When your Fairphone 5's hotspot stops working, it leaves your laptop or tablet stranded without internet. Whether other devices can't find the network, fail to connect, or get stuck obtaining an IP address, the fixes are usually straightforward.
Start by going into your phone's settings. Open Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering and toggle the Wi-Fi hotspot switch off. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. This quick refresh often clears the minor software hiccup that's preventing the service from starting properly.
Restart Your Fairphone 5
A full reboot can solve a surprising number of glitches. Press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds until the phone restarts. If that doesn't work, you can use the unique advantage of your modular phone: pop off the back cover, remove the battery for 30 seconds, then reinsert it and power on. This is a surefire way to clear any stuck processes.
Verify Your Mobile Data Connection
Your hotspot is useless without a solid cellular data connection. Check that mobile data is enabled by pulling down the quick settings shade and tapping the cellular icon, or going to Settings > Network & internet > Internet. If the signal is weak, try moving to a different location. Also, double-check with your carrier that your specific plan includes tethering, as some budget plans restrict it.
Reset Your Network Settings
This is a more thorough step that wipes all network-related configurations. Navigate to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Confirm the reset. Your phone will forget all saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairings, and reset cellular settings to default. You'll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi networks afterward, but this often resolves persistent hotspot issues.
Check for a Carrier Configuration Update
Sometimes, your mobile network provider pushes small updates that fine-tune connectivity. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, tap on your active SIM card, and look for a "Carrier settings" or "Access Point Names (APN)" option. While updates here aren't as common as on some phones, it's worth ensuring your APN settings are correct for your carrier, as an error here can block tethering.
Forget the Network on the Connecting Device
The problem might be with the device trying to connect, not your Fairphone. On that laptop or tablet, go into its Wi-Fi settings, find your Fairphone's hotspot network name, and select "Forget" or "Remove network." Then, scan for networks again, select your hotspot, and enter the password fresh. This eliminates any corrupted connection data on the client side.
Change Your Hotspot Name and Password
Head back to Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot. Tap on "Hotspot name (SSID)" and give it a new name, then tap on "Password" and set a new one. Save the changes. This forces a completely new network identity, which can bypass authentication conflicts that were preventing connections.
Use USB or Bluetooth Tethering Instead
If the Wi-Fi hotspot is being stubborn, your Fairphone 5 offers other ways to share its connection. For USB tethering, connect your phone to a computer with a USB-C cable, then go to the Hotspot & tethering menu and enable USB tethering. For Bluetooth, pair your phone with the other device first, then enable Bluetooth tethering on the same menu. These are great backup options.
Install the Latest Software Update
Fairphone is committed to long-term support, and updates frequently include bug fixes. Go to Settings > System > System update and tap "Check for update." Download and install any available update. I've seen system updates resolve niche connectivity bugs that weren't fixable through simple resets, so this is a crucial step.
If you've worked through all these steps and the hotspot still won't function, the issue likely lies with your carrier. Contact their support to confirm hotspot/tethering is active on your line and that there are no network outages in your area. Sometimes a provisioning refresh on their end is all it takes.