In this guide, we will show you three different methods to fix the Pixel Hotspot Authentication Failure error. The security patch updates are meant to enhance the device’s overall security, bring in a few goodies [optional], and iron out the underlying bugs. While this may stand true for other OEMs, for Pixel it’s just true in its changelog. Because in reality, these updates paint a pretty gloomy picture. With each new update, they tend to introduce a plethora of new bugs and issues.
Depending on its severity and the coverage in the media, the bug may or may not be rectified at the earliest. In this regard, there has been a long-standing issue related to Hotspot that didn’t get much attention and hence is lying in a small corner with hardly any limelight, well, atleast from the developers. According to various users, whenever they enable the Hotspot on their Pixel device, they are straightaway greeted with the Authentication Failure error.
As soon as that happens, then the hotspot suddenly closes. Likewise, some users have also voiced their concern that they get the “connected but no internet or “network unavailable. Please try again later” error messages upon enabling hotspot. All these issues are mostly being faced by the Total Wireless carrier users right after they had installed the March 2022 security patch update. If you are also in the same boat, then this guide shall help you out. Follow along for the various fixes.
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How to Fix: Pixel Hotspot Authentication Failure Error
It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success for you. So with that in mind, let’s get started.
FIX 1: 21 is the Number!
As strange as it may sound, if you disable and then re-enable the hotspot 21 times continuously, then it will stay on without any issues. So do give this tweak a try and see if it spells out success for you or not.
FIX 2: Reset Network
More along the lines of a generic fix, whenever there’s an issue with the network, it is recommended to reset its data and configuration settings. Doing so will give it a fresh instance to work upon, and this, in turn, might rectify the underlying issue. However, it will remove all the saved WiFi passwords as well as the paired Bluetooth devices. So sync those data with your Google account and only then refer to the below instructions to reset the network:
- To begin with, head over to the Settings > System menu.
- Then go to Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth.
- After that, tap on the Reset Settings button situated at the bottom right.
- Once done, check if it fixes the Pixel Hotspot Authentication Failure error.
FIX 3: Downgrade to January Patch
The source of this bug is the February 2022 security patch update. And the sorry state of affairs is such that it hasn’t been fixed with the June update. So your only course of action is to downgrade to January or any earlier update. While this will surely fix the Hotspot issue, however, this process requires an unlocked bootloader, which will wipe off all the data and could also nullify the device’s warranty as well. So if that’s well and good, then you could perform this downgrade via Android Flash Tool or using Fastboot commands.
So these were the three different methods to fix the Pixel Hotspot Authentication Failure error. As far as the official stance on this matter is concerned, Google has recently added this issue to its Bug Tracker page [see below], however, they haven’t given out any ETA for the rollout of a fix. As and when that happens, we will update this guide accordingly. In the meantime, the aforementioned workarounds are your best bet.
Manoj
Best and easy way is to create new Gmail account add that account and remove current account restart your phone. what is failing is current account so why do you want to mess around with other settings on phone.
K
Actually it didn’t. It’s off again.
K
The 21 times thing worked! Wow!!
B
I can’t believe just tapping it 21 times in a row actually worked wtf
Teresa Mendez
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