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I'm using Ubuntu 20.04 on ThinkPad x230, W540, T440p, etc.

Sometimes (appears randomly) after a reboot, I try to click on "Turn on WiFi hotspot..." under WiFi settings, but it is greyed out and when I hover over it, it says "System Policy prohibits use as a hotspot".

Why is this?

Kevin Bowen
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samfisher
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3 Answers3

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reported here, try switching to another settings panel (ie "Network") and then back, it seems to enable the option again for most.

ced
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It's only periodically disabled; to re-enable simply click on the "Network" in the left pane - making sure the OS realises you have a network connection. Then go back to WiFi and voila you have the ability to create a WiFi HotSpot. You don't have to create a separate network for this.

Zanna
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StableBoy
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This is also happened in my machine as well. So what I did is I have created hotspot network and connected via hidden network. For that, Normal wifi setting will not give this setup. So follow these instructions 1. Press alt+f2 2.You will see a popup window where you need to type follow command to get wifi setting window

nm-connection-editor

3.You need to press + icon to create a hotspot network enter image description here 4.After that, You have to select WIFI option enter image description here

  1. You need to change the mode to hotspot and SSID as you prefer enter image description here

  2. Save the setting then open wifi setting

  3. select the network you have created enter image description here

  4. Click connect to hidden network enter image description here

  5. Select your network which you have created enter image description here

  6. After you connect your hotspot you can see below like picture enter image description here Congrats you enable your hotspot
Sivaram Rasathurai
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    This makes sense and does work for turning on the hotspot but seen clearly in step 8 is the Turn on WiFi hotspot... option still grayed out. This answer, while helpful, is unfortunately just a workaround. – user9123 May 11 '20 at 16:30
  • @TR_SLimey, After you connected your hotspot using connect to hidden network. It will not show that you will need to do the 9th step and 10th – Sivaram Rasathurai May 11 '20 at 17:52
  • @TR_SLimey If you think, It helpful please upvote it – Sivaram Rasathurai May 11 '20 at 17:54
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    I just tested this and I do in fact have to do step 9 and 10 each time. "Turn on hotspot" remains grayed out. However, since this is a valid workaround and seems to provide an adequate solution, I will upvote. Nevertheless, it seems that this is simply a bug with Ubuntu which should be fixed. – user9123 May 11 '20 at 18:12