Frequency bands at a glance
Band | Range | Throughput | Compatibility | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2.4 GHz | Longer | Lower | Very broad | First choice when troubleshooting |
5 GHz | Shorter | Higher | Great on newer devices | Use if all clients support it |
Why is my hotspot not working?
If your hotspot isn’t working, the cause usually comes down to a handful of easy fixes: wrong settings, power-saving mode, an incompatible band, or a plan that restricts tethering. Follow the right sequence and you can typically get iPhone hotspot or Android hotspot running again in minutes.
Below are common causes, practical fixes for iPhone and Android, tips for Windows, a checklist, and a band table.
14.10.2025 | Reading time: 6 minutes
Common causes: why the hotspot fails
Many issues share the same triggers. Check the basics first.
- Mobile data off or unstable
- Plan that blocks tethering or is throttled
- Power saver or data saver enabled
- Hotspot settings, SSID or password incorrect
- Wrong APN or carrier settings
- Client device incompatible with the chosen band (5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz)
- VPN or firewall filtering traffic
- Outdated software or a restart pending
Tip: Restart phone and client device, toggle mobile data off and on, then work through the list step by step.
iPhone: “Personal Hotspot not working” — how to fix it
On iPhone the feature is Personal Hotspot. Go methodically and test after each step.
- Turn on Personal Hotspot
Settings → Personal Hotspot, enable and switch on Allow Others to Join. Make sure Cellular Data is on. - Quick network reset
Toggle Airplane Mode on and off. Turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and back on. - Improve compatibility
In Personal Hotspot, enable Maximize Compatibility. It’s helpful with older PCs. - Refresh network settings
Change password and SSID. On the laptop, forget the old network and reconnect. - Update
Install iOS and carrier updates. - Check your plan
Confirm that tethering is allowed and no data limit applies. - Last resort
Reset network settings and set up the hotspot again.
If Wi-Fi is flaky, try USB tethering or Bluetooth to rule out computer Wi-Fi driver or hardware issues.
Android: “Mobile hotspot not working” — solutions
On Android look for Hotspot & tethering. These steps fix most cases:
- Enable and verify
Turn on the hotspot, check SSID and password (watch case sensitivity). - Switch from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz
Many older laptops or IoT devices only support 2.4 GHz. Change the band in hotspot settings. - Disable saver modes
Turn off Battery Saver and Data Saver. - Check APN and carrier profile
In Mobile network, verify the SIM’s APN. - Test without VPN/firewall
Temporarily disable VPN and firewall, then retry. - Update and restart
Install system updates and restart phone and client. - Try USB
If Wi-Fi hotspot is unreliable, test USB tethering. If stable, suspect Wi-Fi drivers or band.
Also ensure your plan allows tethering and no limits have been reached.
Connected but no internet: how to pinpoint the cause?
You can see and join the hotspot, but pages won’t load.
- Test the phone’s internet directly
- Check allowance and throttling on your plan
- Briefly disable VPN or firewall
- Change band and move devices closer
- On the laptop, forget the saved network and reconnect
- If needed, change DNS or set a static IP for testing, then revert to automatic
Windows laptop won’t connect to iPhone or Android: quick fixes
Failures often come from drivers, bands, or stale Wi-Fi profiles.
- Delete the network profile and reconnect
- Update the Wi-Fi driver
- Force 2.4 GHz on the phone’s hotspot
- On iPhone, enable Maximize Compatibility
- Check if the adapter supports 5 GHz
- Try USB tethering to isolate Wi-Fi issues
Checklist for stable hotspots
- Plan with tethering enabled
- OS, carrier settings, and drivers up to date
- 2.4 GHz for older clients
- Disable power/data saver and VPN/firewall during tests
- Change SSID/password and remove the old network on the client
- If needed, try USB or Bluetooth
Many “hotspot not working” cases come from a band mismatch. Switching to 2.4 GHz often stabilizes the connection, especially with older laptops or smart home gear.
When it’s the carrier or the device?
If settings are correct, two suspects remain:
- Carrier/plan: tethering blocked, data cap reached, temporary network outage
- Hardware/OS: Wi-Fi module fault, antenna damage, system bug. Back up, then try a factory reset or a service check.
Quick step-by-step
iPhone
- Enable Personal Hotspot and Cellular Data
- Turn on Allow Others to Join
- Update iOS and carrier settings
- Try Maximize Compatibility
- Reset Network Settings and reconnect
Android
- Turn on hotspot, verify SSID/password
- Switch to 2.4 GHz
- Disable Battery/Data Saver, check APN
- Install updates and restart
- Test USB tethering
Conclusion
With a few targeted checks, you can fix most hotspot issues yourself. Focus on tethering allowed, up-to-date software, the right band, and temporarily disabling saver and security features while testing. If the hotspot still won’t work, it’s often a plan limitation or hardware constraint, a quick support check saves time.
