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How do I fix Android hotspot not working?

By the AndroidAnswers Editorial Team · Updated

About 5 minutes · Wi‑Fi & mobile data

Illustration of a phone showing a hotspot signal, with a laptop on one side and a check badge on the other

Steps to check

  1. Check that the phone itself has mobile data

    A hotspot only shares your phone's mobile data, so start there. Turn Wi-Fi off on the phone and open a web page. If nothing loads, the problem is mobile data, not the hotspot: make sure Mobile data is on and look for a data icon like 4G, LTE, or 5G next to the signal bars. Our mobile data guide walks through that.

    Samsung Swipe down from the top right and make sure the Mobile data icon is lit, not gray. Or go to Settings → Connections → Data usage and turn on Mobile data.Pixel Settings → Network & internet → SIMs, and make sure Mobile data is on.

  2. Check that your plan includes hotspot

    Google and Samsung both note that some carriers limit tethering or charge extra for it. Samsung adds that most carriers need a hotspot plan on your account, even with unlimited data, and that hotspot data can be counted separately. If your hotspot allowance runs out, other devices may still connect but get no internet. Samsung also notes that hotspot may not work right after you change carriers, so ask your carrier to check your line.

  3. Turn the hotspot off, then on again

    Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Hotspot to turn it off. Wait a few seconds and tap it again. If you do not see a Hotspot tile, you can add it to Quick Settings, or use the Settings path below. If the phone has never used a hotspot before, you may need to tap Set up Wi-Fi hotspot first.

    Samsung Settings → Connections → Mobile Hotspot and Tethering, then tap the switch next to Mobile Hotspot.Pixel Settings → Network & internet → Hotspot & tethering → Wi-Fi hotspot, then turn on Use Wi-Fi hotspot.

  4. Turn off Data Saver and any VPN

    Data Saver cuts back how apps use mobile data, and on Pixel phones it has to be off to share a hotspot over Wi-Fi. A VPN (an app that sends your internet traffic through another service) can also block sharing, so Samsung suggests turning it off while you use the hotspot. Turn both off, then try the hotspot again.

    Samsung Settings → Connections → Data usage → Data saver, and turn off Turn on now.Pixel Settings → Network & internet → Data Saver, and turn it off.

  5. If the other device can't find it or won't join

    On the other device, open its list of Wi-Fi networks and look for your phone's hotspot name. If it is there but will not connect, tap Forget (or Remove) on that device, then pick the hotspot again and type the password carefully. You can see and change the name and password in the phone's hotspot settings. A phone hotspot can share with up to 10 devices at once, so turn off any you are not using.

    Samsung In Mobile Hotspot settings, make sure Hidden network is off and Security is set to WPA2. Try changing Band: 2.4 GHz works with more devices, 5 GHz is faster.Pixel Settings → Network & internet → Hotspot & tethering → Wi-Fi hotspot, then tap the hotspot name or password to check it.

  6. If the hotspot keeps turning itself off

    This is often a battery-saving feature, not a fault. Pixel phones turn the hotspot off when no devices have been connected for 10 minutes, and Samsung has a similar timeout. You can turn that off. Also expect your phone's own Wi-Fi to switch off while the hotspot is on, since many phones cannot do both at once. Plug the phone in if you will use the hotspot for a long time.

    Samsung Settings → Connections → Mobile Hotspot and Tethering → Mobile Hotspot → Advanced → Turn off when no device connected for, and choose a longer time.Pixel Settings → Network & internet → Hotspot & tethering → Wi-Fi hotspot, then turn off Turn off hotspot automatically.

  7. Restart, update, and reset network settings if needed

    Restart the phone, then check for a system update. If the hotspot still fails, reset mobile network settings. This does not erase photos or apps, but you may need to set up some network settings again afterward. If nothing works, contact your carrier, since they can check your plan and line from their side.

    Samsung Settings → General management → Reset → Reset mobile network settings. Samsung also suggests trying Safe mode to rule out a downloaded app.Pixel Settings → System → Reset options → Reset mobile network settings.

Normal vs. not

Usually normal

Your phone's Wi-Fi turns off while the hotspot is on, the hotspot turns off after sitting unused, or the battery drains faster while you share.

Worth a closer look

Mobile data works on the phone and your plan includes hotspot, but no device can connect even after a restart and a network reset. That is worth a call to your carrier or the phone maker.

What people are saying

Common questions

Why can my laptop see the hotspot but not get online?

Usually the phone has no mobile data at that moment, or your plan's hotspot data has run out. Check that web pages load on the phone with Wi-Fi off, then ask your carrier about your hotspot allowance.

Can I share my hotspot with a Mac over a USB cable?

No. Google says Mac computers can't tether with Android by USB. Use the Wi-Fi hotspot instead.

Does using a hotspot use a lot of battery?

Yes, sharing a connection uses more battery. Google suggests plugging in while you share and turning the hotspot off when you are done.

Sources we checked

Menu names can differ by phone brand and Android version. See our editorial policy for how we check steps.