Users are often perplexed when a smartphone refuses to connect to a network created by another mobile device. Everything seems to be working according to the instructions: the hotspot is turned on, the password is entered, but instead of the desired connection icon, an error message appears or an endless wait for an IP address is detected. This is a common problem that can be caused by software glitches in the operating system, as well as incompatibility between encryption standards or frequency bands.
It is important to understand that the Internet sharing mode turns your phone into a full-fledged router, with all its limitations and security settings. If one device is running an outdated protocol and the other is configured for maximum security, a handshake between them simply won't work. Furthermore, modern smartphones aggressively conserve power, which sometimes leads to incorrect operation of communication modules in the background.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the technical reasons why Android or iOS We'll help you figure out if someone else's access point is ignoring your network, and offer specific troubleshooting steps. You'll learn how to configure proper security settings, check frequency bands, and reset network settings to restore a stable connection.
Incompatibility of security standards and protocols
One of the most common reasons for connection failure is a conflict between encryption protocols. When you create a hotspot on a modern smartphone, the system often defaults to the most secure security standard, such as WPA3 or mixed mode WPA2/WPA3However, if the connecting device (client) has an old Wi-Fi module or outdated firmware, it may simply not see the network or lack the keys to decrypt handshake packets.
In such cases, the client phone will return an authentication error or continually request a password, even if it's entered correctly. The problem lies not with the password, but with the encryption algorithm, which the client device doesn't support. The solution is to change the security settings on the server device to a more universal, albeit less secure, standard. WPA2 Personal (AES).
Why is WPA3 causing problems?
The WPA3 protocol uses more complex encryption algorithms (SAE – Simultaneous Authentication of Equals), which require hardware support from both devices. If the Wi-Fi chip in the receiving phone is several years old, it will physically be unable to complete the key agreement procedure.
It's also worth considering that some corporate or specialized devices may require authentication type configuration. If you're sharing internet with a tablet or phone designed for specific environments, check whether it requires manual security configuration instead of automatic selection.
IP address conflicts and DHCP server errors
When a phone doesn't receive Wi-Fi from another phone, the address sharing mechanism is often to blame. In modem mode, the sharing device acts as DHCP servers, which should assign a unique IP address to the connecting device within its local network. If this process stalls or the address pool is exhausted, the connection will fail, and you'll see the "Obtaining IP address" status.
Sometimes the problem occurs because the connecting phone previously had static settings for a specific network (SSID). If the address ranges have changed or the network structure has changed, the old static IP will conflict with the current rules of the host router. In this case, you need to forget the network on the client device and try connecting again to retrieve the latest data.
☑️ IP Conflict Diagnostics
It's also worth paying attention to the subnet. By default, most mobile hotspots use the subnet range 192.168.43.x or 192.168.1.xIf you previously configured a static IP in the same range for your home Wi-Fi, switching to a mobile hotspot may confuse your operating system's routing tables.
Problems with the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands
Modern smartphones can operate in two ranges: 2.4 GHz And 5 GHzThe 5 GHz band offers high speeds, but has a shorter range and is less effective at penetrating walls. If the wireless network is broadcasting on 5 GHz and the receiving phone is far away or has a weak antenna module, it may simply fail to stabilize the connection, constantly dropping it.
Furthermore, some older or budget phone models only support 2.4 GHz. If the access point is configured strictly for 5 GHz (in "5 GHz Only" mode), such a device won't even be detected by the network. Conversely, if the transmitting phone only operates on 2.4 GHz and the client is configured to prioritize 5 GHz, connection delays or failures may occur due to airwave congestion.
⚠️ Note: In some regions, the use of certain channels in the 5 GHz band may be restricted by law. Smartphones automatically select permitted channels, but manually selecting them (if available in the engineering menu) can inadvertently block connection for devices from other countries.
The optimal solution for maximum compatibility is to use the "Auto" mode or force the access point to switch to the "Auto" mode. 2.4 GHzThis will reduce the maximum speed, but ensures that the signal will be seen and received by almost any device, from smartwatches to older tablets.
Operator and tariff plan restrictions
Users often forget that mobile operators actively combat the use of SIM cards in modems and for tethering. The operator may technically block the creation of a hotspot or limit the TTL (Time to Live) of packets passing through it. In this case, the phone technically connects to Wi-Fi, but the internet is inactive, or the Android/iOS system itself blocks tethering.
Operators determine whether a packet is being distributed based on the TTL value. By default, this value is 64 (Android) or 128 (Windows) in operating systems. When a packet passes through an access point, the TTL is decremented by 1. The operator sees a value of 63 or 127 and understands that distribution is in progress, after which it applies data rate restrictions or blocks the connection.
There are complex methods to bypass such restrictions that require root access or the use of special tunneling apps, but using these may violate your carrier's contract. In most cases, simply checking whether tethering is enabled in your account or plan is sufficient.
Table of errors and how to fix them
To quickly diagnose the problem, we recommend using the following table, which organizes symptoms and solutions. This will help you weed out obvious causes and focus on complex cases.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication error | Incorrect password or encryption type | Change the security type to WPA2 and double-check the password. |
| Getting IP address (infinite) | DHCP failure or address conflict | Forget the network, reboot both devices |
| Network not found | Band incompatibility (5 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz) | Switch the access point to 2.4 GHz mode |
| Connected, without internet | Operator blocking or no signal | Check your balance and 4G/LTE signal |
Using this table helps structure your troubleshooting. If none of the steps help, the problem may lie deeper—in the wireless module drivers or a hardware fault with the antenna of one of the smartphones.
Failures in the operation of network modules and software
Software glitches are the scourge of modern operating systems. Accumulated network service caches, errors in Wi-Fi module drivers, or conflicts with installed applications (such as VPNs or antiviruses) can completely paralyze the ability to establish or receive a connection. This is especially common after system updates, when old configuration files conflict with new security rules.
In such cases, a simple reboot may not be enough. A full network reset is required. This will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth settings, and cellular network settings, restoring the modules to their original state. This is a drastic, but often the only effective solution.
It's also worth checking whether background activity restrictions for system services are enabled on any of your devices. Aggressive power-saving modes can kill network sharing or scanning immediately after the screen turns off. Add the Settings app or the system Wi-Fi service to the battery exceptions list.
Hardware limitations and overheating
The physical condition of the devices shouldn't be ignored either. Hotspot mode places a high load on the phone's processor and radio module, resulting in significant heat generation. If the device overheats, the system may forcibly disable the Wi-Fi module or reduce its power, resulting in connection drops or failure to connect.
Furthermore, a damaged antenna (for example, after a phone is dropped) may produce a signal strong enough to receive incoming calls, but insufficient for stable two-way data transmission in hotspot mode. In such cases, the phone may see the network, but data packets will be lost.
⚠️ Caution: If your phone becomes very hot while the hotspot is enabled, remove the protective case and place the device on a hard surface. Prolonged overheating can cause battery degradation and antenna detachment.
Also, check if the receiving device has power-saving mode enabled, which limits background data transfer. In some cases, this can prevent the handshake with the router from completing.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the phone see the network, but says “Failed to connect”?
This most often indicates an incorrect password or encryption protocol incompatibility. Try changing the security type on the sharing device from WPA3 to WPA2. Also, check that the list of connected clients isn't full (usually the limit is 5-10 devices).
Is it possible to share Wi-Fi if there is no SIM card on the phone?
Yes, most modern smartphones allow you to create a Wi-Fi hotspot even without a SIM card, as long as the phone itself is connected to the internet (for example, via a USB modem or another Wi-Fi network, if a repeater is supported). However, if there's no internet connection at the source, there won't be anything to share.
How to increase the range of a hotspot on a phone?
It's not possible to increase your smartphone's antenna power using hardware. However, you can switch to the 2.4 GHz band, which has better signal penetration. Also, make sure your phone is free of any thick, metallic cases that may be shielding the signal.
Does having Bluetooth enabled affect Wi-Fi speed?
Yes, it can. Since both modules often operate in the 2.4 GHz band, they can interfere with each other. For maximum transfer speed, it's recommended to temporarily disable Bluetooth on both devices.
What should I do if the access point turns off by itself after a few minutes?
This is a standard behavior to save power if no devices are connected to the hotspot. Check the timeout settings in the "Access Point & Tethering" menu. Also, make sure the screen of the phone sharing the hotspot doesn't turn off completely if this is required for stable operation.