Xiaomi Cannot Use Personal Hotspot on UK Networks

Xiaomi Personal Hotspot Not Working or Won't Turn On – UK Fix

If your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device won't let you turn on Personal Hotspot—the option is greyed out, missing, or the hotspot turns off immediately—this guide explains why and how to fix it.

Quick Answer:
If Xiaomi Personal Hotspot won't turn on, first check that mobile data works on your phone. Then restart your device, toggle Airplane mode, and check your remaining data allowance. If the hotspot option is still unavailable, confirm your UK mobile plan supports tethering. Only check APN settings if you've changed them recently or your carrier recommends it.

🔍 Quick Diagnostic Table

What you seeWhat it usually meansGo To
Hotspot option is greyed out or missingPlan restriction, data allowance, or temporary glitchSection 1
Hotspot option is available but won't turn onMobile data, Airplane mode, battery, or system issueSection 2
Hotspot turns on but turns off immediatelyCarrier restriction or temporary system glitchSection 3

Section 1 – Hotspot Option Greyed Out or Missing

If the Personal Hotspot option is greyed out or missing entirely, your carrier may not allow tethering on your plan, or you may have exceeded your data allowance.

Try these in order:

  1. Check your data allowance – Open your carrier's app. If you've exceeded your allowance, hotspot may be blocked.
  2. Toggle Airplane mode – Turn Airplane mode ON for 30 seconds, then OFF. This forces your phone to reconnect to the mobile network.
  3. Restart your phone – A full reboot can resolve temporary hotspot glitches.
  4. Check if your plan includes tethering – Some business-managed, specialist, or older plans may restrict tethering, although most UK consumer plans include it. If hotspot has never worked on your SIM, check with your carrier (EE: 150, O2: 202, Vodafone: 191, Three: 333).
  5. Only check your APN if needed – Review APN settings only if you have changed them manually, switched SIMs, or your carrier recommends doing so. Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → [Your carrier] SIM → Access Point Names. Most UK carriers configure tethering automatically. Avoid changing APN values unless instructed.

Section 2 – Hotspot Option Is Available But Won't Turn On

If the hotspot option is visible but tapping it does nothing, or it tries to activate and fails, the issue is usually mobile data, network connection, battery settings, or a temporary system problem.

Try these in order:

  1. Confirm mobile data works on your Xiaomi itself – Turn WiFi off and open a website using mobile data. If mobile data does not work, hotspot cannot work either. See our Xiaomi Mobile Data Connected But Not Working – UK Fix guide.
  2. Check your default SIM for mobile data (Dual SIM) – If you use two SIM cards, make sure the correct SIM is selected for mobile data. Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → Mobile data
  3. Toggle Airplane mode – Turn it ON for 30 seconds, then OFF.
  4. Restart your phone – Restarting reloads network services and can fix temporary issues.
  5. Turn off Battery Saver – Settings → Battery → Battery saver → OFF. Battery Saver may restrict hotspot activity on some HyperOS versions.
  6. Disable any VPN temporarily – Some VPN configurations can interfere with tethering.
  7. Check your data allowance – If your mobile data allowance has been exhausted, hotspot may not start.
  8. Only check your APN if needed – Most UK carriers configure tethering automatically. Check APN only after manual changes, SIM changes, or carrier advice.

Section 3 – Hotspot Turns On But Turns Off Immediately

If the hotspot activates briefly and then switches off, the issue is usually a temporary system problem, carrier restriction, or data-related issue.

Try these in order:

  1. Toggle Airplane mode – Turn Airplane mode ON for 30 seconds, then OFF. This forces a fresh connection to your mobile network.
  2. Restart your phone – A reboot can fix temporary HyperOS or network service problems.
  3. Check your data allowance – If your mobile data allowance has been used, hotspot may turn off automatically.
  4. Check if your plan supports tethering – Some business-managed, specialist, or older mobile plans may restrict hotspot usage.
  5. Install available system updates – Software glitches after updates can occasionally affect hotspot behaviour. Check: Settings → About phone → HyperOS version → Check for updates
  6. Reset network settings (last resort) – If everything else fails, reset network settings: Settings → Connection & sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth Note: This removes saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairings.

USB Tethering Works But Wi-Fi Hotspot Doesn't

If USB tethering works but Wi-Fi hotspot does not, your mobile data connection and carrier are probably working correctly. The problem is more likely related to Wi-Fi hotspot configuration.

Try switching the hotspot band:

Settings → Connection & sharing → Personal hotspot → Set up Wi-Fi hotspot → AP Band → 2.4GHz

Some older laptops and devices cannot connect properly to a 5GHz hotspot.

When to Contact Your Carrier

Contact your UK carrier if:

  • You confirmed mobile data works on your Xiaomi.
  • Your plan includes tethering but hotspot still will not start.
  • The hotspot option remains unavailable after restarting and checking settings.
  • USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot both fail.

Why Is Personal Hotspot Not Working?

  • Mobile data not working – Hotspot shares your mobile data connection. If data does not work on the phone, hotspot cannot work.
  • Temporary network glitch – Airplane mode or restarting often fixes temporary connection problems.
  • Data allowance exceeded – If you have no remaining data, tethering may stop working.
  • Battery Saver – Power saving features can restrict hotspot activity.
  • VPN configuration – Some VPNs can interfere with tethering traffic.
  • Carrier tethering restriction – Some business-managed, specialist, or older plans may restrict hotspot.
  • Software issue – Temporary HyperOS or system glitches can affect hotspot behaviour.
  • APN configuration – Usually only relevant after manual APN changes, SIM replacement, or carrier instructions.
  • Wi-Fi compatibility – Some devices have problems connecting to 5GHz hotspots.

⚠️ What NOT to Do

  • Don't factory reset your phone – This is rarely needed for hotspot problems.
  • Don't change APN settings randomly – Incorrect APN values can create additional mobile data problems.
  • Don't assume your carrier blocks hotspot – Check your plan and data allowance first.

Quick Questions

Why is Personal Hotspot greyed out on my Xiaomi?
Your plan may not support tethering, your data allowance may be exhausted, or the phone may have a temporary network issue. Check your plan, restart your phone, and verify mobile data works.

Why does my Xiaomi hotspot turn off immediately?
This is usually caused by a temporary system problem, carrier restriction, exhausted data allowance, or a network service issue. Restart the phone and check your plan first.

Why can other phones connect to my hotspot but my laptop says "No Internet"?
The hotspot is working, but internet traffic is not routing correctly. Check Battery Saver, VPN settings, data allowance, and hotspot configuration. See our Xiaomi Hotspot Works But Devices Have No Internet – UK Fix guide.

Does USB tethering work if Wi-Fi hotspot doesn't?
If USB tethering works but Wi-Fi hotspot does not, the issue is usually related to Wi-Fi hotspot settings or band compatibility. Try switching to 2.4GHz.

Does Bluetooth tethering work if Wi-Fi hotspot doesn't?
If Bluetooth tethering also fails, the issue is more likely related to mobile data, carrier restrictions, or phone settings rather than Wi-Fi.

Do I need to change APN for tethering?
Most UK carriers configure tethering automatically. Only check APN settings if you changed them manually, changed SIM cards, or your carrier recommends it.

Will resetting network settings help?
It can help if network settings are corrupted. However, try simpler fixes first because resetting removes saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth connections.

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