My laptop does not list hotspot in available networks

[nebay2]

My laptop can't connect to hotspot (Verizon). First I could see the hotspot in the list of available networks. Signal strength 100% since the phone was right next to the laptop. But it would not connect. Other devices like my tablet are connected and work fine.

I restarted the laptop, restarted the phone. Now the hotspot does not show in the list of available networks. It lists all my neighbours', but not my hotspot. However if I go through device manager or something, it does list Verizon hotspot as available network, but it is invisible in the list of networks in right lower corner where I can choose the network and hit Connect bitton.

Any ideas how to make it vidible, or connect another way?

 

[Bryan_JD]

Have you tried re-installing your network cards drivers? Also could try the Windows troubleshooter. Surprisingly, it does work and has fixed a couple problems I couldn't figure out.

 

[nebay2]

Have you tried re-installing your network cards drivers? Also could try the Windows troubleshooter. Surprisingly, it does work and has fixed a couple problems I couldn't figure out.

Troubleshooter says the adapter works fine, and it does since it sees every network around the house, except my hotspot. When it opens the solution it just says there are no available network in range that I use - 4 of them, 3 of which are not in range, but the 4th hotspot is in range, next to the laptop - but it does not show it as available.

 

[Bryan_JD]

What phone are you using for the hotspot?

 

[Prostar Computer]

Troubleshooter says the adapter works fine, and it does since it sees every network around the house, except my hotspot. When it opens the solution it just says there are no available network in range that I use - 4 of them, 3 of which are not in range, but the 4th hotspot is in range, next to the laptop - but it does not show it as available.

Does it connect to the other networks, though? Or does it drop them the way it did with your hotspot?

 

[nebay2]

I use Samsung 5 for the hotspot. Sorry for pushing a wrong button to vote down your question, can't change it now.

 

[nebay2]

All the networks that show on the list are protected by a password so I can't check if it will connect or drop. I will take the laptop back home today to see if it will connect to my home WiFi

 

[Bryan_JD]

I use Samsung 5 for the hotspot. Sorry for pushing a wrong button to vote down your question, can't change it now.

No worries. It happens.
Have you checked on your phone under the Hotspot options for Allowed devices? See if by chance your computer is there. Just a thought.

 

[Prostar Computer]

All the networks that show on the list are protected by a password so I can't check if it will connect or drop. I will take the laptop back home today to see if it will connect to my home WiFi

Sounds good, let us know. (You can also try a free network, like at a coffee shop, diner, library, etc.).

 

[nebay2]

I use Samsung 5 for the hotspot. Sorry for pushing a wrong button to vote down your question, can't change it now.

No worries. It happens.
Have you checked on your phone under the Hotspot options for Allowed devices? See if by chance your computer is there. Just a thought.

No, it is not on the list. I marked "Allow WiFi access to -> All devices" I thought it covers all, not just allowed.

Apparently, my other laptop that was always connecting to this hotspot does not see it either. Something got screwed up and I have to find a solution quick as my job depends on this hot spot - I my Internet drops I have to get online quick and hotspot did the job.

I tried to add the laptop to the phone as an allowed device. It was asking for MAC address, I found it, put in the list of allowed devices. but the laptop still does not see it.

 

[nebay2]

All the networks that show on the list are protected by a password so I can't check if it will connect or drop. I will take the laptop back home today to see if it will connect to my home WiFi

Sounds good, let us know. (You can also try a free network, like at a coffee shop, diner, library, etc.).

The laptop in question connects to my home Wifi just fine. It sees all networks, except the phone hotspot.

Things are getting worse since at home I have my other laptop that always had my Samsung phone hotspot as backup and worked with it as a charm. Now my phone is not on the list of available networks either.

The only thing that connects to the hotspot now is my Android tablet.

I have added my other laptop's MAC address to allowed devices to connect to. No results. Still the hotspot is not on the list of the available networks.

I am having a sense that the problem is the phone. Can it be "hidden" or "unseen" somehow?

 

[Prostar Computer]

Some hotspots/phones support hiding the SSID, I'm not for sure if yours does. Something to look into, for sure.

Just spit balling at this point, but have you already looked into this: https/us.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S-Phones/Hotspot-on-S7-not-working/td-p/190845

 

[nebay2]

Thank you all for your advice. I called Verizon and after switching of / on, rebooting, removing SIM card and such they finally deactivated my device, and activated it again. It worked, the hotspot is now visible and works on all 3 devices, with a new password.