Why Is My Hotspot So Slow? 7 Tips to Get Connected

• Mobile hotspots offer a convenient way to access the internet on your devices on the go, but you may experience slow speeds at times.
• Hotspots can be slow for several reasons, and there are several easy ways to speed them up.
• Your device settings, hotspot placement, data plan, cell reception, and the time of day can all impact your hotspot speeds.

Whether you use a mobile hotspot while traveling, during an unexpected internet outage, or at that one coffee shop in your neighborhood that doesn’t have Wi-Fi, hotspots come in handy. Hotspots, however, can sometimes lag and produce slow internet speeds on your devices. Rather than living with these creeping connections, follow our guide for all the simple tips and tricks you need to improve your mobile hotspot speed so you’re not left in the dark.

Our Videos on How to Speed Up Your Hotspot

Prefer to watch and follow along? Check out our videos, split into two parts below:

Table of Contents

• Restart Your Devices
• Check Data Allowance
• Optimize Your Device Settings
• Check Your Cell Reception
• Avoid Peak Usage Times
• Don’t Let Your Device Overheat
• Consider Your Hotspot Placement
• Hotspot Still Slow? What to Try Next
• Frequently Asked Questions About Hotspots

1. Restart Your Devices

Improving your hotspot speed could be as simple as powering down your devices and then turning them back on. This is the quick and easy way to give your devices a much-needed refresh. Sometimes our phones, laptops, and other devices just need a little power nap after a long period of hard work. Restarting your devices can reset them and clear out any glitches or issues that could slow down your speed. Make sure to restart both the device you’re using as a hotspot and the devices connected to your hotspot.

2. Check Your Data Allowance

Your hotspot may be slow because you’ve hit a data threshold on your mobile plan. Even if you have a plan that advertises unlimited data, mobile companies often manage network traffic by temporarily slowing your speeds during congestion or after you use a certain amount of data. It can be tedious, but be sure to read the fine print on your mobile plan and check your data usage. To avoid the frustration of discovering you’re out of data when you need it most, you can monitor your data usage throughout the month so you know when to cut back on your TikTok scrolls.

3. Optimize Your Device Settings

You can make several adjustments to your phone’s settings to boost hotspot speeds. Below are all the changes you can make in just a few simple steps.

Close Apps You’re Not Using

When several apps are open on your phone simultaneously, it divides its resources among several tasks. By closing apps you’re not using, you can improve your phone’s performance and help it focus on the functions you want (like your hotspot). It may sound simple, but just closing all your unused apps could get you that speed boost.

Turn Off Low Power Mode

Your phone’s Low Power Mode can negatively impact your mobile hotspot performance, as it prioritizes core functions over certain activities. According to Apple, Low Power Mode reduces background activity such as mail fetch, background app refresh, and some visual effects, which can affect performance for network‑intensive features. It’s best to turn the setting off while using your hotspot. Below, we’ll share how to turn it off on iPhone and Android devices.

On an iPhone

1. Open Settings, scroll down, and tap Battery.
2. Toggle off the Low Power Mode setting.

On an Android

1. Open Settings and tap Battery.
2. Tap Battery Saver.
3. Toggle off the Use Battery Saver setting.

Switch to the 5 GHz Frequency Band

Warning: We’re about to cover some techy terms, but stick with us! Hotspots use two different frequency (or radio) bands to broadcast Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz frequency band is best for longer distances, but the 5 GHz frequency band delivers faster speeds over shorter distances, making it perfect for a hotspot only a few feet from your devices. Switching to the 5 GHz frequency band could improve your hotspot speed, and it’s easy to do.

On an iPhone

1. Open Settings, then tap Personal Hotspot.
2. Scroll down and toggle off the Maximize Compatibility setting.

On an Android

1. Open Settings and tap Network & Internet.
2. Tap Hotspot & Tethering.
3. Tap Wi-Fi Hotspot.
4. Toggle off the Extend Compatibility setting.

Update Your Devices

Updating your devices is essential to ensuring your hotspot runs quickly and smoothly. If your devices run on older software, it could be causing slow speeds or other connectivity issues. Check to see if any updates are available for your phone and the device connected to your hotspot.

Disable Background App Refresh

Apps on your phone can refresh in the background while you’re not using them, which can slow down your hotspot. Preventing apps from refreshing is easy with the steps below.

On an iPhone

1. Open Settings and tap General.
2. Tap Background App Refresh.
3. Tap Background App Refresh again.
4. Tap Off.

On an Android

1. Open Settings and tap Network & Internet.
2. Tap Data Saver.
3. Enable the Use Data Saver setting.

Make Sure to Password-Protect Your Hotspot

This advice may seem like a no-brainer, but if your phone’s hotspot isn’t password-protected, anyone nearby could access it and slow down your connection. Don’t give away free Wi-Fi, so make sure you have a password set up.

4. Check Your Cell Reception

If you’re using your phone as a hotspot and you have only one bar of signal, you’ll probably experience slow speeds. Mobile hotspots receive internet signals from cell towers, so poor cell reception also means poor hotspot speeds. For better speeds, use your hotspot only in areas with a stronger signal (search for those elusive several bars of reception), since signal strength directly affects how much data your device can reliably send and receive.

5. Avoid Peak Usage Times

Just like we experience congestion when lots of people are on the freeway during rush hour, our phones can experience network congestion during peak usage times. These times vary by location and carrier, so you can start by identifying peak times in your area. If you consistently notice your phone or hotspot is slow from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. every evening, that probably means it’s a peak time. Do your best to avoid using your hotspot during those hours.

6. Don’t Let Your Device Overheat

You may experience slower speeds and a laggy connection when your device overheats. If your phone feels hot, it’s time to cool it down. To prevent your device from overheating, you can take regular breaks during heavy usage, make sure your phone isn’t sitting in direct sunlight, and turn off any features you’re not currently using.

7. Consider Your Hotspot Placement

Just as you can optimize router placement to improve home Wi-Fi speeds, you can optimize your hotspot placement. Here are a few tips:

• Keep your hotspot close to you, since the signal will weaken over longer distances. It’s best to keep your hotspot within 5 feet of you.
• Elevate your hotspot, and avoid setting it on the floor.
• When possible, place your hotspot somewhere free of obstructions (like not on a crowded desk).
• Keep your hotspot uncovered. Don’t place your hotspot in a bag, purse, drawer, or cabinet. Set it next to you, and don’t cover it with a book, magazine, or other object. Give it room to emit those signals.
• Ensure there aren’t any obstructions between your hotspot and the device you’re connecting to, since certain objects can cause interference. Avoid these everyday items that can impact your cell signal: thick or dense walls, fish tanks, water coolers, electronic appliances, trees, large buildings, and reflective surfaces.

Hotspot Still Slow? What to Try Next

If you have tried all these tips and you’re still wondering why your hotspot is so slow, you have two options:

1. Purchase a portable internet device. If you’re using your phone as a hotspot and it’s unreliable, or you’re going through your data allotment too quickly, consider purchasing a dedicated mobile hotspot device. The devices act as mini portable routers that work just like the hotspot on your phone. You can visit our list of the best portable internet providers to learn more.
2. Consider switching to a new carrier. A slow hotspot may be just one part of a larger problem. If you’re constantly dealing with poor cell reception, dropped calls, unreliable service, or slow data speeds, consider switching to another cellular carrier, especially if you rely heavily on a hotspot.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hotspots

How can I make my hotspot faster?

Think of your hotspot like a tiny radio station broadcasting internet waves. To boost its speed, give those waves the clearest path possible. Keep your phone or hotspot device out in the open and not buried in bags, pockets, or car consoles. Reduce the number of connected devices so your signal isn’t stretched thin. And if you’re in a crowded area, try moving a few feet away from big metal objects or walls that can block signals like cosmic debris. When in doubt, restart the device to refresh it.

How to stop hotspot throttling?

Hotspot throttling happens when your carrier slows down your data after you hit a certain limit. You can’t fully hack your way out of carrier rules, but you can work smarter. Use data-saving settings, lower video streaming qualit,y and close background apps to keep your usage low. If throttling keeps happening, check your plan. Some carriers offer hotspot add-ons or premium data that stays fast longer. You can also try using a VPN to prevent throttling, but with a hotspot, that could work against you because VPNs require a good deal of bandwidth.

Is a hotspot free with unlimited data?

Here’s the twist: even “unlimited data” isn’t always unlimited when it comes to hotspot use. Many carriers split your data into two buckets: regular phone data and hotspot data. The hotspot portion is often capped or slowed after a certain point. Some plans do offer dedicated hotspot allowances or even fully unlimited hotspot use, but they’re usually the pricier ones. Always check the fine print so your expectations and your signal stay strong.

What is the difference between a mobile hotspot and a Wi-Fi hotspot?

Think of mobile hotspots as traveling campfires and Wi-Fi hotspots as permanent fireplaces. A mobile hotspot is like carrying your own pocket-sized internet generator. Your phone or hotspot device takes cellular signals and converts them into Wi-Fi your other gadgets can use. A Wi-Fi hotspot (like the ones you find at cafés or libraries) is a fixed access point connected to a traditional broadband network.

What settings affect hotspot speed?

Hotspot speed is influenced by several settings, including your cellular signal strength, data plan limits, and network type (4G LTE vs. 5G). Device settings like battery saver mode can reduce performance, and some phones allow you to limit hotspot data usage or connected devices. Band selection (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz) can also impact speed and stability.

Can too many apps slow my hotspot?

Yes, running too many apps can slow your hotspot. Apps that use background data — like cloud backups, streaming, or software updates — compete for the same cellular connection your hotspot relies on. The more apps pulling data at once, the less bandwidth is available for connected devices, which can lead to slower speeds and lag.