Help Mobile Hotspot Isn't Working (Not solved, but probably explained)

[Kiwi Fristedt]

Device in question: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact D5803 with Android 5.0.2

I have previously been able to use my phone as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Now I cannot connect through WI-Fi nor through USB cable. I am not able to pair my phone through Bluetooth, so that doesn't work either.

Primarily, I'm trying to connect with a Samsung/Google Chromebook 503C but have also tried with an Ubuntu 14.10 laptop.

WI-Fi hotspot: I can see in my Xperia that the Chromebook is receiving an IP address. After some time the Chromebook says "Failed to connect to network 'Xperia' - DHCP lookup failed".

USB cable: "Failed to connect to network 'Ethernet' - DHCP lookup failed". I have the WI-Fi disabled on the Chromebook when I try USB cable.

I have tried connecting with the phones Wi-Fi set to on and off even though that should not be an issue. I have also re-booted the phone as well as the Chromebook.

The computers can connect to other WI-Fi networks in my surroundings.

I have a feeling – but definitely no proof – that the problems started with the update to Android 5.0.2. Mobile data on the phone is working fine, so there should be no issue with carrier data plans. Also, the hotspot has been working before.

Does anyone have any ideas how to go forward to a working WI-Fi/USB hotspot?

 

[girolez]

Hi

There is currently an ongoing issue with wifi dropping/not connecting in chromebooks with samsung processors. (The issue started with chrome version 40 and has persisted into version 42) Try updating to beta version 43 on your chromebook and see if that helps. Check that your chromebooks works elsewhere reliably. See https://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=439818

It may of course be an issue with lollipop, just throwing in a possibility..

 

[Kiwi Fristedt]

There is currently an ongoing issue with wifi dropping/not connecting in chromebooks with samsung processors. (The issue started with chrome version 40 and has persisted into version 42) Try updating to beta version 43 on your chromebook and see if that helps. Check that your chromebooks works elsewhere reliably. See https://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=439818

Thanks girolez. The Chromebook is happily connecting to Wi-Fi's home and away (using version 41).

 

[Kiwi Fristedt]

I have been in contact with Sony Xperia Support. They say that "there are problems with hotspoting over Wi-Fi and tethering in some instances of Lollipop. The reason is that the 'Dial-Up' network (APN) is not available. We will, however solve this in a coming software update".

I guess my problem is that I'm using one of those instances.

Problem not solved, but probably explained.