Laptop can’t connect to the internet when using Galaxy S7 mobile hotspot, other connection issues

Hello Android community! Welcome to another #GalaxyS7 troubleshooting post for the day. We discuss some of the common wifi and connectivity experiences reported by some users so hopefully you’ll find this useful.

If you are looking for solutions to your own #Android issue, you can contact us by using the link provided at the bottom of this page.

When describing your issue, please be as detailed as possible so we can easily pinpoint a relevant solution. If you can, kindly include the exact error messages you are getting to give us an idea where to start. If you have already tried some troubleshooting steps before emailing us, make sure to mention them so we can skip them in our answers.

Below are specific topics we’re bringing for you today:

Problem 1: Laptop can’t connect to the internet when using Galaxy S7 mobile hotspot

My Samsung Galaxy S7 can connect to my laptop via mobile hotspot but i can’t get internet. It says connected no internet on the laptop. Have tried the basics but no easy answer. My wife’s S6 connects no worries.        — Johnpuglia

Solution: Hi Johnpuglia. The fact that your wife’s mobile (S6) can connect to your S7’s mobile hotspot and access the internet normally means that the problem is in the laptop, and not in your phone. The computer may not be configured properly that’s why even if it says it’s connected to the hotspot, which means it’s connected in a local network, it is not able to connect to the bigger outside network which is the internet. It also indicates that you should focus your troubleshooting in your laptop rather than in your Galaxy S7. Our blog supports smartphones only but you can try some of the basics in laptop wireless troubleshooting below. They are only for Windows computers. If you have a Mac, contact Apple support for more in-depth troubleshooting.

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Sharing Center.
3. Click on Change adapter settings.
4. Look for the Wi-Fi adapter (should usually say Wi-Fi).
5. Right click on Wi-Fi adapter and click Properties.
6. Click Configure.
7. Click Advanced tab.
8. In the Property section, scroll down and look for Wireless Mode.
9. Click on Wireless Mode.
10. Depending on the wireless mode capability of your laptop, there should be at least one option in the Value section. If you have a few options in Value section, make sure to try each of them to see which one will work. As a general rule, you want to select the option that’s compatible with common wireless standards such as 802.11n or 802.11g. For example, if you have an option that says 802.11a/b/g/n, then try that first.
11. Once you’ve selected the preferred value, don’t forget to hit OK to confirm the selection.
12. Check if your laptop can now connect to your mobile hotspot.
13. Do steps 1 to 11 again if a certain Wireless Mode value won’t work.

Remember, the problem is not in your Galaxy S7 nor with your internet service. If the laptop continue to fail to connect, contact the laptop maker, or find a PC troubleshooting site that may help you.

Problem 2:  Galaxy S7 can’t answer “unavailable” calls

Hello! Recently, starting about this January, my phone is not letting me answer calls deemed “Unavailable.” I have checked that I am not blocking them. The phone rings, and shows options to answer, but does not let me answer and considers them “missed” calls. I need to be able to answer these. I have reviewed apps that might interfere and don’t see an issue. Is there anything else I can do? Thanks! — Kelly

Solution: Hi Kelly. Try restarting your phone to safe mode then simulate the issue again. When in safe mode, third party apps that may interfere with your calls will be disabled. If your calls will work just fine, then you’ll know one of the apps is to blame. We don’t know if you regularly receive calls but we suggest that you wait for them while the phone is in safe mode to test our theory out. This means that you’ll have to let your phone run in safe mode until the call you’re having problems with arrives. To boot to safe mode, follow these steps:

1. Turn your Galaxy S7 off.
2. Press and hold the Power button.
3. Once the ‘Samsung Galaxy S7’ logo appears, release the Power key and immediately press and hold the Volume Down button.
4. Continue holding the button until the phone finishes rebooting.
5. Once you see the text “Safe mode” at the bottom left corner of the screen, release the Volume Down button.

If nothing changes and the issue reappears even when safe mode is enabled, do a factory reset and replicate the problem again. Be sure that you don’t install anything until you receive the same type of calls again. Doing a factory reset should be the last step that you can do in this case. If nothing works still, contact your carrier so they can provide firsthand assistance.

Problem 3: Apps in HP laptop won’t work when connected to Galaxy S7

Hi. I am currently using Samsung S7 edge. My issue is that my HP will indicate a presence of Internet connectivity but there are times where my apps still can’t work due to absence of Internet connectivity and I have to restart my phone. So I don’t know if it is a network issue or a problem with my phone. — JQ

Solution: Hi JQ. We don’t think we understand your connectivity setup here. Are you trying to connect your HP computer to your Galaxy S7 mobile hotspot? If yes, refer to our suggestion for Johnpuglia above. Make sure that the problem is not due to poor mobile data connection in your S7. If your S7 is receiving spotty mobile data connection, that can be the reason why internet connection to other connected devices is unreliable. In this case, you must work with your carrier so they can help you troubleshoot your mobile data connection first. Otherwise, the issue must be laptop specific, which means that you’ll have to troubleshoot it instead of your mobile.

Problem 4: Galaxy S7 wifi showing lock symbol after an update, not charging fully to 100%

Hello sir. I am facing some issues after updating my S7 edge G935FD dual SIM to latest July patch. After updating, my wifi works with much lag and a lock sign appears on wifi symbol and after sometime data again continues but then again this , a lock sign over wifi. When i get in settings>connection>wifi it shows internet may not available when there is lock sign on wifi symbol.

The second thing is that battery stops charging sometimes at a percentage less than 100% and it remained there for many hours. but when i eject and replug the charger it again resumes charging. Can this be because of updates? Should i reset? — Killerhassan19

Solution: Hi Killerhassan19. Updates are basically changes to existing system and sometimes, these changes may not work as designed. It does not necessarily mean that updates are there to cause problems. In the contrary, updates are most of the time released to fix known bugs. But since Android and apps are constantly evolving, there will always be many moving parts that Google or developers cannot anticipate. If you’re positive that the issues started after you installed an update, these are the things that you can try:

Wipe the cache partition

1. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7.
2. Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the Samsung Galaxy S7 shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
4. When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.
5. Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe cache partition.’
6. Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
7. Now highlight the option ‘Yes’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
8. Wait until your phone is finished doing the Master Reset. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
9. The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

Install app updates

1. Open Play Store app.
2. Tap Options (three horizontal lines in the top left).
3. Tap My apps & games.
4. Tap UPDATE ALL.

Perform a factory reset

1. Create a backup of your important files such as photos, videos, contacts etc. You can use Smart Switch for this task.
2. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7.
3. Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.
4. When the Samsung Galaxy S7 shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.
5. When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.
6. Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
7. Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.
8. Now highlight the option ‘Yes — delete all user data’ using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.
9. Wait until your phone is finished doing the Master Reset. Once completed, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and press the Power key.
10. The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

Problem 5: Can’t connect Galaxy S7 to TV via HDMI

I’m trying to connect my Samsung Galaxy S7 to my TV in order to stream Hulu from my phone to my TV. I need to do it wired because I have no WiFi and my TV does not support screen mirroring. I bought a universal 11 pin MHL cord in which I hooked up all connectors correctly (HDMI to TV, usb to power source and micro usb to phone) but nothing happens aside from my phone being charged. Am I using the wrong cable? Samsung technical help said that not all TV’s are MHL compatible…is that right? Could I use a regular HDMI cord with a micro usb adapter to connect my phone??? — Cassady

Solution: Hi Cassady. Samsung has stopped wired connections to TVs starting with the Galaxy S6 so you’re out of luck. There’s just no way that you can make your phone stream contents directly to your TV via HDMI. We know this isn’t a great idea from Samsung but this is what we have right now. If you really want to stream contents from your phone to your TV, you must go wireless by using supported accessories such as HomeSync and an AllShare Cast dongle, or Chromecast.

Problem 6: Galaxy S7 wifi keeps disconnecting, won’t connect to wifi

I am from Brunei and I have had my S7 for a year now. A few months ago when i started to connect my wifi (I rarely use wifi before) and my connections started to stop working. Even Bluetooth and hotspot. I’ve tried the suggestions people posted on website like, restart, changing to airplane mode, dialing *0010# (something like that) and it’s still the same! I’m getting fed up now with my phone!

Also i have just update the software today and it’s still the same. Your country list does not have Brunei so i chose Malaysia as the closest to us. — Jaz

Solution: Hi Jaz. Try doing a factory reset and see what happens from there. If wifi will continue to drop or won’t connect at all, your phone’s networking chip that handles connectivity tasks including wifi must be malfunctioning. Contact Samsung or your carrier for support.

 

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