually simple, from incorrect settings to plan restrictions. By following the steps in this guide, you can troubleshoot most issues yourself without wasting time on guesswork.

We have personally applied these solutions on devices over the years of remote work, and in most cases, the problem was fixed in minutes. However, if none of the methods work, then contact your carrier, as the issue may be related to your plan or network.