When you're connected to a hotspot, but there's no internet access, you might not see any errors to help identify the reason; the internet will simply stop working. However, troubleshooting and fixing the cause isn't difficult.

This article addresses problems related to a phone or tablet that's acting as a mobile hotspot, so the troubleshooting tips apply to Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. However, some of the steps are equally applicable to dedicated hotspot devices.

How to Fix a Mobile Hotspot With No Internet Connection

Are you connected to the hotspot but can't access websites? Maybe your hotspot connection drops unexpectedly and won't reconnect. Regardless, these troubleshooting tips should get you back online in no time:

1. Restart the device. A simple restart often resolves most issues. This will sever the connection your devices have with the hotspot and force them to establish a new one.

   Depending on the device you're using, restart your computer [Reboot Windows] or your Android [Reboot Android] or iOS [Reboot iPhone] device. If you're using a dedicated hotspot (i.e., not your phone or computer), reboot that, too.

2. Toggle the hotspot off and back on. This is an easy step that shouldn't take more than 30 seconds to see if it fixes the hotspot's internet.

3. Turn off Airplane Mode if it's on. This feature prevents your device from accessing the internet, so it must be switched off to make the hotspot work correctly.

   This is easy to do on all devices through the Settings app. If you're on Android, here are the steps to disable Airplane Mode.

   Even if Airplane Mode is off, take this time to switch it on for 10 seconds. Once you shut it off again, your device will reestablish its connection with the hotspot.

4. Turn on your phone's mobile data. If your phone is acting as the hotspot for other devices, ensure mobile data is toggled on so that it can pull data from cell towers to deliver internet to your connected devices.

   If you'd rather not use your phone's data, make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.

   If you've turned on mobile data but the hotspot still doesn't have internet, check your data usage; you might have run out! We also have other tips for fixing mobile data problems.

5. Confirm with your carrier that you have hotspot access. Not all mobile carriers support hotspot connections, and some require you to pay extra for this feature.

6. Improve your mobile signal strength. In some cases, simply moving your hotspot to a location where you have more bars will boost the signal strength enough to resolve internet connection issues.
   

   If you're using your phone as a hotspot, you can purchase a cell phone signal booster if moving the device doesn't help. Keep in mind that most signal boosters aren't super mobile.

7. Optimize your device's placement. You want to make sure you're placing your laptop or computer as close to the hotspot as possible.

   Distance from a Wi-Fi network source is one of the easiest ways to boost a Wi-Fi signal. Being too far from the source is one of the most common causes for a dropped Wi-Fi signal and the inability to access the internet.

8. Remove the hotspot password. If you've secured your mobile hotspot with a password, remove it from the hotspot settings. This is a good test to make sure you aren't simply typing the wrong password to connect to the hotspot.

9. Change the frequency bandin your hotspot's settings to 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz (whichever one it isn't currently configured as). The device that's trying to connect to the hotspot might require a specific frequency.

10. Turn off the device's VPN. Virtual private networks (VPNs) are deeply integrated with a device's network settings, so disabling the VPN, if you're using one, is a good idea when fixing internet-related issues like this one.

11. Troubleshoot your mobile device's internet connection. The hotspot might be working properly. To check, ensure the hotspot is turned off, and then try to visit a website. If you can't, then this is more of an issue withthatdevice rather than the hotspot.

    How to Fix It When There's No Internet Connection

12. Troubleshoot your computer's internet connection. If you can connect to the hotspot but still can't get online, you may need to reset your network settings or temporarily disable the firewall or antivirus software.

A hotspot might use your mobile data plan, depending on how you've set it up. If your service provider bills you for data usage or otherwise limits your data, you could end up with large, unexpected surcharges on your bill. So, be sure you understand your plan limitations before you start using your mobile hotpot too frequently.

Why Is My Hotspot Not Working? 

When you're connected to the internet via a hotspot, there are multiple possible points of failure, and any of them can cause connection problems. Your hotspot's network could stop working if your phone runs out of power or its Wi-Fi gets disabled.

The best way to troubleshoot these problems is to start with your mobile device since it's the source of your internet connection. Once you've confirmed the mobile device isn't having any issues, then move on to your computer.