Fix: Pixel Hotspot Authentication Failure Error

We all know Google as one of the biggest software companies. However, recent software updates released by the company to its Pixel phone are nothing but a disaster for the users. In many articles, we covered issues faced by Pixel users, such as screen flickering, app crashing, and blurred selfie camera. The problems are not limited to older Pixel models; even the latest Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro face many issues. The latest Pixel models are facing more issues.

Still, there are a couple of problems that Google has not even acknowledged, and a fix is pending. Another issue that Pixel users have been reporting for a while is the Hotspot Authentication Failure Error on Pixel phones. The Hotspot bug has not been covered widely, but it doesn’t mean the issue is not there. Dozens of users on the Google support page and popular forums such as Reddit have posted that they cannot use the hotspot on their Pixel phones.

Those affected say they cannot turn on the hotspot on their Pixel phones. Every time they turn on the hotspot toggle, the screen displays an error message “Authentication error, please try again later,” and the hotspot immediately turns off. Many Pixel users cannot connect to the hotspot created by other mobile phones. Some users were able to connect to the hotspot, but they were unable to use the internet.

“So I made the mistake of switching my sim card over to Verizon with straight talk and now my hotspot is broken. Tried googling it and basically, everyone on this network and total wireless useing a pixel (3a to 6pro) is completely unable to use their hotspot. I’m paying for a service I basically cannot use.”, a user wrote on Reddit.

A user on the Google support page wrote, “It appears right after the latest March android update that 2 of my phones on my Total Wireless plan will no longer allow Hotspot when working off of Mobile data. 

Both my Pixel 4a and 5a give the error ‘Authencation Faulure: Please try again later” After displaying this error the Hotspot automicatlly turns off.“

According to many users, they started facing issues with the hotspot immediately after installing the March 2022 security update. The problem is not just limited to a single Pixel model or a single carrier. Users on Verizon and Total Wireless carriers have been facing the problem. Google has not yet (at the time of writing this post) acknowledge the hotspot issues. So, we don’t know when the company will release a fix for this. But thankfully, some users were able to fix the issues. Below, we’ve mentioned a few solutions which might do the trick for you as well.

How to Fix Pixel Hotspot Authentication Failure Error

Solution 1: Reset Network Settings

This is the age-old method of fixing issues related to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, hotspot, and mobile network. It is recommended that you should reset network settings to check if spell out success for you. Please note that resetting network settings removes all saved Wi-Fi networks and paired Bluetooth devices. Hence, keep in mind these things before going ahead.

Here’s how to reset network settings on your Pixel:

1. Go to Settings > System.
2. Select Advanced and tap on Reset options.
3. Click Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
4. Tap Reset settings to confirm.

After doing a network reset, check if your Pixel can enable Hotspot without any error message.

Solution 2: Remove and Re-Add Hotspot Service

According to a Redditor JeffTheAndroid, the hotspot-related issues on Pixel phones can be fixed by removing and then re-adding the hotspot service on the device. You can’t remove hotspot service from your need. Contact your carrier to remove this and call back again to add the service.

Here’s what the Redditor said, “While on the phone with Verizon today, we were attempting all the regular fixes – resetting network options, removing SIM card, restarting phone, etc., and nothing worked. Finally I asked the rep if he could just remove the hotspot service from my account. He did, and then I tried turning on the HotSpot and got a NEW error message stating “To use Mobile Hotspot, please call customer service to subscribe”. AFTER getting that error message, the service rep turned Mobile Hotspot BACK on for my line and everything worked fine immediately.“

Solution 3: Reset Access Point Names

A Verizon Pixel 3 XL user was able to fix the issue by resetting access point names to their default values.

Here’s the complete process he followed in a step-by-step manner:

1. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications.
2. Locate Messages and tap on it.
3. Click Force stop.
4. Tap on Storage & cache.
5. Clear storage and clear cache.
6. Go back to the first page of the Settings app.
7. Select Network and internet.
8. Click Mobile network.
9. Tap on Advanced.
10. Tap on the three dots button and click Access point names.
11. Click Reset to default.
12. Reboot the phone.

I know clearing storage and cache of the Messages app does not make sense when fixing problems with hotspot, but this is how he was able to fix the problem. You won’t lose any data. So, there’s nothing to worry about in trying this solution.

Solution 4: Change Hotspot Security Type

A user was able to fix the hotspot issues by changing the security type from WPA to WEP. Here are the steps as described by him:

1. Change security to none and turn on the hotspot.
2. Turn off the hotspot, and change security from none to WPA to WEP or whatever that is available.
3. Change password.

These were some of the solutions which have worked for many users. Hopefully, at least one of them will work for you too. Have you tried fixing the problem? Were you able to fix it and which method did the trick for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.