Posted on 03/24/2020 1:02:55 PM PDT by T-Bird45
Assistance requested on why my iPhone7+ hotspot via Bluetooth keeps my laptop from reaching FR: “server IP address could not be found.” I am using the hotspot on the phone because my home WiFi has gone wonky. Is there an iPhone setting I need to change or what?
try turning off wi-fi
If you have a Windows laptop, make sure your phone does not have an - ‘ - in the names. Windows computers do not like the single quote.
Just rename phone without the single quote.
Worse case afterwards, reset network setting in general. Will have to re-input wi-fi settings after phone reboots.
There are a few WiFi bands broadcast can knock off Bluetooth reception.
That said, I’d turn of Bluetooth and do WiFi on your phone and computer. It’s far faster.
So your phone has access to the internet? You have tested this?
Also I think that you have to pay extra for this feature.
Lastly, can you confirm that your laptop is paired with your phone?
Need more info....can you reach other websites? Only FR has the error? Might be a DNS problem try “209.157.64.201” in the address field of the browser.
Hope you have an unlimited pan...your PC will suck up a ton more data that your phone will.
try turning off wi-fi
And data saving. Make sure your plan allows it.
You have to have WIFI on in order to operate as a hot spot. Turn WIFI data assist off so that the phone does not try to connect your laptop to the Internet via the laptop’s WIFI.
Phone has access & always has had it. It’s an unlimited plan.
Try putting in 209.157.64.201 instead of www.freerepublic.com.
google “how do I turn on iPhone hotspot”
wifi off
celluar data on
blue tooth on
hotspot on
Otherwise, with wifi on, the phone will use the faulty internet through the router for its connection.
Some unlimited plans do not allow you to use your phone as a hotspot.
Always good to check the basics.
Has the hotspot worked for you before?
Your phone is functioning as a gateway thru bluetooth. With that in mind, there has to be some kind of virtual LAN gateway function. Are there settings on your phone and laptop? Is your phone set up for DHCP?
What is wrong with your router? Did you try powering it off for 2 minutes?
Do you have an ethernet cable and port on your laptop and plug it directly into the back of the router?
Stupid question: that option costs me more every month. I am assuming you do.
When it gets funky on me, I reset the blue tooth and go through the discovery process again. Then it usually works. And, shut off wifi entirely on your laptop/iPad. And restart your browser.
In other words unplug everything. Wait 30 seconds and plug it back in. Like everything in IT.
You’ve used the “hot spot” feature before? Not trying to be condescending. But it might be a carrier issue if you haven’t used it before.
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