Xfinity is a great all-in-one solution from Comcast that can provide cable TV, phone, and internet services all in a nice and convenient package. Plus, because it’s a bundle, the fast internet speed usually works out cheaper than if you bought it separately.
Generally speaking, once it’s all set up, it should run smoothly. However, one common problem people run into is that even after it’s all set up and everything should be working, the Xfinity WiFi is not showing up on the network list.
Don’t despair! There are a number of easy steps you can take at home that can help fix this issue, and we’re going to walk you through them so you can get your internet up and running as soon as possible.
What causes the Xfinity WiFi to not show up?
There may be a number of reasons behind why your Xfinity WiFi hotspot is not showing up on your network list, which can range from simple software bugs to more serious hardware issues.
Here’s a quick rundown of the main things to look at that might be causing the wireless network to not display, and then we’ll look at how to go about fixing them.
Invalid login credentials
It might sound obvious, but this is one of the main causes of a network not being correctly established. In order for the network to broadcast correctly, it needs to be set up with an identifiable name and Xfinity ID login credentials.
If this is not done, the system may not recognize your network on the list, and even if it does appear, you won’t be able to log in.
This is particularly important if there are multiple Xfinity internet hotspots available from your network, as your device may try to pick an incorrect one automatically. In that case, you need to be able to both identify yours and swap your connection over to it.
Reached the maximum number of devices
Another common issue people face is that when setting up their network they have unintentionally placed a limit on how many unique devices can access the network at a given time.
This is a great feature if you are completely sure how many users will need to use the network and don’t want to risk anyone else connecting. If you then obtain another device you wish to add, it may be blocked by your network.
Luckily, increasing the allowed number of devices or removing the cap entirely is quite easy.
WiFi network set to hidden
In your WiFi network’s settings, there is an option to set your network adapter as hidden so you can utilize it for certain tasks without giving anyone else the opportunity to access it. It’s quite common to see this option turned on (whether by accident or just due to a router settings error).
This is another easy fix where you can simply set it to “public.”
Weak or unstable connection
Even if your wireless network is currently public and set up correctly, a weak or intermittent connection might prevent it from displaying as available on a given device.
You might see it flash up for a second and quickly disappear. In this scenario, steps will need to be taken to improve the strength of the network by repositioning the router and removing any obstacles that may hinder the signal.
Automatic connection not set up
If the network is not set up to connect to it automatically, even after enabling it on the settings, this may indicate a software or firmware issue in which reinstalling and re-setting up the network may correct this option to allow you to connect to the network consistently.
5G enabled or supported on your device
Obviously, one of the big selling points of an ultra-fast WiFi network is the 5G compatibility. However, sometimes this will need to be enabled on your device before it will be able to discover the network adapter.
In some cases, your device might not support a 5ghz connection at all, in which case you will need to disable that function from the Xfinity gateway.
Location services option not enabled
There are some valid reasons why you as a user may not wish to have the location services option enabled due to it allowing the provider to gather usage data and your location.
But as companies become more desperate to make sure their users enable this option, they will sometimes tie functionality to the location-based services.
Some users have reported that their network adapter was not operating correctly until they enabled this option.
Multiple enabled networks
When you are using a single machine that already has access to one type of network, trying to add an Xfinity hotspot to that can cause issues as your device may be under conflict as the system tries to connect to multiple networks at the same time.
It may be a case where the other network needs to be disabled before Xfinity will correctly display.
Software, driver, and firmware issues
Service providers will frequently update the router’s firmware, drivers, and any associated software/apps that are used to access the device. This may be for functionality reasons, security updates, or bug fixes.
However, these kinds of software updates are not always completely robust, and it’s not uncommon to see bugs/faults occur in them.
Updating or reinstalling any associated software or firmware can often solve any issues relating to corrupted data, bugs, or simply out-of-date software.
How to fix Xfinity WiFi not showing up
So as you can see, there are quite a few things that can cause the network to not appear for you! Fortunately, many of these are easy to troubleshoot at home without much difficulty.
If you follow through with the fixes offered below step-by-step, you can eliminate each potential problem until it’s either fixed or until you can confirm that there is a more serious hardware issue and Comcast will need to supply a replacement.
Power cycle the router
Sometimes the Xfinity connection not showing up is a simple glitch in the system that can be worked out with a power cycle (hard reset) of the device.
This essentially involves completely unplugging the router from the power and letting it sit for a minute. Then, plug it back in and give it a good amount of time to run through its initial startup sequence.
You’d be surprised at how many times this fixes the issue and is definitely a good place to start. If this doesn’t work, move on to the next step.
Update any associated software, drivers, and firmware
As we mentioned, service providers will quite frequently update software in order to provide additional security and fix various bugs.
Something like an outdated driver in particular will most certainly prevent the network from displaying.
However, do note that since updating firmware or software often requires a stable internet connection anyway, you may need to plug your device directly into the router via Ethernet in order to perform any available updates. Then, you can switch back to WiFi after it is working again.
You can check the Xfinity website for software and firmware updates. Alternatively, if there is an associated phone app, you can do so on the relevant operating systems app store.
Increase or remove the device limit of the network
If you believe your network has a device limit on it that you are exceeding, you will need to adjust the setting within the Xfinity software to either remove this cap or increase it until it’s above the number of devices you wish to use on the network.
You may need to take another device off of the network so you can connect to it with your personal computer in order to adjust this setting. Once it has been adjusted, you can simply re-add that device back.
Set network to public
If the device limit is not the issue, it may be a case of the network being currently set to hidden. In that case you need to log into the router, which may have to be done via Ethernet if you can’t access the device via Wi-Fi, and ensure it’s set to public.
Improve the network connection and signal strength
Even if all your settings are correct, a spotty, weak, or unstable connection may prevent the network from displaying on the network list.
Here are some simple steps you can take to improve your networks signal strength and stability:
- Elevate the router from the floor to remove ground-level obstacles from interfering with the signal.
- Do not place it inside a drawer or cupboard, and keep it in an open space that’s free of obstructions.
- Ensure things like walls, furniture, and metal surfaces such as a washing machine are not directly between the router and the device you are using.
- Removing a few devices from the network can help with bandwidth issues.
- Raw distance can be a factor, so try to move the router and the device you are using closer together.
If you follow all of the steps listed above, the signal strength should see a significant boost, which may allow you to freely connect to the network.
Set up an automatic connection
If a device is not automatically connecting to the network, you will first need to double-check that this option is enabled in your router’s settings. If it’s not, please enable it.
If the issue persists and the device cannot hold the connection to the network, it may indicate a software issue, in which case you should both power cycle the device and check for software/firmware updates.
Unsupported or disabled 5G
In order for a 5G network to work, your device needs to both support it and have the option enabled on your device.
If this is not supported on your device, you will need to disable it on the public WiFi and return it to a 4G connection. This will enable older devices without 5ghz connection support to be able to connect to the network.
Enable location services
While technically this shouldn’t make a difference and should be entirely up to your preference as a user whether you use location services, some Xfinity users have reported that enabling this option has made the network appear for them. This might be worth trying if none of the previous steps have worked.
Multiple, conflicting networks
If you are using multiple networks in your home, particularly if they are over public WiFi, it’s very easy to encounter conflict issues as your device struggles to manage two separate networks.
You may need to disable the other network in order to establish a stable connection to the Xfinity WiFi router. Alternatively, you can also block the second network directly from your device, allowing you to continue using the second network on other devices, just not the one you are trying to use the Xfinity WiFi on.
Contact Comcast support
If none of the above suggestions have worked, it may indicate a hardware-related issue that is not able to be rectified at home. In this case, you should contact Comcast business support, and they will re-supply you with a new piece of working hardware to replace the faulty one.
