Boost Mobile stands as a prominent mobile service provider offering prepaid phone plans and high-quality mobile devices, as well as convenient mobile hotspot services. By utilizing Boost Mobile’s hotspot feature, users gain the ability to connect various devices, such as tablets and desktop computers, to the internet using a Wi-Fi network. Furthermore, this service allows for cost-effective data sharing among friends and family, ensuring everyone remains connected. Although Boost Mobile’s hotspot typically offers reliable performance, there may be occasions when issues arise. If you find that your Boost Mobile hotspot is experiencing difficulties, rest assured that there are several effective troubleshooting methods available. In this article, we will explore the potential causes behind a malfunctioning Boost Mobile hotspot and present practical solutions to resolve the issue.
Why Is My Boost Mobile Hotspot Not Working? – List of Potential Reasons
There can be various factors contributing to the malfunction of your Boost Mobile hotspot. Some common issues that may lead to this problem are as follows:
- Absence of mobile hotspot services in your cell phone plan.
- Exhaustion of allocated mobile hotspot data.
- Incorrect configuration of APN settings on your Boost Mobile hotspot device.
- Failure to enable the mobile hotspot feature on your device.
- Outdated firmware on your Boost Mobile hotspot.
- Bugs or glitches in your Boost Mobile device.
- Weak or inadequate Boost Mobile network coverage in your area.
- Localized network outage affecting your connectivity.
- Overloading of devices connected to your Boost Mobile hotspot.
- Significant distance between your Boost Mobile hotspot device and connected devices.
- Activation of Airplane mode on your Boost Mobile hotspot device.
- Inactive mobile data feature on your Boost Mobile hotspot device.
- Selection of a lower frequency band, such as 2.4 GHz instead of 5 GHz, on your device.
By addressing these potential causes, you can troubleshoot and resolve issues with your Boost Mobile hotspot effectively.
Boost Mobile Hotspot Not Working – Initial Troubleshoot
The following actions can quickly resolve most issues that you are experiencing on your device by taking the following steps:
- Confirm the status of your account: Check your BoostOne app’s Dashboard or access My Account on the company’s official website to ensure there are no outstanding payments. If your service has been interrupted due to non-payment, the My Line section on your Dashboard will display a Line Suspended indicator.
- Restart your device: A device restart often resolves many issues. Turn off your device for a minimum of 2 minutes, and then power it back on.
- Ensure your device is running the latest software version: If an updated software version is available, download and install it.
For Android devices: Navigate to Settings, select System Update, tap Software Update, and then select Check for updates. For more detailed instructions on updating your Android software, visit https://support.google.com/android/answer/7680439?hl=en. For iPhones: Access Settings, choose General, and tap Software Update to check for available updates. For more detailed instructions on updating your iPhone software, visit http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4623. After installing the update, repeat the process to check for additional software updates in case newer versions are available.
Boost Mobile Hotspot Not Working – Advanced Troubleshoot
If the steps outlined above don’t work and if you’ve tried fixing other potential issues (like turning off Airplane mode), you should try the following, more advanced options:
- Check your remaining data usage:
- BoostOne app: Access My Account and tap My Usage to see your current data and hotspot data usage in your billing cycle.
- Online: Log in to your account at my.boostmobile.com, scroll down to My Usage on the Dashboard for a summary, and tap View Usage for detailed information. Purchase additional data packs if needed.
- Enable mobile data:
- Samsung Android phones: Open Settings from the dropdown menu, go to Connections or Network Connections, tap Data Usage, and ensure Mobile data is toggled on.
- Other Android phones: Open Settings from the dropdown menu, tap Internet or Mobile Network, select the network name or its settings icon, and ensure Mobile Data is toggled on.
- iPhones: Open Settings, select Cellular, and ensure Cellular Data is toggled on. Adjust app-specific data settings if needed.
- Clear browser cache:
- Chrome on Mobile: Open Chrome, tap the 3 dots in the top right, go to Settings, Privacy and Security, Clear Browsing Data, select the desired timeframe, choose items to clear (minimum: cached items), and tap Clear Data.
- Mobile Safari for iOS: Open Settings, go to Safari, tap Clear History and Website Data to clear cache and cookies, or tap the Bookmarks icon, History icon, and Clear to clear history. Select the desired timeframe.
By following these steps, you can troubleshoot issues related to mobile data and mobile hotspot effectively.
Reset Boost Mobile Hotspot APN Settings
To enable mobile hotspots or tethering on certain Android phones, you may need to manually configure the Access Point Name (APN) settings. If you are experiencing issues setting up a mobile hotspot despite having a working cellular data connection, follow the steps below.
Follow these steps if you purchased Boost Mobile SIM Kit from my.boostmobile.com:
- Access Settings (located in Apps or the pull-down notifications tray).
- Go to Connections, Network Connections, or Network and Internet, depending on your phone.
- Select Mobile Networks and ensure Mobile Data is enabled.
- Choose Access Point Names or “APN” (may be in the Advanced options).
- Add a new APN by selecting Add or the plus “+” sign.
- Enter the following information (ignore fields not listed here):
- Name – boostdata
- APN – resellermht
- APN Type – dun
- APN Protocol – IPv4 / IPv6
- APN Roaming Protocol – IPv4 / IPv6
- Turn APN on/off / APN enable/disable – Enabled
- Mobile virtual network operator type / MVNO Type – GID
- Save the settings (you may need to select the three-dot icon in the upper right corner, depending on your phone).
- Ensure the first APN you created is selected on the Access Point Name screen.
- Restart your phone.
- Disconnect from Wi-Fi and test your phone’s connection by making a call, sending a text, and loading a web page.
Follow these steps if you purchased Boost Mobile SIM Kit from Best Buy or Target:
Follow these steps to update APN settings on your Android phone after inserting the SIM card and activating your plan. iPhone users do not need to manually update APN settings.
- Access Settings (in Apps or the pull-down notifications tray).
- Go to Connections, Network Connections, or Network and Internet, depending on your phone.
- Select Mobile Networks and ensure Mobile Data is enabled.
- Choose Access Point Name or “APN” (may be in the Advanced options).
- Add a 2nd APN setting by selecting the plus “+” sign.
- Enter the following information for the 2nd APN setting (ignore fields not listed here):
- Name – boostdata
- APN – tethering.dish.com
- APN Type – dun
- APN Protocol – IPv4 / IPv6
- APN Roaming Protocol – IPv4 / IPv6
- Turn APN on/off / APN enable/disable – Enabled
- Mobile virtual network operator type / MVNO Type – GID
- Save the settings (you may need to select the three-dot icon in the upper right corner, depending on your phone).
- Ensure the first APN you created is selected on the Access Point Name screen.
- Restart your phone.
- Test your phone’s connection by making a call, sending a text, and loading a web page (ensure you’re disconnected from Wi-Fi).
What to Do if My Boost Mobile Hotspot is Not Working After Doing All of the Above?
If you have tried all of the troubleshooting options listed above and your Boost Mobile hotspot is still not working, you should contact Boost Mobile’s customer support service. You can call the team at 833-50-BOOST (833-502-6678) from 4 AM to 8 PM PT from Monday to Friday or 4 AM to 7 PM PT on Saturdays and Sundays. See other contact options at https://www.boostmobile.com/support/contact-us.