Troubleshooting: Why Your Mobile Hotspot Only Supports Internet on Certain Devices
In today’s connected world, mobile hotspots serve as essential tools for providing internet access in areas lacking traditional broadband, such as remote cottages or outdoor settings. However, users may encounter perplexing issues where the hotspot seems to work perfectly on some devices but fails to deliver internet connectivity to others. This article explores common causes and troubleshooting steps for such problems, based on a real-world scenario.
Scenario Overview
A user recently upgraded to a new Motorola Edge 2024 via Rogers and began experiencing inconsistent hotspot performance. While some devices—such as laptops and smartphones—connect and access the internet without issue, others—including gaming consoles and Android TV boxes—appear connected but cannot load content or access online services.
Specifically, these devices successfully connect to the hotspot’s WiFi network, displaying strong signal indicators, but fail when trying to browse, stream, or download. For example, an Android TV box shows a successful connection without errors, yet streaming applications do not load content. Similarly, a gaming console (like Xbox Series) reports difficulty obtaining an IPv6 address, specifically a Teredo IP address, which it needs to connect to Xbox Live services.
Investigating the Issue
- Device Connectivity vs. Internet Access
Connecting to a WiFi network does not guarantee internet access. Devices may display a strong WiFi signal but still cannot reach external servers. This discrepancy often indicates issues related to network configuration, IP address allocation, or security policies.
- Carrier Support and Device Compatibility
In this case, the user contacted Rogers’ technical support, who confirmed that the hotspot was functioning normally, with no reported outages or misconfigurations. However, the problem persists across multiple device types.
- Potential Causes
Some common causes for such connectivity issues include:
-
IPv4/IPv6 Compatibility Problems:
Modern networks and devices often rely on both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. If the hotspot’s configuration favors one protocol over the other, some devices—especially those needing IPv6, like gaming consoles—may face IP address acquisition issues. -
NAT and Firewall Settings:
Network Address Translation (NAT) or firewall configurations on the hotspot could restrict certain traffic types, affecting devices that require specific ports or protocols, such as Teredo (used for IPv6 connectivity over IPv4). -
Teredo IP Address Issues:
The Xbox error about being unable to obtain
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