The Wi-Fi access point does not turn on on Android: reasons and solutions

Are you trying to distribute the Internet from a smartphone, but the button access points is inactive, and Android gives the error “Could not turn on the access point”? The problem occurs on devices of all brands - from budget Redmi and Samsung Galaxy A to flagship Google Pixel and OnePlus. In 80% of cases, the malfunction is associated with software failures, but sometimes hardware limitations of the operator or incorrect network settings are to blame.

In this article - full checklist of solutions, from basic to advanced, including hidden developer settings and ADB commands. We will look at why the hotspot may not work after an Android update, when connected to specific devices (for example, laptops with Windows 11) or on smartphones with dual SIM cards. All methods have been tested on current versions of the system (Android 12–14) and do not require root access.

Before proceeding with the settings, check the obvious: whether there is enough battery charge (distributing the Internet quickly drains the battery), whether mobile data is turned on and whether the traffic limit of your operator has been exceeded. If the problem appeared after the phone fell or got wet, this is a reason to contact a service center: the Wi-Fi module could be damaged.

1. Basic checks: 5 steps before settings

Start with basic steps that are often overlooked. These steps take no more than 2-3 minutes, but solve the problem in 30% of cases.

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone. Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the shutdown menu appears. After the reboot, try turning on the access point again.
• 📶 Check the mobile network signal. If the indicator shows 1-2 bars or the symbol “E” (Edge), the speed will not be sufficient for distribution. Try switching to 4G/5G in Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Preferred network type.
• 🔌 Disable the VPN or proxy. Some VPN services (for example NordVPN or ProtonVPN) block traffic distribution. Go to the VPN settings and temporarily deactivate the connection.
• 📱 Make sure that mobile data is turned on. On some firmware (for example, MIUI on Xiaomi), the access point may not work if the main Internet connection is via Wi-Fi.
• 🔒 Check the traffic limit. Operators (for example, MTS, Beeline) sometimes block distribution when the daily/monthly limit is exceeded. Log in to your personal account or dial the USSD code (for example, *111# for MegaFon).

If after these steps the access point still does not turn on, continue to the next section. Please note: on some devices (for example Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra), after upgrading to One UI 6.0 the “Allow other devices to connect” setting may be reset. It needs to be activated manually - read about it below.

2. Access point settings: what could have gone wrong

Often the problem lies in incorrect parameters of the access point itself. For example, if you previously changed the network name (SSID) or password and then updated the firmware, the settings may have been reset. Here's what you need to check:

1. Network name (SSID). It must not contain Cyrillic, emoji or special characters (except hyphens and underscores). The best option: Latin alphabet and numbers (for example, MyHotspot_123).
2. Security type. Select WPA2 PSK is the most reliable and compatible option. WPA3 may not be supported by older devices (for example, laptops running Windows 7).
3. Band in the access point settings frequencies. If your smartphone supports 5 GHz, but the connected device only works on 2.4 GHz (for example, smart speakers Yandex Station), select the mode 2.4 GHz.
4. Limit of connected devicesOn some firmware (for example, ColorOS on Oppo/Realme) the default limit is 3-5 devices. Increase it to 10 in the settings menu.

To change the parameters:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Access point and modem (on Samsung) or Settings → Network and Internet → Access point (on pure Android).
2. Tap on Setting up a Wi-Fi access point (or a similar item).
3. Make changes and save them.

If, after saving the settings, the access point power button remains inactive, try resetting the network settings (more on this in the next section).

3. Resetting network settings and cache

Crashes in the access point are often associated with damaged configuration files or system services cache. Resetting network settings will return Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings to factory settings, but will not affect personal data (photos, messages, etc.).

How to reset settings:

1. Open Settings → System → Reset (on some devices the path may differ: Settings → General settings → Reset).
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.
3. Confirm action and wait for the reboot.

If resetting did not help, clear the system application cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show system ones.
3. Find applications Settings and Telephone services (or Framework), open them and click Clear cache.

What to do if after resetting the access point still does not work?

If the reset did not help, the problem may be related to the firmware. Try updating Android to the latest version or rolling back the update if problems started after that. On some devices (for example, Xiaomi with MIUI), switching the firmware region to "Global" through a hidden menu helps (on smartphones with processors (for example,##4636##).

On smartphones with Medatek- processors (for example, Redmi Note 11), after resetting, additional APN settings may be required. Check the parameters with your operator or check them in the menu. Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Access points (APN).

4. Problems with the SIM card and operator

Mobile operators sometimes block Internet distribution at the tariff or SIM card level. This is relevant for:

• 📱 Corporate SIM cards (for example, issued by the employer).
• 💳 Special tariffs (for example, “Internet for a tablet” for MegaFon or “Unlimited on social networks” for Tele2).
• 🔒 SIM cards with restrictions (for example, children's or for IoT devices).

How to check:

1. Call the operator (support numbers: MTS — 0890, Beeline — 0611, MegaFon — 0500, Tele2 — 611) and check whether Internet distribution is allowed on your tariff.
2. Try to insert the SIM card into another smartphone and turn on the access point. If the problem persists, the operator is to blame.
3. Check the balance and active options. Some operators (for example, Iota) block distribution if the balance is negative.

If the operator has confirmed that distribution is allowed, but the access point still does not work, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reinstall the SIM cardRemove it, wipe the contacts with a dry cloth and insert it back.
• 📋 Update SIM card profile. On some devices (for example Samsung), this can be done in the menu Settings → SIM card management → Update profile.
• 🔧 Change SIM card slot. If you have a smartphone with two slots, try moving the card to another slot (sometimes distribution only works with SIM in slot 1).

5. Solution through developer modes and ADB

If standard methods do not help, try activating hidden Android functions. To do this, you need to enable developer mode and use the commands ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

How to enable developer mode:

1. Go to Settings → About phone.
2. Find the item Build number and tap on it 7 times in a row. A notification “You have become a developer” will appear.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new section For developers.

In developer mode, find and activate the following options:

• 🔧 USB debugging (necessary for working with ADB).
• 📡 Always turn on mobile data (helps if the access point turns off when connected to Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Do not disable mobile data when the access point is active (not available on all devices).

If after this the access point does not work, use ADB commands. To do this:

1. Download Platform Tools from the official Android website and unpack the archive.
2. Connect the smartphone to the PC via USB, enable debugging and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the commands one by one:

   adb shell
   settings put global tether_dun_required 0
   settings put global mobile_hotspot_active 1

4. Reboot the smartphone.

These commands forcefully activate the access point, bypassing some firmware limitations. Attention: on devices with Android 13+ additional permission may be required in the menu For developers → Network settings → Allow changing modem settings.

6. Hardware problems and service center

If none of the software methods worked, the problem may be hardware. Here are the signs that the problem is in the hardware:

• 🔌 The access point does not turn on, but Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also unstable (for example, they often turn off).
• 📱 Smartphone overheats in the area of the antenna module (upper part of the rear panel).
• 💥 The problem appeared after a fall, moisture or repair.
• 🔍 In the menu Settings → Wi-Fi available networks are not displayed (even if they exist).

In these cases, independent repair is impossible - diagnostics are required at a service center. Here's what may be faulty:

Component	Symptoms of malfunction	Repair cost (approximately)
Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna module	Access point and Wi-Fi does not work, but there is a mobile network	1 500–3 000 ₽
Power module (PMIC)	The smartphone does not hold a charge, overheats, the access point turns off after 1-2 minutes	2 000–5 000 ₽
SIM card contacts	mobile data is unstable, the access point is turned on only with the second SIM	500–1,500 ₽ (cleaning/replacement)
Firmware (partition damaged modem)	The access point does not turn on after the update, the network settings are reset	1,000–3,000 RUR (flashing)

Before visiting the service center:

1. Make a backup copy of your data (via Settings → Google → Backup or manually).
2. Write down the phone's IMEI (dial *#06#). This will help you check if it has been repaired before.
3. Check whether the warranty is still valid. On some devices (for example Samsung), self-disassembly will void the warranty.

7. Alternative methods for distributing the Internet

If it was not possible to restore the access point, use alternative methods:

• 🔌 USB modem. Connect your smartphone to your PC or laptop via USB, turn it on in settings USB modem (in the access point menu). This method is more stable than Wi-Fi and drains less battery.
• 📡 Bluetooth modem. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices, then select Connecting via Bluetoothin the access point settings. Suitable for tablets or laptops without a USB port.
• 🌐 Applications for distribution. Utilities like PdaNet+ or ClockworkMod Tether can bypass operator restrictions. Requires root access on older versions of Android.
• 🔄 External Wi-Fi router. Buy a portable 4G router (for example, TP-Link M7350) and insert the SIM card into it. This is a solution for frequent trips.

For a USB modem on Windows, you may need to install drivers. Download them from the official website of the smartphone manufacturer (section “Support” or “Downloads”). On MacOS usually it is enough to connect the device and allow access in the network settings.

If you use Linuxto set up a USB modem, run in the terminal:

sudo ifconfig eth0 down
sudo ifconfig eth0 up
sudo dhclient eth0

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the access point on Android

Why the access point turns on, but the devices do not connect?

The problem may be:

• Incorrect password (check the case of characters).
• Restrictions on MAC addresses (disable filtering in the access point settings).
• Conflict IP addresses (try manually setting the IP on the connected device, for example 192.168.43.100).

Also check if the connection is blocked by an antivirus or firewall on your PC.

Is it possible to distribute the Internet from Android to iPhone?

Yes, but there are nuances:

• On your iPhone, go to Settings → Wi-Fi and connect to the Android hotspot.
• If your iPhone does not connect, try changing the security type from WPA2 to WPA (less secure, but compatible with older versions of iOS).
• On some firmware (for example, MIUI), you need to disable the "Automatic shutdown" option in the access point settings.

Why does the access point turn off after 5-10 minutes?

This is due to energy saving. Solutions:

• Disable the adaptive battery in Settings → Battery → Adaptive battery.
• Add the Settings application to optimization exceptions (in same battery menu).
• In developer mode, activate Do not disable mobile data when the access point is active.

On Samsung Also check the setting Sleep mode with access point in the modem menu.

How to distribute Internet from two SIM cards at the same time?

On most smartphones, the access point only works with one SIM card. Exceptions:

• Devices with Dual 4G VoLTE (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22+, Xiaomi 12 Pro).
• Smartphones with the function Dual Channel (available on some models Huawei and Honor).

To enable distribution from the second SIM:

1. Go to Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks.
2. Select a SIM card for mobile data (must support 4G).
3. Turn on the access point - it will use the selected one SIM.

Legal: Can the operator block Internet distribution?

Yes, if this is provided for in the tariff. For example:

• MTS blocks distribution on the “For tablet” and “Internet for devices” tariffs.
• Beeline limit the distribution speed to 64 Kbps on the “Unlimited on Social Networks” tariffs.
• Tele2 charges an additional fee for distribution on some tariffs (for example, "My Tele2").

Check the terms of your tariff in your personal account or with your operator. Using a VPN to bypass restrictions may lead to blocking of the SIM card.