You know its a known issue when people that take 1,000s of calls said it isn't...
Does it happen when you phone screen times out or anything? Try to change the security type and see if that helps at all
My co-worker has this phone and feature and he said for the most part it works with minor hiccups *shrug*
I loved the three month free mobile hotspot trial and signed up for the $30 unlimited plan yda. The speeds during the trial were remarkable and had no problems at all. Now that I purchased the plan, the speeds are so slow that it is practically non existent. My netflix cant even pick it up anymore. I called tech support and they were no help! WTH!!
GDP wrote:Is anyone else having problems staying connected to the WiFi hotspot on the Thunderbolt? The actual hotspot stays connected but the data connection drops after 3-5 minutes or so (in 4G and 3G). I've never had a problem with it until I signed up for the hotspot. And it's ONLY when using that hotspot that it has problems. I took it to Verizon and they did the normal factory reset, replaced SIM card, etc etc. Took it home, and still having the same problem. Called tech support, they had me do a bunch of stuff, still not working and I didn't have another phone around to call from. Took it back to Verizon, they couldn't do anything. Very frustrated. They said it was not a known issue but I know for a fact that it is, which is why they offered the hotspot for free during the first couple months of the phones release.
Hi there!
I have a Thunderbolt as well and use the Hotspot with no issues. What did our Tech Support walk you through doing?
I recommend going into 'Settings>Applications>All>Mobile Hotspot>Clear Cache>Clear Data>OK to confirm both options. Then, go back into the Mobile Hotspot application, set up and try connecting to make sure it stays on!
If you continue to have issue, please PM me your name and mobile number so I can escalate this for you.
Thank you and have a great day!
I am on my third brand new Thunderbolt from Amazon wireless and each has had this issue. The issue existed when it was new out of the box as well as after the OTA update.
I spent close to two hours on the phone with VZW tech support. She is going to send me a new SIM card to see if that resolves the issue, since that is the only link between all three Thunderbolts. She is also sending the issue up the chain to trace the routing of the data.
Since it is only an issue on the mobile hotspot, USB tethering works flawlessly, my personal opinion is that it is heat related. I think that maybe the added heat from the wifi transmitter is causing the 4g or 3g transmitter to freak out. Why else would the feature work great for the first several minutes it is on?
I should also add that this issue exists in 3g and 4g, when I am at home (-82 to -89 dbi) and close to the tower (< 65 dbi) and with both heavy and light data demand.
I will update the forum if by some mircle the new SIM card fixes the issue.
gina7289 wrote:Mine does what if explaining when the screen is darken as well as it is more slow compared to 3g when it was free.
gina7289,
I understand your concerns with the Mobile Hotspot feature on your device! Have you tried the troubleshooting steps VZWSupport Rep, Adam, mentioned before?
Let me know if you are still experiencing problems with connection and speed.
I bought this phone the day after it came out and still have the original. I've done all the updates since. I have tried to troubleshoot this problem by myself, I have the unlimited hotspot too. It still drops the data connection after 5 to 10 mins. I have a MAC and use pdanet to tether it, data connection is solid and will not drop. I have taken my phone to Verizon as well and chatted with their techincal support guy. I live in a 4G area but I have tried to do the hotspot on the CDMA only which is the 3G, it still does the same thing. Pretty much what I've been told by Verizon is that HTC does know it is an issue. My personal opinion, this is NOT a network issue with the CDMA or LTE networks, it is actually a problem with the phone itself. Im not sure how HTC allocates the antennas in the phone. Thunderbolt users, you should recognize that your phone will talk and surf/hotspot anything you want to do even on the 3G network, just not the 4G. This is the only Verizon phone that is capable of doing it so far, by what I've studied. Just have to hang in there, HTC will figure it out hopefully... and will send another OTA software update. And I don't think Verizon would offer the unlimited hotspot unless this was a known issue. But its pretty cool they did and I hope after its fixed that we can still be grandfathered in, to those that have subscribed. But by far this the best phone out there, I've played with a lot of phones and this is my favorite of all time and its on the best network. Trust me I used to work the AT&T cell towers booting up there 3G and 4G network. they are 5 years behind Verizon and for that fact sprint on the 3G side. And kicking butt with the LTE!
I have the same problem now, and I'm getting frustrated. It only started happening recently for me, after several months of working perfectly. I use my hotspot in same place (my office), at the same time each day (7am to 2pm), and connected to the same device (iPad 2). This has to be network related. I even emailed my problem to a Verizon support person here with no response. This data cycling when using the hotspot issue has been going on since the Thunderbolt was released, so that's **bleep** that it's not a known issue. I've tried everything except switching SIM cards and rooting, but nothing works. I'm sick of paying $60 per month for unlimited data and unlimited hotspot only to have it not work.
If you are having trouble, not only report it but ask for a credit for every day it happens. Maybe it will get more attention if Verizon starts losing some money.
My issue with the hotspot is that is is very slow. I run a speed test on my Thunderbolt and I can get 12M down and and 3M up. When I turn on the hotspot and connect my laptop, my laptop only gets 400k/180k. It is basically unusable. I have a Samsung 4G mifi that I use instead and I can get 8M/2M on my laptop but I would like the hotspot feature to work. Any ideas?
I am also having this problem. Seems to be worse since the update to Gingerbread. Prior to the update, it would stay work fine for a quite a while, sometimes a few hours, then start giving me issues. I thought it may be a temperature issue as the phone would get quite warm after having the HotSpot on for that long. But since the update, the HotSpot will only provide connected devices an actual internet connection for no more than a few minutes.
I have tried all the steps listed, no luck. I will most likely be upgrading my phone as soon as a better one become available. Too many ongoing issues with this phone for me to plan to keep it long-term.
I have experience this issue after 10-15 minutes of use and I have to cycle the airplane mode to get it back, it seems that the data connection is still going dormant after so long. I have had the device do this when browsing the web directly on device also.
I refuse to have a device replaced because my Droid X from my job has the same connection issue, I hope that we can get a reliable data connection soon because since 4G was added to the network the data connection for 3G and 4G has started going down hill..
Can we get someone to look at the network because even I am starting to get a bit frustrated with this data dropping issue because I usually can work through anything but lately I have had connection stop in the middle of a large download and I have to start the download again after rebooting or cycling airplane mode..
I am asking respectfully to any Admin reading this that a suggestion be made for someone to look at the networks data because this is getting to be a pain.....
Wildman wrote: I have experience this issue after 10-15 minutes of use and I have to cycle the airplane mode to get it back, it seems that the data connection is still going dormant after so long. I have had the device do this when browsing the web directly on device also. I refuse to have a device replaced because my Droid X from my job has the same connection issue, I hope that we can get a reliable data connection soon because since 4G was added to the network the data connection for 3G and 4G has started going down hill.. Can we get someone to look at the network because even I am starting to get a bit frustrated with this data dropping issue because I usually can work through anything but lately I have had connection stop in the middle of a large download and I have to start the download again after rebooting or cycling airplane mode.. I am asking respectfully to any Admin reading this that a suggestion be made for someone to look at the networks data because this is getting to be a pain.....
Greetings to all community members! Thanks for taking the time to share with us what you're seeing when using Mobile Hotspot. I have submitted your feedback for review!
I have this problem as well. Very frustrating and I have called for support (not much help). I'm going to cancel very soon if it doesn't get worked out. I traveled a lot this fall and had the problems in Orange County, San Diego, Portland OR, Philidelphia. It happens indoors and out. Usually it will work initially then gets really flaky. It's VERY inconsistent and most times it barely works (if at all). What a waste of money...
I can definitely understand how frustrating the hotspot issue can be. I had a phone with a hotspot that was giving me trouble too. Are you still having issues? If so please PM your name and number and I can see what options we have for you. Thanks.
HELP!!! I just signed up yesterday for the hotspot feature on my HTC Thunderbolt. I am at the Escapees campground about 5 mi S of Livingston, TX. I am having severe problems with the Hotspot - I can watch the hotspot screen, and at the top it will repeatedly say either Network Connected or No Data Network (don't recall exact words). In addition, the 3G symbol on my status bar also goes on and off.
THIS ONLY HAPPENS WITH THE HOTSPOT ON! Here is something else mighty interesting. I downloaded and installed PDANet....and it has a SOLID connection, the 3G symbol in the notification bar never goes away AND my internet connection always works!
I really want my hotspot feature to work. If not, I will gladly pay Vz the $30/month hotspot fee (which I will regard as a tethering fee) and just use PDANet. Hopefully this will not get me in trouble with Vz....after all, I am still paying them the $30/month.
I'm glad I am not the only one having this problem. It's frustrating beyond belief. I will have a good 5 minutes of internet but then the 4g will keep cutting in and out. I have to restart the phone, which takes another 5 minutes, and then pray I can get more in that cycle.
I have been having the same issues. If I turn the hotspot off and turn it back on it resolves for a while but I have to repeatedly do that. I attempted to clear the cache but the option is grayed out on my phone and total, application and data is 0.00B. That can't be a good sign.
I have noticed also, after 30 minutes, if I have not done anything on the TB, (except using the hotspot) I will suddenly not be able to go anywhere on the web while using the hotspot. I light the screen, my 3G icon is gone, but will come back 3 seconds after I light the screen and I can continue browsing.
And it is 30 minutes everytime.
The same occurs if I am using the device to stream music. The 30 minute mark all goes quiet. I light the screen 3G icon is gone, then back and music starts again. There is some kind of internal timer running
I am extremely frustrated with the hotspot service. I have been paying for it for several months now even though it has not been useful for me. I was able to use the mobile hotspot fine before Verizon disabled the service and crippled the phone.
Now when I enable mobile hotspot, I can connect for about 2-3 minutes, able to load one website or two before the 4G icon disappears on my phone and there is no longer any internet. The only way to access the internet via my phone is through internet connection mode through the USB hub.
Can someone please let me know if they have managed to get Verizon to address this issue? I am really mad but have no choice but to subscribe since I need internet access. I just want the same abilities that I used to have before my phone got crippled..
Same problem here....mine just gives me an "Error" 80% of the time and I can't get a connection at all....unfortunately, I need the internet as well otherwise I would just cancel it....
ditto with me on the hot spot problems....added the service while on vacation during Christmas break in an area I don't have internet access. Works for 5 minutes max and then cuts out. Glad I don't need it long term. Should not have to pay for the months service but that'll be the day that Verizon admits they have a problem, which is obvious there is one....
I can confirm on everyone that said it's a hotspot problem. I got the USB Cable Internet Connection Mode going after months of trouble and FINALLY it stopped dropping the connection every 60 seconds. Ever since not using the WiFi HotSpot feature and instead using the USB Cable for tethering, I get nothing but perfect 4G connections.
I have also had trouble when tethering my laptop to the TBolt hotspot at work. As others, it worked fine while the free promotion was in affect, but has gone down to the point that it is almost nonexistent. It often shows the 4G icon in the status bar, but it seems to be asleep and it won't connect, so I keep getting Network not available messages. It also runs very slow when it is connected.
I have been trying a Rezound side by side with the TBolt for about 5 days and when the TBolt is asleep and not connecting, the Rezound doesn't seem to have any problems keeping connected and running at a normal 4G speed. I am in an extended coverage area, but still with very good coverage.
I have checked the network signal on both phones and they are almost identical. -67 to -70 dBms on 3G and -120 to -125 on 4G, but where the TBolt loses it's connection constantly, the Rezound will occasionally drop to 3G, but then will come back without having to jump through the usual hoops of Airplane mode, turning the network connection off and on, or restarting the phone. Same signal, different results. Possibly a difference in the antenna? Not sure if it would make a difference, but the Rezound still has Android 2.3.4, but with Sense 3.5.
One thing I have noticed using the hotspot is, if you do not light before 30 minutes passes, the connection is hibernated and you can not connect to anywhere.
When I see this, I light the screen, the connection comes back and all is good. I try to light the screen before the connection hibernates. If I do, I no longer have to do this for the rest of the session.
budone wrote:One thing I have noticed using the hotspot is, if you do not light before 30 minutes passes, the connection is hibernated and you can not connect to anywhere. When I see this, I light the screen, the connection comes back and all is good. I try to light the screen before the connection hibernates. If I do, I no longer have to do this for the rest of the session.
budone wrote:
Hey budone. Sorry, but I'm not sure I'm following what you said. "If you do not light before 30 minutes passes". "When I light the screen". Are you referring to the Screen Timeout? I have mine set to never turn off. I prefer having it on until I decide to turn it off since having it go off while I'm trying to do something like surfing the net drives me nuts. I always have my phone plugged into a charger when I'm tethering my laptop to the hotspot and using 4G so I don't have to worry about the battery.
So far what has worked best for me was to get the Rezound and now I'm no longer frustrated by the Bolt's network connection problems, or any of it's other problems for that matter.
Sorry missed a word. When using the hospot, i will press the power button to have the screen come up. This keeps my connection from hibernating
If i do forget and the connection quits, i just hit the power button and the connection returns.
INTERNET CONNECTION MODE!!!! After spending months dealing with no internet access while using the hotspot feature, I found this thread and found out how to tether internet connection mode. Not only does my laptop now work 100% of the time, the website I require to upload a few hundred MB's a night now doesn't lock up. If the hotspot feature hichupped or lost connection if only for a moment, my upload would stop, making me reinitiate it a dozen times or so making a 1 minute upload take 15 minutes! I am so happy about this you have no idea. My phone is always connected by the USB cable anyway for charging.......when I unplug it looses connection, but when I plug back in it gets connection again in about 1 minute.
Can I cancel the damn hotspot fee or does Verizon consider any laptop internet connection usage chargeable?
Paul Anderegg
You need to keep the hotspot in order to tether
There is a down side to tethering I have discovered. Internet on the phone is disconnected, and navigation does not function........if it's not one thing it's another.
Paul
Although I use the hotspot instead, both work fine for me.
Just thought I'd chime in. I was having the hotspot issues with my thunderbolt since the first day. Got a replacement handset and same problem, the hotspot would frequently drop me and I'd have to reset the hotspot.
I just got the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus and NO MORE PROBLEMS. Its been 4 hours and I haven't been dropped once. I even walked away from the computer for 45 minutes, came back and it was still connected. The phone is awesome all around. If you're having the hotspot issues just get rid of that POS thunderbolt. I also hear the samsung charge is no better.
Just thought I'd share my experience.
Same with the Rezound. I work a 12 hour shift and it stays up for all 12 hours. The main reason I didn't get the Nexus was because of the reports at that time of problems with the network connection, so glad yours is working out for you. I still don't understand why the network connection on the Bolt worked for the first three months and then quit, but I couldn't be happier with the Rezound, even if it was an expensive swap.
