i3Engineering | Hotspot Issues

Connected to the phone’s Wi-Fi, but the controller fails to connect to the server
Cause: This issue may occur due to a conflict between mobile data usage and hotspot functionality, Wi-Fi interference, or data restrictions on the mobile plan.
Remedy:
1. Verify Data Plan Restrictions:● Cause: Some mobile carriers limit or restrict tethering on certain plans.● Solution: Check with your carrier to ensure that your data plan allows hotspot usage and hasn’t reached any data or speed limits.
2. Disable Wi-Fi While Using a Hotspot:● Cause: When both Wi-Fi and the mobile hotspot are enabled simultaneously, it can cause conflicts, preventing the proper sharing of the mobile data connection.● Solution:
iPhone:
Go to Settings → Wi-Fi and turn Wi-Fi Off. This ensures that your phone only uses mobile data for hotspot functionality.
Android:
Go to Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi and toggle Wi-Fi Off to prevent any interference.
3. Check Mobile Data is Enabled:● Cause: Hotspot relies on mobile data to provide internet to other devices.
Solution: Go to Settings → Cellular (iPhone) or Mobile Networks (Android), and ensure that Mobile Data is turned on.
Too many devices connected to the hotspot, causing pairing issues
Cause: Hotspots have a limit on the number of connected devices. Overloading the hotspot with multiple devices can cause network instability, preventing some devices from connecting properly.
Remedy:
1. Disconnect Other Devices:● Solution: Disconnect some devices from the hotspot to reduce the load on the network. This can help the controller or other critical devices establish a stable connection.
The internet connection is slow, or traffic restrictions are in place
Cause: Carriers may impose speed restrictions or data throttling, which results in slow internet speeds. Additionally, the hotspot may not provide sufficient bandwidth for certain applications or devices.
Remedy:
1. Check for Speed or Data Restrictions:● Solution: Contact your carrier to verify that there are no speed or data volume restrictions. Some mobile plans may throttle speeds when a certain data limit is reached.
2. Optimize Hotspot Settings:● Solution: For newer phones, you can enable Maximize Compatibility (iPhone) or 2.4 GHz mode (Android) in hotspot settings. This will ensure broader device compatibility and improve connection stability for slower networks.Carriers may impose speed restrictions or data throttling, which results in slow internet speeds. Additionally, the hotspot may not provide sufficient bandwidth for certain applications or devices.
The controller is connected, but it cannot obtain an IP address
Cause: This is typically caused by a failure in the phone's DHCP server, which assigns IP addresses to devices connecting to the hotspot.
Remedy:1. Restart the Hotspot:● Solution: Toggle the hotspot off and back on to restart the DHCP server and refresh the network. This can help reassign IP addresses to connected devices.
2. Check DHCP Settings:● Solution: On Android devices, go to Hotspot & Tethering Settings → Advanced Settings, and ensure that DHCP is enabled to automatically assign IP addresses to connected devices.
Power-saving features are interfering with the hotspot connection
Cause: Battery saver modes or power-saving features can limit the functionality of the hotspot, leading to dropped connections or slow network speeds.
Remedy:
1. Disable Battery Saver/Power Saving Mode:
Solution:● iPhone: Go to Settings → Battery and turn off Low Power Mode.● Android: Go to Settings → Battery or Power Saving, and disable any power-saving modes. This will prevent the phone from limiting hotspot functions.
VPN or Proxy services are interfering with the hotspot
Cause: VPN or proxy services on your phone can interfere with the hotspot’s ability to share internet access with other devices.
Remedy:
1. Disable VPN or Proxy:
Solution:● On iPhone, go to Settings → VPN and disconnect any active VPNs.● On Android, go to Settings → Connections → VPN, and disable any active VPN or proxy service. After disabling the VPN, restart the hotspot and try connecting again.
Connection issues due to network glitches or system errors
Cause: Temporary system glitches can cause the hotspot or network connection to malfunction.
Remedy:
1. Restart the Phone:● Solution: Restart your phone to refresh all network services and reset the hotspot function. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve various network-related issues.
2. Reset Network Settings:● Solution: If restarting doesn’t help, try resetting your phone’s network settings to factory defaults.
On iPhone: Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset [Device] → Reset → Reset Network Settings. This will erase saved Wi-Fi networks and VPN settings but can resolve persistent connectivity issues.
On Android: Go to Settings → System → Reset Options → Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth.