iPad Won't Connect to Hotspot? Reasons and Solutions!

If your iPad won't connect to hotspot, you're not alone. Many users run into sudden connection failures, even when their hotspot works fine on other devices. This issue can appear after an iOS update, a network glitch, incorrect settings, or simple compatibility conflicts.

In this guide, we'll break down the most common reasons why your iPad not connecting to hotspot and walk you through practical solutions to get your connection working again. Whether you rely on a hotspot for work, travel, or everyday browsing, these fixes will help you restore a stable and reliable link in minutes.

Part 1: Why My iPad Won't Connect to Hotspot?

There are several common reasons why your iPad won't connect to a hotspot, and most of them are easy to fix. Here are the top causes:

1. Incorrect Hotspot or Wi-Fi Settings: If the hotspot password, network name, or security type changed, your iPad may fail to join.

2. Hotspot Not Properly Enabled: Sometimes the hotspot on your iPhone or other device looks "on," but it hasn't fully activated.

3. Device or iPadOS Glitches: Temporary system bugs can block Wi-Fi or hotspot functions—common after updates or low battery.

4. Compatibility or Carrier Restrictions: Some carriers limit hotspot use, or the cellular device may not support hotspot on the current plan.

5. Maxed-Out Device Connections: Many hotspots only allow a certain number of connected devices. If it's full, your iPad can't join.

6. Bluetooth or VPN Interference: A VPN, Bluetooth tethering, or security apps can interrupt hotspot connections.

Part 2: How to Fix iPad Not Connecting to Hotspot?

Now you should know the reasons why your iPad won't connect to Hotspot, let's follow this step-by-step guide to fix this issue quickly.

Fix 1: Turn Hotspot Off and Back On

Sometimes the hotspot service doesn't fully activate or experiences temporary glitches. Turning it off and back on refreshes the network, reinitializes the connection, and resolves minor software hiccups.

Step 1. On your hotspot device (e.g., iPhone), go to Settings < Personal Hotspot.

Step 2. Toggle Allow Others to Join off.

Step 3. Wait 5–10 seconds, then toggle it back on.

Step 4. Try reconnecting your iPad to the hotspot.

Fix 2: Turn on Maximize Compatibility

iPhones from the 12 series and newer use 5 GHz Wi-Fi for hotspot connections, offering faster speeds. However, older iPads or some devices may have trouble connecting to 5 GHz networks. Enabling Maximize Compatibility switches the hotspot to a stable 2.4 GHz band, improving compatibility with more devices.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Personal Hotspot.

Step 2. Find the Maximize Compatibility option and toggle it on (green) to enable or off (grey) to disable.

Step 3. Try reconnecting your iPad to the hotspot.

Fix 3: Restart Your iPad

If your iPad isn't connecting to a hotspot, restarting it is a simple but effective first step. A full reboot clears temporary glitches and can resolve Wi-Fi or hotspot connection issues.

Step 1. Open the Settings app and go to General < Shut Down.

Step 2. Swipe the Power slider to turn off your iPad completely.

Step 3. Once it's fully powered off, press and hold the Top button to turn it back on.

Restarting often restores normal network function and may immediately fix the connection issue.

Fix 4: Disable and Enable Airplane Mode

Toggling Airplane Mode is a quick way to reset all wireless connections. It refreshes your iPad's Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular radios, which can often fix hotspot connectivity issues.

Step 1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.

Step 2. Tap the Airplane Mode icon to disable all wireless connections.

Step 3. Wait about 10 seconds, then tap the icon again to re-enable connectivity.

This simple refresh can restore a stable hotspot connection.

Fix 5: Forget and Rejoin the Network

If your iPad still won't connect to your iPhone's hotspot, try forgetting the network and reconnecting. It may help resolve the iPad not connecting to the hotspot issue.

Step 1. Open Settings on your iPad and tap Wi-Fi.

Step 2. Under My Networks, find your iPhone hotspot and tap the Info (i) icon.

Step 3. Choose Forget This Network.

Step 4. Under Networks, select your hotspot again, enter the password, and tap Join.

Fix 6: Disable and re-enable Wi-Fi on your iPad

Turning Wi-Fi off and back on can clear temporary glitches that may be blocking the connection.

Step 1. Open Settings on your iPad and tap Wi-Fi.

Step 2. Toggle Wi-Fi off and wait at least 10 seconds.

Step 3. Toggle Wi-Fi back on, then select your hotspot from the My Networks or Networks list.

Fix 7: Reset Network Settings

One common reason an iPad can't connect to a hotspot is corrupted or inconsistent network data. Temporary Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, or VPN settings can interfere with the connection and stop your iPad from detecting or maintaining a stable link.

Resetting Network Settings clears all temporary network data and restores default configurations, which often resolves hotspot connection issues quickly.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.

Step 2. Go to General, then scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPad (or Reset on older iOS versions).

Step 3. Select Reset Network Settings.

Step 4. Confirm the action by tapping Reset Network Settings again.

Once the device restarts, try reconnecting to the hotspot. This often fixes network-related connection failures.

Fix 8: Update iPadOS

Software bugs or compatibility issues in older iPadOS versions can prevent hotspot connections. Updating ensures your device has the latest bug fixes and improvements for Wi-Fi and hotspot connectivity.

Step 1. Go to Settings < General < Software Update.

Step 2. If an update is available, tap Update Now button. Then your iPad will automatically download and install the latest update, wait patiently to let your iPad complete the update.

Step 3. After restart your iPad. You can try join Personal Hotspot again.

Part 3: Fix iPad Not Connecting to Hotspot in One-click

You may have toggled every switch, "forgotten" the network, and even restarted both devices, yet the connection still refuses to establish. When standard fixes hits a wall, the culprit is often a deeper glitch hidden within the iPadOS system files rather than a simple settings error.

This is where TunesKit iOS System Recovery shines. It serves as a professional repair tool designed to diagnose and patch the specific system errors preventing your connection. It can solve 150+ iPadOS issues like iPad charging slow, iPad can't connect to App Store, and iPad Won't Reset issues.

Instead of forcing you through complex technical maneuvers, it streamlines the repair process into a simple, one-click solution that restores your iPad to health instantly.

Here's how to fix iPad not connecting to hotspot issue using TunesKit iOS System Recovery.

Step 1Connect Your iPad

Download and install TunesKit iOS System Recovery on your PC or Mac. Launch the program. Connect your iPad to the computer using a reliable USB cable. Select iOS System Repair on the main screen. On the next page, simply click the Start button to continue.

Step 2Select Standard Repair

You will see two modes: "Standard Repair" and "Deep Repair." Select "Standard Repair" to move because this mode will keep your iPad’s data intact. While Deep Repair will erase all your data, it is suitable for deeper iPadOS issue.

Step 3Download the Firmware Package

The software will automatically detect your iPad model. Verify that the details on the screen match your device. Click the Download button. And this software is downloading a fresh, uncorrupted copy of the iPadOS firmware directly for your iPad.

Step 4Start the System Repair

Once the download reaches 100%, click the Repair button. The software will now verify the firmware and begin patching your iPad's system. Do not disconnect the cable during this process. Your iPad will restart automatically once the process is complete. You can check if the iPad Personal Hotspot is working well now.

Part 4: Conclusion

If your iPad won't connect to hotspot, the issue may stem from software glitches, incorrect settings, or compatibility problems. While basic fixes like restarting devices, resetting network settings, or adjusting hotspot options can help, persistent issues often point to deeper iOS system errors. In that case, TunesKit iOS System Recovery offers a fast, safe, and no-data-loss solution to repair system problems and restore your iPad’s hotspot connection in minutes.