Why is my verizon mobile hotspot not working

Unlike smartphones, devices like laptops aren’t able to connect to the internet without a Wi-Fi signal. But rather than risk using an unsecured network while you’re on the go, you can generate your own secure Wi-Fi by turning your phone into a mobile hotspot.

Every smartphone and basic phone from Verizon comes preinstalled with a mobile hotspot feature. Different devices use different names for this, such as:

  • Personal Hotspot (iOS)
  • Internet Sharing (Windows)
  • Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot (Google Nexus devices)

Your mobile hotspot lets you share your network connection with up to 10 devices, which use your phone’s data plan to access the internet. This feature is available anywhere that has 4G LTE service, or anywhere in the US with 5G Ultra Wideband or 5G Nationwide. Your mobile hotspot even includes password protection to prevent strangers from joining your network and accessing your information.

How to use your mobile hotspot

  1. Go to Settings or Manage Connections, and activate Verizon Wireless Mobile Hotspot.
  2. Open the App Tray and click Mobile Hotspot.
  3. Turn on Mobile Hotspot. An icon will appear in your notifications panel showing that your hotspot is available for connection.
  4. On your other device, scan for available Wi-Fi networks and click the name of your mobile hotspot. You’ll need to enter your cell phone’s mobile hotspot password. To find this:
  • Go to Settings.
  • Click Wireless & Networks.
  • Click Tethering & Portable Hotspot.
  • Check the Show Password box to see your mobile hotspot password.
  1. Enter the password, then click Join or Connect to start browsing the internet.

Mobile hotspot not working? Here’s how to fix it

  1. Open Verizon’s Device Troubleshooting Assistant.
  2. Click on your device.
  3. Sign in with your My Verizon username and password for a personalized solution, or simply click Continue.
  4. Hover over Data Internet and Connectivity.
  5. Click the issue you need help with.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix your mobile hotspot issue.

Share unlimited data with a Verizon Unlimited Plan

When you turn your cell phone into a mobile hotspot, any device that connects to it uses your data to access the internet. If you use the feature often, or if you connect a lot of devices, it’s easy to accidentally run out of data.

But if you have a Verizon Unlimited Plan, you can use as much data as you want without ever running out or paying extra. That means you never need to worry about using your cell phone as a mobile hotspot.

Best Verizon Unlimited Plans

  • 5G Get More: 50GB premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited lower-speed data
  • 5G Do More, and 5G Play More: 25GB premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited lower-speed data 

How to use your mobile hotspot without data

You’ll have the fastest and most stable mobile hotspot experience by using your data for an internet connection. But in a pinch, it’s actually possible to use your mobile hotspot without data through the Wi-Fi tethering feature.

Wi-Fi tethering lets your device behave as an internet router. Some devices need a physical connection through a USB cable, but most can simply use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Android

1) Go to Settings.

2) Click WiFi & Internet.

3) If you can’t see an option for Wi-Fi tethering, click More.

4) Turn on Tethering.

iOS

1) Go to Settings.

2) Click Personal Hotspot. (For some iOS devices, you might need to click General, then Network, then Personal Hotspot.)

3) Turn on Personal Hotspot.

Visit us in-store to find the perfect phone and plan

When you’re ready to upgrade your phone or data plan, our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect match for your usage needs and habits. They’ll even show you how to use the mobile hotspot and Wi-Fi tethering features on your new phone, so you can quickly set up a connection.

Find your local Russell Cellular store online, and drop in to see us today.

With Personal Hotspot, you can share the cellular data connection of your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) with another device. If you need help with Personal Hotspot, follow these steps.

Use these steps first

Try connecting again after each step.

  1. Check that Personal Hotspot is turned on in Settings > Personal Hotspot. If you can't find or turn on Personal Hotspot, check that your wireless carrier enabled it and that your wireless plan supports it.
  2. Restart the iPhone or iPad that provides Personal Hotspot and the other device that needs to connect to Personal Hotspot. 
  3. Make sure that you have the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
  4. On the iPhone or iPad that provides Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset, then tap Reset Network Settings.

Use the steps below for more help with Personal Hotspot over Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth.

If you can't connect to Personal Hotspot with Wi-Fi

On the device that provides Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot, then follow these steps:

  1. Make sure that Allow Others to Join is on. 
  2. Remember the device's Wi-Fi network name and password that appear on this screen. If you want to change the Wi-Fi network name, learn how to change your device name.
  3. If you're using an iPhone 12 model or later, turn on Maximize Compatibility.* Then try connecting your devices again to your Personal Hotspot.
  4. Stay on this screen until you connect your other device to the Wi-Fi network. 

On the device that needs to connect to Personal Hotspot, follow these steps:

  1. Turn Wi-Fi off and back on.
  2. Make sure that you connect to the correct Wi-Fi network. The network name is the same as the iOS device that provides Personal Hotspot and the Personal Hotspot icon 
    Why is my verizon mobile hotspot not working
     might appear next to it.
  3. If you see a password error when you try to join Personal Hotspot, check the Wi-Fi password: On the device that provides Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot to see the Wi-Fi password.

* When you turn on Maximize Compatibility, internet performance and Wi-Fi security might be reduced for devices connected to the hotspot.

Why is my verizon mobile hotspot not working

If you can't connect to Personal Hotspot with USB

To avoid unnecessary data charges, turn off Personal Hotspot when you don't need it. If you don't, every time you plug your iOS device with Personal Hotspot into your computer to charge, your computer might connect to Personal Hotspot. 

Follow the steps below for your Mac.

Connect your Mac to Personal Hotspot with USB

  1. Update to the latest version of iTunes. 
  2. With a USB cable, connect your Mac to the iPhone or iPad that provides Personal Hotspot. If prompted, trust the device.
  3. Make sure that you can locate and view your iPhone or iPad in iTunes or the Finder. If your Mac doesn't recognize your device, try a different USB cable. 
  4. Go to System Preferences > Network, then select iPhone USB. If you don’t see it, click the Add button 
    Why is my verizon mobile hotspot not working
     and add it.
    Why is my verizon mobile hotspot not working
  5. Click the More button 
    Why is my verizon mobile hotspot not working
    , choose Make Service Inactive, then click Apply.
    Why is my verizon mobile hotspot not working
  6. Click the More button 
    Why is my verizon mobile hotspot not working
    , choose Make Service Active, then click Apply. If you already have a different network connection, your Personal Hotspot connection might not activate until you uncheck “Disable unless needed” and click Apply.

Why is my verizon mobile hotspot not working

If you can't connect to Personal Hotspot with Bluetooth

Use the steps below to pair your devices and connect to Personal Hotspot with Bluetooth.

Pair your devices

  1. On the device that provides Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and make sure Allow Others to Join is on.
  2. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure that Bluetooth is on.
  3. Keep this screen open, then follow the steps for the device that needs to connect:
    • On your iPad or iPod touch, tap Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on. Tap the device that provides Personal Hotspot, confirm the code that appears, then tap Pair on both devices.
    • On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on. Select the device providing Personal Hotspot, click Connect, then follow the onscreen instructions.
    • On your Windows PC, click the Bluetooth icon in the Notification area and make sure Bluetooth is on. Choose Add a Bluetooth Device, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Connect to Personal Hotspot with Bluetooth

If you still can't connect to Personal Hotspot with Bluetooth

Get more help

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Published Date: January 26, 2022

How do I get my Verizon hotspot to work?

To set up a mobile hotspot connection, simply activate the feature in “Settings” or “Manage Connections” on your phone. On iPhones, go to “Settings,” then tap “Personal Hotspot.” On Android devices, open the Settings app, then select “Network & Internet” and tap “Hotspot & Tethering.”

Why is my mobile data hotspot not working?

If your hotspot won't work, ensure the internet works and you're entering the right password. You can also try disabling battery saver or low power mode or restarting your phone's Wi-Fi. If your phone's hotspot still won't work, then tethering or turning the phone on and off might help.

Why won't My Verizon Mobile Hotspot connect?

Try to delete the wireless profile you setup on your laptop for your phones hotspot feature. Reenter the wireless password and try again. This should refresh the connection between the two devices and allow you to communicate again.

Why is my Verizon hotspot not working on my iPhone?

If you can't find or turn on Personal Hotspot, check that your wireless carrier enabled it and that your wireless plan supports it. Restart the iPhone or iPad that provides Personal Hotspot and the other device that needs to connect to Personal Hotspot. Make sure that you have the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.