When your Nothing Phone (3) hotspot keeps dropping the connection, it leaves your laptop or tablet stranded without internet. The issue can be a quick glitch or something that needs a deeper look, but there are several effective ways to get a stable connection again.
Toggle Your Hotspot Off and On
Open Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering and tap the toggle to turn your Wi-Fi hotspot off. Wait about 15 seconds, then turn it back on. This simple reset clears any temporary software hiccups in the hotspot service and is often the fastest fix.
Restart Your Nothing Phone (3)
Press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons together for about 10-15 seconds until you see the Nothing logo. This force restart is more thorough than a standard reboot and can clear deeper system processes that might be interfering with your network connection.
Check Your Mobile Data and Signal
Your hotspot relies entirely on your phone's cellular connection. Swipe down for the Quick Settings panel and make sure mobile data is enabled. If you're in an area with a weak signal, shown by just one or two bars, the hotspot will be unstable. Moving to a location with better reception can make a big difference.
It's also worth confirming with your carrier that your mobile plan includes tethering. Some budget plans restrict or limit hotspot usage, which can cause unexpected disconnections.
Forget and Reconnect on the Connected Device
On the laptop or tablet that keeps disconnecting, go into its Wi-Fi settings and find your phone's hotspot network. Choose the option to "Forget" or remove the network. Then, search for available Wi-Fi networks again, select your phone, and enter the password fresh. This clears any corrupted connection data on the client device.
Change Your Hotspot Password
In your phone's Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot menu, tap on Password. Change it to something new and save it. You'll then need to reconnect all your devices using this new password. This forces a brand-new, clean authentication between your phone and the other device.
Reset Your Phone's Network Settings
If disconnections persist, try resetting network settings. Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. This will erase all saved Wi-Fi networks, paired Bluetooth devices, and cellular preferences. You'll have to reconnect to your Wi-Fi and re-pair accessories, but it resolves many persistent network bugs.
Check for a Software Update
Nothing regularly releases updates for Nothing OS that include performance optimizations and bug fixes. Navigate to Settings > System > System update and check for any available downloads. Installing the latest software can resolve known connectivity issues that affect the hotspot feature.
Try USB or Bluetooth Tethering Instead
If the Wi-Fi hotspot is unreliable, switch to a different tethering method. Connect your Nothing Phone (3) to your computer with a USB-C cable, then enable USB tethering in the Hotspot & tethering menu. For Bluetooth, pair your phone with the other device first, then turn on Bluetooth tethering.
Review Power-Saving Settings
Aggressive battery optimization can sometimes shut down background services like your hotspot. Go to Settings > Battery and check if any extreme power-saving modes are active. Also, look at Settings > Apps > See all apps, find the "Settings" app, tap Battery, and set it to "Unrestricted" to prevent the system from limiting it.
Contact Your Mobile Carrier
If you've tried everything and the hotspot still won't stay connected, the issue might be on your carrier's side. There could be a network problem in your area, a provisioning error on your account, or a specific restriction on your plan. A quick call to their support can confirm if hotspot access is active and working correctly on their end.
