iPhone Hotspot Not Working? 10 Quick Fixes

Quick Fix

Toggle Personal Hotspot off and on in Settings > Personal Hotspot. If that doesn’t work, toggle Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds then off. This resets your iPhone’s network connections and often resolves hotspot issues immediately.

Understanding iPhone Hotspot Problems

The iPhone Personal Hotspot feature turns your phone into a portable WiFi router, sharing your cellular data with other devices. When it stops working, you may see issues like devices not finding the hotspot, connection drops, or the hotspot option being grayed out.

Common causes include carrier restrictions, iOS bugs, incorrect settings, or cellular network issues. Some carriers require specific plans or additional fees for hotspot functionality, so it’s worth checking your plan details first.

The solutions below address both simple fixes and deeper troubleshooting to get your hotspot working reliably.

Method 1: Toggle Personal Hotspot Off and On

1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Tap Personal Hotspot
3. Toggle Allow Others to Join off
4. Wait 10 seconds
5. Toggle it back on
6. Try connecting from your other device
7. If prompted, enter the WiFi password shown on screen

Method 2: Toggle Airplane Mode

1. Open Settings or swipe down for Control Center
2. Tap the Airplane icon to enable it
3. Wait 10 seconds
4. Tap it again to disable Airplane Mode
5. Wait for cellular connection to restore
6. Go back to Personal Hotspot and enable it
7. Try connecting again

Method 3: Restart Your iPhone

1. Press and hold the Side button and Volume Up together
2. Slide to power off when prompted
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Press and hold the Side button to turn on
5. Enter your passcode when prompted
6. Go to Settings and enable Personal Hotspot
7. Connect from your other device

Method 4: Check Cellular Data Settings

1. Go to Settings > Cellular
2. Ensure Cellular Data is turned on
3. Scroll down and check that Personal Hotspot is enabled
4. Tap Cellular Data Options
5. If you see Enable LTE, set it to Voice & Data
6. Go back and try the hotspot again

Method 5: Reset Network Settings

1. Go to Settings > General
2. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone
3. Tap Reset
4. Select Reset Network Settings
5. Enter your passcode to confirm
6. Your iPhone will restart
7. Reconnect to WiFi and set up hotspot again

Method 6: Update Carrier Settings

1. Connect your iPhone to WiFi
2. Go to Settings > General > About
3. Wait a few seconds on this screen
4. If a carrier update is available, you’ll see a prompt
5. Tap Update to install
6. Try the hotspot after the update completes

Method 7: Change Hotspot Password

1. Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot
2. Tap Wi-Fi Password
3. Delete the current password
4. Enter a new password (at least 8 characters)
5. Tap Done
6. On your connecting device, forget the old network
7. Connect using the new password

Method 8: Check with Your Carrier

1. Some carriers require hotspot to be enabled on your plan
2. Call your carrier’s customer service
3. Ask if Personal Hotspot is included in your plan
4. Request it to be enabled if it isn’t
5. Some carriers charge extra for hotspot data
6. Restart your iPhone after carrier makes changes
7. Check if hotspot option is now available

Preventing Future Hotspot Issues

• Keep your iPhone updated to the latest iOS version
• Avoid using hotspot in areas with weak cellular signal
• Use a strong, unique password to prevent unauthorized connections
• Monitor your data usage to avoid overage charges
• Consider USB or Bluetooth tethering as alternatives when WiFi hotspot fails

FAQ

Why is Personal Hotspot grayed out on my iPhone?

A grayed-out hotspot option usually means your carrier hasn’t enabled it on your plan, or there’s a carrier settings issue. Contact your carrier to verify hotspot is included in your plan and properly provisioned.

Why does my hotspot keep disconnecting?

Disconnections often occur due to power-saving features. Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and ensure “Maximize Compatibility” is on if available. Also keep the hotspot screen open on older iOS versions.

Can I use hotspot while connected to WiFi?

No, Personal Hotspot shares your cellular data connection. If you’re connected to WiFi, the hotspot shares that WiFi connection (called WiFi sharing) only on certain iPhone models with specific iOS versions.

How many devices can connect to my iPhone hotspot?

Technically up to 5 devices can connect simultaneously, but performance degrades with more connections. For best speeds, limit to 1-2 devices at a time.

Does using hotspot drain battery fast?

Yes, running a hotspot uses significant battery power. Keep your iPhone plugged in when using hotspot for extended periods, or connect via USB which charges while tethering.

Why can’t other devices find my iPhone hotspot?

Make sure Bluetooth and WiFi are both enabled on your iPhone. The hotspot name is your iPhone’s device name – check Settings > General > About > Name. Keep the Personal Hotspot settings screen open while connecting.