Technician helping troubleshoot Motorola phone screen brightness not working

Steve H.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Android & LG connectivity issues, mobile hotspot/tethering, “hotspot won’t turn on,” connected but no internet, hotspot not showing up.

LG hotspot not working? Common reasons + safe checks (mobile data, plan limits, battery saver, VPN, Wi-Fi band, connected-but-no-internet)

Technician avatar Technician
We can sort this out calmly. Before we touch settings, I want to understand what changed.

When did the hotspot trouble start — today, after an update, or after switching SIM/carrier? And what do you see on the LG phone: does Mobile Hotspot refuse to turn on, does it turn on but other devices can’t find it, or do they connect and then say “No internet”?
Customer
It started this morning. I’m a little nervous because I use it for my tablet. The hotspot switch turns on, but my tablet says connected and still no internet.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a helpful detail — “connected but no internet” points to a few specific causes, and most are safe to check.

Trust moment: I don’t want you to do anything that could wipe your phone or make the connection worse. We’ll start with the simplest, safest checks first.

Quick question: on the LG phone itself, does mobile data work normally (can you open a webpage with Wi-Fi turned off), or is the phone also struggling to get data?
Customer
The phone internet works on its own. I turned Wi-Fi off and I can browse. It’s just the hotspot sharing that won’t work.
Technician avatar Technician
Great — that rules out a weak signal in many cases. Next, we check for “blocks” that stop tethering even when the phone has data.

On your LG, do you have any of these on right now: Battery Saver, Data Saver, or a VPN app? Any one of those can make hotspot sharing act odd.
Customer
I do have Battery Saver on a lot. I’m not sure about VPN. I don’t think I use one.
Technician avatar Technician
Battery Saver is a common one — it can limit background network sharing.

Another “sneaky” cause: the connecting device might be choosing a different saved Wi-Fi network, especially if you’re at home. On the tablet, when it says connected, does it show your LG hotspot name (the network name) or could it be connecting to your home Wi-Fi instead?
Customer
It shows my phone’s network name. I renamed it a while ago. It connects, but then it says no internet under it.
Technician avatar Technician
Okay — so discovery and password are likely fine. Now we separate “phone can share” vs “tablet can use it.”

Safe comparison test: can any other device connect (even a laptop, or another phone), or is it only the tablet that can’t get internet through it?
Customer
I tried my husband’s phone once and it also said no internet. So it’s not just the tablet.
Technician avatar Technician
That points back to the LG phone’s tethering side (or the carrier side), not the tablet.

A few common triggers seniors run into:
• a system update changed a network permission
• the plan’s hotspot allowance is used up or temporarily blocked
• the hotspot is broadcasting on a Wi-Fi band the other device struggles with (some older tablets dislike 5 GHz)

Did anything change recently — update, new SIM, travel, or a new carrier plan?
Customer
Now that you say it, my phone updated two nights ago. I didn’t change SIM. I’m on the same plan, but I don’t really understand hotspot limits.
Technician avatar Technician
Updates can definitely be the “start date” for this kind of issue. And hotspot limits can be confusing — sometimes the phone shows “connected,” but the network won’t pass internet through tethering once a limit is reached.

Trust moment: Let’s avoid big resets. First we gather clues that are safe and reversible.

On the LG hotspot screen, do you see any message like “checking subscription,” “authentication,” “temporarily unavailable,” or does it look normal with no warnings?
Customer
I don’t see a warning. It just looks normal and shows 1 device connected sometimes, but still no internet.
Technician avatar Technician
Understood. Here are two more safe “direction checks” that don’t lock you into anything:

• If your LG has both options, see whether the hotspot is set to 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Older devices often behave better on 2.4.
• If Battery Saver is on, note that it can reduce sharing. If you’re comfortable, we can briefly test with it off — just as a test — and then turn it back on afterward.

Also, are you using Airplane Mode at any point? Even quick toggles can disrupt tethering until it refreshes.
Customer
I don’t use airplane mode. I think it’s on 5 GHz because my grandson changed it. My tablet is older. Battery saver is on right now.
Technician avatar Technician
That combination (older tablet + 5 GHz + Battery Saver) is a very believable explanation for “connects but no internet,” especially after an update changed how power saving behaves.

If you’d like a calm test plan: change only one thing at a time and watch what changes — band first, then Battery Saver. If nothing changes, the next “non-scary” clue is whether tethering works by USB tethering (if you ever use it) — that separates Wi-Fi hotspot settings from a carrier/tethering block.

What matters most to you right now: getting the tablet online today, or figuring out why it started after the update?
Customer
I mainly want my tablet online today. I’m not great with settings, so I like the idea of changing one thing at a time.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect approach. Keep it gentle and organized: one small change, then observe. If the tablet starts working after switching to 2.4 GHz or after a brief Battery Saver test, we’ve identified the cause without doing anything risky.

If it still shows “connected, no internet” on multiple devices even after those safe checks, then we’re likely looking at a carrier tethering restriction or a network setting that changed during the update — and the best next step is to note exactly what your LG shows (band, connected devices count, any tiny messages).

You’re not alone in this — hotspot problems are common, and most of the time it’s a setting conflict rather than a broken phone.
Customer
Thank you. That makes me feel calmer. I’ll try the 2.4 setting and then test battery saver, one at a time, and I’ll note what changes.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted first fix for an LG phone hotspot not working issue: confirm the phone’s mobile data is fine, then look for simple “sharing blockers” (battery saver, VPN, Wi-Fi band compatibility, and plan limits) before changing anything major.

What usually helps most:
• Confirm the LG phone can browse on mobile data with Wi-Fi off (proves data is available).
• Check for Battery Saver/Data Saver/VPN and test with only one of them changed at a time.
• If devices connect but show “no internet,” try a different Wi-Fi band (2.4 vs 5 GHz) to rule out compatibility.
• Compare with a second device (tablet vs another phone/laptop) to confirm it’s not just one device.
• If nothing changes, note any carrier/plan messages and hotspot status details before deeper troubleshooting.

Why an LG hotspot stops working (and why it can start suddenly)

Most “sudden” hotspot problems happen after something small changes: a phone update, a new power-saving mode, a VPN turning on, or the hotspot switching to a Wi-Fi band an older device doesn’t like. Another common situation is when devices connect to the hotspot but have no internet because the phone can’t pass data through tethering (sometimes tied to plan limits or a carrier restriction). If your LG phone has normal mobile data but sharing fails, it’s usually a settings conflict rather than a hardware failure. The safest way forward is to confirm what still works and change only one thing at a time.

What to check first: mobile data, hotspot name/password, band, and “connected but no internet”

Start with safe comparisons. First confirm the phone itself can use mobile data with Wi-Fi off. Next confirm the connecting device is joining the correct network name (SSID) and not a different saved Wi-Fi. If it connects but shows no internet, check for Battery Saver/Data Saver or a VPN, and consider switching the hotspot from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz for older tablets and laptops. If more than one device has the same issue, the pattern usually points to tethering being blocked or limited rather than a single device problem.

LG hotspot not working — gentle troubleshooting tips for seniors

Most hotspot issues come from power-saving settings, VPNs, Wi-Fi band compatibility, or tethering limits — not a broken phone.

Best approach: keep it simple and change one thing at a time. First confirm mobile data works on the LG phone. Then check whether Battery Saver or Data Saver is active and whether a VPN is running. If devices connect but say “no internet,” try the other Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz is often easier for older devices). If nothing changes, write down what the hotspot screen shows (band, connected device count, and any messages) so the next step is clear.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. Avoid making multiple system changes at once. For device-specific steps, consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech or the manufacturer’s support before making decisions.

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FAQ

Why does my LG hotspot say “connected” but there’s no internet?

This often means the phone can’t pass mobile data through tethering, even though the Wi-Fi link is connected. Power-saving modes, VPN apps, or a plan limit can cause it. It can also happen if the hotspot band isn’t compatible with the connected device. A simple comparison test with a second device helps confirm the pattern.

Did this start after an LG software update?

Yes, updates can change network behavior or power-saving rules without you doing anything wrong. Hotspot sharing may stop until settings “settle” or a conflicting option is adjusted. Avoid changing many settings at once; one small test at a time gives clearer answers. If it began right after an update, write down the exact symptoms you see.

Is this a settings issue or could my carrier be blocking hotspot?

If multiple devices connect but none can use internet, it can be a tethering restriction or a limit on your plan. The phone may not always show a clear warning message. If the LG phone’s own mobile data works but sharing doesn’t, that’s a strong clue. Checking your plan details can confirm it without guessing.

Can I check this safely at home without resetting my phone?

Yes. Start with safe checks like confirming mobile data works, then reviewing Battery Saver/Data Saver/VPN, and testing a different Wi-Fi band. Try a second device to see if the problem is consistent. These checks are reversible and don’t erase anything. Save resets for last, only if you’re comfortable.

Sources

Filed under: Hotspot, Tethering & Sharing

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